bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Science Diplomacy Model in Algeria and Prospects for Bilateral Scientific Cooperation with Russia
Authors: Vasilyeva Irina , Bogatova Raisa , Korneeva Nataliya
Published: April 2024

Introduction. Science diplomacy is gaining increasing significance in expanding international science and technology cooperation. Algeria serves as an example of this trend, drawing the attention of numerous influential players in the international community. Establishing relations with them requires Algerian diplomacy to be flexible and capable of aligning its diverse interests. The research aims to identify the main actors in Algerian science diplomacy, determine the optimal forms of cooperation between Russia and Algeria, and outline the prospects for future cooperation. Methods. Through observation, comparison, and description methods, the authors have outlined the evolution of science diplomacy and provided examples of the most successful projects involving Algeria. Results and Discussion. The authors have developed a model from their research that clearly illustrates the key actors in Algeria's science diplomacy and their interactions on both national and international stages. The analysis of publication activity has revealed areas of cooperation between Russia and Algeria. Conclusion. To effectively address modern challenges such as climate change, water shortage, local military conflicts, and emerging diseases, it is crucial to foster productive partnerships among scientists, politicians, and diplomats. When examining Algeria's international scientific collaborations with other nations, it becomes clear that the country prioritizes its partnership with China. Algeria has numerous joint initiatives with the European Union, a longstanding relationship with France, and has established ties with the United States through the Algerian diaspora. Russia and Algeria share a mutual interest in collaborative research and development in fields such as mechanical engineering, computer technology, physics, and astronomy. Higher education cooperation between Russia and Algeria can facilitate the training of research and academic personnel, the establishment of professional networks, and the advancement of research programs and projects.
Experimental study on mechanical properties and microscopic mechanisms of layered sandstone after high temperature water cooling
Authors: Xu Jie , Tian Wen-Ling , Bu Yi-Shun , Yang Jing
Published: April 2024

During underground resource extraction and deep underground engineering development, the engineering rock body frequently encounters elevated temperatures and water cooling, leading to alterations in the mechanical properties of the rock. These changes will have an impact on the safety and stability of the project. This study aimed to investigate the changes in mechanical properties of rocks following treatment with high temperatures and water cooling. The experiment involved subjecting layered sandstone samples to heating and water cooling, followed by conducting uniaxial compression tests using a high-temperature furnace and a WA-1000 universal testing machine. The effects of temperature and inclination angles on the uniaxial mechanical properties of layered sandstone were then analyzed. Furthermore, the utilization of the scanning electron microscope and various other microscopic testing devices allowed for the examination of the micro-mechanism behind rock damage and rupture subsequent to undergoing heating and water-cooling treatment. The findings from the experiment suggest that: 1) the relationship between the changes in sandstones’ mechanical properties and temperature and bedding inclinations can be attributed to the uneven deformation of minerals caused by heating and water-cooling treatment, leading to the distribution of microcracks within the rock. 2) The stress-strain curve of the specimen can be divided as four-stages. With the increase of bedding inclination, the compaction stage of the specimen is more prominent. 3) As the bedding inclination increases, the specimens exhibit a pattern of initially decreasing and then increasing in terms of peak strength and strain. With the increase of temperature, the peak axial strain gradually increases, while it first increases and then decreases with the increasing dip angles.
Pollution and health risk assessment of co-existing microplastics and heavy metals in urban dust of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ahmad Munir , Al-Swadi Hamed Ahmed , Ahmad Jahangir , Akanji Mutair A. , Mousa Mohammed Awad , Lubis Nahrir M.A. , Al-Wabel Mohammad I. , Al-Farraj Abdullah S. F.
Published: April 2024

Microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals have recently attracted much attention due to their widespread distribution in the environment. Co-occurrence of MPs and heavy metals in dust poses potential health risks for humans. The objectives of this study were to investigate pollution and health risk factors associated with co-occurring MPs and heavy metals in urban dust. Here, 20 dust samples (both indoor and outdoor environments) were collected from different places in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia using sweeping method. The MPs were separated from dust samples via density separation using ZnCl2 Microscopic techniques were used to investigate MPs while inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used heavy metals analyses in the collected samples. The results of the study showed that all the collected dust samples were contaminated with MPs of different shapes, sizes, and colors. Fragment-shaped MPs were the most dominant, followed by granules, fibers, and lines, while the majority of the MP particles were red and black. Furthermore, the size distribution analyses demonstrated that particles above 1,000 µm were abundant. Also, the number of MPs was in the range of 20 particles g-1 to 1,052 particles g-1. Human exposure estimations showed that toddlers could inhale more MPs (0.86 MPs particles kg-1 day-1 and 312.93 particles kg-1 year-1) than children, teenagers, and adults. In addition, the concentrations of heavy metals varied from one site to another, however, the average concentrations were lower than their corresponding values in the guidelines (except for Zn). The integrated potential ecological risk in dust samples was characterized as a low-risk criterion. The enrichment factor for Zn in dust samples at all sites was more than 2, indicating a major contamination concern and anthropogenic sources responsible for the existence of Zn. The estimated hazard quotient indicates that children and adults are saved from the adverse effects of dust inhalation in the studied area. These findings could serve as a preliminary step for efficient pollution management and environmental quality maintenance in Riyadh.
Influence of ecological restoration initiatives on emotional bonds between indigenous peoples and the Chinese alligator
Authors: Wu Di , Gu Jintu , Yu Jiahao
Published: April 2024

As ecological restoration initiatives continue to revitalize degraded environments in the nature reserves, the dynamics of Indigenous people’s emotional relationships with wildlife undergo significant shifts. Drawing upon the theoretical framework of emotion sociology, this research explored the intricate social mechanisms shaping Indigenous emotions toward wildlife. This research used a questionnaire survey. Based on a 10% sampling proportion, this research used the Kish selection method to draw a random sample of 361 households from the Chinese Alligator Reserve. It found that the main effect of the family population outflow (Coeff = −32.62), traditional cultural loss (Coeff = −2.51), pop culture familiarity (Coeff = 1.60) on Indigenous-wildlife emotion was significant. Meanwhile, the moderating effect of income is also clearly significant. This reveals the mechanisms by which ecological restoration initiatives create Indigenous and wildlife emotional ties are social support, cultural shaping, and income stratification. These findings underscore the importance of considering social effects in conservation efforts to foster sustainable relationships between Indigenous communities and wildlife in the nature reserves.
iDNA-OpenPrompt: OpenPrompt learning model for identifying DNA methylation
Authors: Yu Xia , Ren Jia , Long Haixia , Zeng Rao , Zhang Guoqiang , Bilal Anas , Cui Yani
Published: April 2024

Introduction: DNA methylation is a critical epigenetic modification involving the addition of a methyl group to the DNA molecule, playing a key role in regulating gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. The main difficulty in identifying DNA methylation sites lies in the subtle and complex nature of methylation patterns, which may vary across different tissues, developmental stages, and environmental conditions. Traditional methods for methylation site identification, such as bisulfite sequencing, are typically labor-intensive, costly, and require large amounts of DNA, hindering high-throughput analysis. Moreover, these methods may not always provide the resolution needed to detect methylation at specific sites, especially in genomic regions that are rich in repetitive sequences or have low levels of methylation. Furthermore, current deep learning approaches generally lack sufficient accuracy.

Methods: This study introduces the iDNA-OpenPrompt model, leveraging the novel OpenPrompt learning framework. The model combines a prompt template, prompt verbalizer, and Pre-trained Language Model (PLM) to construct the prompt-learning framework for DNA methylation sequences. Moreover, a DNA vocabulary library, BERT tokenizer, and specific label words are also introduced into the model to enable accurate identification of DNA methylation sites.

Results and Discussion: An extensive analysis is conducted to evaluate the predictive, reliability, and consistency capabilities of the iDNA-OpenPrompt model. The experimental outcomes, covering 17 benchmark datasets that include various species and three DNA methylation modifications (4mC, 5hmC, 6mA), consistently indicate that our model surpasses outstanding performance and robustness approaches.
The factor inhibiting HIF regulates T cell differentiation and anti-tumour efficacy
Authors: Bargiela David , Cunha Pedro P. , Veliça Pedro , Krause Lena C. M. , Brice Madara , Barbieri Laura , Gojkovic Milos , Foskolou Iosifina P. , Rundqvist Helene , Johnson Randall S.
Published: April 2024

T cells must adapt to variations in tissue microenvironments; these adaptations include the degree of oxygen availability. The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) transcription factors control much of this adaptation, and thus regulate many aspects of T cell activation and function. The HIFs are in turn regulated by oxygen-dependent hydroxylases: both the prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) which interact with the VHL tumour suppressor and control HIF turnover, and the asparaginyl hydroxylase known as the Factor inhibiting HIF (FIH), which modulates HIF transcriptional activity. To determine the role of this latter factor in T cell function, we generated T cell-specific FIH knockout mice. We found that FIH regulates T cell fate and function in a HIF-dependent manner and show that the effects of FIH activity occur predominantly at physiological oxygen concentrations. T cell-specific loss of FIH boosts T cell cytotoxicity, augments T cell expansion in vivo, and improves anti-tumour immunotherapy in mice. Specifically inhibiting FIH in T cells may therefore represent a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
Crosstalk between T lymphocyte and extracellular matrix in tumor microenvironment
Authors: Lv Die , Fei Yujie , Chen Hongli , Wang Junfeng , Han Wenwen , Cui Bomiao , Feng Yun , Zhang Ping , Chen Jiao
Published: April 2024

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex three-dimensional structure composed of proteins, glycans, and proteoglycans, constituting a critical component of the tumor microenvironment. Complex interactions among immune cells, extracellular matrix, and tumor cells promote tumor development and metastasis, consequently influencing therapeutic efficacy. Hence, elucidating these interaction mechanisms is pivotal for precision cancer therapy. T lymphocytes are an important component of the immune system, exerting direct anti-tumor effects by attacking tumor cells or releasing lymphokines to enhance immune effects. The ECM significantly influences T cells function and infiltration within the tumor microenvironment, thereby impacting the behavior and biological characteristics of tumor cells. T cells are involved in regulating the synthesis, degradation, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix through the secretion of cytokines and enzymes. As a result, it affects the proliferation and invasive ability of tumor cells as well as the efficacy of immunotherapy. This review discusses the mechanisms underlying T lymphocyte-ECM interactions in the tumor immune microenvironment and their potential application in immunotherapy. It provides novel insights for the development of innovative tumor therapeutic strategies and drug.
Highly variable timing renders immunotherapy efficacy and toxicity impractical biomarkers of one another in clinical practice
Authors: von Itzstein Mitchell S. , Yang Yuqiu , Wang Yiqing , Hsiehchen David , Sheffield Thomas Y. , Fattah Farjana , Popat Vinita , Ahmed Murtaza , Homsi Jade , Dowell Jonathan E. , Rashdan Sawsan , Lohrey Jay , Hammers Hans J. , Hughes Randall S. , Wang Tao , Xie Yang , Gerber David E.
Published: April 2024

Background

A useful clinical biomarker requires not only association but also a consistent temporal relationship. For instance, chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and epidermal growth-factor inhibitor-related acneiform rash both occur within weeks of treatment initiation, thereby providing information prior to efficacy assessment. Although immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-associated immune-related adverse events (irAE) have been associated with therapeutic benefit, irAE may have delayed and highly variable onset. To determine whether ICI efficacy and irAE could serve as clinically useful biomarkers for predicting each other, we determined the temporal relationship between initial efficacy assessment and irAE onset in a diverse population treated with ICI.

Methods

Using two-sided Fisher exact and Cochran-Armitage tests, we determined the relative timing of initial efficacy assessment and irAE occurrence in a cohort of 155 ICI-treated patients (median age 68 years, 40% women).

Results

Initial efficacy assessment was performed a median of 50 days [interquartile range (IQR) 39-59 days] after ICI initiation; median time to any irAE was 77 days (IQR 28-145 days) after ICI initiation. Median time to first irAE was 42 days (IQR 20-88 days). Overall, 58% of any irAE and 47% of first irAE occurred after initial efficacy assessment. For clinically significant (grade ≥2) irAE, 60% of any and 53% of first occurred after initial efficacy assessment. The likelihood of any future irAE did not differ according to response (45% for complete or partial response vs. 47% for other cases; P=1). In landmark analyses controlling for clinical and toxicity follow-up, patients demonstrating greater tumor shrinkage at initial efficacy assessment were more likely to develop future grade ≥2 (P=0.05) and multi-organ (P=0.02) irAE.

Conclusions

In contrast to that seen with chemotherapy and molecularly targeted therapies, the temporal relationship between ICI efficacy and toxicity is complex and bidirectional. In practice, neither parameter can be routinely relied on as a clinical biomarker to predict the other.
Designing of a multi-epitopes based vaccine against Haemophilius parainfluenzae and its validation through integrated computational approaches
Authors: Ghaffar Sana Abdul , Tahir Haneen , Muhammad Sher , Shahid Muhammad , Naqqash Tahir , Faisal Muhammad , Albekairi Thamer H. , Alshammari Abdulrahman , Albekairi Norah A. , Manzoor Irfan
Published: April 2024

Haemophilus parainfluenzae is a Gram-negative opportunist pathogen within the mucus of the nose and mouth without significant symptoms and has an ability to cause various infections ranging from ear, eye, and sinus to pneumonia. A concerning development is the increasing resistance of H. parainfluenzae to beta-lactam antibiotics, with the potential to cause dental infections or abscesses. The principal objective of this investigation is to utilize bioinformatics and immuno-informatic methodologies in the development of a candidate multi-epitope Vaccine. The investigation focuses on identifying potential epitopes for both B cells (B lymphocytes) and T cells (helper T lymphocytes and cytotoxic T lymphocytes) based on high non-toxic and non-allergenic characteristics. The selection process involves identifying human leukocyte antigen alleles demonstrating strong associations with recognized antigenic and overlapping epitopes. Notably, the chosen alleles aim to provide coverage for 90% of the global population. Multi-epitope constructs were designed by using suitable linker sequences. To enhance the immunological potential, an adjuvant sequence was incorporated using the EAAAK linker. The final vaccine construct, comprising 344 amino acids, was achieved after the addition of adjuvants and linkers. This multi-epitope Vaccine demonstrates notable antigenicity and possesses favorable physiochemical characteristics. The three-dimensional conformation underwent modeling and refinement, validated through in-silico methods. Additionally, a protein-protein molecular docking analysis was conducted to predict effective binding poses between the multi-epitope Vaccine and the Toll-like receptor 4 protein. The Molecular Dynamics (MD) investigation of the docked TLR4-vaccine complex demonstrated consistent stability over the simulation period, primarily attributed to electrostatic energy. The docked complex displayed minimal deformation and enhanced rigidity in the motion of residues during the dynamic simulation. Furthermore, codon translational optimization and computational cloning was performed to ensure the reliability and proper expression of the multi-Epitope Vaccine. It is crucial to emphasize that despite these computational validations, experimental research in the laboratory is imperative to demonstrate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the developed vaccine. This would involve practical assessments to ascertain the real-world effectiveness of the multi-epitope Vaccine.
Evaluation of HPV infection and presence of licensed HPV vaccine genotypes among genital warts in Foshan, China
Authors: Huang Zeqi , Yao Shaonuan , Zou Lin , Xie Weixian , Xie Dongde , Li Weiwei , Tan Deyou , Shuai Jiangang
Published: April 2024

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and presence of licensed HPV vaccine genotypes among patients with genital warts in Foshan, China from 2015 to 2022, to provide useful references for the detection, prevention and control of genital warts in Foshan.

Methods

The present study retrospectively analyzed the HPV detection rates in patients with genital warts. A total of 1,625 patients were seen at the Second People’s Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong Province, China, from 2015 to 2022. Samples were collected from various lesions and genotyped for 21 genotypes of HPV by infusion hybridization. The classification principle of HPV genotypes in this study: (1) Based on the relationship between HPV and carcinogenicity; (2) Based on the number of HPV genotypes infected; (3) Based on the HPV genotypes of licensed HPV vaccines.

Results

The detection rate of any HPV in patients with genital warts was 80.37% (1,306/1,625). The detection rates of HPV for low-risk infection, co-infection and high-risk infection were 49.48% (804/1,625), 24.92% (405/1,625) and 5.97% (97/1,625), respectively. Single infection was the predominant type (51.94%, 844/1625). HPV-6 and HPV-11 were the predominant types of single infection; HPV-6 and HPV-52 were the predominant types of paired combinations of multiple infection. 82.22% (1,336/1,625) of the cases had an age distribution of ≤ 24, 25–34, and 35–44. The distribution of some HPV genotypes had age specificity, annual specificity and gender specificity. The genotype detection rates of 2v, 4v and 9v showed a decreasing trend with ages (all P < 0.05). The genotype detection rates of 4v and 9v showed a decreasing trend over the 8-year period (both P < 0.05). The genotype detection rates of 4v and 9v in the male group were higher than those in the female group (both P < 0.05). The genotype detection rate of 9v was significantly higher than that of 2v and 4v in the female group (both P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that low-risk infection and single infection were the main types of HPV infection in patients with genital warts, mainly among young patients. Our study provides epidemiological data for the detection, prevention and control of genital warts in China.
Clinical study on the efficacy of postural control combined with electroacupuncture in treating dysphagia after stroke
Authors: Wu Yanli , Zhang Zhongwen , Li Qing , Yuan Xiu , Ren Jiange , Chen Yulin , Zhu He
Published: April 2024

Objective

To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of combining postural control with electroacupuncture in the treatment of dysphagia following stroke, with the goal of establishing a solid clinical foundation for this therapeutic approach and investigating potential mechanisms to stimulate additional research and progress in post-stroke dysphagia management.

Methods

138 patients who met the diagnostic and inclusion criteria were enrolled and divided into control group and observation group. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation training. Additionally, the control group received swallowing training and diet optimize, while the observation group received swallowing training, diet optimize, posture control as well as electroacupuncture therapy. After four weeks, swallowing function was assessed and compared between the two groups using the Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) score and water swallowing test (WST).

Results

Patients who underwent postural control therapy in combination with electroacupuncture demonstrated significantly higher treatment efficacy compared to the control group. Notably, The SSA score and WST score in both groups decreased significantly, and the observation group showed more improvements in aspiration compared to the control group.

Conclusion

The integration of posture control, electroacupuncture, and conventional rehabilitation training can effectively lower the degree of post-stroke swallowing disorders, restore swallowing function, and significantly reduce the occurrence of complications such as aspiration, fever, and nutritional disorders. Moreover, this approach significantly improves the quality of life of patients and is more effective than conventional rehabilitation training in treating post-stroke swallowing disorders.

Clinical trial registration

https://www.chictr.org.cn/, Identifier ChiCTR2300075870.
Auditory feedback decreases timing variability for discontinuous and continuous motor tasks in autistic adults
Authors: Richard Williams Nicole , Tremblay Luc , Hurt-Thaut Corene , Brian Jessica , Kowaleski Julia , Mertel Kathrin , Shlüter Sebastian , Thaut Michael
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Autistic individuals demonstrate greater variability and timing error in their motor performance than neurotypical individuals, likely due at least in part to atypical cerebellar characteristics and connectivity. These motor difficulties may differentially affect discrete as opposed to continuous movements in autistic individuals. Augmented auditory feedback has the potential to aid motor timing and variability due to intact auditory-motor pathways in autism and high sensitivity in autistic individuals to auditory stimuli.

Methods

This experiment investigated whether there were differences in timing accuracy and variability in autistic adults as a function of task (discontinuous vs. continuous movements) and condition (augmented auditory feedback vs. no auditory feedback) in a synchronization-continuation paradigm. Ten autistic young adults aged 17–27 years of age completed the within-subjects study that involved drawing circles at 800 milliseconds intervals on a touch screen. In the discontinuous task, participants traced a series of discrete circles and paused at the top of each circle for at least 60 milliseconds. In the continuous task, participants traced the circles without pausing. Participants traced circles in either a non-auditory condition, or an auditory condition in which they heard a tone each time that they completed a circle drawing.

Results

Participants had significantly better timing accuracy on the continuous timing task as opposed to the discontinuous task. Timing consistency was significantly higher for tasks performed with auditory feedback.

Discussion

This research reveals that motor difficulties in autistic individuals affect discrete timing tasks more than continuous tasks, and provides evidence that augmented auditory feedback may be able to mitigate some of the timing variability present in autistic persons’ movements. These results provide support for future investigation on the use of music-based therapies involving auditory feedback to address motor dysfunction in autistic individuals.
Multi-tissue transcriptome-wide association study identifies novel candidate susceptibility genes for cataract
Authors: Choquet Hélène , Duot Matthieu , Herrera Victor A. , Shrestha Sanjaya K. , Meyers Travis J. , Hoffmann Thomas J. , Sangani Poorab K. , Lachke Salil A.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly worldwide. Twin and family studies support an important role for genetic factors in cataract susceptibility with heritability estimates up to 58%. To date, 55 loci for cataract have been identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS), however, much work remains to identify the causal genes. Here, we conducted a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) of cataract to prioritize causal genes and identify novel ones, and examine the impact of their expression.

Methods

We performed tissue-specific and multi-tissue TWAS analyses to assess associations between imputed gene expression from 54 tissues (including 49 from the Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project v8) with cataract using FUSION software. Meta-analyzed GWAS summary statistics from 59,944 cataract cases and 478,571 controls, all of European ancestry and from two cohorts (GERA and UK Biobank) were used. We then examined the expression of the novel genes in the lens tissue using the iSyTE database.

Results

Across tissue-specific and multi-tissue analyses, we identified 99 genes for which genetically predicted gene expression was associated with cataract after correcting for multiple testing. Of these 99 genes, 20 (AC007773.1, ANKH, ASIP, ATP13A2, CAPZB, CEP95, COQ6, CREB1, CROCC, DDX5, EFEMP1, EIF2S2, ESRRB, GOSR2, HERC4, INSRR, NIPSNAP2, PICALM, SENP3, and SH3YL1) did not overlap with previously reported cataract-associated loci. Tissue-specific analysis identified 202 significant gene-tissue associations for cataract, of which 166 (82.2%), representing 9 unique genes, were attributed to the previously reported 11q13.3 locus. Tissue-enrichment analysis revealed that gastrointestinal tissues represented one of the highest proportions of the Bonferroni-significant gene-tissue associations (21.3%). Moreover, this gastrointestinal tissue type was the only anatomical category significantly enriched in our results, after correcting for the number of tissue donors and imputable genes for each reference panel. Finally, most of the novel cataract genes (e.g., Capzb) were robustly expressed in iSyTE lens data.

Discussion

Our results provide evidence of the utility of imputation-based TWAS approaches to characterize known GWAS risk loci and identify novel candidate genes that may increase our understanding of cataract etiology. Our findings also highlight the fact that expression of genes associated with cataract susceptibility is not necessarily restricted to lens tissue.
Adverse respiratory patterns in near-term spontaneously breathing newborn lambs with elevated airway liquid volumes at birth
Authors: Davies I. M. , Crossley K. J. , McGillick E. V. , Nitsos I. , Rodgers K. , Thiel A. , Zahra V. A. , Badurdeen S. , te Pas A. B. , Hooper S. B.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Recent evidence indicates that respiratory distress (RD) in near-term infants is caused by elevated airway liquid (EL) volume at the beginning of air-breathing after birth. While the adverse effects EL volumes on newborn lung function are known, the effects on respiratory control and breathing patterns shortly after birth (<4 h) are unknown. We investigated the effects of EL volumes on cardiorespiratory function and breathing patterns in spontaneously breathing near-term newborn lambs in the first hours after birth.

Methods

At 137–8 days gestation (2–3 days prior to delivery; term ∼147 days), sterile surgery was performed on fetal sheep (n = 17) to implant catheters and blood flow probes. At 140 days, lambs were delivered via caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. Airway liquid volumes were adjusted to mimic the level expected following vaginal delivery (∼10 ml/kg; Controls; n = 7), or elective caesarean section (∼30 ml/kg; elevated airway liquid group; EL; n = 10). Spontaneous breathing and cardiorespiratory parameters were recorded over four hours after birth. Non-invasive respiratory support with supplemental oxygen was provided if required.

Results

EL lambs required higher inspired oxygen levels (p = 0.0002), were less active (p = 0.026), fed less (p = 0.008) and had higher respiratory morbidity scores than Controls (p < 0.0001). EL lambs also displayed higher rates of breathing patterns associated with RD, such as expiratory braking and tachypnoea. These patterns were particularly evident in male EL lambs who displayed higher levels of severe respiratory morbidity (e.g., expiratory braking) than female EL lambs.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that EL volumes at birth trigger respiratory behaviour and breathing patterns that resemble clinically recognised features of RD in term infants.
Does wearing a mask promote consumer uniqueness seeking?
Authors: Liang Yiyuan , Peng Qiushui , Yang Yuqing , Wang Jiayu , Liu Tao
Published: April 2024

As a motivational factor, uniqueness drives individuals to seek and choose unique goods or experiences. The act of wearing masks obscures individuals’ facial features and influences their desire for uniqueness. This study aims to explore how wearing masks promotes individual uniqueness- seeking behavior. Three experiments were performed using various product categories (Starbucks coffee cups, sweatshirts, suitcases, and baseball caps) and sample types (college student and adult samples). Experiment results show that wearing masks obscures individuals’ facial features and weakens their self- perceived uniqueness, thereby increasing their willingness to actively purchase unique products. This study is the first to examine the effect of wearing masks on individuals’ choice of unique products. Practically, the results suggest that customized products can compensate for the lack of self-perceived uniqueness brought about by facial occlusion, thus providing valuable guidance for companies and retailers that offer customized services in formulating and designing marketing strategies.
Post-COVID-19 cognitive symptoms in patients assisted by a teleassistance service: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bonfim Lívia Paula Freire , Correa Thais Rotsen , Freire Bruno Cabaleiro Cortizo , Pedroso Thais Marques , Pereira Daniella Nunes , Fernandes Thalita Baptisteli , Kopittke Luciane , Oliveira Clara Rodrigues Alves de , Teixeira Antonio Lucio , Marcolino Milena Soriano
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Four years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the frequency of long-term post-COVID-19 cognitive symptoms is a matter of concern given the impact it may have on the work and quality of life of affected people.

Objective

To evaluate the incidence of post-acute COVID-19 cognitive symptoms, as well as the associated risk factors.

Methods

Retrospective cohort, including outpatients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and who were assisted by a public telehealth service provided by the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais (TNMG), during the acute phase of the disease, between December/2020 and March/2022. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, applied via phone calls, regarding the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms after 12 weeks of the disease. Cognitive symptoms were defined as any of the following: memory loss, problems concentrating, word finding difficulties, and difficulty thinking clearly.

Results

From 630 patients who responded to the questionnaire, 23.7% presented cognitive symptoms at 12 weeks after infection. These patients had a higher median age (33 [IQR 25–46] vs. 30 [IQR 24–42] years-old, p = 0.042) with a higher prevalence in the female sex (80.5% vs. 62.2%, p < 0.001) when compared to those who did not present cognitive symptoms, as well as a lower prevalence of smoking (8.7% vs. 16.2%, p = 0.024). Furthermore, patients with persistent cognitive symptoms were more likely to have been infected during the second wave of COVID-19 rather than the third (31.0% vs. 21.3%, p = 0.014). Patients who needed to seek in-person care during the acute phase of the disease were more likely to report post-acute cognitive symptoms (21.5% vs. 9.3%, p < 0,001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, cognitive symptoms were associated with female sex (OR 2.24, CI 95% 1.41–3.57), fatigue (OR 2.33, CI 95% 1.19–4.56), depression (OR 5.37, CI 95% 2.19–13.15) and the need for seek in-person care during acute COVID-19 (OR 2.23, CI 95% 1.30–3.81).

Conclusion

In this retrospective cohort of patients with mostly mild COVID-19, cognitive symptoms were present in 23.7% of patients with COVID-19 at 12 weeks after infection. Female sex, fatigue, depression and the need to seek in-person care during acute COVID-19 were the risk factors independently associated with this condition.
Smart grading of diabetic retinopathy: an intelligent recommendation-based fine-tuned EfficientNetB0 framework
Authors: Anand Vatsala , Koundal Deepika , Alghamdi Wael Y. , Alsharbi Bayan M.
Published: April 2024

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that affects the retina and causes vision loss due to blood vessel destruction. The retina is the layer of the eye responsible for visual processing and nerve signaling. Diabetic retinopathy causes vision loss, floaters, and sometimes blindness; however, it often shows no warning signals in the early stages. Deep learning-based techniques have emerged as viable options for automated illness classification as large-scale medical imaging datasets have become more widely available. To adapt to medical image analysis tasks, transfer learning makes use of pre-trained models to extract high-level characteristics from natural images. In this research, an intelligent recommendation-based fine-tuned EfficientNetB0 model has been proposed for quick and precise assessment for the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy from fundus images, which will help ophthalmologists in early diagnosis and detection. The proposed EfficientNetB0 model is compared with three transfer learning-based models, namely, ResNet152, VGG16, and DenseNet169. The experimental work is carried out using publicly available datasets from Kaggle consisting of 3,200 fundus images. Out of all the transfer learning models, the EfficientNetB0 model has outperformed with an accuracy of 0.91, followed by DenseNet169 with an accuracy of 0.90. In comparison to other approaches, the proposed intelligent recommendation-based fine-tuned EfficientNetB0 approach delivers state-of-the-art performance on the accuracy, recall, precision, and F1-score criteria. The system aims to assist ophthalmologists in early detection, potentially alleviating the burden on healthcare units.
Human-in-the-loop error detection in an object organization task with a social robot
Authors: Frijns Helena Anna , Hirschmanner Matthias , Sienkiewicz Barbara , Hönig Peter , Indurkhya Bipin , Vincze Markus
Published: April 2024

In human-robot collaboration, failures are bound to occur. A thorough understanding of potential errors is necessary so that robotic system designers can develop systems that remedy failure cases. In this work, we study failures that occur when participants interact with a working system and focus especially on errors in a robotic system’s knowledge base of which the system is not aware. A human interaction partner can be part of the error detection process if they are given insight into the robot’s knowledge and decision-making process. We investigate different communication modalities and the design of shared task representations in a joint human-robot object organization task. We conducted a user study (N = 31) in which the participants showed a Pepper robot how to organize objects, and the robot communicated the learned object configuration to the participants by means of speech, visualization, or a combination of speech and visualization. The multimodal, combined condition was preferred by 23 participants, followed by seven participants preferring the visualization. Based on the interviews, the errors that occurred, and the object configurations generated by the participants, we conclude that participants tend to test the system’s limitations by making the task more complex, which provokes errors. This trial-and-error behavior has a productive purpose and demonstrates that failures occur that arise from the combination of robot capabilities, the user’s understanding and actions, and interaction in the environment. Moreover, it demonstrates that failure can have a productive purpose in establishing better user mental models of the technology.
Interval training has more negative effects on sleep in adolescent speed skaters: a randomized cross controlled trial
Authors: Kong Zhenxing , Wei Xinhua , Shen Meng , Cheng Yue , Feng Junpeng
Published: April 2024

Objective

Sleep is an essential component of athletic performance and recovery. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different types of high-intensity exercise on sleep parameters in adolescent speed skaters.

Methods

Eighteen male adolescent speed skaters underwent aerobic capacity testing, Wingate testing, and interval training in a randomized crossover design to assess strength output, heart rate, and blood lactate levels during exercise. Sleep quality after each type of exercise was evaluated using the Firstbeat Bodyguard 3 monitor.

Results

The results showed that Wingate testing and interval training led to decreased sleep duration, increased duration of stress, decreased RMSSD, and increased LF/HF ratio (p < 0.01). Conversely, aerobic capacity testing did not significantly affect sleep (p > 0.05). The impact of interval training on sleep parameters was more significant compared to aerobic capacity testing (p < 0.01) and Wingate testing (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

High-intensity anaerobic exercise has a profound impact on athletes’ sleep, primarily resulting in decreased sleep duration, increased stress duration, decreased RMSSD, and increased LF/HF ratio.
Meteorological Impacts on Rubber Tree Powdery Mildew and Projections of Its Future Spatiotemporal Pattern
Authors: Kong Jiayan , Wu Lan , Cao Jiaxin , Cui Wei , Nie Tangzhe , An Yinghe , Sun Zhongyi
Published: April 2024

Meteorological conditions play a crucial role in driving outbreaks of rubber tree powdery mildew (RTPM). As the climate warms and techniques improve, rubber cultivation is expanding to higher latitudes, and the changing climate increases the RTPM risk. Rubber plantations on Hainan Island, situated on the northern margin of the tropics, have been selected as a case study to explore the meteorological mechanisms behind RTPM outbreaks quantitatively using a structural equation model, and project current and future RTPM outbreak patterns under different climate change scenarios by building predictive models based on data-driven algorithms. The following results were obtained: (1) days with an average temperature above 20 °C and days with light rain were identified as key meteorological drivers of RTPM using structural equation modeling (R2 = 0.63); (2) the Bayesian-optimized least-squares boosted trees ensemble model accurately predicted the interannual variability in the historical RTPM disease index (R2 = 0.79); (3) currently, due to the increased area of rubber plantations in the central region of Hainan, there is a higher risk of RTPM; and (4) under future climate scenarios, RTPM shows a decreasing trend (at a moderate level), with oscillating and sporadic outbreaks primarily observed in the central and northwest regions. We attribute this to the projected warming and drying trends that are unfavorable for RTPM. Our study is expected to enhance the understanding of the impact of climate change on RTPM, provide a prediction tool, and underscore the significance of the climate-aware production and management of rubber.
Natural Compounds and Derivates: Alternative Treatments to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses in Fruits
Authors: Rayón-Díaz Edson , Hernández-Montiel Luis G. , Sánchez-Burgos Jorge A. , Zamora-Gasga Victor M. , González-Estrada Ramsés Ramón , Gutiérrez-Martínez Porfirio
Published: April 2024

The effects of phytopathogenic fungi on fruits and vegetables are a significant global concern, impacting various sectors including social, economic, environmental, and consumer health. This issue results in diminished product quality, affecting a high percentage of globally important fruits. Over the last 20 years, the use of chemical products in the agri-food sector has increased by 30%, leading to environmental problems such as harm to main pollinators, high levels of chemical residue levels, development of resistance in various phytopathogens, and health issues. As a response, various organizations worldwide have proposed programs aimed at reducing the concentration of active compounds in these products. Priority is given to alternative treatments that can mitigate environmental impact, control phytopathogens, and ensure low residuality and toxicity in fruits and vegetables. This review article presents the mechanisms of action of three alternative treatments: chitosan, citral, and hexanal. These treatments have the potential to affect the development of various pathogenic fungi found in tropical and subtropical fruits. It is important to note that further studies to verify the effects of these treatments, particularly when used in combination, are needed. Integrating the mechanisms of action of each treatment and exploring the possibility of generating a broad-spectrum effect on the development of pathogenic microorganisms in fruits is essential for a comprehensive understanding and effective management.
Use of Eucalyptus Charcoal Waste in the Formulation of Substrate for the Cultivation of Two Strains (LED 20/11 and LED 20/12) of Lentinula edodes
Authors: Zied Diego Cunha , Silva Bianca Domingues , Caitano Cinthia Elen Cardoso , Vieira Junior Wagner Gonçalves , da Silva Freitas Marcos Antônio , Teixeira Pedro Afonso Gomes , Pardo-Giménez Arturo
Published: April 2024

The shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is globally valued for its nutrition and medicinal properties. New technologies aim to increase production with less environmental impact, considering materials such as charcoal for substrate enrichment. This manuscript evaluated the effect of fine charcoal (FC) on the substrate formulation of two L. edodes strains (LED 20/11 and LED 20/12). The substrate consisted of 72% eucalyptus sawdust, 12.5% rice bran, 12.5% wheat bran, and 3% calcium carbonate (control treatment without charcoal). Treatments with FC proportionally reduced the use of sawdust, with doses of 1%, 2%, 4%, 8%, and 16% (relative to the substrate material). Yield, mushroom number, and mushroom weight were evaluated. The concentration of FC significantly affected the parameters analyzed, especially at the 4% dose. A negative correlation between mushroom number and weight was observed. For yield, the control treatment and the lowest dose of FC (1%) had the highest yields for the first harvest. Strain LED 20/12 showed lower yield variability due to the percentage of FC applied to the substrate. The incorporation of FC into the substrate for shiitake cultivation demonstrates efficacy; however, both the concentration and strain used are limiting factors for its applicability.
Improvement in Physiochemical Characteristics of ‘Prime Seedless’ Grapes by Basal Defoliation with Foliar-Sprayed Low-Biuret Urea and Cyanocobalamin under Mediterranean Climate
Authors: Abd El-Khalek Ahmed F. , Mazrou Yasser S. A. , Hatterman-Valenti Harlene M. , Awadeen Ashraf A. , El-Mogy Shimaa M. M. , El-Kenawy Mosaad A. , Belal Bassam E. A. , Mohamed Mahmoud A. , Hassan Islam F. , El-Wakeel Hassan F. , Makhlouf Abeer H. , Omar Alaa El-Din K. , Alam-Eldein Shamel M.
Published: April 2024

In viticulture, the main target is to achieve high yield and good fruit quality without compromising vine growth. Methods to achieve this balance will vary with regard to climate and cultivar. A two-year study was conducted on five-year-old ‘Prime Seedless’ grapevines to evaluate the effect of leaf defoliation and the foliar application of low-biuret urea (LBU) and cyanocobalamin (CCA) on berry set percentage, the compactness coefficient of the clusters and the overall quality of clusters and berries. The removal of the first four basal leaves was conducted at the full-bloom (FB) stage, while LBU (5 g·L−1) and CCA (40 mg·L−1) were sprayed at three phenological stages: (1) when the cluster length reached ~10 cm long, (2) at FB and (3) one week after the fruit set. The results demonstrated that the sole application of basal leaf removal (BLR) or in combination with LBU and/or CCA improved the vegetative growth, total yield and physiochemical characteristics of clusters and berries, whereas the same treatments decreased berry set and shot berry percentages and the compactness coefficient of the clusters, which in turn led to looser clusters compared to the control. The most pronounced effect was recorded for the combined application of BLR, LBU and CCA, which revealed the highest values of shoot length, leaf area and the contents of chlorophyll, proline, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn. The same treatment recorded the lowest berry set and shot berry percentages, compactness coefficient of clusters and decay percentage. Overall, this treatment was the best in terms of total yield, cluster weight, berry firmness, soluble solid content (SSC), the SSC/acid ratio, total sugars, total carotenoids, total phenols, phenylalanine ammonialyase and polyphenol oxidase.
Exogenous Gibberellic Acid Ameliorates Chilling Injury in Peach (Prunus persica L.) by Improving the Antioxidant System
Authors: Sun Haixin , Rang Xuena , Han Haonan , Pei Zhenhao , Zhao Jingyi , Zhu Zhifeng , Li Jiangkuo , Zhang Peng , Zhao Yaoyao , Duan Yuquan
Published: April 2024

Currently, several studies have demonstrated that cold stress can cause the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in fruit. However, little is known about the roles of gibberellic acid (GA3) on the antioxidant system in the mitochondria of fruit. To explore the molecular basis of GA3 interference with the chilling tolerance of fruit, ‘Jinqiuhongmi’ peach fruit was treated with 0.1 mmol L−1 GA3 after harvest. Exogenous GA3 treatment relieved the chilling injury of postharvest peach fruit with a lower cold injury index and higher antioxidant level. In addition, GA3 delayed the senescence of peaches by reducing the firmness, respiratory action, and ethylene production. The antioxidant enzyme activities were elevated, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Moreover, GA3-treated peaches exhibited lower hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in comparison with the control. These results showed that the application of 0.1 mmol L−1 of GA3 enhanced the chilling resistance of peach fruit by regulating the antioxidant system.