bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solid State Fermentation of Shrimp Shell Waste Using Pseudonocardia carboxydivorans 18A13O1 to Produce Bioactive Metabolites
Authors: Setiawan Andi , Widyastuti Widyastuti , Irawan Arik , Wijaya Oklis Syahrin , Laila Aspita , Setiawan Wawan Abdullah , Juliasih Ni Luh Gede Ratna , Nonaka Kenichi , Arai Masayoshi , Hendri John
Published: November 2021

Marine actinomycetes are prolific microorganisms; however, knowledge of their diversity, distribution, and secondary metabolites is limited. Marine actinomycetes represent an untapped source of novel bioactive compounds. In this study, we investigated shrimp shell as substrates for model production bioactive metabolites from actinomycetes under solid state fermentation (SSF) conditions. A total of fifteen actinomycetes were isolated from six sponges and one tunicate. The isolated actinomycetes were grown on solid shrimp shells. Cultures of actinomycetes were extracted with ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and extracts were bioassayed for activity against Staphylococcus aureus. One isolate 18A13O1 from the sponge, Rhabdastrella globostellata, exhibited antibacterial activity on primary screening compared to the other samples and was chosen for further study. Visualization using SEM showed aerial and substrate mycelia. Through phylogenetic analysis, it was confirmed that isolate 18A13O1 is a Pseudonocardia carboxydivorans. Purification of an EtOAc extract yielded A13B2, which showed a minimum inhibition concentration against S. aureus at 15.6 μg/mL. It can be concluded that this basic information is very important for further studies related to the development of the production of bioactive secondary metabolites through the solid state fermentation process.
Insights into Chufa Milk Frozen Yoghurt as Cheap Functional Frozen Yoghurt with High Nutritional Value
Authors: Swelam Seham , Zommara Mohsen A. , Abd El-Aziz Abd El-Aziz M. , Elgammal Noha A. , Baty Roua S. , Elmahallawy Ehab Kotb
Published: November 2021

Milk and dairy products are fundamental items in all social groups’ diets. The production of functional milk and dairy products supplemented with plant extracts is a potential direction of research in the dairy sector. In the present study, chufa (tiger nut) milk was mixed with buffalo milk for manufacturing functional frozen yoghurt. Flavoring materials (orange (O), strawberry (St), cocoa (Co), instant coffee “soluble coffee” classic (N) and cinnamon (Ci)) were used, aiming to improve the sensory attributes of the final products. The resultant frozen yoghurt was analyzed for chemical, physical and sensory properties. Interestingly, our study revealed that buffalo–chufa milk (50%:50%, w/w) frozen yoghurt (F) had higher total solid (TS), fat and protein contents compared to the control buffalo milk frozen yoghurt (CT). These parameters reached their highest values in cocoa frozen yoghurt (CoF). Lactose, acetaldehyde and pH were lower in F compared to CT, while the highest acetaldehyde value was observed in strawberry chufa frozen yoghurt (StF). Plain or flavored F recorded higher petaldehyde values, observed in strawberry chufa frozen yoghurt (StF). Plain or flavored materials improved the melting resistance, and the highest value was recorded in cinnamon chufa frozen yoghurt (CiF). Na, K, Mg, and Fe contents were significantly higher in F; however, Ca was lower compared to CT. In general, the used flavoring materials markedly increased the mineral content in the final products. A significant decrease was observed in the sensory properties in F compared to CT, whereas frozen yoghurt manufactured with coca was preferred over all other types, followed by the soluble coffee-flavored product (NF). Collectively, functional frozen yoghurt can be produced by mixing buffalo yoghurt and chufa milk (50:50 v/v). Buffalo—chufa frozen yoghurt (F) had higher nutritional value but lower physical and sensory properties compared to buffalo frozen yoghurt (control). A clear improvement in the properties of the final product can be achieved using different flavoring materials. Cleary, our present study provides novel interesting information about the potential beneficial use of chufa buffalo milk for manufacturing functional frozen yoghurt. Further similar research is recommended to explore the potential benefits of the supplementation of other dairy products with chufa.
UPLC-MS/MS Profiling, Antioxidant, α-Glucosidase Inhibitory, Cholinesterase Inhibitory, and Cardiovascular Protection Potentials of Jialing 20 (Morus multicaulis Perr.) Mulberry Branch Extract
Authors: Xiang Wei , Xia Zhining , Xu Li
Published: November 2021

As a by-product in the sericulture industry, mulberry branches are not currently utilized effectively. Jialing 20 is an artificial triploids mulberry that widely cultivated in southwest China. In this study, the chemical composition of the Jialing 20 mulberry branch extract (MBE) was first analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS, and 42 components, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and coumarins, were obtained. Then, the antioxidant activities, hypoglycemic effect, Alzheimer’s disease inhibition, and cardiovascular protection of MBE were also evaluated in vitro. The IC50 values for the scavenging DPPH and ABTS radicals were, respectively, 31.23 ± 0.57 μg/mL and 8.88 ± 0.36 μg/mL (IC50 values of positive Vc were, respectively, 4.41 ± 0.19 μg/mL and 8.79 ± 0.41 μg/mL). The IC50 value for inhibiting α-glucosidase was 1.90 ± 0.05 μg/mL (IC50 value of positive acarbose was 0.03 μg/mL). The IC50 values for inhibiting acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase were, respectively, 179.47 ± 0.38 μg/mL and 101.82 ± 3.37 μg/mL (IC50 values of positive berberine were, respectively, 1.27 ± 0.03 μg/mL and 57.41 ± 0.21 μg/mL). MBE (10 μg/mL and 40 μg/mL) significantly increased the survival rate of oxidized low-density lipoprotein- (ox-LDL) induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and significantly decreased the intracellular reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that the extracts of Jialing 20 mulberry branches could be used as a functional food additive.
Fundamentals of Diatomic Molecular Spectroscopy
Authors: Parigger Christian G.
Published: November 2021

The interpretation of optical spectra requires thorough comprehension of quantum mechanics, especially understanding the concept of angular momentum operators. Suppose now that a transformation from laboratory-fixed to molecule-attached coordinates, by invoking the correspondence principle, induces reversed angular momentum operator identities. However, the foundations of quantum mechanics and the mathematical implementation of specific symmetries assert that reversal of motion or time reversal includes complex conjugation as part of anti-unitary operation. Quantum theory contraindicates sign changes of the fundamental angular momentum algebra. Reversed angular momentum sign changes are of a heuristic nature and are actually not needed in analysis of diatomic spectra. This review addresses sustenance of usual angular momentum theory, including presentation of straightforward proofs leading to falsification of the occurrence of reversed angular momentum identities. This review also summarizes aspects of a consistent implementation of quantum mechanics for spectroscopy with selected diatomic molecules of interest in astrophysics and in engineering applications.
Population Forecast of China’s Rural Community Based on CFANGBM and Improved Aquila Optimizer Algorithm
Authors: Ma Lin , Li Jun , Zhao Ye
Published: November 2021

Rural community population forecasting has important guiding significance to rural construction and development. In this study, a novel grey Bernoulli model combined with an improved Aquila Optimizer (IAO) was used to forecast rural community population in China. Firstly, this study improved the Aquila Optimizer by combining quasi-opposition learning strategy and wavelet mutation strategy, and proposed the new IAO algorithm. By comparing with other algorithms on CEC2017 test functions, the proposed IAO algorithm has the advantages of faster convergence speed and higher convergence accuracy. Secondly, based on the data of China’s rural community population from 1990 to 2019, a consistent fractional accumulation nonhomogeneous grey Bernoulli model called CFANGBM(1, 1, b, c) was established for rural population forecasting. The proposed IAO algorithm was used to optimize the parameters of the model, and then the rural population of China was predicted. Four error measures were used to evaluate the model, and by comparing with other forecasting models, the experimental results show that the proposed model had the smallest error between the forecasted value and the real value, which illustrates the effectiveness of using the IAO algorithm to solve CFANGBM(1, 1, b, c). At the end of this paper, the forecast data of China’s rural population from 2020 to 2024 are given for reference.
Time-Fractional Phase Field Model of Electrochemical Impedance
Authors: L’vov Pavel E. , Sibatov Renat T. , Yavtushenko Igor O. , Kitsyuk Evgeny P.
Published: November 2021

In this paper, electrochemical impedance responses of subdiffusive phase transition materials are calculated and analyzed for one-dimensional cell with reflecting and absorbing boundary conditions. The description is based on the generalization of the diffusive Warburg impedance within the fractional phase field approach utilizing the time-fractional Cahn–Hilliard equation. The driving force in the model is the chemical potential of ions, that is described in terms of the phase field allowing us to avoid additional calculation of the activity coefficient. The derived impedance spectra are applied to describe the response of supercapacitors with polyaniline/carbon nanotube electrodes.
Landweber Iterative Regularization Method for Identifying the Initial Value Problem of the Rayleigh–Stokes Equation
Authors: Li Dun-Gang , Fu Jun-Liang , Yang Fan , Li Xiao-Xiao
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we study an inverse problem to identify the initial value problem of the homogeneous Rayleigh–Stokes equation for a generalized second-grade fluid with the Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative model. This problem is ill posed; that is, the solution (if it exists) does not depend continuously on the data. We use the Landweber iterative regularization method to solve the inverse problem. Based on a conditional stability result, the convergent error estimates between the exact solution and the regularization solution by using an a priori regularization parameter choice rule and an a posteriori regularization parameter choice rule are given. Some numerical experiments are performed to illustrate the effectiveness and stability of this method.
Social Norm and Risk Attitudes: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Nax Heinrich H.
Published: November 2021

Individuals’ attitudes to both risks and social norms crucially determine what players in a social interaction will decide to do [...]
A Game-Theoretic Model of Strategic Interaction Using Advertising: Simulating the Evolution of the Cournot Nash Equilibrium under Different Competitive Scenarios
Authors: Brady Malcolm
Published: November 2021

This paper examines the behaviour of two firms competing in a duopoly, where firms can influence demand through use of advertising. The paper simulates the strategic interaction of the two firms based on a game-theoretic Cournot analytical model. The evolution over time of the Nash equilibrium is graphically displayed for a number of different competitive scenarios. The results show that there exist threshold levels of advertising effectiveness at which duopoly behaviour bifurcates, that perfectly cooperative advertising can lead to competitive disadvantage, and that perfectly predatory advertising can lead to stagnation or losses.
Radio Galaxy Classification: #Tags, Not Boxes
Authors: Rudnick Lawrence
Published: November 2021

After six decades of studying radio galaxies, we are now delightfully overwhelmed by their exponentially expanding numbers and the complexity of their structures. Similarly, the methods we use to classify radio galaxies have exploded, often resulting in conflicting terminology, ambiguous classifications, and historical schemes that may or may not match our current physical understanding. After discussions with more than 100 radio astronomers over the last several years and listening to their ideas and aspirations, I propose that we reconceptualize the classification of radio galaxies. Instead of trying to place them into “boxes”, we should assign them #tags, a system that is easy to understand and apply, that is flexible and evolving, and that can accommodate conflicting ideas with respect to what is relevant and important. Here, I outline the basis of such a #tag system; the rest is up to the community.
Exploring New Redshift Indicators for Radio-Powerful AGN
Authors: Carvajal Rodrigo , Matute Israel , Afonso José , Amarantidis Stergios , Barbosa Davi , Cunha Pedro , Humphrey Andrew
Published: November 2021

Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) are relevant sources of radiation that might have helped reionising the Universe during its early epochs. The super-massive black holes (SMBHs) they host helped accreting material and emitting large amounts of energy into the medium. Recent studies have shown that, for epochs earlier than z∼5, the number density of SMBHs is on the order of few hundreds per square degree. Latest observations place this value below 300 SMBHs at z≳6 for the full sky. To overcome this gap, it is necessary to detect large numbers of sources at the earliest epochs. Given the large areas needed to detect such quantities, using traditional redshift determination techniques—spectroscopic and photometric redshift—is no longer an efficient task. Machine Learning (ML) might help obtaining precise redshift for large samples in a fraction of the time used by other methods. We have developed and implemented an ML model which can predict redshift values for WISE-detected AGN in the HETDEX Spring Field. We obtained a median prediction error of σzN=1.48×(zPredicted−zTrue)/(1+zTrue)=0.1162 and an outlier fraction of η=11.58% at (zPredicted−zTrue)/(1+zTrue)>0.15, in line with previous applications of ML to AGN. We also applied the model to data from the Stripe 82 area obtaining a prediction error of σzN=0.2501.
Magnetic Cellulose-Chitosan Nanocomposite for Simultaneous Removal of Emerging Contaminants: Adsorption Kinetics and Equilibrium Studies
Authors: Mashile Phodiso Prudence , Nomngongo Philiswa Nosizo
Published: November 2021

The presence of pharmaceuticals in water systems threatens both terrestrial and aquatic life across the globe. Some of such contaminants are β-blockers and anticonvulsants, which have been constantly detected in different water systems. Various methodologies have been introduced for the removal of these emerging pollutants from different waters. Among them, adsorption using nanomaterials has proved to be an efficient and cost-effective process for the removal of pharmaceuticals from contaminated water. In this this study, a firsthand/time approach applying a recyclable magnetic cellulose-chitosan nanocomposite for effective simultaneous removal of two β-blockers (atenolol (ATN)) and propranolol (PRP) and an anticonvulsant (carbamazepine (CBZ)) is reported. A detailed characterization of the eco-friendly, biocompatible cellulose-chitosan nanocomposite with magnetic properties was performed at various rates of synthesis using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A N2c adsorption-desorption test showed that the prepared nanocomposite is mesoporous, with a BET area of 112 m2 g−1. The BET isotherms results showed that the magnetic cellulose-chitosan nanocomposite has a pore size of 24.1 nm. The adsorption equilibrium of PRP and CBZ fitted with the Langmuir isotherm was consistent with the highest coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.9945) and (R2 = 0.9942), respectively, while the Sips model provided a better fit for ATN, with a coefficient of determination R2 = 0.9956. The adsorption rate was accompanied by a pseudo-second-order kinetics. Moreover, the swelling test showed that up to 100 percent swelling of the magnetic cellulose-chitosan nanocomposite was achieved.
ChromeBat: A Bio-Inspired Approach to 3D Genome Reconstruction
Authors: Collins Brandon , Oluwadare Oluwatosin , Brown Philip
Published: November 2021

With the advent of Next Generation Sequencing and the Hi-C experiment, high quality genome-wide contact data are becoming increasingly available. These data represents an empirical measure of how a genome interacts inside the nucleus. Genome conformation is of particular interest as it has been experimentally shown to be a driving force for many genomic functions from regulation to transcription. Thus, the Three Dimensional-Genome Reconstruction Problem (3D-GRP) seeks to take Hi-C data and produces a complete physical genome structure as it appears in the nucleus for genomic analysis. We propose and develop a novel method to solve the Chromosome and Genome Reconstruction problem based on the Bat Algorithm (BA) which we called ChromeBat. We demonstrate on real Hi-C data that ChromeBat is capable of state-of-the-art performance. Additionally, the domain of Genome Reconstruction has been criticized for lacking algorithmic diversity, and the bio-inspired nature of ChromeBat contributes algorithmic diversity to the problem domain. ChromeBat is an effective approach for solving the Genome Reconstruction Problem.
The Impact of Parkinson’s Disease on Postural Control in Older People and How Sex can Mediate These Results: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dallaire Mathieu , Gagnon Guillaume , Fortin Émilie , Nepton Josée , Severn Anne-France , Côté Sharlène , Smaili Suhaila Mahmoud , Gonçalves de Oliveira Araújo Hayslenne Andressa , de Oliveira Márcio Rogério , Ngomo Suzy , Bouchard Julie , da Silva Rubens A.
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease is most prevalent among elderly people, 65 years and over, and leads to an alteration in motor control associated with postural instability. Current evidence shows that postural control decreases with the aging process. In addition, postural control is more altered in healthy aged men than in women. Until today, few studies have evaluated the combined impact of Parkinson’s disease and sex on postural control. This review has allowed to evaluate the impact of Parkinson’s disease and sex on postural control measurements in elderly people. Methodology: Studies have been selected from two main databases: PubMed and EBSCO using the keywords “Parkinson”, “postural control OR balance” and “sex”. Articles related to the evaluation of postural control, including men and women with Parkinson’s aged over 65 years old, regardless of stage, were included (n = 179). Articles were excluded if not written in French or English or not presenting original content. Results: Ten (10) studies out of 179 that fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were reported in the final analysis, which cumulates a total of 944 individuals with Parkinson’s (410 women). In general, results show greater postural instability among people with Parkinson’s compared to healthy subjects, and this according to different objective measurements using stabilographic parameters from force platforms. Only two studies out of ten evaluated postural control while briefly considering distinctions between sex, but without showing a significant difference between men and women with Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s severity, length of time of Parkinson’s disease and cognitive state of the person are the three variables with a negative impact on postural control. Conclusion: Older people with Parkinson’s disease have greater postural instability. Sex does not seem to influence the postural control of elderly people with Parkinson’s, although more studies are necessary.
Snoring Remediation with Oral Appliance Therapy Potentially Reverses Cognitive Impairment: An Intervention Controlled Pilot Study
Authors: Schramm Preetam , Das Namrata , Schneiderman Emet , German Zohre , Hui Jason , Wilson Duane , Spence Jeffrey S. , Moura Pollyana , Chapman Sandra B.
Published: November 2021

Respiration rate (RR) dynamics entrains brain neural networks. RR differences between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in response to oral appliance therapy (OAT) are unknown. This pilot study investigated if RR during stable sleep shows a relationship to pathological severity in subjects with MCI and AD who snore and if RR is influenced following stabilization of the upper airway using OAT. The study cohort was as follows: cognitively normal (CN; n = 14), MCI (n = 14) and AD (n = 9); and a sub-population receiving intervention, CN (n = 5), MCI (n = 7), AD (n = 6) subjects. The intervention used was an oral appliance plus a mouth shield (Tx). RR maximum (max) rate (breaths/minute) and RR fluctuation during 2116 stable sleep periods were measured. The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) was administered before and after 4 weeks with Tx. Baseline data showed significantly higher RR fluctuation in CN vs. AD (p < 0.001) but not between CN vs. MCI (p = 0.668). Linear mixed model analysis indicated Tx effect (p = 0.008) for RR max. Tx after 4 weeks lowered the RR-max in MCI (p = 0.022) and AD (p < 0.001). Compared with AD RR max, CN (p < 0.001) and MCI (p < 0.001) were higher with Tx after 4 weeks. Some MCI and AD subjects improved executive and memory function after 4 weeks of Tx.
M1 Polarized Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) as Promising Prognostic Signature in Stage I–II Gastric Adenocarcinomas
Authors: Ieni Antonio , Caruso Rosario Alberto , Pizzimenti Cristina , Giuffrè Giuseppe , Irato Eleonora , Rigoli Luciana , Navarra Giuseppe , Fadda Guido , Tuccari Giovanni
Published: November 2021

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) may be noticed in gastric carcinomas (GC), but their clinicopathological significance has not been yet explored. From a histological review of 400 cases of tubular/papillary adenocarcinomas, 24 cases of stage I–II gastric adenocarcinomas with intraglandular and stromal TAMs were identified. Their clinicopathological features were compared with 72 pT-matched as well as stage-matched control cases of adenocarcinomas without TAMs. TAMs present in GC cases were present either in glands or in neoplastic stroma, showing an immunoreactivity for CD68 and CD80; sometimes, they were organized in mature granulomas with occasional giant cells. Therefore, the stained TAMs were reminiscent of a specific polarized macrophage M1 phenotype; however, in any case of our cohort, no M2 phenotype macrophages were documented by CD 163 and CD 204 immunostainings. Statistically, no significant differences in age, gender, tumor location, size, and lymphovascular and perineural invasion between the case group with TAMs and pT- as well as stage-matched controls were reported; furthermore, the case group showed lower frequency of lymph node metastasis (p = 0.02). In addition, a significantly different clinical course and overall survival rate were also observed in gastric adenocarcinomas with M1 TAMs (p = 0.02) in comparison to controls. These results suggest that tumor-associated M1 macrophages are related to a quite indolent growth and a better prognosis of patients with this peculiar variant of gastric adenocarcinomas.
TEOS-PDMS-Calcium Oxalate Hydrophobic Nanocomposite for Protection and Stone Consolidation
Authors: Maravelaki Pagona-Noni , Kapetanaki Kali , Stefanakis Dimitrios
Published: November 2021

A treatment for both protection and consolidation, was synthesized in a simplified procedure through the sol gel process. Synthesized nano-calcium oxalate (CaOx) was incorporated into tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), providing a hybrid hydrophobic consolidant nanocomposite. Oxalic acid was selected due to its ability to catalyse the hydrolysis of TEOS, as a drying control agent, but also because of its contribution at the formation of the calcium oxalate in reaction with calcium hydroxide. CaOx, incorporated into the silica matrix of the final copolymer, exhibits interfacial compatibility with the stone substrate and simultaneously strengthens the treated surface, since CaOx appears to be more stable than calcium carbonate. The hydrolysis of TEOS, as well as the formation of CaOx was evaluated through thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTA). The nanocomposite consists of particles with approximately 7–700 nm in size range, as shown in TEM images. The consolidation, in combination with the hydrophobicity of surface resulted in an increase of the resistance to decay. Mechanical properties were enhanced as evaluated by ultrasonic pulse velocity on treated and untreated surfaces. Furthermore, water contact angle, as well as water absorption by capillarity test, showed improved water repellency of treated stones. Finally, this treatment doesn’t alter the aesthetic surface parameters, a fact that is essential in cultural heritage conservation, while the consolidant remains intact under UV and moisture exposure.
Stable Reference Gene Selection for qRT-PCR Normalization in Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) Leaves under Different Stress and Light-Quality Conditions
Authors: Ye Yuntian , Lu Yang , Wang Guangyi , Liu Yongqiang , Zhang Yunting , Tang Haoru
Published: November 2021

Selecting an appropriate reference gene is of crucial importance for improving the accuracy of qRT-PCR analyses. In this study, strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) seedlings were subjected to different environmental conditions including heat, cold, drought, salt, white-light, blue-light, and red-light treatments. The expression levels of seven candidate reference genes, including Fa18S, FaGAPDH, FaPIRUV, FaDBP, FaHISTH4, FaACTIN1, and FaACTIN2, in the strawberry leaves were measured by qRT-PCR. Then, four programs (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder) were employed as tools to evaluate the expression stability of the candidate reference genes. The results showed that the expression stability of the reference genes varied under different conditions. For the cold stress and white-light treatments, FaACTIN2 was evaluated to be the most stable reference gene. FaGAPDH should be used as the reference gene under salt-stress condition and red-light treatment. For the data normalization under drought-stress treatment, FaDBP is the recommended reference gene with the highest expression stability. FaHISTH4 was observed to be the best reference gene for data normalization under heat stress and blue-light treatment. This work provides information on selecting reference genes for accurate gene expression analyses of target genes in strawberry leaves under various abiotic stress and light-quality conditions.
Quality Responses of Table Grapes ‘Flame Seedless’ as Effected by Foliarly Applied Micronutrients
Authors: Ali Irfan , Wang Xiukang , Abbas Wazir Mohsin , Hassan Mahmood Ul , Shafique Muhammad , Tareen Mohammad Javed , Fiaz Sajid , Ahmed Waseem , Qayyum Abdul
Published: November 2021

Micronutrient (iron, zinc and boron) deficiencies are a basic and prominent factor affecting grape quality and yield in the Pothwar region. To overcome these deficiencies, different levels of micronutrients were applied foliarly on grapevines at five different berry developmental stages during two consecutive growing seasons (2018 and 2019). The data suggested that foliar treatment of micronutrients significantly increased the yield, number of bunches per vine, bunch weight, yield per vines, bunch length, berry number per cluster, berry diameter, berry weight and cluster compactness. The biochemical quality attributes of berries, including sugars (reducing, non-reducing as well as total sugars), ascorbic acid content, pH and TSS values, were at their highest levels in grapevines supplemented with Fe, Zn and B treatment at 200 ppm, respectively, i.e., the highest concentrations used. Biochemical leaf values, including chlorophyll a and b and leaf micronutrient content (Fe, Zn and B), were also highest in grapevines that were sprayed with Fe, Zn and B at 200 ppm. Overall, the results revealed that the performance of grapevine cv. ‘Flame Seedless’ growing in agroclimatic conditions of the Pothwar region was improved as a result of the foliar application of Fe, Zn and B at 200 ppm. The results also suggested that a further increase in the concentration of each nutrient might be helpful to obtain berries of improved quantity and quality.
Evapotranspiration Trends and Interactions in Light of the Anthropogenic Footprint and the Climate Crisis: A Review
Authors: Dimitriadou Stavroula , Nikolakopoulos Konstantinos G.
Published: November 2021

Evapotranspiration (ET) is a parameter of major importance participating in both hydrological cycle and surface energy balance. Trends of ET are discussed along with the dependence of evaporation to key environmental variables. The evaporation paradox can be approached via natural phenomena aggravated by anthropogenic impact. ET appears as one of the most affected parameters by human activities. Complex hydrological processes are governed by local environmental conditions thus generalizations are difficult. However, in some settings, common hydrological interactions could be detected. Mediterranean climate regions (MCRs) appear vulnerability to the foreseen increase in ET, aggravated by precipitation shifting and air temperature warming, whereas in tropical forests its role is rather beneficial. ET determines groundwater level and quality. Groundwater level appeared to be a robust predictor of annual ET for peatlands in Southeast Asia. In semi-arid to arid areas, increases in ET have implications on water availability and soil salinization. ET-changes after a wildfire can be substantial for groundwater recharge if a canopy-loss threshold is surpassed. Those consequences are site-specific. Post-fire ET rebound seems climate and fire-severity-dependent. Overall, this qualitative structured review sets the foundations for interdisciplinary researchers and water managers to deploy ET as a means to address challenging environmental issues such as water availability.
Serious Life Events in People with Visual Impairment Versus the General Population
Authors: Brunes Audun , Heir Trond
Published: November 2021

The present study aimed to examine the lifetime exposure to serious life events in people with visual impairment compared with the general population. Data were derived from a telephone survey including a probability sample of 736 adults with visual impairment (response rate: 61%). The lifetime prevalence of direct experiences with seventeen different categories of serious life events (Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5)) were compared to that obtained from the general Norwegian population (N = 1792, 36% response rate). Altogether, 68% of people with visual impairment had been directly exposed to at least one serious life event, with equal rates among males and females (p = 0.59). The prevalence of serious life events was higher than for the general population (60%, p < 0.001), especially for fire or explosions, serious accidents, sexual assaults, life-threatening illness or injury, and severe human suffering. In conclusion, our results indicate that people with visual impairment are more prone to experiencing serious life events. This highlights the need for preventive strategies that reduce the risk of serious life events in this population.
Cultural Competence and Cultural Intelligence of Healthcare Professionals Providing Emergency Medical Services
Authors: Majda Anna , Bodys-Cupak Iwona Elżbieta , Zalewska-Puchała Joanna , Barzykowski Krystian
Published: November 2021

Background: There are more and more foreigners in Poland who become clients of the Polish healthcare system. They use, among others, emergency medical services provided by healthcare professionals: doctors, nurses, and paramedics. Skillful care for culturally different patients requires cultural competencies and cultural intelligence to ensure good quality of care and cultural safety. The study aimed to measure and assess the cultural competencies and cultural intelligence of medical professionals working in hospital emergency departments (HEDs) and hospital emergency rooms (HERs) in Małopolska, a region in southern Poland. Methods: The following questionnaires were used in the study: the Cross-Cultural Competence Inventory (CCCI), the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS), and Questionnaire on Attitudes Towards Culturally Divergent People. In total, 709 medical professionals participated in the study, including 363 nurses, 223 paramedics, and 123 doctors. Results: Cultural intelligence—the overall score and the scores on the metacognitive, cognitive, motivational, and behavioral subscales were significantly higher among HED and HER doctors. Cultural competencies—the overall score and the score on the cultural adaptation subscale were also significantly higher among HED and HER doctors. The CCCI and CQS scores were influenced by selected variables: taking care of and close interactions with representatives of other cultural circles; staying outside Poland for more than a month. Doctors were the group of medical professionals that were most tolerant and most positive towards people from other cultures. Conclusions: The research results confirm the positive impact of contact of medical professionals with people from other cultures on their cultural competencies and cultural intelligence. They indicate the need for training in acquiring cultural competencies and developing cultural intelligence, especially among nurses. They demonstrate the need to raise awareness among HED and HER medical professionals about issues in intercultural care and to increase diversity efforts, especially among nurses.
WHO Systematic Assessment of Rehabilitation Situation (STARS): Results of the Field Testing in Jordan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands, Laos, Haiti, and Guyana
Authors: Kleinitz Pauline , Sabariego Carla , Cieza Alarcos
Published: November 2021

The WHO Systematic Assessment of Rehabilitation Situation (STARS) tool was developed by WHO to facilitate effective prioritization and strategic planning for rehabilitation in countries. The objective of this paper is to present the results of the fourth phase of its development, its field testing in seven countries focusing on its completeness, usefulness, accessibility and feasibility. Field testing occurred in Jordan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands, Laos, Haiti, and Guyana. Evaluation occurred through structured interviews and rating exercises with 17 government representatives, international consultants, WHO country or regional office staff and rehabilitation experts who were actively engaged and familiar with the STARS assessment and who were knowledgeable of the rehabilitation situation in the countries. STARS was appraised as relevant, complete and accurate in describing the country situation. Areas of inaccuracy were mostly linked to challenges in describing areas of services similarly when significant diversity existed. Feasibility and accessibility were mostly confirmed and more complex components of the tool as well as the guidance to the assessment process were slightly revised in light of the field-testing results. The field testing of WHO STARS confirmed its completeness, usefulness, accessibility and feasibility, and concerns raised by the interviews informed the last refinement of the tool. STARS is part of the WHO Rehabilitation in Health Systems-Guide for Action, available online, by September 2021, STARS had guided 21 country situation assessments.
Dietary Fiber Intake and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Nucci Daniele , Santangelo Omar Enzo , Provenzano Sandro , Fatigoni Cristina , Nardi Mariateresa , Ferrara Pietro , Gianfredi Vincenza
Published: November 2021

The burden of pancreatic cancer varies greatly across countries, with the number of deaths, incident cases, and disability-adjusted life years more than doubling in recent years, and with high-income countries having the highest incidence and mortality rates. We conducted this systematic review with meta-analysis with the goal of summarizing the current evidence on dietary fiber intake and its role in reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer, given the importance of identifying risk factors. This systematic review followed the guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration and the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020. The structured literature search was conducted on PubMed/Medline and Scopus, combining free text words and medical subject headings. Our review contained 18 records at the end of the process. Our results show that dietary fiber intake reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer. When the analysis was differentiated according to the type of fiber considered, sub-grouped by gender (reduction of around 60% among women), and when case-control studies were conducted, the strength of the association increased. Clinicians and policymakers should improve interventions to raise the population’s awareness regarding the consumption of high-fiber diets, both in practice and in terms of public health policy.
Economic Evaluation of Long-Term Survivorship Care for Cancer Patients in OECD Countries: A Systematic Review for Decision-Makers
Authors: Brain David , Jadambaa Amarzaya
Published: November 2021

Long-term cancer survivorship care is a crucial component of an efficient healthcare system. For numerous reasons, there has been an increase in the number of cancer survivors; therefore, healthcare decision-makers are tasked with balancing a finite budget with a strong demand for services. Decision-makers require clear and pragmatic interpretation of results to inform resource allocation decisions. For these reasons, the impact and importance of economic evidence are increasing. The aim of the current study was to conduct a systematic review of economic evaluations of long-term cancer survivorship care in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries and to assess the usefulness of economic evidence for decision-makers. A systematic review of electronic databases, including MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO and others, was conducted. The reporting quality of the included studies was appraised using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist. Each included study’s usefulness for decision-makers was assessed using an adapted version of a previously published approach. Overall, 3597 studies were screened, and of the 235 studies assessed for eligibility, 34 satisfied the pre-determined inclusion criteria. We found that the majority of the included studies had limited value for informing healthcare decision-making and conclude that this represents an ongoing issue in the field. We recommend that authors explicitly include a policy statement as part of their presentation of results.
What Does Economic Evaluation Mean in the Context of Children at the End of Their Life?
Authors: Hinde Sebastian , Weatherly Helen , Walker Gabriella , Fraser Lorna K.
Published: November 2021

The ‘conventional framework’ of economic evaluation, the comparative public sector healthcare costs and quality adjusted life year (QALY) of two or more interventions, has become synonymous with commissioning decisions in many countries. However, while useful as a framework in guiding value-based decisions, it has limited relevance in areas such as end of life care in children and young people, where the costs fall across multiple stakeholders and QALY gains are not the primary outcome. This paper makes the case that the restricted relevance of the ‘conventional framework’ has contributed to the inconsistent and varied provision of care in this setting, and to the knock-on detrimental impact on children nearing the end of their lives as well as their families. We explore the challenges faced by those seeking to conduct economic evaluations in this setting alongside some potential solutions. We conclude that there is no magic bullet approach that will amalgamate the ‘conventional framework’ with the requirements of a meaningful economic evaluation in this setting. However, this does not imply a lack of need for the summation of the costs and outcomes of care able to inform decision makers, and that methods such as impact inventory analysis may facilitate increased flexibility in economic evaluations.
Geospatial and Machine Learning Regression Techniques for Analyzing Food Access Impact on Health Issues in Sustainable Communities
Authors: Almalki Abrar , Gokaraju Balakrishna , Mehta Nikhil , Doss Daniel Adrian
Published: November 2021

Food access is a major key component in food security, as it is every individual’s right to proper access to a nutritious and affordable food supply. Low access to healthy food sources influences people’s diet and activity habits. Guilford County in North Carolina has a high ranking in low food security and a high rate of health issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the geospatial correlation between health issues and food access areas. The secondary objective was to quantitatively compare food access areas and heath issues’ descriptive statistics. The tertiary objective was to compare several machine learning techniques and find the best model that fit health issues against various food access variables with the highest performance accuracy. In this study, we adopted a food-access perspective to show that communities that have residents who have equitable access to healthy food options are typically less vulnerable to health-related disasters. We propose a methodology to help policymakers lower the number of health issues in Guilford County by analyzing such issues via correlation with respect to food access. Specifically, we conducted a geographic information system mapping methodology to examine how access to healthy food options influenced health and mortality outcomes in one of the largest counties in the state of North Carolina. We created geospatial maps representing food deserts—areas with scarce access to nutritious food; food swamps—areas with more availability of unhealthy food options compared to healthy food options; and food oases—areas with a relatively higher availability of healthy food options than unhealthy options. Our results presented a positive correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.819 among obesity and the independent variables of transportation access, and population. The correlation coefficient matrix analysis helped to identify a strong negative correlation between obesity and median income. Overall, this study offers valuable insights that can help health authorities develop preemptive preparedness for healthcare disasters.
Computationally Reconstructed Interactome of Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA110 Reveals Novel Functional Modules and Protein Hubs for Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation
Authors: Ma Jun-Xiao , Yang Yi , Li Guang , Ma Bin-Guang
Published: November 2021

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation is an important part of the nitrogen biogeochemical cycles and the main nitrogen source of the biosphere. As a classical model system for symbiotic nitrogen fixation, rhizobium-legume systems have been studied elaborately for decades. Details about the molecular mechanisms of the communication and coordination between rhizobia and host plants is becoming clearer. For more systematic insights, there is an increasing demand for new studies integrating multiomics information. Here, we present a comprehensive computational framework integrating the reconstructed protein interactome of B. diazoefficiens USDA110 with its transcriptome and proteome data to study the complex protein-protein interaction (PPI) network involved in the symbiosis system. We reconstructed the interactome of B. diazoefficiens USDA110 by computational approaches. Based on the comparison of interactomes between B. diazoefficiens USDA110 and other rhizobia, we inferred that the slow growth of B. diazoefficiens USDA110 may be due to the requirement of more protein modifications, and we further identified 36 conserved functional PPI modules. Integrated with transcriptome and proteome data, interactomes representing free-living cell and symbiotic nitrogen-fixing (SNF) bacteroid were obtained. Based on the SNF interactome, a core-sub-PPI-network for symbiotic nitrogen fixation was determined and nine novel functional modules and eleven key protein hubs playing key roles in symbiosis were identified. The reconstructed interactome of B. diazoefficiens USDA110 may serve as a valuable reference for studying the mechanism underlying the SNF system of rhizobia and legumes.
Intramolecular Charge Transfer of 1-Aminoanthraquinone and Ultrafast Solvation Dynamics of Dimethylsulfoxide
Authors: Jeon Kooknam , Jen Myungsam , Lee Sebok , Jang Taehyung , Pang Yoonsoo
Published: November 2021

The intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) of 1-aminoanthraquinone (AAQ) in the excited state strongly depends on its solvent properties, and the twisted geometry of its amino group has been recommended for the twisted ICT (TICT) state by recent theoretical works. We report the transient Raman spectra of AAQ in a dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution by femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy to provide clear experimental evidence for the TICT state of AAQ. The ultrafast (~110 fs) TICT dynamics of AAQ were observed from the major vibrational modes of AAQ including the νC-N + δCH and νC=O modes. The coherent oscillations in the vibrational bands of AAQ strongly coupled to the nuclear coordinate for the TICT process have been observed, which showed its anharmonic coupling to the low frequency out of the plane deformation modes. The vibrational mode of solvent DMSO, νS=O showed a decrease in intensity, especially in the hydrogen-bonded species of DMSO, which clearly shows that the solvation dynamics of DMSO, including hydrogen bonding, are crucial to understanding the reaction dynamics of AAQ with the ultrafast structural changes accompanying the TICT.
Fibronectin 1B Gene Plays an Important Role in Loach Barbel Air-Breathing
Authors: Sun Bing , Huang Songqian , Huang Longfei , Yang Lijuan , Gao Jian , Cao Xiaojuan
Published: November 2021

Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) is well known to perform air-breathing through the posterior intestine and skin. However, we find here for the first time a unique central vascular structure in the loach barbel, with a blood–gas diffusion distance as short as that of the posterior intestine. Under acute hypoxia, the distance of loach barbels became significantly shorter. Moreover, barbel removal significantly decreased air-breathing frequency of the loach. These findings imply that the barbel is another air-breathing organ of the loach. For further investigation of loach barbel air-breathing, a transcriptome analysis of barbels with air exposure treatment was performed. A total of 2546 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the T-XU (air exposure) and C-XU (control) group were identified, and 13 key DEGs related to barbel air-breathing were screened out. On this foundation, sequence, expression, and location analysis results indicated an important positive role of fibronectin 1b (fn1b) in loach barbel air-breathing. We further generated an fn1b-depletion loach (MT for short) using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique. It was indicated that depletion of fn1b could weaker barbel air-breathing ability. In conclusion, due to nonlethal and regenerative characteristics, the loach barbel, a newly discovered and fn1b-related fish air-breathing organ, can be a good model for fish air-breathing research.
RETRACTED: Jiang et al. Formation of Proto-Kranz in C3 Rice Induced by Spike-Stalk Injection Method. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 4305
Authors: International Journal of Molecular Sciences Editorial Office
Published: November 2021

The journal and the authors retract the article “Formation of Proto-Kranz in C3 Rice Induced by Spike-Stalk Injection Method” [...]