bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ningxiang pig-derived lactobacillus reuteri modulates host intramuscular fat deposition via branched-chain amino acid metabolism
Authors: Yang Mei , Xie Qian , Wang Jing , Zha Andong , Chen Jiashun , Jiang Qian , Kang Meng , Deng Qiuchun , Yin Yulong , Tan Bie
Published: January 2025

Background

Gut microbiota has been extensively demonstrated to modulate host lipid metabolism. Higher intramuscular fat (IMF) accumulation in Chinese indigenous breed pigs is associated with their special gut microbiota structure. However, the specific microbes and metabolic pathways responsible for lipid deposition are still poorly understood.

Results

In the present study, a comparative analysis of the gut microbiota and metabolome in obese Ningxiang (NX) pigs and lean Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) pigs was conducted. The results revealed a higher abundance of gut lactobacilli and a correlation of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism pathway in NX pigs. We proceeded to verify the roles of various lactobacilli strains originating from NX pigs in BCAA metabolism and lipids deposition in SD rats. We demonstrated that L. reuteri is a fundamental species responsible for modulating lipid deposition in NX pigs and that increased circulating levels of BCAA are positively linked to greater lipid deposition. Additionally, it has been verified that L. reuteri originating from NX pigs has the ability to improve BCAA synthesis in the gut and enhance IMF content in lean DLY pigs. The expression of genes related to lipid synthesis was also significantly upregulated.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results imply that NX pig-derived L. reuteri regulates BCAA metabolism and plays a potential role in improving the meat quality of lean pig breeds through modulation of host intramuscular lipid deposition. The results provide a new strategy for improving the meat quality of commercial pigs by influencing host metabolism through supplementing dietary additives.
The role of optical coherence tomography angiography in assessing diabetic choroidopathy: a systematic review
Authors: Nowroozzadeh M. Hossein , Bagheri Mansoureh
Published: January 2025

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision impairment worldwide, affecting both retinal and choroidal vasculature. While advances in imaging technology, particularly optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), provide new opportunities to assess choroidal changes in diabetic patients, the role of OCTA in early diagnosis and monitoring of diabetic choroidopathy remains unclear.

Objective

This review aims to evaluate the potential role of OCTA in diagnosing and monitoring diabetic choroidopathy.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, ISI, and Scopus were searched for studies on diabetic choroidopathy assessed by OCTA. Studies included were peer-reviewed, published in English, and excluded case reports, conference proceedings, and studies on treated DR patients. Two independent reviewers screened articles for eligibility based on predefined criteria.

Results

OCTA allows for non-invasive, high-resolution visualization of retinal and choroidal microvasculature, providing both qualitative and quantitative data. The majority of studies indicate a significant decrease in choroidal perfusion parameters in diabetic patients without DR compared to healthy controls. Conflicting evidence exists regarding the correlation between choriocapillaris flow reduction and DR severity. OCTA may also predict changes in visual function related to choroidal perfusion, though it cannot fully replace clinical examinations.

Conclusions

OCTA is a valuable tool for early detection and monitoring of diabetic choroidopathy. However, its role is limited by variability in findings and its inability to detect certain features of diabetic microangiopathy. Further studies are needed to clarify its clinical utility and standardize assessment methods.
Impact of delayed pelvic imaging on the staging of biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer patients using [18F]DCFPYL PET/CT: a retrospective evaluation
Authors: Rodríguez-Pajuelo Ana , Guerra-Gómez Miriam , Cuenca Cuenca Juan Ignacio , Freire-Macías José María , Jiménez-Hoyuela García José Manuel , Álvarez-Pérez Rosa María
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the added diagnostic value of additional second stage pelvic scanning as part of the [18F]DCFPYL PET/CT procedure in patients treated for prostate cancer (PCa) who have biochemical recurrence (BR).

Materials and methods

Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of PCa who underwent a dual-phase PSMA-PET scan between September 2022 and December 2023, were retrospectively included. We analyzed the number and maximum SUV (SUVmax) of lesions only in the pelvic region (prostate, locoregional lymph nodes and bone), based on PSMA-RADS version 2.0 and miTNM criteria. To assess the potential diagnostic benefit of additional delayed pelvic PET/CT imaging as part of the PSMA-PET procedure, the change in molecular TNM classification was evaluated after the procedure.

Results

Additional delayed pelvic PET/CT imaging as part of the PSMA-PET procedure resulted in a change in molecular TNM classification in 22 out of 136 patients (16.2%). The highest percentage change was obtained in the miN classification (14/22 patients), followed by the miT classification (7/22) and lastly miM (1/22). Moreover, we found that patients in whom delayed pelvic imaging resulted in a change in molecular TNM classification were significantly older and had a higher PSA level than those in whom delayed imaging did not provide additional information.

Conclusions

Pelvic delayed imaging in patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer undergoing PET/CT with [18F]DCFPYL shows a non-negligible influence on patient staging, modifying the miTNM classification in 16.2% of cases, with pelvic lymphatic involvement benefiting the most from the dual study.
Evaluating the Efficacy of the Newborn Communication, Health, Feeding, and Swallowing Education Program (N-CHFSEP) for First-Time Mothers in Mangalore taluk, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Ouseph Deepthi , Kanthila Jayashree , Baliga Sunil , Shetty Shraddha , Karuppali Sudhin
Published: January 2025

Background Primiparous mothers face diverse challenges during pregnancy and post-childbirth. There is limited data on the effectiveness of postnatal educational programs for new mothers (Subramanian et al., 2020). This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an educational program designed to improve primiparous mothers’ attitudes toward newborn communication, general health, feeding, and swallowing. The objectives were (1) to develop an attitude questionnaire (AQ), a parent education program [Newborn Communication, Health, Feeding and Swallowing Education Program (N-CHFSEP)], and a feedback questionnaire (FQ); and (2) to estimate the efficacy of N-CHFSEP pre- and post-delivery. The research, conducted between August 2023 and February 2024, involved 98 primiparous mothers who gave birth to healthy newborns through any delivery method. Participants were proficient in English or Kannada. The study excluded mothers delivering multiples, those with significant medical or psychological issues, and health professionals. Methods The study had two phases: Phase 1 developed and validated the AQ, N-CHFSEP, and FQ. N-CHFSEP covered key topics, including milestones in communication, feeding, and general health from birth to 6 months. Phase 2 administered these tools to participants. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and chi-square tests. Results 93% of mothers reported increased confidence in recognizing communication, feeding, and health-related signs in their infants after completing the program. This change was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Sociodemographic factors like maternal age, education, occupation, and family type significantly influenced confidence levels. Feedback from participants highlighted the program’s effectiveness in enhancing knowledge, with suggestions for improvements. Conclusions N-CHFSEP significantly boosted mothers’ confidence in newborn care, contributing to better maternal and infant health. However, the study lacked a control group, and the effectiveness was evaluated only immediately after the program. Future research could incorporate practical demonstrations and hands-on training to further enhance the program’s impact.
Transition from child to adult health services for young people with cerebral palsy in Ireland; implications from a mixed-methods study
Authors: Ryan Jennifer M. , Norris Meriel , Walsh Aisling , Breen Amanda , Hensey Owen , Kerr Claire , Koppe Sebastian , Lavelle Grace , Owens Mary , Walsh Michael , Kroll Thilo , Fortune Jennifer
Published: January 2025

Background Poor transition from child- to adult-oriented healthcare may lead to negative outcomes and dissatisfaction with services in adulthood. The aim of the study was to examine how transition is provided to and experienced by young people with cerebral palsy in Ireland. This report provides integrated quantitative and qualitative findings and implications based on the totality of knowledge generated. Methods A convergent parallel mixed-methods study was conducted. Data were collected from people with cerebral palsy aged 16–22 years, parents, and health professionals using surveys and semi-structured interviews, which were both informed by a framework of nine key transition practices. Quantitative finding from the surveys and qualitative findings from interviews were integrated at the interpretation stage of the research using integration through joint displays. Implications were developed through discussions with health professionals, young people, and parents. Results Surveys were completed by 75 young people/parents and 108 health professionals. Interviews were conducted with 13 young people, 14 parents, and 27 health professionals. There was complementarity between quantitative and qualitative findings indicating lack of a named worker, limited information provision, insufficient self-management support, no opportunity to meet the adult team, limited contact with the general practitioner, and no opportunity for attending formal life skills training. There was dissonance between quantitative and qualitative findings regarding appropriate level of parental involvement. Quantitative findings identified limited promotion of health self-efficacy and a lack of senior managers responsible for transition. These practices were not described in the qualitative findings. Conclusion Implications of integrated findings include the need for a standardised transition pathway, intentional actions to enable parents and young people to adapt to changing roles, provision of information in a collaborative and phased approach, a common understanding of self-management between young people, parents and health professionals, and the need to involve general practitioners in transition.
Feasibility of a behavioural health pilot project in general practice for patients with high cardiovascular disease risk: A qualitative study
Authors: Sietins Emils , Gao Jiaran , McCombe Geoff , Broughan John , Treanor JT , Morissey Janis , Casey Mary , Gallagher Joe , Fitzpatrick Patricia , Doyle Orla , Frawley Timothy , Mills Gerald , Collins Tim , Ravichandran Nandakumar , Cullen Walter
Published: January 2025

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and disproportionately affects individuals from low socioeconomic (LSE) areas. Self-management interventions in general practice targeted towards people from LSE areas may positively impact patients’ health. The High Risk Prevention Programme (HRPP), developed by the Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE), the Irish Heart Foundation and the University College Dublin School of Medicine is a behavioural self-management intervention promoting positive lifestyle changes for patients with high CVD risk. Six general practices from LSE areas in Ireland delivered the intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of the HRPP by employing qualitative methods to investigate the experiences of participating patients and healthcare staff. Methods Twenty-eight participants (18 patients and 10 healthcare staff) were interviewed. The intervention’s feasibility was assessed according to Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis approach. Results Four key themes were identified among patients: (1) motivation to change health behaviours, (2) practical benefits for patients, (3) challenges experiences by patients, (4) lifestyle management and healthcare supports. Four themes were also identified among healthcare staff: (1) positive experience of the programme and its benefits, (2) logistical challenges, (3) patient engagement, (4) programme management. Conclusion The HRPP showed high levels of acceptability and feasibility. Future studies should assess this intervention’s likely effectiveness and consider scaling-up the intervention by including younger patients and by think of ways how to better manage the workload of healthcare staff responsible for delivering the intervention. The HRPP could be incorporated into the HSE’s nationwide ‘Chronic Disease Management Programme’.
OM Forum—Barriers to Implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Supply Chains: Lessons from Comparing Public and Private Firms
Authors: Shalpegin Timofey , Browning Tyson R. , Kumar Ajay
Published: January 2025

Problem definition: This OM Forum article explores the barriers hindering the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in supply chains by analyzing the DEI performance of publicly traded and privately held companies. Whereas the importance of DEI in supply chain management is widely acknowledged, publicly traded and privately held companies exhibit a notable gap in achieving DEI goals. Methodology/results: This article explores the factors that enabled publicly traded companies to be relatively more successful with DEI implementation and provides insights into how privately held companies can improve their DEI performance. We highlight the role of transparency in driving positive DEI change in publicly traded companies, which are also more likely to benefit from DEI initiatives because of their greater access to the resources required for implementation and a higher degree of customization. We describe additional barriers to DEI implementation, by which the differences between company types are less certain. These barriers include unawareness of or skepticism about the benefits of DEI programs in supply chains, internal opposition from advantaged groups, and the geographical scope of operations. Managerial implications: By addressing these barriers, privately held companies can create more inclusive and equitable supply chains that benefit all stakeholders.
Optimizing the Trade-off Between Batching and Waiting: Subadditive Dispatching
Authors: Erazo Ignacio , Toriello Alejandro
Published: January 2025

Trading off Waiting and Batching

Many modern logistics and production systems face an inherent tension between the need to dispatch or process orders or jobs as quickly as possible and the economies of scale obtained by batching. In “Optimizing the Trade-off Between Batching and Waiting: Subadditive Dispatching,” Ignacio Erazo and Alejandro Toriello propose a model that captures this tension, study various methods to optimize it or generate high-quality heuristic solutions, and assess the methods’ computational performance.
Kekerasan Epistemik Selama Covid-19 di Indonesia
Authors: Sanjaya Angga Trio , Pramono Dedi , Prasetya Arif Budi
Published: January 2025

This research discusses epistemic violence against subaltern subjects who work through Western knowledge mechanisms so that all knowledge truths are measured using scientific and scientific schemes. The aim of this research is to understand the discourse of epistemic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic from Foucault's perspective through reading genealogy during the Covid-19 pandemic in information media from government websites and mass media. The research method in this study uses Foucault's discourse analysis which is based on the 'genealogy' method strategy to find an episteme that is converged with the term power-knowledge. The subject of this research is news discourse during Covid-19, while the object of this research is epistemic violence in news discourse during Covid-19. The news sources for this research are classified based on online media news texts which contain the production of knowledge discourse and regulations for handling Covid-19 which have the potential for epistemic violence. Data collection techniques in this research apply document review techniques, libraries, listening techniques and note-taking techniques. The research results show that there is epistemic violence perpetrated by the West against the East through discourses of knowledge and science during the spread and handling of Covid-19. This epistemic violence includes stereotype epistemic violence, discrimination epistemic violence, testimonial epistemic violence, distributional epistemic violence.
Bahasa Slang dalam Media Sosial: Studi Kasus pada Takarir Unggahan Akun Instagram @gojekindonesia
Authors: Sitorismi Aninda Ayu
Published: January 2025

Penelitian ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan bentuk dan fungsi penggunaan bahasa slang dalam takarir unggahan akun Instagram @gojekindonesia. Metode yang digunakan adalah deskriptif kualitatif dengan teknik pengumpulan data melalui teknik simak dan catat dalam takarir unggahan akun @gojekindonesia selama Juli hingga Oktober 2024. Penelitian ini melibatkan teori dari Chaer & Agustina (2014). Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, dari 35 data yang diperoleh, teridentifikasi berbagai bentuk dan fungsi bahasa slang. Bentuk bahasa slang terbagi dalam tujuh variasi, di mana neologisme (penciptaan kata baru) menjadi bentuk terbanyak yang ditemukan, yakni 11 data. Ada juga bentuk kontraksi sebanyak 7 data, peminjaman bahasa asing 7 data, peminjaman bahasa lokal 4 data, akronim 4 data, pemenggalan 1 data, dan singkatan 1 data. Penelitian ini juga mengidentifikasi tiga fungsi utama penggunaan bahasa slang, yaitu fungsi direktif, fungsi fatis, dan fungsi referensial. Fungsi bahasa slang yang paling dominan digunakan adalah fungsi fatis. Temuan ini menghasilkan bahwa penggunaan bahasa slang merupakan strategi komunikasi yang efektif untuk membangun kedekatan antara perusahaan baik dengan pengikut akun media sosialnya maupun pengguna Instagram secara luas, serta dapat menunjukkan kreativitas dalam berkomunikasi di media sosial.
Research Trends in Design Thinking Education: A Systematic Literature Review from 2014 to 2024
Authors: Fitriyah Isnanik Juni , Saputro Sulistyo , Sajidan Sajidan
Published: January 2025

This study examines the research trends of Design Thinking (DT) in education during the period 2014–2024 through a systematic literature review. This study aims to analyze annual publication patterns, implementation across educational levels, research methodologies, authorship distribution, geographical spread, journal type distribution, and key themes from highly-cited publications in DT education research. The results show a significant increase in publications, especially in 2023–2024, reflecting growing academic interest in DT as an innovative approach to developing 21st-century skills. Qualitative research methods dominate, with most studies involving collaborative authorship. DT application was initially focused on higher education but expanded in secondary education while remaining limited in primary education. Asia leads in research contribution, while Africa shows lower output. Publications are distributed across educational, design-focused, and interdisciplinary journals. These findings underscore the importance of cross-disciplinary and global collaboration to accelerate DT adoption equitably. This study recommends strengthening educator training, developing holistic evaluation methods, and expanding quantitative research for more inclusive DT implementation.
SAFER AG – Risk Assessment, Data, Design Standards, and Regulation: Needs and Recommendations
Authors: Shutske John M. , Issa Salah F. , Johnson Trent , Khorsandi Farzaneh , Pate Michael L. , Gorucu Serap , Walsh Jean , Yoder Aaron M. , Dukes Ellie , Aby Guy R. , Versweyveld Jim
Published: January 2025

Highlights

Risk assessment is required for new machine designs, including autonomous, robotic, and other highly automated agricultural equipment.

Meaningful data is needed to inform many risk assessment processes, yet there is no historical incident data on novel machine forms that have never been widely deployed.

The establishment of an exposure database could supply needed data for machine risk assessment with new machine forms.

Engineering standards are a bedrock for safe design, including newly developed standards for highly automated and autonomous machines.

Outreach and awareness of engineering design standards are needed for engineers, non-engineers, regulators, and students.

Abstract. The 2022 SAFER AG workshop convened stakeholder groups that addressed emerging challenges related to safety, research needs, workforce implications, community-level impacts, and other issues connected to the development and eventual widespread deployment of autonomous and highly automated agricultural machines. This article summarizes the key findings, discussions, and recommendations of one of the workshop’s working groups that focused their efforts on risk assessment and the data needed to inform risk assessment processes during machine design, engineering design, safety standards, and regulatory efforts. Participants engaged in a consensus-building process to identify gaps in current knowledge and practice, particularly concerning new machine forms for which historical safety data is limited or nonexistent. The group recommended innovative solutions, including creating an exposure-based database and exposure definitions that could serve as a foundation for future risk assessment processes. Workshop participants emphasized the critical role of consensus engineering standards in ensuring the safe design of autonomous, robotic, and other highly automated equipment, with a clear sense that engineering standards must be considered early in the design phases. The group also recommended that any desired regulatory activity at various levels (local, state, national, and international) must consider the knowledge that is already embedded in pre-existing engineering standards with the hope that future regulation aligns with these standards and leverages the expertise and care that goes into the consensus standards development process. Recommendations for outreach and education efforts targeting small manufacturers, regulators, students in ABET-accredited engineering programs, and academia are also outlined. Keywords: Autonomous agricultural machinery, Engineering standards, Exposure data, Industry outreach, Risk assessment, Robotic safety, Safety regulations.
Hot-electron-induced substrate response in transient absorption spectroscopy of tantalum
Authors: de Vos Erik W. , Neb Sergej , Hollm Marko , Burri Florence , Gallmann Lukas , Keller Ursula
Published: January 2025

We demonstrate that for extreme ultraviolet (XUV) transient absorption spectroscopy measurements of thin-film metals, the substrate can significantly contribute to the observed change in absorption even if it is transparent to the pump pulse’s excitation wavelengths and does not itself produce a transient signal. When a thin-film tantalum layer deposited on a silicon nitride substrate is irradiated by a near-infrared femtosecond pulse, a coherent acoustic phonon is excited in both the tantalum and the substrate. The substrate response emerges on sub-picosecond timescales and is driven by excitation from the hot-electron distribution in the metal layer. This study underscores the importance of considering substrate effects in XUV transient absorption spectroscopy, which represent a critical factor for accurate modeling and analysis of ultrafast phenomena in thin films.
High-efficiency lithium niobate optical mode switch using a mode-loop Mach–Zehnder interferometer
Authors: Wang Binjie , Jiang Yongheng , Chen Li , Wang Liheng , Zhang Pu , Yuan Mingrui , Xiao Huifu , Low Mei Xian , Dubey Aditya , Nguyen Thach Giang , Hao Qinfen , Ren Guanghui , Mitchell Arnan , Tian Yonghui
Published: January 2025

Mode-division multiplexing is a common technology in photonic integrated circuits, which can combine various optical mode signals into one single channel such as a multimode waveguide to improve the communication system’s capacity. Optical mode switch plays a critical role in mode-division multiplexing, which can switch the optical signal into different mode channels. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a high-efficiency optical mode switch with a half-wave voltage length product (VπL) of about 1.83 V·cm, an extinction ratio of 22.9 dB, and a switching time below 48.3 ps, using mode-loop Mach–Zehnder interferometer structure in the lithium niobate on insulator platform. This optical mode switch has a potential application in supporting high-speed data transmission for on-chip mode-division-multiplexing systems.
The Neglected Tropical Disease Non-Governmental Organization Network: The role of a global health network in an evolving global health landscape
Authors: Sankar Girija , Dolegui Arielle , Acharya Jemish
Published: January 2025

The Neglected Tropical Diseases NGO Network (NNN) was established in 2009 to bring together non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working towards the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In response to the evolving landscape of global health and the increasing focus on equity, the NNN conducted a membership analysis in 2021. This analysis aimed to assess the network's composition and connectivity, revealing significant insights into its current structure and areas for improvement. Key findings from the analysis include the following: a majority of NNN members were based in high-income countries (HICs); 40% of the member organizations concentrated on a single NTD; the African region had nearly twice the number of member organizations supporting interventions in the region compared to other regions; and, members from HICs tend to be better networked within the NNN. These findings highlight the need for the NNN to enhance its inclusivity and representation, ensuring that voices from endemic countries are more prominently integrated into the network. By aligning with the NTD Road Map 2021–2030, the NNN aims to address these disparities and strengthen its commitment to global health equity. This analysis serves as a call to action for other global health networks to undertake similar self-assessments. Through transparency and critical reflection, the pursuit of global health equity can be advanced, ensuring that all regions and diseases receive appropriate attention and resources.
Goal-line oracles: Exploring accuracy of wisdom of the crowd for football predictions
Authors: Madsen Jens Koed
Published: January 2025

Football’s inherent volatility and low-scoring nature present unique challenges for predicting outcomes. This study investigates the efficacy of Wisdom of the Crowd in forecasting football match outcomes as well as expected goals (XG) across a Premier League season. Participants predicted team goal counts, which were then compared to actual expected goals (XG) and match results. Results across 760 team predictions reveal that while Wisdom of the Crowd accurately predicts XG on average, it overestimates ’big-6’ teams and underestimates others, hinting at inherent biases. Notably, however, collective crowd predictions outperform individual estimates consistently, affirming the power of collective intelligence. Furthermore, when tested against betting odds, Wisdom of the Crowd demonstrates limited profitability, indicating its potential as a supplementary rather than sole prediction tool. These findings underscore the nuanced dynamics of football prediction and highlight the utility of collective wisdom in navigating its complexities. Overall, this study contributes insights into crowd prediction dynamics and underscores its potential in football analytics, shedding light on its implications for decision-making and understanding group behaviour in sports forecasting contexts.
The evolution and driving mechanism of education inequality in China: From 2003 to 2020
Authors: Guo Yuanzhi , Li Xuhong
Published: January 2025

Although China’s education development has made great progress, there are obvious regional differences in China’s educational development. A systematic investigation of the regional inequality in China’s educational development and its driving factors is of great significance for optimizing the allocation of educational resources and giving full play to the critical role of education in regional development. In addition, the research on the evolution and internal mechanism of educational development inequality in China can also provide experience and reference for the Global South. Therefore, we construct a comprehensive evaluation index system to measure the level of regional educational development, reveal the regional inequalities in China’s educational development, and employ spatial econometric model to dissect the factors influencing the regional inequalities. The results show that China’s educational development level continues to increasing from 2003 to 2020, but a significant decrease in its growth rate. In this process, regional differences in education inequality in China have gradually narrowed, which can be confirmed by changes in the Gini coefficient and Theil index. In terms of direct spillover effects, the per capita fiscal expenditure on education and urbanization rate have positive effects. In terms of indirect spillover effects, per capita GDP and per capita fiscal expenditure on education have negative effects, while population density and urbanization rate have positive effects. After replacing the weight matrix and removing the extreme values, the model also passes the robustness test. However, this mechanism is heterogeneous in different regions, therefore, we put forward the corresponding policies and measures according to the regional driving effects of influencing factors.
Response of tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) yield to nutrient management under rainy and irrigation production systems in northwestern Amhara, Ethiopia
Authors: Bazie Zerfu , Amare Tadele , Alemu Erkihun , Kerebh Bitewulign , Tenagn Abere , Awoke Abrham , Ambaw Zmie , Alemayehu Beamlaku , Abewa Anteneh , Abebe Ataklte , Feyisa Tesfaye , Agumas Birhanu
Published: January 2025

Crops respond differently to soil nutrients because of climate, soil, and management. This study aimed to determine the most important nutrients for tef production. The experiment was conducted over two production seasons. All (NPKSZnB), All-B, All-Zn, All-S, All-K, All-P, All-N, RNP, RNP+Sx1, and no fertilizer treatments were applied. The pre-planning soil status of the study sites, available P concentrations during the rainy season are between 5.1 and 8.9 mg kg-1, however, 21.4 mg kg-1 of available P is observed during irrigation. In rain-fed production systems, the mean soil N concentrations are 0.12% in nitisols and 0.15% in vertosols, whereas in irrigation production systems, it is 0.14% in nitiosols. The grain yield significantly (p ≤ 0.01) varied with the omission of nutrients during the production season. However, there was no significant (p<0.05) decrease in yield due to the omission of KSZnB nutrients. The lowest mean grain yields of 342 kg ha-1 (nitisols) and 491 kg ha-1 (vertosols) were obtained from the no fertilizer treatment. Nitrogen omission decreased yields by 49 and 65% in nitisols and vertosols under the rainy season, respectively, whereas a 19% yield decrease was also observed in the irrigation season. A 10% yield decrease was observed from the P omitted treatment in the rainy season. Thus, N is the primary limiting nutrient to yield in both production seasons, while P is also a yield-limiting nutrient in nitisols. Thus, the government should import the right kind of fertilizer to boost crop productivity in Ethiopia. The required plant nutrients should be periodically monitored in farming systems.
Ability of pulse oximetry-derived indices to predict hypotension after spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kondo Yuriko , Nakamura Eishin , Noma Hisashi , Shimizu Sayuri , Goto Takahisa , Mihara Takahiro
Published: January 2025

Cesarean deliveries are often performed under spinal anesthesia because of the reduced risk of complications compared with that of general anesthesia. However, hypotension frequently occurs and adversely affects both the mother and fetus. Indices, such as the perfusion index (PI) and pleth variability index (PVI), which are derived from pulse oximetry have been used in numerous studies to predict hypotension after spinal anesthesia. However, their predictive abilities remain controversial. This study aimed to investigate the ability of PI and PVI, measured before the initiation of spinal anesthesia, to predict hypotension after spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing cesarean deliveries. To this end, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ClinicalTrials.gov, European Union Clinical Trials Register, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry databases from inception until June 15, 2023. We included retrospective and prospective observational studies and randomized controlled trials that assessed the ability of PI and PVI, measured before the initiation of spinal anesthesia, to predict hypotension after spinal anesthesia during cesarean delivery. We did not restrict our search to specific languages. Of the 19 studies, involving 1437 patients, 17 assessed the PI in 1,311 patients, and 5 assessed the PVI in 344 patients. The summary sensitivity and specificity of the PI were 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69–0.80) and 0.64 (95%CI: 0.48–0.77), respectively, while those of the PVI were 0.63 (95%CI: 0.47–0.76) and 0.76 (95%CI: 0.64–0.84), respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was approximately 0.75 for both indexes. Baseline PI and PVI have a moderate predictive ability for hypotension after spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing cesarean delivery.
The effects of haloperidol on motor vigour and movement fusion during sequential reaching
Authors: Sporn Sebastian , Galea Joseph M.
Published: January 2025

Reward is a powerful tool to enhance human motor behaviour with previous research showing that during a sequential reaching movement, a monetary incentive leads to increased speed of each movement (motor vigour effect), whilst reward-based performance feedback increases the speed of transition between movements (movement fusion effect). The neurotransmitter dopamine plays a central role in the processing of reward signals and has been implicated to modulate motor vigour and regulate movement fusion. However, in humans, it is unclear if the same dopaminergic mechanism underlies both processes. To address this, we used a complex sequential reaching task in which rewards were based on movement times (MT). Crucially, MTs could be reduced via: 1) enhanced speed of individual movements (motor vigour effect) and/or 2) enhanced speed of transition between movements (movement fusion effect). 95 participants were randomly assigned to a reward or no reward group and were given either 2.5mg of the dopamine antagonist haloperidol or a placebo (control group). An independent decision-making task performed prior to the main experiment suggested that haloperidol was active during the sequential reaching task (positive control). We did not find evidence that haloperidol affected the facilitatory effects of reward on movement fusion. However, we found that haloperidol negated the reward-based effects on motor vigour. Therefore, our results suggest that a D2-antagonist differentially influences reward-based effects on movement vigour and movement fusion, indicating that the dopaminergic mechanisms underlying these two processes may be distinct.
The mediating role of workplace milieu resources on the relationship between emotional intelligence and burnout among leaders in social care
Authors: Kozák Anna , Schutzmann Réka , Soltész-Várhelyi Klára , Albert Fruzsina
Published: January 2025

Background

This study investigated the connection between emotional intelligence and burnout through the mediating role of workplace milieu resources (a sense of community and mutual trust between employees) among social care leaders in Hungary utilizing the Job Demand-Resources model as a reference. The study evaluated emotional intelligence across three dimensions: understanding our emotions, understanding others’ emotions, and positive emotional appraisal.

Methods

A cross-sectional and quantitative study was conducted from 11th April to 30th November 2019 targeting Hungarian social care leaders. Participants (N = 547) were recruited non-randomly trough a training organized for them. Data collection involved sociodemographic questions, the Assessing Emotions Scale and the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and three saturated serial mediations (ML with percentile bootstrap) were implemented. During the mediations, one dimension of emotional intelligence was used as a predictor in each model with the sense of community and mutual trust as serial mediators, and burnout as the outcome.

Results

The results confirmed the role of the leader’s emotional intelligence in creating a supportive workplace atmosphere and its indirect effect on burnout through these workplace milieu resources, while its direct effect was found not to be substantial. Among the three aspects of emotional intelligence, positive appraisal had the largest effect on burnout.

Conclusions

This study suggests that emotional intelligence’ influence on burnout is mediated by workplace milieu resources. Therefore, it is crucial to encourage leaders to use their emotional intelligence to create a positive emotional atmosphere rather than solely concentrating on emotional comprehension.
Measurement and analysis of fish pond water temperature field in summer based on fiber Grating string
Authors: Li Guoli , Feng Fei , Qian Caihua , Wei Bo
Published: January 2025

To solve the problems of low detection efficiency and inability to adapt to distributed measurement in traditional detection methods, a water temperature field detection system based on a fiber Bragg grating string was designed. In this system, six fiber Bragg gratings with different center wavelengths are connected in series on a single fiber optic cable based on wavelength division multiplexing technology. The fiber Bragg grating string is encapsulated in stainless steel tube and vertically fixed in the measured water body of the fish pond. The space division multiplexing technology is employed to collect information from multiple fiber Bragg grating strings. Water temperature measurement experiments were conducted in the summer pond environment. The experimental results show that the daily variation curve of temperature in each water layer of the fish pond is relatively smooth and approximates a cosine function with a 24-hour period. In summer, the daily average water temperature in the pond is no more than 1°C higher than the average air temperature. The difference between the maximum and the minimum water temperature is approximately 2°C. During the daytime, the temperature gradually decreases from the surface to the deeper water layers, whereas at night, the temperature variation among the water layers is minimal. As depth increases, the amplitude of the water temperature curve oscillations gradually decreases, exhibiting exponential decay. However, the peak time gradually lags behind. There is a correlation between the temperatures of the water layers in the fish pond, and the smaller the distance between the water layers, the stronger the correlation. The experimental results obtained in this study are highly significant for real-time services in aquatic planting and aquaculture. Additionally, this measurement method can provide valuable reference and guidance for measuring temperature fields in other fluids.
The drivers of mental health service utilisation among public primary healthcare workers in Negeri Sembilan
Authors: Mohd Noor Norhafizah , Ariffin Ahmad Azuhairi , Minhat Halimatus Sakdiah , Ying Lim Poh , Silim Umi Adzlin
Published: January 2025

Background

Public primary healthcare workers (HCWs) face various psychosocial risks at workplace that can impact their mental health. However, little is known about their mental health service utilisation (MHSU). This study aimed to determine prevalence and predictors of MHSU among public primary HCWs in Negeri Sembilan, using Anderson Behavioural Model of Health Service Use.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to April 2023, using a valid and reliable self-administered six sections questionnaire consisting of; (i) sociodemographic, (ii) work-related factors, (iii) MHSU, (iv) perception of stigmatisation by others, (v) enabling factors, and (vi) need factors. Respondents were selected through proportionate stratified random sampling based on job categories. Multiple Logistic Regression using SPSS version 26 was used to determine the predictors of MHSU.

Results

A total of 294 respondents participated in this study, with a response rate of 83.5%. The 12-months MHSU prevalence was 45.6%. Mental health services were predominantly utilised for screening (96.3%) and treatment purposes (28.4%), primarily accessed through health clinics (85.1%), and interaction with paramedics (44.0%) and medical officers (38.8%). Significant drivers predicting MHSU were B40 household income (aOR = 3.426, 95% CI: 1.588, 7.393, p-value = 0.002) and M40 household income (aOR = 3.781, 95% CI: 1.916, 7.460, p-value<0.001), low supervisor support (aOR = 2.302, 95% CI: 1.206, 4.392, p-value = 0.011), received mental health training (aOR = 2.058, 95% CI: 1.221, 3.469, p-value = 0.007) and high co-worker support (aOR = 1.701, 95% CI: 1.034, 2.798, p-value = 0.036).

Conclusion

Almost half of respondents used mental health services, predicted by lower and middle household income, received mental health training and high co-worker support. Conversely, MHSU was also predicted by low supervisor support. To sustain high levels of MHSU, it is essential to implement regular mental health training targeted HCWs with lower to middle household incomes and those experiencing low supervisor support, while simultaneously enhancing co-worker support and screening program for early detection of mental health problems.
The effect of sexual health literacy on sexual function mediated by sexual satisfaction and sexual self-efficacy: Structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Banaei Mojdeh , Hosseini Saeed , Alizadeh Shiva , Roozbeh Nasibeh , Jahanshahloo Behnaz , Ghasemi Elham , Ghasemi Vida
Published: January 2025

Existing literature suggests that sexual health literacy may influence sexual function by enhancing sexual satisfaction and other dimensions of sexual health. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sexual health literacy on sexual function, mediated by sexual satisfaction and sexual self-efficacy, among Iranian women. A cross-sectional study was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) with 431 eligible women of childbearing age recruited from health centers in Asadabad city, Hamadan, Iran, from 2023 to 2024 through convenience sampling method. Data were collected using several tools: demographic and obstetric information form, sexual health literacy for adults (SHELA) questionnaire, female sexual function index (FSFI), sexual self-efficacy questionnaire (SSE), and the inventory of sexual satisfaction (ISS). Structural equation modeling was performed using IBM SPSS AMOS version 23. The mean ± SD age of the participants was 31.92 ± 7.24 years. The direct effects of sexual health literacy, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual satisfaction on sexual function were significant (P < 0.001). The indirect effect of sexual health literacy on sexual function, mediated by sexual satisfaction, was also significant (P < 0.001). Overall, the total effect (direct and indirect) of sexual health literacy on sexual function was deemed appropriate, and the proposed conceptual model demonstrated a good fit with the data (χ2/df = 3.35; CFI = 0.966; IFI = 0.967; GFI = 0.951; AGFI = 0.904; RMSEA = 0.070). Based on these findings, sexual health literacy has both direct and indirect effects (mediated by sexual satisfaction) on sexual function. These results may guide professionals in the field of marital relationships to recognize the importance of sexual health literacy and to develop educational or counseling interventions aimed at improving sexual health literacy, ultimately enhancing sexual function.
Scutellarin combined with lidocaine exerts antineoplastic effect in human glioma associated with repression of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling
Authors: He Xiu-Ying , Yang Yui-Si , Zheng Yue-Xiang , Xia Qing-Jie , Yu Hong-Zhou , Zhao Xiao-Ming , Wang Ting-Hua
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Glioma is the most common primary intracranial tumors. Although great achievements have been made in the treatment, the efficacy is still unsatisfactory, which imposes a hefty burden on patients and society. Therefore, the exploration of new and effective anti-glioma drugs is urgent.

Methods

Human glioma cell lines U251 and LN229 were included in the study. Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), plate clone formation assay, EdU incorporation assay and xCELLigence real-time cell analyzer. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL assay and flow cytometry. Then, transwell assay was used for assessing the migration. Moreover, tumor xenograft model was established to examine the effect of scutellarin (SCU) and lidocaine on the growth of glioma in vivo. Lastly, western blot was performed to detect the protein level of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

Results

In present study, we found that SCU and lidocaine suppressed the proliferation and migration, and induced the apoptosis of human glioma cell lines, including U251 and LN229 cells, in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Moreover, the combination of SCU and lidocaine further restrained the proliferation and migration ability of U251 and LN229 cells, while induced their apoptosis in vitro. Additionally, SCU and lidocaine also inhibited the growth of glioma in vivo, and the effect of the combination was better. Above all, the toxicity of SCU and its combination with lidocaine was low to normal astrocytes and neurons. Mechanistically, the effect of SCU and its combination with lidocaine on glioma cells was partially associated with the repression of EGFR signaling.

Conclusions

Scutellarin and lidocaine exerted a synergistic effect on suppressing the proliferation and migration and inducing the apoptosis of glioma cells, which was partly associated with the repression of EGFR signaling.