bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Familiarity and Dialect Experience on the Description of Tonal Variant
Authors: Liu Huangmei , Gibbon Dafydd
Published: June 2022

This study investigates the tonal variant description of the official dialect in China (Putonghua) as a factor in the coevolution of dialects. Three sociophonetic factors, target tone familiarity, tonal variant familiarity, and tonal inventory size, are included in order to raise interesting theoretical questions concerning the role of familiarity and dialect experience in sound change. Standard Putonghua tones are manipulated in height and shape in order to create systematically varying stimuli. Speakers from three Chinese dialect groups, Beijing Mandarin, Shanghai Wu, and Guangzhou Cantonese, are invited to rate the applicability of a description of pitch contour and height to the stimuli. The three dialects have different tonal inventory size, and their native speakers have different levels of familiarity with Putonghua tone or Putonghua tonal variants. The above three sociophonetic factors make different predictions about listeners' performances. The findings of the experimental analysis of data confirm the role of tonal variant familiarity in predicting participants' descriptive decisions on tone height variants. Tonal variant familiarity is also combined with tone inventory size to explain the assignment of descriptions of tone shape variations. This suggests that when variations still follow the phonetic pattern of the tone distribution of the Putonghua tonal system, listeners give phonetic patterns the primary role in acoustic decisions but still benefit from their dialect experiences in making more precise acoustic decisions. It also suggests that when variations violate the phonetic features of the target tonal system, they may depend on familiarity with the individual variant. This study applies an innovative sociophonetic method by conducting a perception experiment online with a self-paced procedure. The findings here are crucial for examining the relationship between sociophonetic factors and listeners' acoustic decisions and the cultural coevolution of cross-dialect tonal variation. The findings here also give support to the validity of the current web-based crowd perception experiment design and are also needed to facilitate research under restricted conditions, such as a pandemic situation.
Employee Growth Mindset and Innovative Behavior: The Roles of Employee Strengths Use and Strengths-Based Leadership
Authors: Liu Qiang , Tong Yuqiong
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to investigate the relationship of employee growth mindset with innovative behavior and the mediating role of use of strength as well as the moderating role of strengths-based leadership in this relationship. Data with a sample of 244 employees working in diverse Chinese organizations were collected at two points in time. Results of bootstrapping analyses demonstrated that growth mindset is positively related to innovative behavior, employee strengths use partially mediates the positive relationship of growth mindset with innovative behavior, and strengths-based leadership strengthens the direct relationship between employee growth mindset and innovative behavior and the indirect relationship of employee growth mindset with innovative behavior via strengths use. This study advances growth mindset and innovative behavior theories and research.
Relative Roles of Grammar Knowledge and Vocabulary in the Reading Comprehension of EFL Elementary-School Learners: Direct, Mediating, and Form/Meaning-Distinct Effects
Authors: Hu Tsui-Chun , Sung Yao-Ting , Liang Hsing-Huang , Chang Tsung-Jen , Chou Yeh-Tai
Published: June 2022

Despite the recognized importance of grammar knowledge to the reading comprehension of EFL learners, research findings on the relationships among grammar knowledge, vocabulary, and reading comprehension are inconclusive. Attention needs to be paid to issues such as the distinct roles of the two grammar knowledge components of form and meaning, and the direct and mediating roles of vocabulary in EFL reading comprehension. This study recruited 1,149 sixth graders as research participants to evaluate these issues. The measurement tools were standardized EFL competence tests for vocabulary size, grammar forms and meanings, and reading comprehension. Structural equation modeling (SEM) regression models indicated that vocabulary played a more-significant role in reading comprehension than grammar knowledge; moreover, the effects of grammar knowledge were reduced but still significant when grammar meanings were excluded. The SEM mediating model of this study also indicated that grammar knowledge not only exerted a direct effect on reading comprehension but also indirectly influenced reading comprehension via vocabulary.
Inquiry of the Practice of Leadership in Chengguan: A Study Based on the Ethnographic Research of Z City
Authors: Li Hua , Li Yifan
Published: June 2022

Chengguan, the Urban Administrative Law Enforcement Bureau, has been criticized for its dismal public image and poor job performance. Based on an ethnographic case study in Z City, we analyzed the type of leadership that results in passive work performance in Chengguan, and we examined whether any leadership style can be used to improve Chengguan's image and performance. We developed a new leadership ontology of CNP (Cognition–Normalization–Performance) on this foundation, and ethnographic research was conducted in three phases: leader's cognition, followers' normalization, and organization performance. Several implications were drawn. Leader selection should be cautious and can be improved by studying the leader's traits and behavior. This is done by investigating candidates' leadership career paths, trait characteristics, motive profiles, and other qualities. It is useful to change leaders by strengthening followers' unity and cohesion by setting up a labor union, youth federation, women's federation, and other groups. A leader should be selected among individuals who have completed leadership training as opposed to appointing one from outside the organization. On the one hand, the superior should help to improve the leadership environment (context), supervise problems in the organization's operation and performance, and track changes over time. On the other hand, the leader can also provide the followers with a flexible and adaptive place of work.
The Impact of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning on English as a Foreign Language Learners’ Vocabulary Learning Attitudes and Self-Regulatory Capacity
Authors: Lei Xiao , Fathi Jalil , Noorbakhsh Shabnam , Rahimi Masoud
Published: June 2022

Over the past decades, English as a foreign language (EFL) learning has witnessed a heightened interest in the role of mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) in vocabulary learning. To shed more light on the impact of MALL on vocabulary learning, this study, employing a quantitative longitudinal design, aimed at examining the impact of a MALL programme on 139 EFL learners’ vocabulary learning attitudes and self-regulatory capacity. To this end, this study investigated the latent change score models of the learners’ vocabulary learning attitudes and self-regulatory capacity over time. Over the course of 1 year, various mobile applications were integrated into the regular English language instruction of the learners. The required data were collected via administering vocabulary learning attitude and self-regulating capacity in vocabulary learning scales. The data were analysed applying latent growth curve modelling to examine the participants’ longitudinal trajectories and patterns of change in the two waves of collected data. The fit indices of the latent change models revealed an increase in both the EFL learners’ vocabulary learning attitudes and their self-regulatory capacity during the 1-year MALL programme. The analysis of between-person differences also indicated that changes in both variables were positively correlated.
Brain Structural and Functional Changes in Cognitive Impairment Due to Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Ávila-Villanueva Marina , Marcos Dolado Alberto , Gómez-Ramírez Jaime , Fernández-Blázquez Miguel
Published: June 2022

Cognitive neuropsychology seeks a potential alignment between structural and functional brain features to explain physiological or pathological processes, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Several structural and functional brain changes occurring during the disease, including cognitive impairment, are found at the end of the patient’s life, but we need to know more about what happens before its onset. In order to do that, we need earlier biomarkers at preclinical stages, defined by those biomarkers, to prevent the cognitive impairment. In this minireview, we have tried to describe the structural and functional changes found at different stages during AD, focusing on those features taking place before clinical diagnosis.
Impact of Agile Learning on Innovative Behavior: A Moderated Mediation Model of Employee Engagement and Perceived Organizational Support
Authors: Jo Yunseong , Hong Ah Jeong
Published: June 2022

This study analyzed learning agility, employee engagement, perceived organizational support (POS), and innovative behavior related to the development of innovative environment and the mental and psychological health of employees. A substantial body of research has examined the antecedents of innovative behavior of employees in their work environment, but our current understanding of how learning and motivational aspects of employees synthetically influence the innovative behavior remains incomplete. To address this gap, we developed and tested a moderated mediation model of the relationship between learning agility and employee engagement, POS, and innovative behavior. Following the job-demand resource model, componential theory, and social exchange theory, our postulated model predicted that the mediating effect of employee engagement on the relationship between learning agility and innovative behavior would be moderated by POS. The result of the analysis of the data on 331 corporate employees in South Korea supported this model. Specifically, learning agility was related to innovative behavior, while employee engagement mediated the relationship between learning agility and innovative behavior; POS strengthened the positive effect of learning agility on innovative behavior via employee engagement. We also discuss the implications of the results, future direction, and limitations of this study based on these findings.
Gender Differences in the Relationships Between Coach Transformational Leadership and Player Satisfaction and Commitment: A Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: Kim Hyun-Duck , Cruz Angelita Bautista
Published: June 2022

This study meta-analyzed the relationships between coach transformational leadership and player satisfaction and commitment. We also examined the potential moderating effect of player gender on these relationships. In total, 182 effect sizes were obtained from 26 studies comprised of 6,715 participants. The analyses revealed that the overall direct effect of transformational leadership was moderate on both athletic satisfaction and exercise commitment. The effect of charismatic construct of transformational leadership was moderate on athletic satisfaction as well as exercise commitment. Finally, player gender was found to moderate the effects of the relationship between transformational leadership and athletic satisfaction and exercise commitment of players. Specifically, female players' satisfaction and commitment were more positively affected by transformational leadership compared with their male counterparts. Our findings suggests that effective leadership in sports is dependent on the interaction among leadership behaviors of the coach, personal characteristics of the players, and situational factors and highlights the importance of transformational leadership as an important requirement for creating a more positive and sustainable sports environment.
The Mediating and Buffering Effect of Creativity on the Relationship Between Sense of Place and Academic Achievement in Geography
Authors: Zhang Jianzhen , Ge Jiahao , Ma Yuting , Wang Ziyang , Yu Yuyao , Liang Xiaoyu , An Zhenni , Xu Yanhua
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study explored the relationship between sense of place and academic achievement in geography and used a mediation model to verify the mediating role of creativity in this relationship.

Methods

A total of 1,037 upper secondary school students were surveyed using theSense of Place Scale, theInnovative Behavior Scale, and theirgeography test scores. SPSS (version 26.0) was used for descriptive statistical analysis and correlation analysis. The PROCESS plug-in (version 4.0) was used to test the mediating effect of creativity.

Results

(1) The correlation analysis showed that sense of place has a positive effect on academic achievement in geography and is related to creativity. Moreover, creativity exerts a positive effect on academic achievement in geography (2). The results of mediation analysis indicated that creativity plays mediating and buffering roles in the relationship between sense of place and academic achievement in geography after controlling for gender and residential address. The direct and indirect effects accounted for 65.708 and 34.292% of the total effect, respectively.

Conclusions

The results indicated that sense of place affected not only academic achievement in geography directly but also creativity indirectly. This conclusion provides certain ideas for the development of geography curriculums. Since academic achievement in geography is related to both sense of place and creativity, it is necessary to pay more attention to integrating sense of place in geography education and to foster creativity in curriculum development and teaching of geography.
Breakthrough Path of Low-Level Equilibrium of China's Policy-Oriented Financing Guarantee Market
Authors: Lv Youqing , Ma Guojian , Ding Juan
Published: June 2022

Policy-oriented financing guarantee schemes are widely adopted in the world to alleviate the financing difficulties of small and medium-sized enterprises. However, the development level of policy-oriented financing guarantee market in China has not reached the desired high-level equilibrium target, even though governments have issued a series of guiding policies. Accordingly, based on the evolutionary game theory, this study establishes and analyzes the game model between local governments, guarantee institutions, and banks. Then, the breakthrough effects of different paths on the low-level equilibrium of the guarantee market are simulated. The results show that strengthening superior government's performance appraisal intensity can only partially delay the “window period” of the low-level equilibrium, while adjusting local governments' compensation coefficients or increasing banks' risk sharing ratio have further synergistic effects on the realization of the high-level equilibrium. Additionally, dynamic reward and penalty mechanism of the local governments can effectively restrain the unbalanced state of financing guarantee market caused by banks' excess compensation risk, and finally impel the stabilization of the high-level equilibrium state.
Modeling the Significance of Motivation on Job Satisfaction and Performance Among the Academicians: The Use of Hybrid Structural Equation Modeling-Artificial Neural Network Analysis
Authors: Sinniah Suguna , Al Mamun Abdullah , Md Salleh Mohd Fairuz , Makhbul Zafir Khan Mohamed , Hayat Naeem
Published: June 2022

The competition in higher education has increased, while lecturers are involved in multiple assignments that include teaching, research and publication, consultancy, and community services. The demanding nature of academia leads to excessive work load and stress among academicians in higher education. Notably, offering the right motivational mix could lead to job satisfaction and performance. The current study aims to demonstrate the effects of extrinsic and intrinsic motivational factors influencing job satisfaction and job performance among academicians working in Malaysian private higher educational institutions (PHEIs). Cross-sectional data were collected from the Malaysian PHEIs and the randomly selected 343 samples. The data analysis was performed with the dual analysis of partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) analysis. As a result, it was found that financial rewards, promotion, performance appraisal, classroom environment, and code of conduct significantly predicted job satisfaction. The code of conduct, autonomy, and self-efficacy strongly influenced job performance. The relationship between job satisfaction and job performance was highly moderated by self-efficacy. It was suggested from the ANN analysis that the three prominent factors influencing job satisfaction are financial rewards, performance appraisal, and code of conduct. The analysis supported three significant factors influencing job performance: self-efficacy, performance appraisal, and code of conduct. The management of PHEIs should build the correct policies to transform job satisfaction into job performance. Self-efficacy plays an essential role in activating job performance. Other significant motivating factors that promote job satisfaction and performance, such as emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and other personal traits, should be included in future studies. In addition, future research could use a mixed-method or multi-respondent approach to investigate the important variables and their impact on lecturers’ job satisfaction and performance.
Association Between MTHFR rs17367504 Polymorphism and Major Depressive Disorder in Taiwan: Evidence for Effect Modification by Exercise Habits
Authors: Hsieh Ming-Hong , Nfor Oswald Ndi , Ho Chien-Chang , Hsu Shu-Yi , Lee Chun-Te , Jan Cheng-Feng , Hsieh Pao-Chun , Liaw Yung-Po
Published: June 2022

Background/Aim

Recent studies reported that folate supplementation has beneficial effects on major depression. The Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme is crucial in folate metabolism. This population-based study examined the association between MTHFR rs17367504 polymorphism and major depressive disorder based on exercise habits.

Methods

Taiwan Biobank (TWB) provided demographic and genotype data between 2008 and 2015. The biobank participants were Taiwanese aged 30 to 70. Data on major depressive disorder (MDD) were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

Results

A total of 636 individuals were identified with MDD, whereas 17,298 individuals were considered controls. The associations of MTHFR rs17367504 and exercise with MDD risk were estimated using logistic regression models. The distribution of MTHFR rs17367504 genotype frequencies differed significantly between the MDD and control groups. We found that, compared with the AA genotype, the GG genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of MDD [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.76; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05–2.94; p = 0.033]. We found an interaction (p = 0.04) between rs17367504 and exercise, a well-known protective factor for MDD. A substantial increase in the risk of MDD was found among those with GG genotypes who did not exercise (aOR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.66–5.17; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that MDD is related to MTHFR rs17367504 and exercise, though the mechanisms remain to be determined.
Assessing Knowledge, Preventive Practices, and Depression Among Chinese International Students and Local Korean Students in South Korea During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Jiang Xiaoxu , Zhao Bo , Nam Eun Woo , Kong Fanlei
Published: June 2022

Depression among university students and international university students is an increasing problem globally. This study aimed to clarify the differences on the conditions and determinants of the knowledge, preventive practices and depression of the Chinese international students and local Korean students in South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online cross-sectional questionnaire including general demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related knowledge, preventive practice, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was applied from March 23 to April 22, 2020. A total of 533 university students (171 Chinese international students and 362 local South Korean students) were included in the study. The majority of both Chinese international students and local South Korean students had a good comprehension of COVID-19. Chinese international students in South Korea showed better preventive practice than local Korean students, while the proportion of moderate to severe depression of Chinese international students was relatively higher (28.07%) than that of local Korean students (22.38%). Determinants of depression of Chinese international students in South Korea were information satisfaction, likelihood of survival after infection, symptoms of a cough and feelings of discrimination, while for local Korean students were gender, educational level, family, suspected symptoms, self-assessed physical health status, COVID-19 detection, population contact history and online sources of information. These results could be used as a reference for decreasing the depressive symptoms among the university students.
The Role of GCN2 Kinase in Mediating the Effects of Amino Acids on Longevity and Feeding Behaviour in Drosophila
Authors: Srivastava Anchal , Lu Jiongming , Gadalla Dennis Said , Hendrich Oliver , Grönke Sebastian , Partridge Linda
Published: June 2022

Restriction of amino acids in the diet can extend lifespan in diverse species ranging from flies to mammals. However, the role of individual amino acids and the underlying molecular mechanisms are only partially understood. The evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase General Control Nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) is a key sensor of amino acid deficiency and has been implicated in the response of lifespan to dietary restriction (DR). Here, we generated a novel Drosophila GCN2 null mutant and analyzed its response to individual amino acid deficiency. We show that GCN2 function is essential for fly development, longevity and feeding behaviour under long-term, but not short-term, deprivation of all individual essential amino acids (EAAs) except for methionine. GCN2 mutants were longer-lived than control flies and showed normal feeding behaviour under methionine restriction. Thus, in flies at least two systems regulate these responses to amino acid deprivation. Methionine deprivation acts via a GCN2-independent mechanism, while all other EAA are sensed by GCN2. Combined deficiency of methionine and a second EAA blocked the response of GCN2 mutants to methionine, suggesting that these two pathways are interconnected. Wild type flies showed a short-term rejection of food lacking individual EAA, followed by a long-term compensatory increase in food uptake. GCN2 mutants also showed a short-term rejection of food deprived of individual EAA, but were unable to mount the compensatory long-term increase in food uptake. Over-expression of the downstream transcription factor ATF4 partially rescued the response of feeding behaviour in GCN2 mutants to amino acid deficiency. Phenotypes of GCN2 mutants induced by leucine and tryptophan, but not isoleucine, deficiency were partially rescued by ATF4 over-expression. The exact function of GCN2 as an amino acid sensor in vivo and the downstream action of its transcription factor effector ATF4 are thus context-specific with respect to the EAA involved.
Arena-Anchored Urban Development Projects and the Visitor Economy
Authors: Barry Taryn , Mason Daniel S. , Trzonkowski Robert
Published: June 2022

Cities of all sizes are actively engaged in developing various urban infrastructure projects. A common strategy used in larger North American cities is employing arena-anchored urban development projects, where a professional sports team is used as an anchor tenant of a sports facility to generate development in the city. One means of relocating economic activity is to increase visitation to the desired redevelopment area. In this paper we used the visitor economy as a lens to explore how arena-anchored projects and the professional sports teams that play there fit into a local city's tourism economy. To conduct this study, a multi case study design was used to draw data from two cities: Columbus, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan. Interviews were goal directed and conducted in person with leaders in Columbus (n = 9) and Detroit (n = 10), and inductive and deductive approaches to coding were undertaken in the form of content analysis. The results indicate that growing the visitor economy through arena anchored urban development relies on planned placemaking via the strategic approach of bundling diverse amenities together. These findings provide valuable feedback to those cities considering arena development projects, and how the arenas may be combined with other civic amenities to undergird the local visitor economy.
A 3-Dimensional Printed Patient-Specific Surgical Guide to Facilitate Transsphenoidal Hypophysectomy in Dogs
Authors: Escauriaza Leticia , Fenn Joe , McCue John , Roper Darren , Vandenberghe Helene , Nye George , Oxley Bill , Granger Nicolas
Published: June 2022

Objective

Hypophysectomy in dogs is a difficult surgery that requires specific learning and training. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of a 3-dimensional printed patient-specific surgical guide to facilitate choosing the entry point in the basisphenoid bone before approaching the sella turcica during transsphenoidal hypophysectomy in dogs.

Methods

Two canine cadavers and 8 dogs undergoing transsphenoidal hypophysectomy for Cushing's disease treatment, involving design and fabrication of a 3-dimensional printed guide. The ideal entry point in the basisphenoid bone outer cortical layer was determined in each dog pre-operatively; its anatomical location was described with a set of measurements then compared to post-operative computed tomography measures describing the location of the outer cortical window created in the basisphenoid bone.

Results

Several guide designs were proposed, and a consensus reached based on surgeons' experience performing hypophysectomy. The device chosen could be applied to the size and shape of skulls encountered in this case series. The pre-planned measurements were comparable to post-operative measurement (there was also no statistical difference), with median of differences <0.1 mm, which we judged as clinically acceptable.

Clinical Significance

Hypophysectomy in dogs is a challenging procedure that has a learning curve and needs to be performed by specialist neurosurgeons. We propose that a low-profile 3-dimensional printed surgical guide can aid the specialist neurosurgeon to locate the burring site of the outer cortical layer of the basisphenoid bone at a pre-defined location and with good accuracy. It does not alleviate the need to understand the anatomy of the region and to know how to create a slot within the basisphenoid bone, which remains essential to enter the sella turcica. This device could help specialist veterinary neurosurgeons wishing to be trained to perform hypophysectomy.
Effect of Fans’ Placement on the Indoor Thermal Environment of Typical Tunnel-Ventilated Multi-Floor Pig Buildings Using Numerical Simulation
Authors: Wang Xiaoshuai , Cao Mengbing , Hu Feiyue , Yi Qianying , Amon Thomas , Janke David , Xie Tian , Zhang Guoqiang , Wang Kaiying
Published: June 2022

An increasing number of large pig farms are being built in multi-floor pig buildings (MFPBs) in China. Currently, the ventilation system of MFPB varies greatly and lacks common standards. This work aims to compare the ventilation performance of three popular MFPB types with different placement of fans using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique. After being validated with field-measured data, the CFD models were extended to simulate the air velocity, air temperature, humidity, and effective temperature of the three MFPBs. The simulation results showed that the ventilation rate of the building with outflowing openings in the endwall and fans installed on the top of the shaft was approximately 25% less than the two buildings with fans installed on each floor. The ventilation rate of each floor increased from the first to the top floor for both buildings with a shaft, while no significant difference was observed in the building without a shaft. Increasing the shaft’s width could mitigate the variation in the ventilation rate of each floor. The effective temperature distribution at the animal level was consistent with the air velocity distribution. Therefore, in terms of the indoor environmental condition, the fans were recommended to be installed separately on each floor.
Microdosing of Compost for Sustainable Production of Improved Sorghum in Southern Mali
Authors: Guindo Moumini , Traoré Bouba , Birhanu Birhanu Zemadim , Coulibaly Alou , Tabo Ramadjita
Published: June 2022

The depletion of soil organic matter is one of the major challenges constraining agricultural production in the southern zone of Mali. This study evaluated the effects of compost types, methods, and dose applications on the productivity and sustainability of sorghum. Two types of compost (farmer practice and cotton stems) were applied to sorghum at two rates (microdosing at 2.5 t ha−1 and broadcasting at 5 t ha−1) and evaluated on 30 farmer fields in 2019 and 2020. The treatments used included CPA (cotton stem compost at 5 t ha−1 + 100 kg ha−1 DAP), CPA (cotton stem compost at 2.5 t ha−1 + 100 kg ha−1 DAP), CP (farmer compost at 5 t ha−1 + 100 kg ha−1 DAP), CP (famer compost at 2.5 t ha−1 + 100 kg ha−1 DAP), control (100 kg ha−1 DAP), and control. The results showed that regardless of the compost type, applying a microdose of 2.5 t ha−1 improved the growth rate, plant height, grain yield, and biomass yield by 15%, 18%, 47%, and 27%, respectively, when compared to the control. No statistical difference was observed in the yield of 2061 kg ha−1 between applying compost by microdosing at 2.5 t ha−1 and broadcasting at 5 t ha−1. It can be inferred that the application of compost by microdosing makes it possible to achieve a 100% fertilized surface compared to broadcasting, with a nitrogen use efficiency of more than 55%. The application of compost by microdosing at 2.5 t ha−1 resulted in an economic gain of 334,800 XOF ha−1, which was 27% higher than that obtained with the application of compost by broadcasting at 5 t ha−1. Conversely, the contribution to the improvement of soil nitrogen stock varied from 12–20% with a microdose of 2.5 t ha−1 compared to 100% for broadcasting compost at 5 t ha−1 per application. Therefore, the availability of cotton stems in the southern zone of Mali presents an opportunity for farmers to implement compost microdose technology to double the fertilized area and improve sorghum productivity.
A Preliminary Study of Modulen IBD Liquid Diet in Hospitalized Dogs with Protein-Losing Enteropathy
Authors: Kathrani Aarti , Parkes Gina
Published: June 2022

Modulen IBD is an enteral liquid diet that can induce remission rates similar to glucocorticoids in children with inflammatory bowel disease. The Modulen IBD liquid diet has not been previously investigated in dogs. Our study aimed to describe the use of the Modulen IBD liquid diet in hospitalized dogs with inflammatory protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), including its tolerance and effects on appetite and gastrointestinal signs, and laboratory parameters during hospitalization. Of the 14 dogs hospitalized for PLE that had an esophagostomy feeding tube placed at the time of endoscopy, 5 were eligible and prospectively enrolled. The Modulen IBD liquid diet was supplemented with whey powder isolate and a multivitamin/mineral blend to ensure the diet was complete and balanced for canine adult maintenance and had a macronutrient profile desirable for PLE. All five dogs tolerated tube feedings with the Modulen IBD liquid diet, allowing an increase of 75 to 100% of the resting energy requirement (RER) by day 3 to 4. The diet was administered without glucocorticoid in all five dogs. All five of these dogs had a resolution of anorexia allowing the voluntary intake of a commercial hydrolyzed protein diet prior to the use of glucocorticoids. Of these five dogs, three (60%) had stable or improved serum albumin concentrations (median % increase: 10.3, range: 0–31.1), four (80%) had improved or normalized serum globulin concentrations (median % increase: 12.9, range: 5.1–66.2) and four (80%) had improved or normalized serum cholesterol concentrations (median % increase: 31.5, range: 4.8–63) 2–3 days after initiating the diet. However, there were no significant differences in these selected biochemical parameters pre- and post-feeding with the diet (p > 0.080). In conclusion, the Modulen IBD liquid diet, fed via an esophagostomy feeding tube was well-tolerated in-hospital and resolved anorexia in all dogs and helped to improve selected biochemical parameters in some dogs. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of feeding this diet on the rate of serum albumin increase and remission in dogs with inflammatory PLE.
Long-Term Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on In-Hospital Antibiotic Consumption and Antibiotic Resistance: A Time Series Analysis (2015–2021)
Authors: Meschiari Marianna , Onorato Lorenzo , Bacca Erica , Orlando Gabriella , Menozzi Marianna , Franceschini Erica , Bedini Andrea , Cervo Adriana , Santoro Antonella , Sarti Mario , Venturelli Claudia , Biagioni Emanuela , Coloretti Irene , Busani Stefano , Girardis Massimo , Lòpez-Lozano José-María , Mussini Cristina
Published: June 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-pandemic-related overload of health systems has compromised the application of antimicrobial stewardship (AS) models and infection prevention and control (IPC) programs. We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial consumption (AC) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the University Hospital of Modena. A time series analysis with an autoregressive integrated moving average model was conducted from January 2015 to October 2021 to evaluate the AC in the whole hospital and the intensive care unit (ICU), the incidence density (ID) of bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to the main multidrug-resistant organisms, and of C. difficile infections (CDIs). After an initial peak during the COVID-19 period, a decrease in the trend of AC was observed, both at the hospital (CT: −1.104, p = 0.025) and ICU levels (CT: −4.47, p = 0.047), with no significant difference in the single classes. Among the Gram-negative isolates, we observed a significant increase only in the level of BSIs due to carbapenem-susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CL: 1.477, 95% CI 0.130 to 2.824, p = 0.032). Considering Gram-positive bacteria, an increase in the level of BSIs due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and in the trend of CDIs were observed, though they did not reach statistical significance (CL: 0.72, 95% CI −0.039 to 1.48, p = 0.062; CT: 1.43, 95% CI −0.002 to 2.863, p = 0.051; respectively). Our findings demonstrated that the increases in AMR and AC that appeared in the first COVID-19 wave may be later controlled by restoring IPC and AS programs to pre-epidemic levels. A coordinated healthcare effort is necessary to address the longer-term impact of COVID-19 on AC to avoid irreversible consequences on AMR.
A Spatial Fuzzy Co-Location Pattern Mining Method Based on Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Guo Jinyu , Wang Lizhen
Published: June 2022

The goal of spatial co-location pattern mining is to find subsets of spatial features whose instances are often neighbors in a geographical space. In many practical cases, instances of spatial features contain not only spatial location information but also attribute information. Although there have been several studies that use type-1 fuzzy membership functions to mine spatial fuzzy co-location patterns, there is great uncertainty associated with such membership functions. To address this problem, we propose a spatial fuzzy co-location pattern mining method based on interval type-2 fuzzy sets. First, we collect the interval evaluation values of the interval data of attribute information from experts to form granular data. Next, the original type-1 fuzzy membership function is extended to a granular type-2 fuzzy membership function based on elliptic curves. We use a gradual method to adjust the parameters of the fuzzy membership function so that its footprint of uncertainty satisfies both the connectivity and the given confidence. Based on this granular type-2 fuzzy membership function, we fuzzify the attribute information of instances and define the concepts of fuzzy features and fuzzy co-location patterns. A fuzzy co-location pattern mining algorithm based on spatial cliques is then proposed, termed the FCPM-Clique algorithm. In order to improve the efficiency of the algorithm, we propose two pruning strategies. In addition, we extend two classical spatial pattern mining algorithms, the Join-based algorithm and the Joinless algorithm, to mine fuzzy co-location patterns based on interval type-2 fuzzy sets. Many experiments on synthetic and real-world datasets are conducted, the performance of the three algorithms is compared, and the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed FCPM-Clique algorithm is demonstrated.
Development of Novel Markers and Creation of Non-Anthocyanin and Anthocyanin-Rich Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) Cultivars
Authors: Liu Chunqing , Yao Xueqin , Li Guangqing , Huang Lei , Liu Chenghong , Xie Zhujie
Published: June 2022

In broccoli, anthocyanin pigments can be accumulated in the flower bud epidermis, resulting in a purple-green head. This study aimed to create non-anthocyanin green broccoli varieties and anthocyanin-rich purple broccoli varieties using new F3′H and Pur7.1-K1 molecular markers, respectively. The breeding program started with crosses of the recipient (superior variety and line) LF02 line with the donor line SN60 carrying the recessive allele f3′h and the donor line BT126 carrying the dominant allele Pur7.1. The F1 hybrids were confirmed with molecular markers and backcrossed with the recurrent parent LF02, followed by cycles of foreground and background selection at each stage. A total of 161 green plants with the f3′hf3′h genotype and 152 purple plants with the Pur7.1Pur7.1 genotype were selected from the BC3F2 line. Among these, 34 green plants and 28 purple plants demonstrated >85% background recovery. The identified plants were selfed to obtain 301 green and 416 purple BC3F3 plants for assessment of major agronomic traits. After these investigations, two green broccoli lines without anthocyanin and three anthocyanin-rich purple lines with the best yield/quality characteristics were obtained. The development of these lines might help provide basic materials and the theoretical basis for breeding commercial broccoli varieties.
Limited-Angle CT Reconstruction with Generative Adversarial Network Sinogram Inpainting and Unsupervised Artifact Removal
Authors: Xie En , Ni Peijun , Zhang Rongfan , Li Xiongbing
Published: June 2022

High-quality limited-angle computed tomography (CT) reconstruction is in high demand in the medical field. Being unlimited by the pairing of sinogram and the reconstructed image, unsupervised methods have attracted wide attention from researchers. The reconstruction limit of the existing unsupervised reconstruction methods, however, is to use [0°, 120°] of projection data, and the quality of the reconstruction still has room for improvement. In this paper, we propose a limited-angle CT reconstruction generative adversarial network based on sinogram inpainting and unsupervised artifact removal to further reduce the angle range limit and to improve the image quality. We collected a large number of CT lung and head images and Radon transformed them into missing sinograms. Sinogram inpainting network is developed to complete missing sinograms, based on which the filtered back projection algorithm can output images with most artifacts removed; then, these images are mapped to artifact-free images by using artifact removal network. Finally, we generated reconstruction results sized 512×512 that are comparable to full-scan reconstruction using only [0°, 90°] of limited sinogram projection data. Compared with the current unsupervised methods, the proposed method can reconstruct images of higher quality.
A Survey of Multi-Focus Image Fusion Methods
Authors: Zhou Youyong , Yu Lingjie , Zhi Chao , Huang Chuwen , Wang Shuai , Zhu Mengqiu , Ke Zhenxia , Gao Zhongyuan , Zhang Yuming , Fu Sida
Published: June 2022

As an important branch in the field of image fusion, the multi-focus image fusion technique can effectively solve the problem of optical lens depth of field, making two or more partially focused images fuse into a fully focused image. In this paper, the methods based on boundary segmentation was put forward as a group of image fusion method. Thus, a novel classification method of image fusion algorithms is proposed: transform domain methods, boundary segmentation methods, deep learning methods, and combination fusion methods. In addition, the subjective and objective evaluation standards are listed, and eight common objective evaluation indicators are described in detail. On the basis of lots of literature, this paper compares and summarizes various representative methods. At the end of this paper, some main limitations in current research are discussed, and the future development of multi-focus image fusion is prospected.
Thermal Evaluation of a Novel Integrated System Based on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and Combined Heat and Power Production Using Ammonia as Fuel
Authors: Duong Phan Anh , Ryu Borim , Jung Jinwon , Kang Hokeun
Published: June 2022

A novel integrated system based on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), a gas turbine (GT), the steam Rankine cycle (SRC), the Kalina cycle (KC), and the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is proposed to achieve cascade energy utilization. Mathematical models are introduced and system performance is analyzed using energy and exergy methods. The first and second laws of thermodynamics are used to analyze the system thermodynamically. In addition, exergy destruction and losses of the various integrated subsystems are calculated. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the multigeneration system are estimated to be 60.4% and 57.3%, respectively. In addition, the hot water produced during the waste heat recovery process may also be used for accommodating seafarers on ships. Sequential optimization is developed to optimize the operating conditions of the integrated system to achieve the required power output. A comprehensive parametric study is conducted to investigate the effect of varying the current densities of the fuel cell and working fluid of the ORC on the overall performance of the combined system and subsystems. The working performance of five working fluids for the ORC as candidates—R134a, R600, R601, R152a, and R124—is compared. R152a, which provides 71.23 kW of power output, and energy and exergy efficiencies of 22.49% and 42.76%, respectively, is selected as the best thermodynamic performance for the ORC.
Artificial Neural Networks for Predicting Food Antiradical Potential
Authors: Gorbachev Victor , Nikitina Marina , Velina Daria , Mutallibzoda Sherzodkhon , Nosov Vladimir , Korneva Galina , Terekhova Anna , Artemova Elena , Khashir Bella , Sokolov Igor , Dimitrieva Svetlana , Nikitin Igor
Published: June 2022

Using an artificial neural network (ANN), the values of the antiradical potential of 1315 items of food and agricultural raw materials were calculated. We used an ANN with the structure of a “multilayer perceptron” (MLP) and with the hyberbolic tangent (Tanh) as an activation function. Values reported in the United States Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS) were taken as input to the analysis. When training the ANN, 60 parameters were used, such as the content of plastic substances, food calories, the amount of mineral components, vitamins, the composition of fatty acids and additional substances presented in this database. The analysis revealed correlations, namely, a direct relationship between the value of the antiradical potential (ARP) of food and the concentration of dietary fiber (r = 0.539) and a negative correlation between the value of ARP and the total calorie content of food (r = −0.432) at a significance level of p < 0.001 for both values. The average ARP value for 10 product groups within the 95% CI (confidence interval) was ≈23–28 equivalents (in terms of ascorbic acid) per 1 g of dry matter. The study also evaluated the range of average values of the daily recommended intake of food components (according to Food and Agriculture Organization—FAO, World Health Organization—WHO, Russia and the USA), which within the 95% CI, amounted to 23.41–28.98 equivalents per 1 g of dry weight. Based on the results of the study, it was found that the predicted ARP values depend not only on the type of raw materials and the method of their processing, but also on a number of other environmental and technological factors that make it difficult to obtain accurate values.
Spatiotemporal Variation in Air Pollution Characteristics and Influencing Factors in Ulaanbaatar from 2016 to 2019
Authors: Suriya  , Natsagdorj Narantsogt , Aorigele  , Zhou Haijun , Sachurila
Published: June 2022

Ambient air pollution is a global environmental issue that affects human health. Ulaanbaatar (UB), the capital of Mongolia, is one of the most polluted cities in the world, and it is of great importance to study the temporal and spatial changes in air pollution in this city, along with their influencing factors. To understand the characteristics of atmospheric pollutants in UB, the contents of PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3, as well as their influencing factors, were analyzed from data obtained from automatic air quality monitoring stations. These analyses yielded six major findings: (1) From 2016 to 2019, there was a total of 883 pollution days, and PM2.5 and PM10 were the primary pollutants on 553 and 351 of these days, respectively. The air pollution was dominated by PM10 in spring and summer, affected by both PM2.5 and PM10 in autumn, and dominated by PM2.5 in winter. (2) Compared with 2016, the number of days with good air quality in UB in 2019 increased by 45%, and the number of days with unhealthy or worse levels of pollution decreased by 56%, indicating that the air quality improved year by year. (3) From 2016 to 2019, the annual average PM2.5/PM10 ratio dropped from 0.55 to 0.45, and the proportion of PM2.5 in particulate matter decreased year by year. The PM concentration and PM2.5/PM10 ratio were highest in winter and lowest in summer. When comparing the four-season averages, the average PM2.5 concentration decreased by 89% from its highest level, and the PM10 concentration decreased by 67%, indicating stronger seasonal differences in PM2.5 than in PM10. (4) The hourly changes in PM concentration showed a bimodal pattern, exhibiting a decrease during the day and a slight increase in the afternoon due to temperature inversion, so the PM2.5/PM10 ratio increased at night in all four seasons. The PM concentration during the heating season was significantly higher than that in the non-heating season, indicating that coal-fired heating was the main cause of air pollution in UB. (5) Sand dust and soot were the two main types of pollution in UB. (6) Correlation analysis and linear fitting analysis showed that PM2.5 and PM10 caused by coal-firing had an important impact on air quality in UB. Coal combustion and vehicle emissions with SO2, NO2, and CO as factors made large contributions to PM2.5.