bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiscale and Multiphysics Modeling of Anisotropic Cardiac RFCA: Experimental-Based Model Calibration via Multi-Point Temperature Measurements
Authors: Molinari Leonardo , Zaltieri Martina , Massaroni Carlo , Filippi Simonetta , Gizzi Alessio , Schena Emiliano
Published: April 2022

Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is the mainstream treatment for drug-refractory cardiac fibrillation. Multiple studies demonstrated that incorrect dosage of radiofrequency energy to the myocardium could lead to uncontrolled tissue damage or treatment failure, with the consequent need for unplanned reoperations. Monitoring tissue temperature during thermal therapy and predicting the extent of lesions may improve treatment efficacy. Cardiac computational modeling represents a viable tool for identifying optimal RFCA settings, though predictability issues still limit a widespread usage of such a technology in clinical scenarios. We aim to fill this gap by assessing the influence of the intrinsic myocardial microstructure on the thermo-electric behavior at the tissue level. By performing multi-point temperature measurements on ex-vivo swine cardiac tissue samples, the experimental characterization of myocardial thermal anisotropy allowed us to assemble a fine-tuned thermo-electric material model of the cardiac tissue. We implemented a multiphysics and multiscale computational framework, encompassing thermo-electric anisotropic conduction, phase-lagging for heat transfer, and a three-state dynamical system for cellular death and lesion estimation. Our analysis resulted in a remarkable agreement between ex-vivo measurements and numerical results. Accordingly, we identified myocardium anisotropy as the driving effect on the outcomes of hyperthermic treatments. Furthermore, we characterized the complex nonlinear couplings regulating tissue behavior during RFCA, discussing model calibration, limitations, and perspectives.
FISH for All: A Fast and Efficient Fluorescent In situ Hybridization (FISH) Protocol for Marine Embryos and Larvae
Authors: Paganos Periklis , Caccavale Filomena , La Vecchia Claudia , D’Aniello Enrico , D’Aniello Salvatore , Arnone Maria Ina
Published: April 2022

In situ hybridization is one the most commonly used techniques for developmental and evolutionary biology and has extensively contributed to the identification of distinct cell types and cell states, as well dissecting several molecular mechanisms involved in physiological processes. Moreover, it has been used as a tool to compare distinct gene expression patterns and, therefore, genetic programs across animal species. Nowadays, the predominance of transcriptomics in science has imposed the need to establish a reliable, fast and easy whole mount in situ hybridization protocol. Here we describe a fluorescent in situ hybridization protocol that is rapid, accurate and applicable in a great variety of marine species.
High-Throughput 3D Phenotyping of Plant Shoot Apical Meristems From Tissue-Resolution Data
Authors: Åhl Henrik , Zhang Yi , Jönsson Henrik
Published: April 2022

Confocal imaging is a well-established method for investigating plant phenotypes on the tissue and organ level. However, many differences are difficult to assess by visual inspection and researchers rely extensively on ad hoc manual quantification techniques and qualitative assessment. Here we present a method for quantitatively phenotyping large samples of plant tissue morphologies using triangulated isosurfaces. We successfully demonstrate the applicability of the approach using confocal imaging of aerial organs in Arabidopsis thaliana. Automatic identification of flower primordia using the surface curvature as an indication of outgrowth allows for high-throughput quantification of divergence angles and further analysis of individual flowers. We demonstrate the throughput of our method by quantifying geometric features of 1065 flower primordia from 172 plants, comparing auxin transport mutants to wild type. Additionally, we find that a paraboloid provides a simple geometric parameterisation of the shoot inflorescence domain with few parameters. We utilise parameterisation methods to provide a computational comparison of the shoot apex defined by a fluorescent reporter of the central zone marker gene CLAVATA3 with the apex defined by the paraboloid. Finally, we analyse the impact of mutations which alter mechanical properties on inflorescence dome curvature and compare the results with auxin transport mutants. Our results suggest that region-specific expression domains of genes regulating cell wall biosynthesis and local auxin transport can be important in maintaining the wildtype tissue shape. Altogether, our results indicate a general approach to parameterise and quantify plant development in 3D, which is applicable also in cases where data resolution is limited, and cell segmentation not possible. This enables researchers to address fundamental questions of plant development by quantitative phenotyping with high throughput, consistency and reproducibility.
Stable Soil Moisture Improves the Water Use Efficiency of Maize by Alleviating Short-Term Soil Water Stress
Authors: Niu Li , Wang Zhuan , Zhu Guolong , Yu Kefan , Li Ge , Long Huaiyu
Published: April 2022

Weaker temporal variation of soil moisture can improve crop water use efficiency (WUE), but its physiological mechanism was still unclear. To explore the mechanism, an organized experiment was conducted in Beijing from June to September. From the jointing stage to maturity stage of maize, stable soil moisture (SSM) and fluctuating soil moisture (FSM) were established with Pressure Potential Difference-Crop Initiate Drawing Water (PCI) and manual irrigation (MI), respectively, to explore the physiological mechanism of SSM to improve maize WUE. Among them, PCI treatments were set with 3 pressure differences of -5, -10, and -15 kPa, and MI treatment was watering every 3 days with the irrigation amount of 9.3 mm. The results showed that (1) after water treatment, the average soil water content of PCI-5 kPa, PCI-10 kPa, PCI-15 kPa, and MI treatments were 53% field capacity (FC), 47, 38, and 78% FC, respectively. It was SSM with weak temporal variation under PCI treatments, and FSM with medium temporal variation under MI treatment. (2) PCI treatments reduced the content of proline, malondialdehyde, and abscisic acid in each organ of maize. (3) Compared with FSM 78% FC, the maize root activity at the filling stage of 53% FC SSM and 47% FC SSM increased significantly by 57.1 and 28.6%, respectively, and the carbon isotope discrimination value (Δ13C) in bracts of the two treatments increased by 18.3 and 10.4%, respectively. (4) There was a very significant positive correlation between WUE based on biomass (WUEb) and Δ13C in bracts. In conclusion, a large temporal variation of soil moisture was an important factor that caused water stress in maize. Under SSM treatments, the accumulation of abscisic acid, proline, and malondialdehyde was synergistically reduced. SSM improved the WUE of maize by alleviating short-term soil water stress caused by the fluctuation of soil moisture.
Estimating Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Diversity Through Deep Learning
Authors: Andermann Tobias , Antonelli Alexandre , Barrett Russell L. , Silvestro Daniele
Published: April 2022

The reliable mapping of species richness is a crucial step for the identification of areas of high conservation priority, alongside other value and threat considerations. This is commonly done by overlapping range maps of individual species, which requires dense availability of occurrence data or relies on assumptions about the presence of species in unsampled areas deemed suitable by environmental niche models. Here, we present a deep learning approach that directly estimates species richness, skipping the step of estimating individual species ranges. We train a neural network model based on species lists from inventory plots, which provide ground truth data for supervised machine learning. The model learns to predict species richness based on spatially associated variables, including climatic and geographic predictors, as well as counts of available species records from online databases. We assess the empirical utility of our approach by producing independently verifiable maps of alpha, beta, and gamma plant diversity at high spatial resolutions for Australia, a continent with highly heterogeneous diversity patterns. Our deep learning framework provides a powerful and flexible new approach for estimating biodiversity patterns, constituting a step forward toward automated biodiversity assessments.
Identification of Stable and Multiple Environment Interaction QTLs and Candidate Genes for Fiber Productive Traits Under Irrigated and Water Stress Conditions Using Intraspecific RILs of Gossypium hirsutum var. MCU5 X TCH1218
Authors: Boopathi Narayanan Manikanda , Tiwari Gopal Ji , Jena Satya Narayan , Nandhini Kemparaj , Sri Subalakhshmi V. K. I. , Shyamala Pilla , Joshi Babita , Premalatha Nallathambi , Rajeswari S.
Published: April 2022

Cotton productivity under water-stressed conditions is controlled by multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL). Enhancement of these productivity traits under water deficit stress is crucial for the genetic improvement of upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum. In the present study, we constructed a genetic map with 504 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) covering a total span length of 4,416 cM with an average inter-marker distance of 8.76 cM. A total of 181 intra-specific recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were derived from a cross between G. hirsutum var. MCU5 and TCH1218 were used. Although 2,457 polymorphic SNPs were detected between the parents using the CottonSNP50K assay, only 504 SNPs were found to be useful for the construction of the genetic map. In the SNP genotyping, a large number of SNPs showed either >20% missing data, duplication, or segregation distortion. However, the mapped SNPs of this study showed collinearity with the physical map of the reference genome (G. hirsutum var.TM-1), indicating that there was no chromosomal rearrangement within the studied mapping population. RILs were evaluated under multi-environments and seasons for which the phenotypic data were acquired. A total of 53 QTL controlling plant height (PH), number of sympodial branches, boll number (BN), and boll weight (BW) were dissected by QTL analysis under irrigated and water stress conditions. Additionally, it was found that nine QTL hot spots not only co-localized for more than one investigated trait but were also stable with major QTL, i.e., with > 10% of phenotypic variation. One QTL hotspot on chromosome 22 flanked by AX-182254626–AX-182264770 with a span length of 89.4 cM co-localized with seven major and stable QTL linked to a number of sympodial branches both under irrigated and water stress conditions. In addition, putative candidate genes associated with water stress in the QTL hotspots were identified. Besides, few QTL from the hotspots were previously reported across various genetic architects in cotton validating the potential applications of these identified QTL for cotton breeding and improvement. Thus, the major and stable QTL identified in the present study would improve the cotton productivity under water-limited environments through marker-assisted selection.
Empirical Evaluation of Inflorescences’ Morphological Attributes for Yield Optimization of Medicinal Cannabis Cultivars
Authors: Naim-Feil Erez , Breen Edmond J. , Pembleton Luke W. , Spooner Laura E. , Spangenberg German C. , Cogan Noel O. I.
Published: April 2022

In recent decades with the reacknowledgment of the medicinal properties of Cannabis sativa L. (cannabis) plants, there is an increased demand for high performing cultivars that can deliver quality products for various applications. However, scientific knowledge that can facilitate the generation of advanced cannabis cultivars is scarce. In order to improve cannabis breeding and optimize cultivation techniques, the current study aimed to examine the morphological attributes of cannabis inflorescences using novel image analysis practices. The investigated plant population comprises 478 plants ascribed to 119 genotypes of high−THC or blended THC−CBD ratio that was cultivated under a controlled environment facility. Following harvest, all plants were manually processed and an image of the trimmed and refined inflorescences extracted from each plant was captured. Image analysis was then performed using in-house custom-made software which extracted 8 morphological features (such as size, shape and perimeter) for each of the 127,000 extracted inflorescences. Our findings suggest that environmental factors play an important role in the determination of inflorescences’ morphology. Therefore, further studies that focus on genotype X environment interactions are required in order to generate inflorescences with desired characteristics. An examination of the intra-plant inflorescences weight distribution revealed that processing 75% of the plant’s largest inflorescences will gain 90% of its overall yield weight. Therefore, for the optimization of post-harvest tasks, it is suggested to evaluate if the benefits from extracting and processing the plant’s smaller inflorescences outweigh its operational costs. To advance selection efficacy for breeding purposes, a prediction equation for forecasting the plant’s production biomass through width measurements of specific inflorescences, formed under the current experimental methodology, was generated. Thus, it is anticipated that findings from the current study will contribute to the field of medicinal cannabis by improving targeted breeding programs, advancing crop productivity and enhancing the efficacy of post-harvest procedures.
Control of Root Stem Cell Differentiation and Lateral Root Emergence by CLE16/17 Peptides in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Lihua , Yang Yi , Mu Changqing , Liu Mingyu , Ishida Takashi , Sawa Shinichiro , Zhu Yuxian , Pi Limin
Published: April 2022

Secreted peptide-mediated cell-to-cell communication plays a crucial role in the development of multicellular organisms. A large number of secreted peptides have been predicated by bioinformatic approaches in plants. However, only a few of them have been functionally characterized. In this study, we show that two CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION-RELATED (CLE) peptides CLE16/17 are required for both stem cell differentiation and lateral root (LR) emergence in Arabidopsis. We further demonstrate that the CLE16/17 peptides act through the CLAVATA1-ARABIDOPSIS CRINKLY4 (CLV1-ACR4) protein kinase complex in columella stem cell (CSC) differentiation, but not in LR emergence. Furthermore, we show that CLE16/17 promote LR emergence probably via activating the expression of HAESA/HAESA-LIKE2 (HAE/HSL2) required for cell wall remodeling. Collectively, our results reveal a CLV1-ACR4-dependent and -independent dual-function of the CLE16/17 peptides in root development.
A Non-redundant Function of MNS5: A Class I α-1, 2 Mannosidase, in the Regulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation of Misfolded Glycoproteins
Authors: Sun Xiaoxia , Guo Chenchen , Ali Khawar , Zheng Qian , Wei Qiang , Zhu Yumeng , Wang Li , Li Guishuang , Li Wenjuan , Zheng Bowen , Bai Qunwei , Wu Guang
Published: April 2022

Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation (ERAD) is one of the major processes in maintaining protein homeostasis. Class I α-mannosidases MNS4 and MNS5 are involved in the degradation of misfolded variants of the heavily glycosylated proteins, playing an important role for glycan-dependent ERAD in planta. MNS4 and MNS5 reportedly have functional redundancy, meaning that only the loss of both MNS4 and MNS5 shows phenotypes. However, MNS4 is a membrane-associated protein while MNS5 is a soluble protein, and both can localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Furthermore, MNS4 and MNS5 differentially demannosylate the glycoprotein substrates. Importantly, we found that their gene expression patterns are complemented rather than overlapped. This raises the question of whether they indeed work redundantly, warranting a further investigation. Here, we conducted an exhaustive genetic screen for a suppressor of the bri1-5, a brassinosteroid (BR) receptor mutant with its receptor downregulated by ERAD, and isolated sbi3, a suppressor of bri1-5 mutant named after sbi1 (suppressor of bri1). After genetic mapping together with whole-genome re-sequencing, we identified a point mutation G343E in AT1G27520 (MNS5) in sbi3. Genetic complementation experiments confirmed that sbi3 was a loss-of-function allele of MNS5. In addition, sbi3 suppressed the dwarf phenotype of bri1-235 in the proteasome-independent ERAD pathway and bri1-9 in the proteasome-dependent ERAD pathway. Importantly, sbi3 could only affect BRI1/bri1 with kinase activities such that it restored BR-sensitivities of bri1-5, bri1-9, and bri1-235 but not null bri1. Furthermore, sbi3 was less tolerant to tunicamycin and salt than the wild-type plants. Thus, our study uncovers a non-redundant function of MNS5 in the regulation of ERAD as well as plant growth and ER stress response, highlighting a need of the traditional forward genetic approach to complement the T-DNA or CRISPR-Cas9 systems on gene functional study.
Combined Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application and High Temperature on Grain Quality Properties of Cooked Rice
Authors: Xu Yanqiu , Guan Xianyue , Han Zhanyu , Zhou Lujian , Zhang Yan , Asad Muhammad A. U. , Wang Zhaowen , Jin Rong , Pan Gang , Cheng Fangmin
Published: April 2022

Ambient temperature and nitrogen (N) fertilizer are two of the most important factors that affect rice grain quality. However, less information has been available on the interactive effect of N fertilizer and ambient temperature on grain quality under stressful high temperature (HT). In this article, the effects of panicle N fertilizer, ambient temperature, and their interaction on starch composition, particle size distribution of starch granules, starch physicochemical properties, and storage protein accumulation in milled grains were investigated to clarify the potential role of panicle N fertilizer topdressing in regulating rice grain quality under stressful HT by using a two-factor experiment of three N levels in combination with two temperature regimes. Results showed that appropriate application of panicle N fertilizer could attenuate the adverse effect of HT during grain filling on milling quality and chalky occurrence to some extent, particularly for the effective alleviation of HT-induced decrease in milling quality. However, the topdressing of panicle N fertilizer tended to enhance starch gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH) and its setback viscosity in HT-ripening grains, with the simultaneous decrements in the number and surface area proportions of smaller starch granules under the higher N fertilizer in combination with HT exposure. The effects of higher nitrogen fertilizer and HT exposure on total protein content and gluten composition of grains were additively increased. Hence, the topdressing of panicle N fertilizer exacerbated HT-induced deterioration in cooking and eating quality, rather than alleviating the negative impact of HT exposure on the palatability of cooked rice.
Peduncle Necking in Rosa hybrida Induces Stress-Related Transcription Factors, Upregulates Galactose Metabolism, and Downregulates Phenylpropanoid Biosynthesis Genes
Authors: Lear Bianca , Casey Matthew , Stead Anthony D. , Rogers Hilary Joan
Published: April 2022

Roses are highly valued as cut flowers worldwide but have limited vase life. Peduncle bending “bent neck” or “necking” is a major cause of reduced vase life, especially in some cultivars. Necking is thought to be caused by either an air embolism or accumulation of microorganisms at or within the stem end, blocking the xylem vessels and preventing water uptake. However, the underlying mechanisms of necking are poorly understood. Here, RNAseq analysis was applied to compare gene expression across three stages of peduncle necking (straight, <90°, and >90°), in the necking-susceptible Rosa hybrida cultivar H30. Most gene expression change was later in bending and there was, overall, more downregulation than upregulation of gene expression during necking. Photosynthetic, starch, and lignin biosynthesis genes were all downregulated, while genes associated with galactose metabolism, producing raffinose and trehalose that are both related to osmoprotection, were upregulated. Genes associated with starch breakdown, autophagy, and senescence were also upregulated, as were most of the NAC and WRKY transcription factors, involved in stress and senescence regulation. Microscopy showed a cellular collapse in the peduncle. These data support a possible mechanism, whereby a reduction in water transport leads to a cellular collapse in the peduncle, accompanied by upregulation of senescence and drought responses.
An Evaluation of Traits, Nutritional, and Medicinal Component Quality of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua and P. sibiricum Red.
Authors: Hu Yan , Yin Minzhen , Bai Yunjun , Chu Shanshan , Zhang Ling , Yang Mei , Zheng Xiaowen , Yang Zhengyang , Liu Junling , Li Lei , Huang Luqi , Peng Huasheng
Published: April 2022

Polygonati rhizoma (Huangjing in Chinese) is a traditional and classic dual-purpose material used in food and medicine. Herbalists in China and Japan have noticed several different rhizome types in Huangjing with different qualities. Rhizome of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua and P. sibiricum Red. is divided into five types: “Jitou-type” Polygonati rhizoma (JTPR), atypical “Jitou-type” Polygonati rhizoma (AJTPR), “Jiang-type” Polygonati rhizoma (JPR), “Cylinder-type” Polygonati rhizoma (CPR), and “Baiji-type” Polygonati rhizoma (BJPR). This study observed the microstructure and histochemical localization of polysaccharides, saponins, and proteins in Huangjing. Nutritional and medicinal component data and antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS) were analyzed to evaluate the quality of different types of Huangjing. The results showed that the comprehensive quality of the rhizomes, BJPR and JTPR, was better, regardless of their nutritional or medicinal values. Altogether, these results could recommend future breeding efforts to produce Huangjing with improved nutritional and medicinal qualities.
“Guided by Science and Evidence”? The Politics of Border Management in Canada's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Piper Julianne , Gomis Benoît , Lee Kelley
Published: April 2022

The limited and coordinated use of travel measures to control the international spread of disease, based on scientific evidence and respect for human rights, are core tenets of the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Health Regulations (IHR). Yet, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been near universal and largely uncoordinated use of travel measures by national governments, characterized by wide variation in what measures have been used, when and how they have been applied, and whom they have been applicable to. Given the significant social and economic impacts caused by travel measures, analyses to date have sought to understand the effectiveness of specific measures, in reducing importation and onward spread of SARS-CoV-2, or needed efforts to strengthen compliance with the IHR. There has been limited study of the role of national-level policy making to explain these widely varying practices. Applying path dependency theory to Canadian policies on travel measures, this paper analyses the interaction between science and politics during four key periods of the pandemic response. Bringing together systematic reviews of the scientific literature with parliamentary records, we argue that the evidentiary gap on travel measures during the initial pandemic wave was filled by political and economic influences that shaped when, how and for whom testing and quarantine measures for travelers were applied. These influences then created a degree of path dependency that limited the capacity of government officials to change policy during subsequent waves of the pandemic. This was accompanied by frequent government claims of reliance on science and evidence but limited transparency about what and how scientific evidence informed policy decisions. We argue that, over time, this further politicized the issue of travel measures and undermined public trust. We conclude that fuller understanding of the interaction between science and politics in national decision-making about border management during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential to future efforts to strengthen international coordination under the IHR.
Individual Strivings in Social Comparison Processes: Achievement Motivation Goals in the Big-Fish-Little-Pond Effect
Authors: Cecalupo Alessandra , Marini Mara , Scarci Federica , Livi Stefano
Published: April 2022

In school settings, adolescents recur to different sources of information to create their beliefs about future possibilities. Social comparison processes and personal goals related to achievement play an important role in shaping these beliefs. Drawing upon literature concerning the Big-Fish-Little-Pond effect and the Achievement Goal Theory, the present study aimed at understanding how adolescents attending the last year of secondary school (n= 689;Mage= 18.15;SD= 0.57) perceive their possibilities of potentially having a better future than their classmates. In particular, we sought to understand in what way this perception is influenced by students’ perceived relative position in their class—which accounts for the social comparison process—and its interaction with different types of achievement goals (mastery-approach goals, mastery-avoidance goals, performance-approach goals, and performance-avoidance goals). Results showed that perceived relative position mediated the relationship between the predictors (classmates’ average achievement and individual achievement) and future expectations. Furthermore, analyses of moderated mediation showed that both performance-approach and performance-avoidance goals reduced the impact of a low perceived relative position on future expectations, while mastery-approach and mastery-avoidance goals did not moderate its effect.
The Effect of Ostracism on Adults’ Materialism: The Roles of Security and Self-Construal
Authors: Feng Jiaxi , Wang Yichen , Ji Zhiyu , Zhang Denghao
Published: April 2022

With consumer culture becoming more prominent, the value of materialism is growing rapidly. This study explored the formation of materialism in adults, based on the temporal need–threat model of ostracism and the theory of materialistic values. Specifically, this study examined the link between ostracism and materialism from the perspective of security and the moderating role of self-construal in this process. A sample of 1,272 Chinese adults (Mage = 35.90 ± 11.59, 47.2% male) was recruited to complete the Ostracism Experiences Scale, the Material Values Scale, the Security Questionnaire, and the Self-Construal Scale. The results showed that (1) ostracism positively predicted materialism in Chinese adults; (2) security partially mediated the relationship between ostracism and materialism; (3) and self-construal moderated this mediation model. The moderating effect of self-construal on the relationship between ostracism and security was significant. Specifically, the direct effect of ostracism on security was much stronger for adults with interdependent self-construal than for those with independent self-construal. However, self-construal had no significant moderating effect on the direct effect of ostracism on materialism. These findings suggest that ostracism may affect materialism by damaging adults’ feelings of security, and independent self-construal can buffer the damage of ostracism on security.
An Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process and Entropy Weight Method in Food Cold Chain Risk Evaluation Model
Authors: Shen Yuyan , Liao Kaicheng
Published: April 2022

The food cold chain is a special type of cold chain that refers to a system in which refrigerated and frozen food is always kept in the specified low-temperature environment in all links from production, storage, transportation, sales, distribution to consumption, so as to ensure food quality and to prevent food deterioration caused by temperature fluctuation. In recent years, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought a great impact on people’s life and the social economy and also threatened the large-scale food cold chain. Through the effective identification and evaluation of high-risk factors in the food cold chain, this article has found the major risks that have a great impact on the entire food cold chain and proposes the specific measures of risk management and control to solve the problems of food cold chain and reduce risks quickly and efficiently to ensure the stability and safety of food cold chain and avoid the serious food safety accidents. The contribution of this article is reflected in three aspects, namely, (1) applies the expert system based on professional knowledge and rich experience and constructs a classification and identification system structure of food cold chain risk indexes, which lay a foundation for further identifying and evaluating the major risks of the food cold chain; (2) designs a comprehensive index weighting method combining the AHP method and entropy weight method to quantitatively evaluate the major risks. This comprehensive method combines a hierarchical structure system, evaluation algorithm, subjective factor correction algorithm, and so on. The evaluation results are more accurate, have a high matching degree with reality, and have good theoretical and practical significance; (3) analyzes and explains the major risks of the food cold chain in the non-epidemic situations and COVID-19 situations. Proposals and measures for risk management and control are put forward, which have wide practical significance.
Indoor Pool Game and Substance Abuse as Trajectories to Students’ Academic Procrastination: The Mediation Role of Self-Regulation
Authors: Gita Dinaol Urgessa , Koya Amanuel Tadesse , Worku Berhanu Nigussie
Published: April 2022

Background

Over the last decade, indoor pool games (IPGs) and substance abuse (SA) became a remarkable emerging addictive behavior among adolescent university students. With the failure of educational quality and retention of learners, boomerangs around the university local environment in line with the students’ learning culture were not considered in many countries including Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to examine the trajectory and contribution of an IPG and SA to students’ academic procrastination (AP) as determinants of quality education.

Methods

A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed. Self-reporting questionnaires, interview guides, and an observation checklist were used to collect data. All self-reporting items were adapted from previous scales. By using simple random sampling techniques, 237 undergraduate university students were selected for obtaining the quantitative data, and using purposive sampling, 12 interviewees were selected to collect the qualitative data. The SPSS AMOS version 25 was used to compute the multiple mediation path analysis. The Hayes PROCESS macro model was used. Furthermore, the thematic content analysis method was employed for the qualitative data.

Results

A direct path analysis was established between IPG, SA, and AP. The path analysis model indicated that IPG did not significantly predict AP. Moreover, SA significantly predicted AP. In addition, SR had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between IPG, SA, and AP.

Conclusion

The study concluded that IPG and substances available around the university local environment found trajectories to students’ AP, which in turn affects the quality of education.
Trends of Active Learning in Higher Education and Students’ Well-Being: A Literature Review
Authors: Ribeiro-Silva Elsa , Amorim Catarina , Aparicio-Herguedas José Luis , Batista Paula
Published: April 2022

This literature Review had the purpose of inspecting how the use of active learning methodologies in higher education can impact students’ Well-being. Considering the Heads of State meeting at United Nations Headquarters on September 2015, in which the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all United Nations Member states, this literature review is limbered to the time period between September 2015 and September 2021. A Previous research focused on reviews was made to support the conceptual framework. The search was done in two databases - Web of Science main collection and Scopus - by two researchers autonomously, using the following search criteria: “higher education AND active learning AND student AND wellness OR well-being OR wellbeing.” The studies section attended the following inclusion criteria: (i) published in peer-reviewed journals; (ii) empirical studies; (iii) written in English, French, Portuguese or Spanish; (iv) open access full text; (v) Higher education context; and (vi) focused on the topic under study. The search provided 10 articles which were submitted to an inductive thematic analysis attending to the purpose of this review, resulting in two themes: (i) students’ well-being during confinement; (ii) methodological solutions for students’ well-being. Data show that the use of active methodologies, as digital technologies, and the incorporation of some practice as physical activity and volunteering seems to benefit students’ well-being, namely in their academic achievement, physical, emotional, and social life, and empower them to the professional future with multi-competencies. Higher education institutions need to understand the value of active learning methodologies in sustained education and promote them in their practices.
Role of Cultural Resources in Mental Health: An Existential Perspective
Authors: Shukla Shashwat
Published: April 2022

A reductionist view of mental health tends to give limited results. While some important benefits are still achieved, other key elements are left unaddressed. These gaps tend to wipe out the gains which were made by focusing on the dominant aspects of mental health that are promoted by a reductionist view. This paper explores such gaps by looking at those healing traditions which view health and wellness from a broader perspective. Through the live experience of such traditions the paper tries to illustrate how the deeper aspects of mental health are also relevant. The paper attempts to argue that diverse cultures have inbuilt repositories of existential wisdom which can help in promoting and maintaining positive mental health through a conceptual exploratory analysis.
Defining Power and Agency in Gender Relations in El Salvador: Consequences for Intimate Partner Violence and Women’s Mental Health
Authors: Navarro-Mantas Laura , de Lemus Soledad , García-Sánchez Efraín , McGill Lucy , Hansen Nina , Megías Jesús L.
Published: April 2022

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects thousands of women around the world and is prevalent in the Global South. Unequal social structures perpetuate hierarchies and maintain women’s vulnerability to violence. Difficulties women face in accessing education, economic resources, and employment diminish their power in intimate relationships, increasing the likelihood of IPV. These factors can also have a significant effect on women’s mental health. However, some studies show that economic empowerment does not necessarily translate into greater agency for women if they cannot use the resources they earn to pursue whatever goals or values they regard as important in life. Agency is women’s ability to identify their life goals and act upon them through critical evaluation (intrinsic agency) and autonomous decision-making (instrumental agency). In this article, we aim to analyze the relationship between women’s power (educational and economic) and agency and their influence on intimate partner violence and on women’s mental health in the context of El Salvador. Currently, El Salvador has one of the highest percentages of femicide worldwide. We used data from the first national survey on violence against women in El Salvador to determine empowerment indicators and investigated their influence on intimate partner violence and women’s mental health. Results from a representative sample of 1,274 women aged between 15 and 64 years old and, using a structural equation modeling revealed that education was a protective factor against IPV, but economic power appeared to put women at greater risk of IPV. Education was positively related to both intrinsic and instrumental agency, but only instrumental agency was negatively associated with the likelihood of being a victim of IPV. Finally, both intrinsic and instrumental agencies were positively related to women’s mental health. We discuss the importance of identifying specific factors related to women’s power and agency to prevent IPV and mental health problems and to promote more gender equity in the Global South.
Endowing a NAO Robot With Practical Social-Touch Perception
Authors: Burns Rachael Bevill , Lee Hyosang , Seifi Hasti , Faulkner Robert , Kuchenbecker Katherine J.
Published: April 2022

Social touch is essential to everyday interactions, but current socially assistive robots have limited touch-perception capabilities. Rather than build entirely new robotic systems, we propose to augment existing rigid-bodied robots with an external touch-perception system. This practical approach can enable researchers and caregivers to continue to use robotic technology they have already purchased and learned about, but with a myriad of new social-touch interactions possible. This paper presents a low-cost, easy-to-build, soft tactile-perception system that we created for the NAO robot, as well as participants’ feedback on touching this system. We installed four of our fabric-and-foam-based resistive sensors on the curved surfaces of a NAO’s left arm, including its hand, lower arm, upper arm, and shoulder. Fifteen adults then performed five types of affective touch-communication gestures (hitting, poking, squeezing, stroking, and tickling) at two force intensities (gentle and energetic) on the four sensor locations; we share this dataset of four time-varying resistances, our sensor patterns, and a characterization of the sensors’ physical performance. After training, a gesture-classification algorithm based on a random forest identified the correct combined touch gesture and force intensity on windows of held-out test data with an average accuracy of 74.1%, which is more than eight times better than chance. Participants rated the sensor-equipped arm as pleasant to touch and liked the robot’s presence significantly more after touch interactions. Our promising results show that this type of tactile-perception system can detect necessary social-touch communication cues from users, can be tailored to a variety of robot body parts, and can provide HRI researchers with the tools needed to implement social touch in their own systems.
Assessing the Quantity and Quality Controls of the Freshwater Lens on a Semi-Arid Coral-Limestone Island in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wu Chen Lester R. , Stigter Tibor Y. , Craig Simon G.
Published: April 2022

Uncertainties in the contamination and salinization mechanisms of the freshwater lens (FWL) in the semi-arid coral-limestone aquifer of Delft Island, Sri Lanka threatens its water security. The processes governing the quality and distribution of the FWL were therefore investigated through recharge assessment and hydrochemical analysis. Potential groundwater recharge zones based on land classification and geology were first identified. A rootzone water balance model was then built, which revealed the spatiotemporal variability of potential groundwater recharge occurring rapidly during the wet season (October to January) and most abundantly on pasture land underlain by yellow and brown sand. Recharge also varied largely between dry and wet years. Where the water table was shallow, intense rainfall in wet years was seen to result in surface flooding. Geochemical modeling using PHREEQC combined with diagrams (Piper and Stiff) and scatter plots, including stable water isotopes, revealed the meteoric origin of groundwater with salinization mainly caused by seawater mixing and slight evaporation. Findings also suggest that salinization is driven by the island's low-lying nature (maximum elevation of 6 m above sea level), the low hydraulic heads (maximum of 3.7 m above sea level), the shallow depth of the marine water, the presence of lagoons in the center which are inferred to be in hydraulic continuity with the ocean, and to some extent by unregulated abstraction of groundwater through shallow hand-dug wells. We hypothesize about infiltration and percolation of saline water through the root zone during storm inundations near the coast, supported by the combined occurrence of high values of partial CO2 pressure, alkalinity and salinity in groundwater samples. Cation exchange showed indications of salinization of wells mostly in low lying areas (minimum Na/Cl value of 0.66), and freshening in areas near the coast with high potential groundwater recharge (maximum Na/Cl value of 1.04). Elevated nitrate concentrations (maximum of 2.55 mmol/L NO3-) in groundwater samples were observed. This suggests that anthropogenic contamination is further threatening the already scarce resource as well as coastal ecosystems that may be groundwater dependent.
Experiences of Gendered Norms and Mobilizing for Rights of Women Living With Disabilities in the Post-war Context in Sri Lanka
Authors: Emmanuel Sarala , Saroor Shreen
Published: April 2022

This paper juxtaposes existing legal/policy frameworks, national and international, with narratives of women living with disabilities in the post-war context in Eastern Sri Lanka. These narratives highlight their lived experience and needs. The paper draws from a process of consultations among women living with disabilities and the authors, who are long standing allies of this struggle in their capacity as activists and researchers. It focuses on key aspects of myriad gendered norms that were articulated during the consultations and describes the structural discrimination that emerges from such norms, as experienced by women living with disabilities. The paper ends with some thoughts and key proposals of women living with disabilities for the future of this struggle for justice.
Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy Under General and Local Anesthesia: A Single-Center Study
Authors: Kerimbayev Talgat , Kenzhegulov Yergen , Tuigynov Zhandos , Aleinikov Viktor , Urunbayev Yermek , Makhambetov Yerbol , Pan Andrew , Abishev Nurzhan , Oshayev Meirzhan , Baiskhanova Dinara , Solodovnikov Makar , Akshulakov Serik
Published: April 2022

Percutaneous spinal endoscopy is used for the treatment of disorders of the lumbar spine, as it has several advantages over traditional surgical methods. The performance of percutaneous spinal endoscopy is not possible without applying anesthesia methods. Two types (local and general) of anesthesia are used for percutaneous spinal endoscopy. Both, local and general anesthesia approaches contribute to safety in surgical procedures. Although it is believed that the method of local anesthesia has more benefits over general anesthesia, such as lowering the risk of postoperative neurological complications in a patient, the literature on the topic is inconclusive. The study aims to perform a comparative analysis of the two anesthesia methods using a prospective case-control design. Patients were divided into two groups: those who received local anesthesia (LA) (20 patients), and those who underwent general anesthesia (GA) (20 patients). As a result of the study, 40% of the patients experienced moderate pain and 5% of the patients experienced excruciating pain intraoperatively in the LA group. Although Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores improved more rapidly in LA group, at the 12-month check-up point there was no significant difference between cases and controls. Nevertheless, there were postoperative complications such as nerve root injury in 10% of the patients; nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness in 15% of the patients in the GA group, and an insignificant or no such complications in patients of the LA group. The present study demonstrates that LA contributes to more positive short-term outcomes for patients as it facilitates nerve root damage prevention, and has no postoperative side effects on patients' well being.
Trans-anethole Ameliorates Intestinal Injury Through Activation of Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in Subclinical Necrotic Enteritis-Induced Broilers
Authors: Yu Caiyun , Tong Yichun , Li Qiming , Wang Tian , Yang Zaibin
Published: April 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the alleviative effects of trans-anethole (TA) on intestinal oxidative stress by enhancing the activities of intestinal antioxidant enzymes and activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway in subclinical necrotic enteritis (NE) infected broilers. A total of 192 1-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated into three treatment groups: (1) control (CON); (2) subclinical NE challenge (NE); (3) NE challenge + 600 mg/kg TA (NE+TA600). Subclinical NE was induced by oral administration of live coccidiosis vaccine containing 2 × 104 oocysts at 10 days of age and 2 ml of Clostridium perfringens type A solution (3 × 108 CFU/ml) daily from days 14 to 19. The results showed that NE infection led to a severe decline (p < 0.05) in the final body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG), but an increase (p < 0.05) in feed/gain (F/G) of broilers at day 10–21 and day 1–21 compared with the control group. TA administration improved (p < 0.05) the growth performance of NE birds. The intestinal villus height (VH) and villus height/crypt depth (VH/CD) were reduced (p < 0.05) by NE challenge as compared with those of the control group, which was elevated by TA administration. Subclinical NE infection decreased (p < 0.05) serum activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and jejunal and ileal glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and T-SOD activity as well as T-AOC in the jejunum, while TA interventions positively elevated that (p < 0.05). Administration of TA protected the intestine against oxidative stress through up-regulation of intestinal nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway as compared with the NE group (p < 0.05). In addition, dietary inclusion of TA elevated (p < 0.05) mRNA abundance of c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met), jejunal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) in the jejunum and ileum of birds after subclinical NE challenge. In conclusion, 600 mg/kg of TA may be a promising tool to prevent and control subclinical NE by increasing intestinal antioxidant status in broilers.
Optimizing Finite-Difference Operator in Seismic Wave Numerical Modeling
Authors: Li Hui , Fang Yuan , Huang Zhiguo , Zhang Mengyao , Wei Qing
Published: April 2022

The finite-difference method is widely used in seismic wave numerical simulation, imaging, and waveform inversion. In the finite-difference method, the finite difference operator is used to replace the differential operator approximately, which can be obtained by truncating the spatial convolution series. The properties of the truncated window function, such as the main and side lobes of the window function’s amplitude response, determine the accuracy of finite-difference, which subsequently affects the seismic imaging and inversion results significantly. Although numerical dispersion is inevitable in this process, it can be suppressed more effectively by using higher precision finite-difference operators. In this paper, we use the krill herd algorithm, in contrast with the standard PSO and CDPSO (a variant of PSO), to optimize the finite-difference operator. Numerical simulation results verify that the krill herd algorithm has good performance in improving the precision of the differential operator.