bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estilos de crianza y condición emocional de padres de familia: ¿existe una relación con el promedio académico?
Authors: Becerra Gálvez Ana Leticia , Pérez Ortiz Alejandro
Published: November 2024

Se ha demostrado que los estilos de crianza –EC– que ejercen los padres tienen un efecto sobre el rendimiento académico de sus hijos, sin embargo, resulta incierto si su salud mental y otras variables sociodemográficas también lo poseen. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue analizar la asociación entre los EC y el promedio, así como sintomatología de estrés, ansiedad, depresión y algunas variables sociodemográficas en un grupo de padres de familia de niños de educación básica. Participaron 55 padres de entre 24 y 52 años, quienes respondieron una batería psicológica que evaluó los EC y síntomas de trastornos del estado de ánimo. Los resultados revelan que el promedio general de los estudiantes mostró una asociación con el estilo emocional negativo, como también con la escolaridad del padre/madre. Asimismo, la sintomatología depresiva y de estrés correlacionaron con el estilo cognición negativa. Los hallazgos de esta investigación sugieren que la salud mental de los padres parece tener una asociación con el rendimiento académico del menor, no obstante, realizar más investigaciones permitirá conocer sus efectos y su relación con otras variables psicosociales.
Investigación formativa de estudiantes de enfermería: un estudio mixto con diseño secuencial
Authors: Magdaleno Escalante Jorge Alberto , Malaga Villegas Sergio Gerardo
Published: November 2024

La investigación formativa es el proceso de adquisición, construcción y reconstrucción de conocimientos dentro y fuera del aula, que guarda analogías procedimentales con la investigación educativa. El objetivo de este artículo es describir las percepciones de los estudiantes de enfermería de un sistema semiescolarizado sobre el uso de la investigación formativa en las materias de Seminario de investigación en una universidad privada de Puebla. Se utilizó un diseño mixto secuencial explicativo. En la fase cuantitativa el tamaño muestral fue de 429 estudiantes de enfermería. Se aplicó el instrumento “Percepción sobre la investigación formativa en estudiantes universitarios”. La fase cualitativa estuvo compuesta con 15 estudiantes de enfermería de entre 21 y 50 años. En los resultados de la fase cualitativa se identificaron dos categorías: las dificultades del aprendizaje del estudiante en las clases de seminario de la investigación y el rol del profesor de metodologías en estas asignaturas. En la fase cuantitativa se identificaron niveles de percepción de la investigación formativa. Se concluye que en la investigación formativa de los estudiantes de enfermería de un sistema semiescolarizado se ven involucrados de forma activa factores sociales y el ambiente establecido por el profesor de metodologías de la investigación.
Numerical Simulation of GFRP-reinforced Rectangular Concrete Beams and Proposed Design Expressions
Authors: Sakcalı Gökhan Barış , Yüksel İsa
Published: November 2024

Rebar corrosion, which has emerged as a primary detrimental factor, significantly impacts the structural performance, durability, and overall serviceability of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. In response to this issue, the growing use of GFRP, which offers superior corrosion resistance compared to steel, highlights the need to compare its performance with traditional steel-reinforced beams. To address this need, this study aims to evaluate the flexural behavior of beams reinforced solely with GFRP rebar and assess their structural performance relative to steel-reinforced beams. To achieve this, finite element models of both steel-reinforced and GFRP-reinforced beams were developed using ANSYS software. The analysis focused on load-bearing capacities, displacement characteristics, and crack patterns, and included the calculation of strain energies corresponding to collapse prevention performance limits. Overall, the study concludes that these modifications enhance design guidelines for GFRP-reinforced beams, offering improved practical applications in structural design. Significant findings include the proposed modification to the minimum reinforcement ratio equation in ACI 440.1R-15 for GFRP-reinforced concrete, the introduction of a suggested strain reduction factor for GFRP rebar, and the revision of the effective moment of inertia equation with coefficients of 0.05 and 0.95. These revisions improved the general performance indicator to 1.17, yielding better results compared to other equations in the literature. The study concludes that these modifications enhance design guidelines for GFRP-reinforced beams, offering improved practical applications in structural design.
AN INVESTIGATION INTO OPEN-ENDED QUESTION PREPARATION SKILLS OF TURKISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS
Authors: Özen Orhan , Mert Osman
Published: November 2024

This study aimed at determining to what extent Turkish teachers prepare open-ended questions and how often they use this type of questions. Another purpose is to present suggestions about the problems that teachers face when preparing open-ended questions. This study is a case study which is one of the qualitative research methods. Semi-structured interview was performed with teachers who prepared written exams including open-ended questions. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the data obtained at the end of the interview. The participants of the interview are 13 Turkish language teachers working in 7 secondary schools in Tortum district of Erzurum. With the permission obtained from the Erzurum Provincial Directorate of National Education, samples of written exam papers consisting of open-ended questions used in the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades of the Turkish teachers working in 7 secondary schools in Tortum district were taken in the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 academic years. Written exam samples including open-ended questions used in this study were analyzed using the document review method. The findings obtained from the interviews showed that teachers faced problems in preparing and scoring open-ended questions due to insufficient time, scope validity, and evaluation. Also, it was found that open-ended questions measure lower-level skills such as remembering, comprehending and applying in terms of cognitive domain learning and consist of simple reading comprehension questions. The results of the study revealed that teachers are aware of the importance of open-ended questions in Turkish lessons, they use open-ended questions in their exams adequately, although their ability to prepare open-ended questions is low. When examined open-ended questions prepared by teachers, it was found that these types of questions were mostly prepared in the form of simple reading comprehension questions and they were included in the lower levels of cognitive domain. The study also revealed that the reliability of the questions was low, since a detailed answer key was not generally used in the scoring of the questions. Preparing questions that only measure the learning outcomes in terms of reading may reduce validity. Turkish language teaching, assessment and evaluation, open-ended questions.
Specific Learning Disability from the Perspective of Preschool Teachers: Symptoms and What to Do
Authors: Çam Cemile Nur , Yazıcı Dila Nur
Published: November 2024

Specific Learning Disability (SLD) is a type of special needs that can be diagnosed in primary school. However, research shows that there are some symptoms that are reported to be present in the pre-school period in the spatial semantic processes, in the visual and tactile processes, in the auditory processes and in the balance and motor control. It is thought that it is important for okul öncesi teachers to be aware of these symptoms and to inform primary school teachers and parents. To help achieve this, this study aimed to find out what preschool teachers think about SLD. The research was designed using basic qualitative research, one of the qualitative research methods. Snowball sampling, one of the purposive sampling methods, was used to identify the study group. A demographic information form and semi-structured interview questions developed by the researchers were used as data collection tools. Content analysis was used to analyse the data. As a result of the research, it was found that preschool teachers generally focus on reading, writing, speaking and listening skills; it was found that regarding a child with suspected SLD, they mostly meet with the parents and contact the school counselling service and they believe that symptoms of SLD may appear in the preschool period. The findings show similarities with the relevant literature.
The Effect of School Culture on School Engagement: The Mediating Role of Social and Emotional Learning
Authors: Danacı Fikriye Nur , Totan Tarık
Published: November 2024

This study investigated how social and emotional learning mediates the relationship between adolescents' perceptions of school culture and their levels of school engagement. A total of 365 high school adolescents (52.9% female, 47.1% male) participated, with data collected using the School Engagement Scale, School Culture Scale, Adolescents’ Social and Emotional Learning Scale, and a Demographic Information Form. The Pearson product-moment correlation analysis results show that there are statistically significant positive relationships between school culture, school commitment, and social and emotional learning variables. It was discovered that the school culture significantly predicted school engagement in adolescents. Findings indicated a significant effect of school culture on social and emotional learning, and this, in turn, significantly affected students' engagement with school. The study concluded that the relationship between school culture and school engagement in adolescents was partially mediated by social and emotional learning, with its indirect impact proving significant.
Hydrogen peroxide fluxes and fate in a temperate seagrass ecosystem
Authors: Grabb KC , Wankel SD , Sutherland KM , Bowman SH , Long MH , Hansel CM
Published: November 2024

Seagrass ecosystems rank among the most productive marine environments on the planet, hosting high cycling rates of many globally relevant elements. While the cycling of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has important links with other redox-related biogeochemical cycles (i.e. trace metals, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen), the dynamics of ROS in seagrass ecosystems are poorly characterized. To assess the flux, decay rate, and fate of ROS, this study quantified rates of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production and decay through in situ incubations of seawater, algae Polysiphonia sp., and seagrass Zostera marina from a seagrass meadow near Woods Hole, MA, USA. Daytime net primary production values within incubations of Polysiphonia and Zostera ranged from 12.6 to 137.4 µmol O2 g dry wt-1 h-1. By comparison, hydrogen peroxide dynamics were much more variable, with fluxes ranging from -272 to 150 nmol g dry wt-1 h-1, net production rates ranging from -2212 to 38000 nmol g dry wt-1 h-1, and decay rate constants ranging from 0.314 to 9.09 h-1. These results suggest that seagrass meadows contribute to rapid and dynamic turnover of ROS. In separate incubations, tracing of isotopically labeled hydrogen peroxide (H217O2) indicated that hydrogen peroxide decay was predominantly regulated by peroxidase-like activity (62 to 100%), suggesting that hydrogen peroxide serves primarily as an oxidant of likely various reduced substrates, which were not identified here. This study documents the rapid cycling and reductive decay pathways of hydrogen peroxide within seagrass ecosystems, laying the foundation for future studies of ROS cycling dynamics in these and other related shallow marine ecosystems.
Structural effects of seagrass on fouling communities involve more direct than indirect effects
Authors: Rubinoff BG , Grosholz ED
Published: November 2024

Biogenic habitats influence biodiversity through both direct and indirect mechanisms. Direct influences result in changes to abiotic conditions or trophic support, while indirect influences result in changes in associated communities and species interactions. Seagrass forms a marine biogenic habitat that slows water flow, modifies water chemistry, provides food to grazers, and offers refuge. In this study, we examined how seagrass directly and indirectly influences invertebrate communities. Using sessile filter feeding invertebrate communities, also known as fouling communities, as a study system, we deployed experiments with bare settlement plates and predator exclosures inside and outside of seagrass over the summer of 2018. We also conducted a predator exposure experiment in 2020 by removing exclosures following community development to better understand predator effects and how they change temporally. We found that seagrass reduced abundance, diversity, and richness of fouling species in a high recruitment year (2018). Predators influenced communities by reducing the abundance of competitively dominant solitary ascidians, allowing for an increase in the abundance of other morphotypes. The effect of predation appeared to be greater outside of seagrass than inside in 2018 for some community responses, although this statistical interaction was small relative to the main predator effect and was likely influenced by variable recruitment of fouling species. While we caution against the overgeneralization of effects of biogenic habitat on biodiversity, our study provides evidence that seagrass ecosystems alter fouling communities through direct effects on abundance and that indirect effects of seagrass on fouling communities are less important than predicted.
Experimental Lung Transplantation Related With HIF-1, VEGF, ROS. Assessment of HIF-1α, VEGF, and Reactive Oxygen Species After Competitive Blockade of Chetomin for Lung Transplantation in Rats
Authors: Bravo-Reyna C , Zentella A , Ventura-Galleos J , Torres-Villalobos G , Miranda-Galván V , Alanis-Mendizabal J , Escobar-Valderrama J , Nava C , Díaz-Martínez N , Bliskunova T , Morales-De Los Santos V
Published: November 2024

Primary graft failure occurs 15 to 30 % of the time after transplantation. Although there have been improvements in preserving the lungs in good condition, there have not been studies on the regulation of transcription factors. Methods: We carried out an experimental study involving lung transplantation to indirectly evaluate reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and VEGF expression by competitive blockade of HIF-1α with chetomin. There were 5 groups: Group-1: Lung blocks were perfused with 0.9 % SSF, immediately harvested, and preserved. Group-2 (I-T): Immediate transplantation and then reperfusion for 1 h. Group-3 (I-R): Lung blocks were harvested and preserved in LPD solution for 6 h and reperfused for 1 h. Group-4 (DMSO): Lung blocks were treated for 4 h with DMSO, preserved for 6 h and transplanted to a receptor treated with DMSO. Group-5 (chetomin): Lung blocks were treated for 4 h with chetomin, preserved for 6 h and transplanted to a receptor treated with chetomin. ROS, mRNA, and protein levels of HIF-1α and EG-VEGF were determined. Results: The DMSO and chetomin groups had significantly lower ROS levels. Compared with those in the I-R group, the chetomin group exhibited the lowest level of HIF-1α. Conclusions: Addition of chetomin to the donor and the receptor results in a significant reduction in
HIF-1A, VEGF and ROS.
The Principle of Audi and Alteram Partem in The Process of Proof in Criminal Cases (Analysis of Decision Study No. 123/PID.B/2022/PN YYK)
Authors: Hartanto Hartanto , Susanto Susanto , Alimpeev Daniil
Published: November 2024

A decision is a legal product issued by a judge in resolving a case presented at trial. A decision must reflect a sense of justice obtained from the facts revealed at trial and compliance with existing laws and regulations. Legal considerations in a decision aim to explore the facts revealed in the trial based on the principle of audi et alteram partem which must exist and be the basis. The application of audi et alteram partem aims to ensure that the panel of judges carefully listens to the arguments and facts put forward by both parties, namely the public prosecutor (JPU) or legal advisor.  Therefore, the aim of this research aims to describe how the panel of judges examined case Number 123/Pid.B/2022/PN Yyk by applying the principles of evidence in the Criminal Procedure Law. To answer these legal problems, this research uses a combined research method of normative and empirical data with data collection methods by conducting interviews and literature reviews. The research results show that the panel of judges who examined case Number 123/Pid.B/2022/PN Yyk were assumed to have ignored the principle of audi et alteram partem in their decision. This principle of balance (justice) has not been fully fulfilled, because the evidence in the trial has not reached conformity, thus making the defendant position weaker.
TO THE ISSUE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE PLANNING OF MOBILITY IN CITIES
Authors:   Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University, Ptytsia Hennadii , Abramova Ludmila ,   Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University, Ptytsia Nataliya ,   Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University
Published: November 2024

The current state of the bicycle infrastructure in Ukraine is being examined based on the definition of ecological and social component of road traffic efficiency. Identified directions of development and proposed measures for planning bike paths, taking into account the existing transport network of cities. The paper provides fundamental principles of individual mobility for the population, which must align with the basic principles of general urban mobility, namely: safety, directness, continuity, connectivity, attractiveness, and convenience. A thorough analysis of the bicycle movement in the city Kharkiv has been conducted, including the determination of respondents’ attitudes towards the creation bike lanes. Based on statistical data on the fluctuation of respondents’ travel distances within the city, a description of this process was provided according to the normal distribution law. This approach allows determining the main parameters of the city’s modern bike structure. Using specialized software STREETMIX, the modeling of technical solutions for the development of infrastructure for active individual mobility at a main street in Kharkiv was carried out. Five possible solutions for changing the transverse profile of the street were simulated, taking into account the paths of connection for active individual mobility. The obtained average daily increase in street capacity by 12,000 passengers per hour allows asserting the effectiveness of the proposed options for the development of infrastructure for active individual mobility on the respective routes of the city of Kharkiv. The expediency of implementing measures for individual mobility of the popu-lation is substantiated based on determining a comprehensive indicator for assessing the quality of road traffic. Keywords: cycling infrastructure, traffic safety, population mobility indicators, planning solutions, transport network.
METHODS OF DETERMINING OPERATIONAL INDICATORS OF TRANSPORT CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY
Authors:   National Transport University, Kovbasenko Serhii , Gontar Yurii ,   State Enterprise «State Road Transport Research Institute»
Published: November 2024

The article presents the main methods of determining the main operational indicators of transport construction machines, which are their fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness. Considered international standards such as STAGE and TIER set emission limits for off-road equipment, including transport construction machinery. In Ukraine, the SOU 42.1-37641918-094:2017 standard is used to determine the fuel efficiency of road machines and mechanisms, which determines the consumption norms of fuel and lubricants. The calculations are based on the specific fuel consumption at the nominal power of the engine and the integral coefficient, which takes into account the average operating conditions of the machine during the work shift. Typical engine load charts were analyzed to study the efficiency and environmental friendliness of special machines used in transport construction and other industries. They reflect the dependence of the torque change on the duty cycle time. Another research method involves testing using the test cycles described in ISO 8178. The procedure involves the use of several test cycles on an engine test bench. These cycles vary depending on the engine class and the type of equipment being tested. Each cycle is a sequence of stable or transient modes of operation of the engine with different load factors. In cases where laboratory testing is not possible or suitable, ISO 8178-2 provides measurements in real operating conditions using a portable emission measurement system (PEMS). This allows you to receive data directly during the normal operation of the car. Test cycles are key tools for evaluating the fuel efficiency and environmental performance of construction vehicles. They allow you to simulate different modes of operation and obtain accurate data on the operational properties of the equipment. However, given the unique characteristics and operating conditions of different types of machines, there is a need to develop specialized test cycles that best match the actual conditions of use of the equipment. Keywords: test cycle, performance indicators, consumption norms of fuel and lubricants, fuel efficiency, environmental safety, toxicity norms, engine load chart, portable system for measuring harmful emissions, transport construction machines.
We Need to Talk About Mining in the Arctic
Authors: Bidgood Anna K. , Hall Jessica
Published: November 2024

The Arctic encompasses a myriad of ecosystems, transcending borders between nations and cultures. It is home to 4 million people, including numerous Indigenous groups making up around 10% of the population. Although underexplored, it is also host to a variety of geologically diverse mineral deposits that are critical to the production of renewable energy and our ability to achieve our climate goals. However, the impact of climate change on the Arctic is magnified and some of our solutions to climate change have the potential to have negative local impacts. Furthermore, the history of mining in the Arctic raises understandable concerns as to whether or not we should be exploring and mining in the Arctic. This article discusses the interplay between the environment, people and development in the Arctic, with a specific focus on the history of exploration and mining in the region. We pose questions such as: “How do we balance the global need for minerals with environmental and social concerns around resource extraction?”, and “can we envisage a future for mining in the Arctic which ensures long-term sustainability, environmental stewardship and Indigenous wellbeing and collaboration?” The answer to some of these questions might lie in examples of more successful resource development in the Arctic, which include Indigenous benefit agreements, braided knowledge systems and shared ownership projects. It is clear that only by incorporating a diversity of voices and partnerships, and challenging business as usual in the Arctic, can we begin to conceive of potential solutions for achieving a just transition.
A combination of clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic parameters predicts pulmonary hypertension occurrence in patients with end-stage renal disease
Authors: Ding Handong , Zhang Fei , Zhong Jinbiao , Pan Jiashan , Chen Yiding , Zhang Ji , Wang Qin , Liao Guiyi , Hao Zongyao
Published: November 2024

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has a high incidence rate and mortality and its early identification is critical. However, whether a combination of clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic parameters can predict the occurrence of PH in patients with ESRD remains to be elucidated. Herein, we evaluated the predictive value of the combined score of these parameters.

Methods

Data from 370 patients with newly diagnosed ESRD who underwent routine echocardiography and electrocardiography between May 2016 and May 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. The incidence of PH during a 60-month follow-up period was investigated. Twenty-one patients were excluded due to incomplete data among other reasons. Finally, 349 patients were included in the analysis, of whom, 158 (45%) developed PH.

Results

Analysis of electrocardiogram reports suggested that a corrected Q-T interval (QTc) of >438.5 ms was associated with PH. Echocardiographic reports suggest that left atrial diameter (LAD), interventricular septum thickness in end-diastole (IVSd), stroke volume (SV), and pericardial effusion are also associated with PH development. Results of multivariate Cox analysis showed that LAD >3.785 cm, IVSd >1.165 cm, SV >79.5 ml, QTc >438.5 ms, and pericardial effusion were independent predictors of PH in patients with ESRD. The incidence of new-onset PH increased significantly with increasing composite scores, that is, the sum of risk scores determined using hazard ratios.

Conclusions

A total score that includes a combination of parameters such as LAD >3.785 cm, IVSd>1.165 cm, SV >79.5 ml, QTc >438.5 ms, and pericardial effusion can help describe the risk of new-onset PH.
Case report: Novel variants cause developmental and epileptic encephalopathy in three unrelated families from Mali
Authors: Bamba Salia , Sidibé Lala , Diallo Seybou H. , Cissé Lassana , Dembélé Kékouta , Yalcouyé Abdoulaye , Ji Weizhen , Dembélé Mohamed Emile , Diarra Salimata , Maiga Alassane dit Baneye , Traoré Oumou , Diallo Salimata , Mefoung Samuel Ephrata , Touré Amadou , Koné Adama , Jeffries Lauren , Guinto Cheick O. , Mis Emily K. , Fischbeck Kenneth H. , Khokha Mustafa K. , Lakhani Saquib A. , Landouré Guida
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are a group of neurological disorders characterized by early-onset seizures that are often resistant to treatment, by electroencephalographic abnormalities, and by developmental delay or regression. Their genetic basis remains largely unelucidated, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We investigated the genetic bases of DEE in three Malian families.

Methods

Patients underwent clinical evaluation, and DNA was obtained for whole exome sequencing (WES). Putative variants were screened in all available family members and in silico prediction analyses were performed to assess pathogenicity.

Results

Five patients from three unrelated families with DEEs had symptoms that started during the neonatal period with seizures and myoclonus that became refractory to antiepileptic medications. WES identified previously unreported variants in all three families: homozygous variants in GRIN1 and SYNJ1, and compound heterozygous variants in RARS2. These variants affected protein structure by in silico tools and were classified as variants of uncertain significance hot, pathogenic/likely pathogenic respectively according to ACMG criteria.

Discussion

We identified rare variants in three genes (GRIN1, SYNJ1, and RARS2) associated with early onset of DEEs in SSA, expanding their genetic and epidemiological spectrum. Larger cohort studies in SSA may unravel more variants with potential clinical implications and further our understanding of the disease mechanism.
A neural network algorithm for quantifying seawater pH using Biogeochemical-Argo floats in the open Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Osborne Emily , Xu Yuan-Yuan , Soden Madison , McWhorter Jennifer , Barbero Leticia , Wanninkhof Rik
Published: November 2024

Within the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), measurements of ocean pH are limited across space and time. This has hindered our ability to robustly monitor and study regional carbon dynamics, inclusive of ocean acidification, over this biogeochemically variable sea. The 2021 launch of Biogeochemical-Argo (BGC-Argo) ocean profiling floats that carry five sensors represented the entry of this particular ocean observing technology into this region. The GOM BGC-Argo floats have vastly increased the number of oxygen, nitrate, pH, chlorophyll-a fluorescence, and particulate backscattering profile observations within the “open GOM” region (>1,000 m water column depth). To circumvent a set of uncertainties associated with the collected sensor pH data, regionally trained neural network algorithms were developed to skillfully predict GOM pH (total scale, in situ temperature and pressure), which served as a secondary QC and sensor performance assessment tool. The GOM neural network pH (GOM-NNpH) algorithms were trained using a selection of climate quality CTD and bottle data (temperature, salinity, oxygen, nitrate, pressure, and location) collected as a part of NOAA’s Gulf of Mexico Ecosystems and Carbon Cruises (GOMECC). Neural network pH estimates were generated using the newly developed GOMNNpH algorithm and two widely used, globally trained neural network algorithms (Empirical Seawater Property Estimation Routines (ESPER) and CArbonate system and Nutrients concentration from hYdrological properties and Oxygen using a Neural-network (CANYON-B)) to compare algorithm performance against validation data. The results demonstrate the advanced skill of the GOM-NNpH in capturing water column variability and robustly reconstructing GOM pH profiles. Using a combination of concurrent float-measured seawater values of pressure, temperature, salinity, and oxygen, a GOM-NNpH algorithm was applied to two years of BGC-Argo float data. Resulting data were used to diagnose the performance of float pH sensors and to generate a time series of neural network estimated pH based on the collected float profiles. These algorithms emphasize the value of regionally-trained neural networks and their utility by the BGC-Argo community. Further, the GOM-NNpH algorithms can also be applied by a variety of users to estimate pH values in the open GOM in the absence of direct pH observations.
Reported race-associated differences in control and schizophrenia post-mortem brain transcriptomes implicate stress-related and neuroimmune pathways
Authors: Simmons Shay , Arbabi Keon , Felsky Daniel , Wainberg Michael , Tripathy Shreejoy J.
Published: November 2024

Background

The molecular mechanisms underlying racial disparities in schizophrenia (SCZ) illness courses and outcomes are poorly understood. While these differences are thought to arise partly through stressful social gradients, little is known about how these differences are reflected in the brain, nor how they might underlie disparate psychiatric outcomes.

Methods

To better understand the neuro-molecular correlates of social gradients, SCZ, and their overlap, we analyzed post-mortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) RNAseq data from two racially diverse cohorts in the CommonMind Consortium (235 reported Black and 546 White, 322 SCZ cases and 459 controls) using differential expression and gene set variation analyses.

Results

We observed differences in brain gene expression that were consistent across cohorts and reported race. A combined mega-analysis identified 1,514 genes with differential expression (DE) between reported race groups after accounting for diagnosis and other covariates. Functional enrichment analyses identified upregulation of genes involved in stress and immune response, highlighting the potential role of environmental differences between reported race groups. In a race-by-diagnosis interaction analysis, no individual genes passed statistical significance. However, 109 gene sets showed statistically significant differences, implicating metabolic and immune pathways.

Conclusion

Our results suggest molecular mechanisms uniquely perturbed across reported race groups and identify several candidate pathways associated with SCZ in a reported race-dependent manner. Our results underscore the importance of diverse cohort ascertainment to better capture population-level differences in SCZ pathogenesis.
Chrysanthemum indicum L. ameliorates muscle atrophy by improving glucose tolerance in CT26-induced cancer cachexia
Authors: Song Gahee , Choi Minji , Park Woo Yong , Kim Sang Hee , Jiao Wenjun , Park Ja Yeon , Ahn Kwang Seok , Kwak Hyun Jeong , Um Jae-Young
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Cancer cachexia is associated with various metabolic mechanisms such as inflammatory response, insulin resistance, and increased muscle proteolysis. However, effective treatment methods have not yet been standardized. Chrysanthemum indicum L. (CI) is a perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, and its flowers have been used for the treatment of headaches, colds, and rhinitis in Asia.

Methods

This study investigated the effect of CI on cancer cachexia. We subcutaneously injected CT26 colon cancer cells (5 × 105 cells/mouse) into the right flank of BALB/c mice. After 1 week, the mice were orally administered vehicle, CI (100 mg/kg), or Celecoxib (50 mg/kg) for 3 weeks.

Results

CI improved loss of body weight and impaired glucose tolerance, but celecoxib did not recover the body weight and glucose intolerance. CI not only improved the decreased myofiber diameters but also inhibited muscle protein degradation factors, MAFbx and MuRF1. CI also increased cellular membrane GLUT4 in CT26 conditioned medium-treated C2C12 myofibers and cancer cachexia-induced mice. Furthermore, we found that linarin, a constituent of CI, was responsible for the improvement of muscle atrophy.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that CI can ameliorate muscle atrophy by improving glucose uptake, suggesting that CI could be a therapeutic agent for cancer cachexia.
Efficacy and safety of Epimedium total flavonoids for primary osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Jinkun , Huang Xudong , Yuan Yifeng , Zhang Haixin , Zhou Hang , Xiong Wei , Li Yuyi , Zhang Zechen , Qie Fengqing , Mao Yingdelong , Liang Bocheng , Shi Xiaolin , Liu Kang
Published: November 2024

Background

Epimedium total flavonoids (EF) have been recommended to be one of the effective components in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of primary osteoporosis (POP) in China. Due to the lack of evidence-based medical evidence on the efficacy and safety of EF for the treatment of POP, the current systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out aimed at evaluating the curative effects and safety profile of EF treatment for POP in order to provide decision making references for clinical research.

Methods

The PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched from the date of inception to 11 August 2024. The outcomes of effectiveness and safety of included studies were collected to conduct meta-analysis or systematic review.

Results

A total of 6 RCTs were included in this study, involving 838 participants. Overall, our results revealed that the experimental group (EG) had comparable results of efficacy to the control group (CG). The lumbar vertebra bone mineral density (BMD) was statistically different compared to the CG (MD = 0.03; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.04; p = 0.0003), but the clinical significance deserved consideration because the 95% CI nearly crossed the invalid line. The femoral neck BMD was neither statistically different nor clinically different between two groups (MD = 0.00; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.02; p = 0.67). The total complication rates were comparable among the two groups (RR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.39, 1,19; p = 0.18). The quality of the evidence of the present study was judged as moderate and low based on the GRADE analysis.

Conclusion

EF treatment exhibited good curative effects and safety. The result was comparable to the CG, including other Chinese patent medicines and calcium and vitamin D supplements. The EF treatment was proved to be a reliable alternative option for POP.
Unmasking the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of college students: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gandhi Subi , Jordan Alexandra , Glaman Ryan , Morrow Brendan
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Safeguarding college students’ mental health and well-being poses a challenge for college administrators and clinicians because of the unique circumstances students face and the limited literature on their needs. Prior to the pandemic, depression and anxiety were already on the rise among college students, but the changes associated with it may have exacerbated these issues. Our study aimed to explore factors influencing college students’ mental health and identify common trends in their experiences that could assist organizations and policymakers in the future.

Methods

The study participants (n = 571) were chosen using a convenience sample of undergraduate and graduate students attending a Central Texas university. We employed the Qualtrics survey platform to collect data on multiple demographic variables, behavioral health, and other health outcomes of students in the summer semester of 2021. Our objective in this study was to investigate the various factors that contribute to mental health conditions, particularly anxiety, and depression, independently and jointly, by employing two validated tools - Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), which measures depression, and General Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), which measures anxiety.

Results

Both the tools displayed satisfactory internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients (α) of 0.921 for the PHQ-9 (9-item) scale and 0.943 for the GAD-7 (7-item) scale. The prevalence of depression and anxiety among participants was 39.4% and 40.1%, respectively, with 31% of participants overall reporting both conditions. Among the explored factors, age, race, parent/guardian’s level of education, campus residence status, and health insurance status were associated with depression (p < 0.05), whereas gender, age, race, and parent/guardian’s level of education were associated with anxiety (p < 0.05). Academically, several factors related to learning difficulties (i.e., staying motivated to learn, finding a quiet place to learn) were associated with the severity of depression and anxiety severity, demonstrated through composite scores.

Conclusion

Robust longitudinal studies should be carried out to ascertain key influencers that affect students’ mental health, and colleges and universities should create policies and protocols to provide support for students during major catastrophes, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account these influencing factors.
A multidisciplinary weight management intervention for adults with severe mental illness in forensic psychiatric inpatient services (Motiv8): a single blind cluster-randomised wait-list controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Carney Rebekah , Law Heather , El-Metaal Hany , Hann Mark , Shields Gemma , Savage Siobhan , Small Ingrid , Jones Richard , Shiers David , Macafee Gillian , Parker Sophie
Published: November 2024

Background

People with severe mental illness experience physical health inequalities and a 15–20-year premature mortality rate. Forensic inpatients are particularly affected by restrictions on movement, long admissions, and obesogenic/sedative psychotropic medication. We aimed to establish the feasibility and acceptability of Motiv8, a multidisciplinary weight management intervention co-produced with service users for forensic inpatients.

Methods

A randomised waitlist-controlled trial of Motiv8(+Treatment-As-Usual) vs.TAU was conducted in medium-secure forensic services in Greater Manchester. Motiv8 is a 9-week programme of exercise sessions, diet/cooking classes, psychology, physical health/sleep education, and peer support. Physical and mental health assessments were conducted at baseline/10-weeks/3-months. A nested qualitative study captured participant experiences. A staff sub-study explored ward environment.

Results

We aimed to recruit 32 participants (four cohorts). The trial met recruitment targets (n=29, 90.9%; 4 cohorts, 100%), participants were randomised to Motiv8+TAU (n=12) or waitlist (control) (n=17). Acceptable retention rates were observed (93.1%, 10-weeks; 72.4%, 3-months), and participants engaged well with the intervention. The blind was maintained, and no safety concerns raised. Assessment completion was high suggesting acceptability (>90% for people retained and engaged in the study). Participants reported high levels of satisfaction.

Conclusions

The trial was not powered to detect group differences. However, data suggests it is feasible to conduct a rigorous, methodologically robust study of Motiv8 vs.TAU for adults on forensic inpatient units. Motiv8 was acceptable with potential promise providing evidence to proceed to a definitive trial for males. A larger trial is needed to explore potential effectiveness and reduce physical health inequalities for people with SMI.

Clinical trial registration

https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN13539285, identifier ISRCTN13539285.
Understanding the Impact of Soil Characteristics and Field Management Strategies on the Degradation of a Sprayable, Biodegradable Polymeric Mulch
Authors: Borrowman Cuyler K. , Adhikari Raju , Saito Kei , Gordon Stuart , Patti Antonio F.
Published: November 2024

The use of non-degradable plastic mulch has become an essential agricultural practice for increasing crop yields, but continued use has led to contamination problems and in some cropping areas decreases in agricultural productivity. The subsequent emergence of biodegradable plastic mulches is a technological solution to these issues, so it is important to understand how different soil characteristics and field management strategies will affect the rate at which these new materials degrade in nature. In this work, a series of lab-scale hydrolytic degradation experiments were conducted to determine how different soil characteristics (type, pH, microbial community composition, and particle size) affected the degradation rate of a sprayable polyester–urethane–urea (PEUU) developed as a biodegradable mulch. The laboratory experiments were coupled with long-term, outdoor, soil degradation studies, carried out in Clayton, Victoria, to build a picture of important factors that can control the rate of PEUU degradation. It was found that temperature and acidity were the most important factors, with increasing temperature and decreasing pH leading to faster degradation. Other important factors affecting the rate of degradation were the composition of the soil microbial community, the mass loading of PEUU on soil, and the degree to which the PEUU was in contact with the soil.
Weed Detection Algorithms in Rice Fields Based on Improved YOLOv10n
Authors: Li Yan , Guo Zhonghui , Sun Yan , Chen Xiaoan , Cao Yingli
Published: November 2024

Weeds in paddy fields compete with rice for nutrients and cause pests and diseases, greatly affecting rice yield. Accurate weed detection is vital for implementing variable spraying with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for weed control. Therefore, this paper presents an improved weed detection algorithm, YOLOv10n-FCDS (YOLOv10n with FasterNet, CGBlock, Dysample, and Structure of Lightweight Detection Head), using UAV images of Sagittaria trifolia in rice fields as the research object, to address challenges like the detection of small targets, obscured weeds and weeds similar to rice. We enhanced the YOLOv10n model by incorporating FasterNet as the backbone for better small target detection. CGBlock replaced standard convolution and SCDown modules to improve the detection ability of obscured weeds, while DySample enhanced discrimination between weeds and rice. Additionally, we proposed a lightweight detection head based on shared convolution and scale scaling, maintaining accuracy while reducing model parameters. Ablation studies revealed that YOLOv10n-FCDS achieved a 2.6% increase in mean average precision at intersection over union 50% for weed detection, reaching 87.4%. The model also improved small target detection (increasing mAP50 by 2.5%), obscured weed detection (increasing mAP50 by 2.8%), and similar weed detection (increasing mAP50 by 3.0%). In conclusion, YOLOv10n-FCDS enables effective weed detection, supporting variable spraying applications by UAVs in rice fields.
Environmental Efficiency of Agriculture in Visegrád Group Countries vs. the EU and the World
Authors: Sadowski Arkadiusz , Genstwa-Namysł Natalia , Zmyślona Jagoda , Smutka Luboš
Published: November 2024

The production of foodstuffs for an ever-increasing population is the basic, irreducible and unalienable function of agriculture. It involves environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions. This is what makes it so important to examine the levels of environmental efficiency of agriculture. As countries differ in their emission levels, it is reasonable to look for what determines them. Hence, the purpose of this study was to identify the changes in the environmental efficiency of agriculture in Visegrád Group countries and worldwide in 1961–2020. These countries share a similar economic history and demonstrate comparable environmental and geographic conditions, making it possible to pinpoint the factors responsible for how the parameters covered by the study change over time. The research used data from the FAOSTAT database. Environmental efficiency of agriculture was defined as the relationship between production volumes in kilocalories and emissions. Initially, this parameter deteriorated in the Visegrád countries, but since the late 1970s it has improved, first linked to the crisis of the socialist economy and its collapse (including a drastic decline in livestock production) and then to the implementation of CAP instruments.