bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The roles of motivation, anxiety and learning strategies in online Chinese learning among Thai learners of Chinese as a foreign language
Authors: Xu Wei , Zhang Haiwei , Sukjairungwattana Paisan , Wang Tianmiao
Published: August 2022

The impact of motivation, anxiety and learning strategies on the achievement of foreign language proficiency has been widely acknowledged in the context of traditional offline classroom settings. However, this issue has not been extensively documented in relation to online learning, which has become the predominant form of language learning during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study was conducted to investigate the relative prediction of motivation, anxiety and learning strategies for second language achievement among 90 Thai adult learners of Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) who took online Chinese courses. The participants completed a questionnaire dealing with motivation, anxiety, learning strategies, and their Chinese proficiency was measured by self-report and a Chinese vocabulary size test. A series of hierarchical regression analyses revealed two major findings. First, anxiety emerged as the most stable factor for the participants' CFL achievement, followed by learning strategies and motivation. Second, motivation, anxiety and learning strategies only significantly predicted the participants' self-rated Chinese language proficiency, but not their performance on the Chinese vocabulary size test. The overall results indicate the relative importance of motivation, anxiety and learning strategies to Chinese language learning in the online environment and suggest different measures of CFL achievement may lead to different research findings. The general findings were of theoretical and pedagogical significance for understanding and addressing individual differences factors in online language learning.
Evidence for dynamic attentional bias toward positive emotion-laden words: A behavioral and electrophysiological study
Authors: Liu Jia , Fan Lin , Jiang Jiaxing , Li Chi , Tian Lingyun , Zhang Xiaokun , Feng Wangshu
Published: August 2022

There has been no consensus on the neural dissociation between emotion-label and emotion-laden words, which remains one of the major concerns in affective neurolinguistics. The current study adopted dot-probe tasks to investigate the valence effect on attentional bias toward Chinese emotion-label and emotion-laden words. Behavioral data showed that emotional word type and valence interacted in attentional bias scores with an attentional bias toward positive emotion-laden words rather than positive emotion-label words and that this bias was derived from the disengagement difficulty in positive emotion-laden words. In addition, an attentional bias toward negative emotion-label words relative to positive emotion-label words was observed. The event-related potential (ERP) data demonstrated an interaction between emotional word type, valence, and hemisphere. A significant hemisphere effect was observed during the processing of positive emotion-laden word pairs rather than positive emotion-label, negative emotion-label, and negative emotion-laden word pairs, with positive emotion-laden word pairs eliciting an enhanced P1 in the right hemisphere as compared to the left hemisphere. Our results found a dynamic attentional bias toward positive emotion-laden words; individuals allocated more attention to positive emotion-laden words in the early processing stage and had difficulty disengaging attention from them in the late processing stage.
Parental psychological distress and child maladjustment: Exploring the moderating role of sibling relationship quality
Authors: Turgeon Jessica , Bureau Jean-François
Published: August 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the quality of the sibling relationship moderates the association between parental psychological distress and child maladjustment (i.e., internalizing and externalizing problems). We extended previous literature by studying mothers and fathers separately and by including an observational measure of the quality of the sibling relationship. Participants were 52 two-parent families from a community sample who had at least two children living at home. Only one child (aged 6–10 years) was targeted for the study and studied in relation to his/her siblings. Mothers and fathers completed a self-reported questionnaire on their psychological distress and individually assessed their child’s social-emotional maladjustment. The targeted child’s interactions with his/her siblings were observed by independent judges during a home-visit. Results indicate that both maternal and paternal psychological distress are significant predictors of child social-emotional maladjustment. Moderation analyses reveal that children of distressed fathers are at lower risk of social-emotional maladjustment when they engage in highly positive interactions with their siblings.Post hocanalyses suggest that only sibling empathy (not teaching nor companionship) is a significant moderator of the association between paternal psychological distress and child maladjustment. The results of this study provide further evidence of the influence that fathers have in their child’s development and highlight the importance of using a systemic family approach to promote children’s social-emotional adaptation in the context of parental distress.
The features and factors in the acquisition of English existential constructions at the syntax–pragmatics interface by Chinese learners
Authors: Jiang Shan , Zhang Huiping
Published: August 2022

This study adopted a mixed-method study design to investigate the acquisitional features of English existential constructions at the syntax-pragmatics interface by Chinese learners, and explore the factors for non-native performance from the perspective of the Interface Hypothesis. A questionnaire was administered online to 300 Chinese learners of English and 20 English natives at a university in China, which included a picture description test and a context-matching test. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 30 Chinese learners. The experimental data were conducted using comparing means and generalized linear mixed model. Results showed that Chinese learners overproduced existential constructions and reached a native-like level until the advanced stage. Moreover, Chinese learners displayed different preference patterns for existential constructions from English natives, and basically reached a native-like level by the intermediate stage. The qualitative data provided possible explanations for non-native performance. The analysis revealed that non-native performance in production attributed to L1 negative transfer and input frequency, while that in comprehension resulted from underspecification of form-function mapping, input frequency and contexts. Based on the findings, some implications on syntax-pragmatics teaching and L2 interface studies are provided.
Gut microbiome characteristics of comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and functional gastrointestinal disease: Correlation with alexithymia and personality traits
Authors: Guo Xunyi , Lin Feng , Yang Fengjiao , Chen Jing , Cai Weixiong , Zou Tao
Published: August 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of intestinal flora in patients with functional gastroenteropathy and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and the relationship between intestinal flora and psychological factors.

Materials and methods

From March 2020 to December 2020, a total of 35 patients with functional gastroenteropathy and generalized anxiety disorder, 30 healthy controls, 16 patients with functional gastroenteropathy, and 44 patients with generalized anxiety disorder were selected from the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University. Fecal samples were collected from each group, and the related psychophysiological factors scales (Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Hamilton Depression Scale, Neurotic Personality Questionnaire, concept of illness questionnaire, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Severity of Physical Symptoms Scale, and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire) were improved. 16S rRNA high-pass sequencing was used to determine the correlation between intestinal flora changes and functional gastroenteropathy with generalized anxiety disorder. Then, the scale and gut microbiota results were analyzed for correlation to determine the correlation between personality traits and gut microbiota.

Results

We found similar intestinal microbiota in patients with functional gastroenterology, generalized anxiety disorder, and functional gastroenteropathy with generalized anxiety disorder. But the relative abundance of Clostridium was significantly increased in patients with functional gastrointestinal disease (FGID) and generalized anxiety. The relative abundance of Haemophilus influenzae was significantly increased in patients with functional gastrointestinal disease without a generalized anxiety disorder. The intestinal microecological composition was significantly correlated with personality traits.

Conclusion

Functional gastrointestinal disease comorbidity GAD may be related to an increase in the relative abundance of Fusobacterium. FGID non-comorbidity GAD may be related to the increased relative abundance of Hemophilus. The increased relative abundance of Fusobacterium and Megamonas is associated with personality traits such as difficulty describing feelings and difficulty identifying feelings, neuroticism, and negative cognition of disease.
The effect of unhealthy dietary habits on the incidence of dental caries and overweight/obesity among Egyptian school children (A cross-sectional study)
Authors: Mahmoud Sara Ahmed , El Moshy Sara , Rady Dina , Radwan Israa Ahmed , Abbass Marwa M. S. , Al Jawaldeh Ayoub
Published: August 2022

Background

Obesity and dental caries are public health problems in Egypt. Factors such as unhealthy diet, poor oral hygiene, and physical inactivity can play a major role in both problems. This study was carried out to illuminate the mutual unhealthy dietary risk factors associated with the incidence of both health conditions.

Methods

Between 1 October 2020 and 1 July 2021, 369 Egyptian children (5–10 years) were examined. Dental status was assessed using decayed, missing/extracted, and filled tooth indices (dmft, deft, and DMFT) for deciduous, mixed, and permanent dentitions, respectively. Moreover, the lifestyle, food habits, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded.

Results

A total of 342 (93.7%) of the included subjects suffered from caries, and only 27(7.3%) were caries-free. Based on BMI percentiles, 247 (66.9%) of the youngsters were overweight/obese, while 122 (33.1%) had normal weight. The mean dmft was 6.9 (±4.6), deft 4.2 (±3.3), and DMFT 0.1 (±1.7). In the primary dentition, a significant positive correlation was detected between dmft and BMI, legumes, sweetened milk and juice, soft drinks, and desserts, while a significant negative correlation was detected between dmft/deft, meat/poultry/fish, fresh fruits, and vegetables. A significant positive correlation was detected between deft and BMI, sweetened milk and juice, ice cream, candies, and crackers. In the permanent dentition, a significant positive correlation was detected between age, soft drinks, sweetened juice, desserts, and DMFT, while a significant negative correlation was detected with fresh fruits and vegetables. BMI was significantly negatively correlated with a healthy lifestyle, meat/poultry/fish consumption, and fresh fruits and vegetables while positively correlated with legumes, ice cream, soft drinks, granulated sugars, desserts, fast food, and caffeinated drinks.

Conclusion

Overweight/obesity was positively correlated with primary dentition dental caries. Desserts (sweetened snacks) and soft drinks could be the common risk factors associated with high caries and overweight/obesity incidence among Egyptian school children; conversely, consumption of fruits and vegetables could hinder both health conditions. Moreover, sweetened juices were associated with primary and permanent dental caries.
Does CSR performance improve corporate immunity to the COVID-19 pandemic? Evidence from China's stock market
Authors: Tian Jing , Wang Xiuxiu , Wei Yanqiu
Published: August 2022

This paper studies the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance on corporate financial performance during the COVID-19 by examining a sample of Chinese listed firms. Based on the PSM-DID methodology, we find that the pandemic-induced decline in stock returns is stronger with more CSR engagement. The results remain robust even after the dynamic effect test and placebo test. It means CSR performance does not improve Chinese corporate immunity to the pandemic. This inadequate response of CSR could be due to the “relatively few good things effect”. Furthermore, our study indicates that increasing awareness of responsible investment and improving the quality of CSR disclosure could facilitate CSR engagement in China.
Brachial plexus birth injury and cerebral palsy lead to a common contracture phenotype characterized by reduced functional muscle length and strength
Authors: Nikolaou Sia , Garcia Micah C. , Long Jason T. , Allgier Allison J. , Goh Qingnian , Cornwall Roger
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) and cerebral palsy (CP) both cause disabling contractures for which no curative treatments exist, largely because contracture pathophysiology is incompletely understood. The distinct neurologic nature of BPBI and CP suggest different potential contracture etiologies, although imbalanced muscle strength and insufficient muscle length have been variably implicated. The current study directly compares the muscle phenotype of elbow flexion contractures in human subjects with BPBI and CP to test the hypothesis that both conditions cause contractures characterized by a deficit in muscle length rather than an excess in muscle strength.

Methods

Subjects over 6 years of age with unilateral BPBI or hemiplegic CP, and with elbow flexion contractures greater than 10 degrees on the affected side, underwent bilateral elbow flexion isokinetic strength testing to identify peak torque and impulse, or area under the torque-angle curve. Subjects then underwent needle microendoscopic sarcomere length measurement of bilateral biceps brachii muscles at symmetric joint angles.

Results

In five subjects with unilateral BPBI and five with hemiplegic CP, peak torque and impulse were significantly lower on the affected versus unaffected sides, with no differences between BPBI and CP subjects in the percent reduction of either strength measurement. In both BPBI and CP, the percent reduction of impulse was significantly greater than that of peak torque, consistent with functionally shorter muscles. Similarly, in both conditions, affected muscles had significantly longer sarcomeres than unaffected muscles at symmetric joint angles, indicating fewer sarcomeres in series, with no differences between BPBI and CP subjects in relative sarcomere overstretch.

Discussion

The current study reveals a common phenotype of muscle contracture in BPBI and CP, with contractures in both conditions characterized by a similar deficit in muscle length rather than an excess in muscle strength. These findings support contracture treatments that lengthen rather than weaken affected muscles. Moreover, the discovery of a common contracture phenotype between CP and BPBI challenges the presumed dichotomy between upper and lower motor neuron lesions in contracture pathogenesis, instead revealing the broader concept of “myobrevopathy”, or disorder of short muscle, warranting increased investigation into the poorly understood mechanisms regulating muscle length.
When is the optimum time for the initiation of early rehabilitative exercise on the postoperative functional recovery of peri-ankle fractures? A network meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Ke , Dong Shilei , Wang Wei
Published: August 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore the safe and most effective initiation time for the functional recovery of patients with peri-ankle fractures after surgery.

Method

We searched electronic databases, including the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed and the reference lists of relevant articles published from inception to October 30, 2021. Two researchers independently performed literature screening and data extraction and evaluated the quality of the included literature using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Network meta-analysis, including consistency testing, publication bias, and graphical plotting, was performed using Stata (v16.0).

Results

A total of 25 articles involving 1756 patients were included in this study. The results of the meta-analysis showed that functional exercise within 2 days after surgery may result in lower VAS scores compared to other techniques (P < 0.05). Functional exercise within 12 months may lead to higher AOFAS scores than that of other techniques (P < 0.05). The total postoperative complication rate, including deep vein thrombosis, showed no statistically significant differences between any two interventions (P > 0.05). The results of the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) showed that functional exercise within two days postoperatively may have the lowest VAS scores (SUCRA = 82.8%), functional exercise within 1 week postoperatively may have the lowest deep vein thrombosis rate (SUCRA = 66.8%), functional exercise within 10 days postoperatively may have the fewest total postoperative complication rate (SUCRA = 73.3%) and functional exercise within 12 months postoperatively may contribute to the highest AOFAS scores (SUCRA = 85.5%).

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that initiation of rehabilitation within two days after surgery may be the best time to reduce postoperative pain; rehabilitation interventions within 10 days after surgery may be the optimal time for reducing the total postoperative complication rate, including deep vein thrombosis; and continued functional exercise within 12 months after surgery may steadily and ideally improve the function of the ankle joint.

Systematic Review Registration: doi: 10.37766/inplasy2021.12.0030, identifier: INPLASY2021120030
Case report: MRI findings with CNS blastomycosis in three domestic cats
Authors: Hecht Silke , Michaels Jennifer R. , Simon Heather
Published: August 2022

Blastomycosis is a systemic mycotic infection caused by dimorphic fungi. The disease is rare in cats, and reports on imaging findings with central nervous system (CNS) involvement are limited. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed antemortem in three feline patients. Imaging findings that may allow prioritization of intracranial blastomycosis over other differential diagnoses included focal or multifocal intra-axial mass lesions with dural contact, lesion hypointensity on T2-weighted images and diffusion-weighted imaging/apparent diffusion coefficient map (DWI/ADC), strong and homogeneous contrast enhancement of the lesion(s), concurrent meningeal enhancement, marked perilesional edema and mass-effect, and ocular abnormalities. One cat was managed successfully and had a recurrence of CNS blastomycosis more than 4.5 years after the initial diagnosis. Repeat MRI at that point revealed both new and persistent (chronic) abnormalities.
Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in Cattle in Portugal
Authors: Waap Helga , Bärwald Andrea , Nunes Telmo , Schares Gereon
Published: August 2022

Neospora caninum has a worldwide economic impact as an important cause of abortion in cattle, while Toxoplasma gondii, another abortifacient pathogen, is globally a major foodborne zoonotic threat. The study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and risk factors for the two parasites in cattle in Portugal. A total of 612 sera from 35 farms were tested by an in-house p30 ELISA for T. gondii and p38 ELISA for N. caninum. T. gondii positive and suspicious sera were confirmed by p30 Western blot or IFAT. T. gondii and N. caninum animal seroprevalence was 9.2% (95%CI 7.1–11.7) and 17.2% (95% CI 14.4–20.4) and herd seroprevalence was 51.4% (95% CI 35.6–67.0) and 68.6% (95% CI 52.0–81.5), respectively. At the univariable level, climate area and precipitation of wettest month, driest month, driest quarter, and warmest quarter were significant predictors of seropositivity for both. N. caninum seropositivity was more likely in the region Norte, densely populated areas, and intensive production, and the probability of T. gondii seropositivity decreased with herd size. Results confirm the need to consider neosporosis in the differential diagnosis of cattle reproductive disorders in Portugal and may be valuable to inform source attribution models for human toxoplasmosis.
Journeys, Journey Conditions, and Welfare Assessment of Unbroken (Unhandled) Horses on Arrival at a Slaughterhouse in Italy
Authors: Zappaterra Martina , Nanni Costa Leonardo , Felici Martina , Minero Michela , Perniola Francesco , Tullio Daniele , Padalino Barbara
Published: August 2022

Transportation of horses to slaughterhouses can pose a welfare concern, in particular when horses are unbroken/unhandled. This study aimed to describe their journeys and journey conditions, document their welfare status on arrival in a slaughterhouse in Italy, and investigate possible associations between journey conditions and welfare issues. A total of 395 unbroken draft horses in 20 different consignments were assessed with a standardized protocol. The most common departure point (16/20 consignments, 80%) was a French assembly center, but many of these horses had Spanish passports, suggesting they had previously been transported from Spain to France. The average journey duration was 34 ± 14 h, including journey breaks (i.e., short stops inside the vehicle and long resting stops at control posts), while transit time was 24 ± 4 h. The drivers were well experienced, the trucks were well equipped (i.e., forced ventilation, drinkers), and the horses traveled loose in small groups (n ≤ 4 horses) within pens inside the vehicle. On arrival at the slaughterhouse, the horses self-unloaded and showed minimal behavioral and health problems. The prevalence of injuries, diarrhea/abnormal feces, and nasal discharge were 1.52%, 6.58%, and 4.30%, respectively. Cold temperatures, space allowance, and lack of feeding during transport were found to be the main hazards of those problems (all p < 0.05). Our findings confirm that the correct assessment of the fitness for transport, adequate journey conditions, and experienced staff are crucial factors to safeguard the welfare of unbroken horses during long journeys.
Transforming Intensive Animal Production: Challenges and Opportunities for Farm Animal Welfare in the European Union
Authors: Molnár Mariann
Published: August 2022

Since the 1960s, the European Union (EU) has made efforts to ensure the welfare of farm animals. The system of EU minimum standards has contributed to improved conditions; however, it has not been able to address the deeper factors that lead to the intensification of animal farming and the consolidation of the processing sector. These issues, along with major competitive pressures and imbalances in economic power, have led to a conflict of interest between animal industries, reformers, and regulators. While the priorities of the European Green Deal and the End the Cage Age initiatives are to induce a rapid phasing out of large-scale cage-based farming systems, the industry faces the need to operate on a highly competitive global market. Animal farmers are also under pressure to decrease input costs, severely limiting their ability to put positive animal-care values into practice. To ensure a truly effective transition, efforts need to go beyond new regulations on farm animal welfare and address drivers that push production toward a level of confinement and cost-cutting. Given the right socio-economic and policy incentives, a transition away from intensive farming methods could be facilitated by incentives supporting farm diversification, alternative technologies, and marketing strategies.
Multifunctional Models, Including an Artificial Neural Network, to Predict the Compressive Strength of Self-Compacting Concrete
Authors: Ghafor Kawan
Published: August 2022

In this study, three different models were developed to predict the compressive strength of SCC, including the nonlinear relationship (NLR) model, multiregression model (MLR), and artificial neural network. Thus, a set of 400 data were collected and analyzed to evaluate the effect of seven variables that have a direct impact on the CS, such as water to cement ratio (w/c), cement content (C, kg/m3), gravel content (G, kg/m3), sand content (S, kg/m3), fly ash content, (FA, kg/m3), superplasticizer content (SP, kg/m3), and curing time (t, days) up to 365 days. Several statistical assessment parameters, such as the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and scatter index (SI), were used to assess the performance of the predicted models. Depending on the statistical analysis, the median percentage of superplasticizers for the production of SCC was 1.33%. Furthermore, the percentage of fly ash inside all mixes ranged from 0 to 100%, with 1 to 365 days of curing and sand content ranging from 845 to 1066 kg/m3. The results indicated that ANN performed better than other models with the lowest SI values. Curing time has the most impact on forecasts for the CS of SCC modified with FA.
Effect of the Surface Treatment Process of Filter Bags on the Performance of Hybrid Electrostatic Precipitators and Bag Filters
Authors: Xia Shaobo , Duan Lu , Wang Jianpeng , Ji Renshan
Published: August 2022

Hybrid electrostatic precipitators consisting of electrostatic precipitation (ESP) and a bag filter are potential devices for ultralow emissions. The ESP captures and charges the particles; subsequently, the charged particles that escape enter the bag filter. The charged particles can cause the electric field of the filter bag to develop, thereby enhancing the filtration efficiency due to the force of the electric field. Experiments based on the coupling-reinforced electrostatic–fabric integrated precipitator system were conducted to investigate the outlet total dust concentration, dust removal efficiency, pressure drop, energy consumption of bag filter, and hybrid electrostatic precipitators with various filter bags. The measured results demonstrate that the removal performance of filter bags with smaller fiber diameters was superior. However, the pressure drop and energy consumption were high due to the increased filtration resistance. Compared to bag filters, hybrid electrostatic precipitators had lower total and grade dust mass concentrations at the outlet, higher total and grade dust removal efficiencies, a minor average pressure drop variation per minute, and lower total energy consumption. Consequently, the quality factor was utilized to comprehensively evaluate the overall performance of dust collectors. The hybrid electrostatic precipitators had a significant greater quality factor; their overall performance was superior to that of bag filters. Overall, a smaller filter bag’s fiber diameter resulted in more effective dust removal capabilities. Hybrid electrostatic precipitators with various filter bags were significantly better than bag filters in terms of dust removal performance, cycle life, and energy consumption.
Thermal Model Validation Process for Building Environment Simulation: A Case Study for Single-Family House
Authors: Sarna Izabela , Ferdyn-Grygierek Joanna , Grygierek Krzysztof
Published: August 2022

Currently, more and more emphasis is being placed on reducing energy consumption in buildings to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Building performance simulation is very useful to predict energy demand and indoor environment quality. An indispensable element of the simulation is the validation and calibration of the model, which is an arduous process. The aim of the study was to present a four-level validation (using measurement results) and calibration of a thermal model of a naturally ventilated single-family house. Numerical calculations using co-simulation between EnergyPlus and Contam were performed. The results of the one-year simulation measurements of the indoor temperature and ventilation airflows were compared. After the calibration was performed, a high convergence of the results was found. The normalized mean bias error for hourly and monthly values did not exceed 1% and the coefficient of variation of the root mean squared error was a maximum of 7% with a simultaneous high correlation of the results in the range from 0.85 to 0.89. It was found that the final results were significantly influenced by the appropriate modeling of air exchange in the building, including the opening of windows.
Evaluation of Surface Water Resource Availability under the Impact of Climate Change in the Dhidhessa Sub-Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Merga Damtew Degefe , Adeba Dereje , Regasa Motuma Shiferaw , Leta Megersa Kebede
Published: August 2022

Climate change, with its reaching implications, has become a popular topic in recent years. Among the many aspects of climate change, one of the most pressing concerns has been identified as the impact on the terrestrial water cycle, which has a direct impact on human settlement and ecosystems. The paper begins by reviewing previous studies, and then identifies their flaws and future research directions. The effects of climate change on surface water resources in the Dhidhessa Sub-basin, Abbay Basin, Ethiopia, were studied as practices. For future potential climate change, the results of global climate models (GCMs) and high-resolution regional climate models (RCMs) from multiple climate models were combined with data from Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change from the CCAFS Data Distribution Center web page. To evaluate the impacts on water resources, various distributed hydrologic models based on local underlying surfaces were developed. The future potential climate change of the Dhidhessa Sub-basin Province was evaluated by integrating RCP outputs, whereas the climate change of the Dhidhessa River was directly derived from the results of different RCP. Dhidhessa stream flow will decrease in the future compared to the baseline era. The predictions of future discharge (stream flow) were based on climate scenarios data from 1991 to 2020 and for the future with two time windows, 2044 (2030–2059) and 2084 (2070–2099), on a monthly time-step after bias correction to both precipitation and temperature in the future climate described in the under each RCP. According to model results, the quantity of surface water resources in the Dhidhessa river region will decrease over the next 100 years, the percent decrease in mean annual stream flow by 10%, in 2044, and 6.3% in 2084, respectively, making the impact of temperature increase on runoff greater than that of precipitation. The distribution of runoff would be more even across years but more uneven across years in the long-term window, implying a higher possibility of drought and flooding. In general, this study discovered that any effect on this river that results in a decrease in flow will have a direct impact on the area’s ongoing water resource development and socioeconomic development.
High-Resolution Ammonia Emissions from Nitrogen Fertilizer Application in China during 2005–2020
Authors: Chen Youfan , Zhang Lin , Zhao Yuanhong , Zhang Lijuan , Zhang Jingwei , Liu Mengyao , Zhou Mi , Luo Bin
Published: August 2022

The accurate estimation of ammonia emission is essential for quantifying secondary inorganic aerosol formation and reactive nitrogen deposition. During the last decades, both fertilizer type and the total amount of nitrogen fertilizer in China have changed, while the resulting changes in ammonia emissions and their spatio-temporal variations are unclear. In this study, we compile a long-term (2005–2020) high-resolution ammonia emission inventory for synthetic fertilizer in China with bottom-up method. We parameterized emissions factors (EFs) considering the impacts of soil properties, method of fertilizer application, fertilizer type, crop type, ambient temperature and wind speed. Meanwhile, the monthly nitrogen fertilizer application is calculated by detailed information on crop-specific fertilizer application practices. For the spatial distribution, the ammonia emissions from fertilizer mostly concentrate in eastern and southwestern China, coincident with the high density of agriculture activity and population in these regions. For the seasonal variation, the ammonia emissions from fertilizer application peak in spring and summer because of dense fertilizer application and high ambient temperature. For the long-term trend, we estimate that the emissions from synthetic fertilizer increased from 5.38 Tg in 2005 to 5.53 Tg in 2008 and remained nearly unchanged during 2008–2012, then decreased to 3.96 Tg in 2020. Urea, ammonium bicarbonate (ABC) and nitrogenous compound fertilizer are major fertilizer types used in China. Despite the increased use of nitrogen fertilizer, ammonia emissions remained stable throughout 2008–2012 with the declined use of ABC. This stable period also reflects ammonia emission increases in western China, offsetting the decreases in eastern China. Furthermore, our emission inventory provides a monthly estimation at a spatial resolution of 0.1 degrees, which can be applied to global and regional atmospheric chemistry model simulations.
Relationship of FDG PET/CT Textural Features with the Tumor Microenvironment and Recurrence Risks in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancers
Authors: Ahn Hyein , Song Geum Jong , Jang Si-Hyong , Lee Hyun Ju , Lee Moon-Soo , Lee Ji-Hye , Oh Mee-Hye , Jeong Geum Cheol , Lee Sang Mi , Lee Jeong Won
Published: August 2022

The relationship between 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) textural features and histopathological findings in gastric cancer has not been fully evaluated. We investigated the relationship between the textural features of primary tumors on FDG PET/CT with histopathological findings and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Fifty-six patients with AGC who underwent FDG PET/CT for staging work-ups were retrospectively enrolled. Conventional parameters and the first- and second-order textural features of AGC were extracted using PET textural analysis. Upon histopathological analysis, along with histopathological classification and staging, the degree of CD4, CD8, and CD163 cell infiltrations and expressions of interleukin-6 and matrix-metalloproteinase-11 (MMP-11) in the primary tumor were assessed. The histopathological classification, Lauren classification, lymph node metastasis, CD8 T lymphocyte and CD163 macrophage infiltrations, and MMP-11 expression were significantly associated with the textural features of AGC. The multivariate survival analysis showed that increased FDG uptake and intra-tumoral metabolic heterogeneity were significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence after curative surgery. Textural features of AGC on FDG PET/CT showed significant correlations with the inflammatory response in the tumor microenvironment and histopathological features of AGC, and they showed significant prognostic values for predicting RFS.
Can We Compare the Health-Related Quality of Life of Childhood Cancer Survivors Following Photon and Proton Radiation Therapy? A Systematic Review
Authors: Doig Mikaela , Bezak Eva , Parange Nayana , Gorayski Peter , Bedford Victoria , Short Michala
Published: August 2022

Paediatric cancer patients have a risk of late side effects after curative treatment. Proton radiation therapy (PRT) has the potential to reduce the incidence and severity of toxicities produced by conventional photon radiation therapy (XRT), which may improve the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children. This systematic review aimed to identify the evidence of HRQoL outcomes in childhood cancer survivors following XRT and PRT. Medline, Embase, and Scopus were systematically searched. Thirty studies were analysed, which described outcomes of 1986 childhood cancer survivors. Most studies (n = 24) described outcomes for children with a central nervous system (CNS) tumour, four studies reported outcomes for children with a non-CNS tumour, and two studies combined CNS and non-CNS diagnoses within a single cohort. No studies analysed routine HRQoL collection during paediatric radiation oncology clinical practice. There is insufficient quality evidence to compare HRQoL outcomes between XRT and PRT. Therefore, the current state of the literature does not conclude that PRT produces superior HRQoL outcomes for childhood cancer survivors. Standardised clinical implementation of HRQoL assessment using patient-reported outcomes is recommended to contribute to improvements in clinical care whilst assisting the progression of knowledge comparing XRT and PRT.
Bridging the Translational Gap in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy with iPSC-Based Modeling
Authors: Mortensen Christina , Andersen Nanna Elman , Stage Tore Bjerregaard
Published: August 2022

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and potentially serious adverse effect of a wide range of chemotherapeutics. The lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying CIPN limits the efficacy of chemotherapy and development of therapeutics for treatment and prevention of CIPN. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have become an important tool to generate the cell types associated with CIPN symptoms in cancer patients. We reviewed the literature for iPSC-derived models that assessed neurotoxicity among chemotherapeutics associated with CIPN. Furthermore, we discuss the gaps in our current knowledge and provide guidance for selecting clinically relevant concentrations of chemotherapy for in vitro studies. Studies in iPSC-derived neurons revealed differential sensitivity towards mechanistically diverse chemotherapeutics associated with CIPN. Additionally, the sensitivity to chemotherapy was determined by donor background and whether the neurons had a central or peripheral nervous system identity. We propose to utilize clinically relevant concentrations that reflect the free, unbound fraction of chemotherapeutics in plasma in future studies. In conclusion, iPSC-derived sensory neurons are a valuable model to assess CIPN; however, studies in Schwann cells and motor neurons are warranted. The inclusion of multiple iPSC donors and concentrations of chemotherapy known to be achievable in patients can potentially improve translational success.
Untangling the Extracellular Matrix of Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane: A Path Winding among Structure, Interactomics and Translational Medicine
Authors: Bianchi Laura , Altera Annalisa , Barone Virginia , Bonente Denise , Bacci Tommaso , De Benedetto Elena , Bini Luca , Tosi Gian Marco , Galvagni Federico , Bertelli Eugenio
Published: August 2022

Idiopathic epiretinal membranes (iERMs) are fibrocellular sheets of tissue that develop at the vitreoretinal interface. The iERMs consist of cells and an extracellular matrix (ECM) formed by a complex array of structural proteins and a large number of proteins that regulate cell–matrix interaction, matrix deposition and remodelling. Many components of the ECM tend to produce a layered pattern that can influence the tractional properties of the membranes. We applied a bioinformatics approach on a list of proteins previously identified with an MS-based proteomic analysis on samples of iERM to report the interactome of some key proteins. The performed pathway analysis highlights interactions occurring among ECM molecules, their cell receptors and intra- or extracellular proteins that may play a role in matrix biology in this special context. In particular, integrin β1, cathepsin B, epidermal growth factor receptor, protein-glutamine gamma-glutamyltransferase 2 and prolow-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 are key hubs in the outlined protein–protein cross-talks. A section on the biomarkers that can be found in the vitreous humor of patients affected by iERM and that can modulate matrix deposition is also presented. Finally, translational medicine in iERM treatment has been summed up taking stock of the techniques that have been proposed for pharmacologic vitreolysis.
Study of Intumescent Coatings Growth for Fire Retardant Systems in Naval Applications: Experimental Test and Mathematical Model
Authors: Piperopoulos Elpida , Grifò Gabriele , Scionti Giuseppe , Atria Mario , Calabrese Luigi , Consolo Giancarlo , Proverbio Edoardo
Published: August 2022

Onboard ships, fire is one of the most dangerous events that can occur. For both military and commercial ships, fire risks are the most worrying; for this reason they have an important impact on the design of the vessel. The intumescent coatings react when heated or in contact with a living flame, and a multi-layered insulating structure grows up, protecting the underlying structure. In this concern, the aim of the paper is to evaluate the intumescent capacity of different composite coatings coupling synergistically modeling and experimental tests. In particular, the experiments have been carried out on a new paint formulation, developed by Colorificio Atria S.r.l., in which the active components are ammonium polyphosphate or pentaerythritol. The specimens were exposed to a gas-torch flame for about 70 s. The degree of thermal insulation of the coating was monitored by means of a thermocouple placed on the back of the sample. In order to get insights into the intumescent mechanism, experimental data was compared with the results of a mathematical model and a good agreement is detected. Furthermore, a predictive model on the swelling rate is addressed. The results highlight that all coatings exhibit a clear intumescent and barrier capacity. The best results were observed for coating enhanced with NH4PO3 where a regular and thick, porous char was formed during exposure to direct flame.
Core–Shell Structures Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition on GaAs Nanowires
Authors: Ursaki Veaceslav V. , Lehmann Sebastian , Zalamai Victor V. , Morari Vadim , Nielsch Kornelius , Tiginyanu Ion M. , Monaico Eduard V.
Published: August 2022

GaAs nanowire arrays have been prepared by anodization of GaAs substrates. The nanowires produced on (111)B GaAs substrates were found to be oriented predominantly perpendicular to the substrate surface. The prepared nanowire arrays have been coated with thin ZnO or TiO2 layers by means of thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD), thus coaxial core–shell hybrid structures are being fabricated. The hybrid structures have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the morphology investigations, by Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis for the composition and crystal structure assessment, and by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy for obtaining an insight on emission polarization related to different recombination channels in the prepared core–shell structures.
Predictive Value of MR-proADM in the Risk Stratification and in the Adequate Care Setting of COVID-19 Patients Assessed at the Triage of the Emergency Department
Authors: Minieri Marilena , Di Lecce Vito N. , Lia Maria Stella , Maurici Massimo , Leonardis Francesca , Longo Susanna , Colangeli Luca , Paganelli Carla , Levantesi Stefania , Terrinoni Alessandro , Malagnino Vincenzo , Brunetti Domenico J. , Giovannelli Alfredo , Pieri Massimo , Ciotti Marco , D’Agostini Cartesio , Gabriele Mariachiara , Bernardini Sergio , Legramante Jacopo M.
Published: August 2022

In the past two pandemic years, Emergency Departments (ED) have been overrun with COVID-19-suspicious patients. Some data on the role played by laboratory biomarkers in the early risk stratification of COVID-19 patients have been recently published. The aim of this study is to assess the potential role of the new biomarker mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) in stratifying the in-hospital mortality risk of COVID-19 patients at the triage. A further goal of the present study is to evaluate whether MR-proADM together with other biochemical markers could play a key role in assessing the correct care level of these patients. Data from 321 consecutive patients admitted to the triage of the ED with a COVID-19 infection were analyzed. Epidemiological; demographic; clinical; laboratory; and outcome data were assessed. All the biomarkers analyzed showed an important role in predicting mortality. In particular, an increase of MR-proADM level at ED admission was independently associated with a threefold higher risk of IMV. MR-proADM showed greater ROC curves and AUC when compared to other laboratory biomarkers for the primary endpoint such as in-hospital mortality, except for CRP. This study shows that MR-proADM seems to be particularly effective for early predicting mortality and the need of ventilation in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ED.
New RAPMYCOI SensititreTM Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test for Atypical Rapidly Growing Mycobacteria (RGM)
Authors: Borek Anna , Zabost Anna , Głogowska Agnieszka , Filipczak Dorota , Augustynowicz-Kopeć Ewa
Published: August 2022

Rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) cause an increasing international concern, mainly due to their natural resistance to many antibiotics. The aim of this study was to conduct species identification and determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of RGM isolated in Poland. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using broth microdilution and the RAPMYCOI panel. A total of 60 strains were analysed, including the following species: M. fortuitum complex (30), M. abscessus subsp. abscessus (16), M. abscessus subsp. massiliense (7), M. chelonae (5), and M. mucogenicum (2). For 12 M. abscessus subsp. abscessus strains, the presence of the erm 41T28 genotype associated with inducible macrolide resistance and a functional erm gene was confirmed. A MUT2 mutation in the rrl gene (constitutive resistance) was identified for two strains from the subtype M. abscessus subsp. massiliense. Among the 15 tested antibiotics, amikacin and linezolid had the strongest antimycobacterial activity. Most of the tested strains were resistant to doxycycline and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Tigecycline MICs were low for all tested strains. Findings from our study highlight the importance of correct identification of clinical isolates and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Syncope Recurrence and Downstream Diagnostic Testing after Insertable Cardiac Monitor Placement for Syncope
Authors: Frazier-Mills Camille G. , Johnson Lawrence C. , Xia Ying , Rosemas Sarah C. , Franco Noreli C. , Pokorney Sean D.
Published: August 2022

Despite advances in syncope evaluation strategies and risk stratification, the high cost of syncope is largely driven by extensive and often repetitive testing. This analysis of a large deidentified US claims database compared the use of diagnostic tests, therapeutic procedures, and the recurrence rate of acute syncope events before and after placement of an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) in syncope patients. The patients had a minimum of 1 year of continuous enrollment before and 2 years after ICM placement. Among 2140 patients identified, a statistically significant reduction in the use of 14 out of 18 tests was observed during follow-up compared with pre-ICM testing. During the 2-year follow-up, 28.3% of patients underwent cardiac therapeutic interventions after a median of 127 days. Significantly fewer patients experienced acute syncope events during the 1st and 2nd years of ICM follow-up compared with the 1-year pre-ICM period, and the frequency of events per patient also decreased. In conclusion, reductions in diagnostic testing and acute syncope events were observed after ICM placement in a large real-world cohort of unexplained syncope patients. Further studies are needed to prospectively assess the impact of ICM vs. short-term monitoring on patient outcomes and healthcare utilization.