bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A high-throughput neutralizing assay for antibodies and sera evaluation against Epstein-Barr virus
Authors: Zhong Ling , Krummenacher Claude , Zhang Wanlin , Hong Junping , Feng Qisheng , Zhao Qinjian , Chen Yixin , Zeng Mu-Sheng , Zeng Yi-Xin , Xu Miao , Zhang Xiao
Published: November 2022

Background

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a wide-spread human herpesvirus that is highly associated with infectious mononucleosis and several malignancies. Evaluation of EBV neutralizing antibody titers is important for serological studies, vaccine development and monoclonal antibody screening. The traditional method based on antibody inhibition of EBV transformation of B cells is very time-consuming. A more practical flow cytometry-based (FCM) approach to evaluate neutralizing titers is not amenable to achieving high-throughput evaluation of large-scale samples. A high-throughput approach is urgently needed.

Results

Here, we present a rapid and high-throughput method based on high content imaging system (HCIS) analysis. EBV titers determined by the HCIS-based assay were similar to those obtained by the FCM-based assay. Neutralizing titers of sera and monoclonal antibodies measured by the HCIS-based assay strongly correlated with titers measured by the FCM-based assay. HCIS assays showed a strong correlation between B cell infection neutralizing titers and the anti-gp350 IgG titers in healthy EBV carriers and monkey sera. Finally, anti-gHgL IgG titers from sera of healthy EBV carriers significantly correlated with epithelial cell infection neutralizing titers.

Conclusions

This HCIS-based assay is a high-throughput assay to determine viral titers and evaluate neutralizing potentials of sera and monoclonal antibodies. This HCIS-based assay will aid the development of vaccines and therapeutic monoclonal antibody against EBV.
Association between exclusive breastfeeding and postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Chen Jingfen , Lai Xiaolu , Zhou Lepeng , Retnakaran Ravi , Wen Shi Wu , Krewski Daniel , Huang Liping , Li Meng , Xie Ri-hua
Published: November 2022

Background

Research on the association between breastfeeding and postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is sparse. This study aimed to examine the association between exclusive breastfeeding up to 42 days after childbirth and postpartum PTSD.

Methods

An epidemiologic study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in China between October 2019 and October 2020. Eligible mothers were recruited at 3 days after childbirth and assessed using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist – Civilian version (PCL-C) for PTSD at 42 days postpartum. The independent association between exclusive breastfeeding up to 42 days after childbirth and postpartum PTSD was estimated using log-binomial regression models, after adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Ninety-two of 759 (12.1%) mothers developed postpartum PTSD within 42 days after childbirth. Compared with partially breastfeeding mothers, exclusively breastfeeding mothers had lower risks of postpartum PTSD (relative risk [RR] 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.13, 0.59), re-experience (RR 0.48; 95% CI 0.30, 0.76), avoidance (RR 0.55; 95% CI 0.32, 0.97), and hyperarousal (RR 0.52; 95% CI 0.34, 0.78). After adjustment for family support, parity, mode of delivery, perceived birth trauma, early contact / suckling, and rooming-in, associations between exclusive breastfeeding and postpartum PTSD remained significant: the overall PTSD adjusted relative risk [aRR] was 0.31; (95% CI 0.15, 0.66), with a re-experience aRR of 0.48; (95% CI 0.30, 0.77) and hyperarousal aRR of 0.56; (95% CI 0.37, 0.85).

Conclusion

Exclusive breastfeeding up to 42 days after childbirth was associated with reduced risk of postpartum PTSD. While the potential for reverse causation cannot be ruled out, strategies to improve rates of exclusive breastfeeding through teaching, counselling, and support may benefit mothers and their infants by reducing the risk of postpartum PTSD.
Hyperspectral imaging-based classification of rice leaf blast severity over multiple growth stages
Authors: Zhang Guosheng , Xu Tongyu , Tian Youwen
Published: November 2022

Background

Rice blast, which is prevalent worldwide, represents a serious threat to harvested crop yield and quality. Hyperspectral imaging, an emerging technology used in plant disease research, is a stable, repeatable method for disease grading. Current methods for assessing disease severity have mostly focused on individual growth stages rather than multiple ones. In this study, the spectral reflectance ratio (SRR) of whole leaves were calculated, the sensitive wave bands were selected using the successive projections algorithm (SPA) and the support vector machine (SVM) models were constructed to assess rice leaf blast severity over multiple growth stages.

Results

The average accuracy, micro F1 values, and macro F1 values of the full-spectrum-based SVM model were respectively 94.75%, 0.869, and 0.883 in 2019; 92.92%, 0.823, and 0.808 in 2021; and 88.09%, 0.702, and 0.757 under the 2019–2021 combined model. The SRR–SVM model could be used to evaluate rice leaf blast disease during multiple growth stages and had good generalizability.

Conclusions

The proposed SRR data analysis method is able to eliminate differences among individuals to some extent, thus allowing for its application to assess rice leaf blast severity over multiple growth stages. Our approach, which can supplement single-stage disease-degree classification, provides a possible direction for future research on the assessment of plant disease severity during multiple growth stages.
“I'm putting a Band-Aid on a bullet hole the only way I know how:” a qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to opioid misuse and recovery in Nevada
Authors: Swigart Tessa , Lee Lisa
Published: November 2022

Nevada, like the rest of the United States, is undergoing substantial challenges with opioid misuse and overdose deaths, further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. While much of the attention around opioid overdose prevention is centered on treatment and recovery, it is important to understand the factors that influence initiation of use, and the function opioids play in people’s everyday lives. We conducted qualitative semi-structured individual interviews using purposive and snowball sampling among 35 people across Nevada with a current or prior history of illegal opioid or nonmedical opioid use. Our study aimed to understand why people start to use drugs, why they continue to use, what motivates them to continue to use or to seek treatment, and why individuals maintain recovery or return to use. We found five significant themes as perceived by the participants: that trauma is a risk factor for drug misuse; that the function of opioids in everyday life is a source of temporary relief but highly disruptive in the longer term; that recovery is most often a complicated and nonlinear process; that there are many barriers to accessing services that are both logistical and psychosocial; and that compassion, hope, and having a sense of purpose are crucial to the recovery process. The experiences of the study participants portray opioid use as a rational choice to escape the emotional ramifications of trauma. However, due to the physiological dependence and physical risk of opioids, drug policies that criminalize addiction, societal stigma, and the barriers to timely access of harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services, opioid users often become trapped in a distressing and dangerous cycle. Lastly, respondents indicated that hope, value, belonging, and purpose are powerful factors in cultivating intrinsic motivation for making positive changes and fostering resilience in the recovery process. Opioid misuse services should help meet basic needs and incorporate holistic approaches to recovery that acknowledge past trauma and the complexity of the recovery process.
Osteoregenerative efficacy of a novel synthetic, resorbable Ca/P/S-based bone graft substitute in intra- and peri-articular fractures: a brief medical image-based report
Authors: Yang Tai-Hua , Chou Yi-Chuan , Ju Chien-Ping , Chern Lin Jiin-Huey
Published: November 2022

Background

When a fracture goes into or around a joint, it usually damages the cartilage at the ends of bones and other joint tissue. As a result, the affected joints are prone to traumatic arthritis, leading to stiffness. Repairing bone damage, maintaining joint integrity, and avoiding subchondral and metaphyseal defects caused by comminuted fractures is often a great challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Tissue engineering of synthetic bone substitutes has proven beneficial to the attachment and proliferation of bone cells, promoting the formation of mature tissues with sufficient mechanical strength and has become a promising alternative to autograft methods. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcome and efficacy of a novel synthetic, highly biocompatible, and fully resorbable Ca/P/S-based bone substitute based on medical image findings.

Materials and methods

A synthetic, inorganic and highly porous Ca/P/S-based bone-substituting material (Ezechbone® Granule, CBS-400) has been developed by National Cheng-Kung University. We collected fourteen cases of complex intra- and peri-articular fractures with Ezechbone® Granule bone grafting between 2019/11 and 2021/11. We studied the evidence of bone healing by reviewing, interpreting and analyzing the medical image recordings.

Results

In the present study, CBS-400 was observed to quickly integrate into surrounding bone within three weeks after grafting during the initial callus formation of the early stage of repair. All of these cases healed entirely within three months. In addition, the patient may return to daily life function after 3.5 months of follow-up and rehabilitation treatment.

Conclusions

Ezechbone® Granule CBS-400 was proved capable of promoting bone healing and early rehabilitation to prevent soft tissue adhesions and joint contractures. Moreover, it has a high potential for avoiding ectopic bone formation or abnormal synostosis.

Trial registration

The Institutional Review Board at National Cheng Kung University Hospital (NCKUH) approved the study protocol (A-ER-109-031, 3-13-2020).
Experiences and perceptions of coercive practices in mental health care among service users in Nigeria: a qualitative study
Authors: Aluh Deborah Oyine , Ayilara Olaniyi , Onu Justus Uchenna , Grigaitė Ugnė , Pedrosa Barbara , Santos-Dias Margarida , Cardoso Graça , Caldas-de-Almeida José Miguel
Published: November 2022

Background

People with mental health problems are more vulnerable to a broad range of coercive practices and human rights abuses. There is a global campaign to eliminate, or at the very least decrease, the use of coercion in mental health care. The use of coercion in psychiatric hospitals in developing countries is poorly documented. The primary aim of this study was to explore service users’ perceptions and experiences of coercion in psychiatric hospitals in Nigeria.

Methods

Four focus group discussions were carried out among 30 service users on admission in two major psychiatric hospitals in Nigeria. The audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and then analyzed thematically with the aid of MAXQDA software.

Results

The Focus group participants included 19 males and 11 females with a mean age of 34.67 ± 9.54. Schizophrenia was the most common diagnosis (40%, n = 12) and had a secondary school education (60%, n = 18). The focus group participants perceived coercion to be a necessary evil in severe cases but anti-therapeutic to their own recovery, an extension of stigma and a vicious cycle of abuse. The experience of involuntary admission revolved mainly around deception, maltreatment, and disdain. Participants in both study sites narrated experiences of being flogged for refusing medication. Mechanical restraint with chains was a common experience for reasons including refusing medications, to prevent absconding and in other cases, punitively. The use of chains was viewed by participants as dehumanizing and excruciatingly painful.

Conclusion

The experiences of coercion by participants in this study confirm that human rights violations occur in large psychiatric hospitals and underscore the need for mental health services reform. The use of coercion in this context reflects agelong underinvestment in the mental health care system in the country and obsolete mental health legislation that does not protect the rights of people with mental health problems. The study findings highlight an urgent need to address issues of human rights violations in psychiatric hospitals in the country.
Evidence of individual differences in the long-term social, psychological, and cognitive consequences of child maltreatment
Authors: Wong Rosa S. , Tung Keith T. S. , Chan Ko Ling , Wong Wilfred H. S. , Tsang Hing Wai , Chow Clare H. Y. , Chua Gilbert T. , Tso Winnie W. Y. , Yam Jason C. , Wong Ian C. K. , lp Patrick
Published: November 2022

Background

The prevalence and consequences of child maltreatment are alarming, but evidence from studies with long follow-up intervals are limited. This study examined the long-term consequences of child maltreatment in relation to age of onset and follow-up interval.

Methods

The exposed group comprised 63 individuals (aged 13–34 years) with a first-time diagnosis of child maltreatment between 2001 and 2010, whereas the unexposed group comprised 63 individuals who were matched upon gender, age of onset, follow-up period, and poverty status at the index hospital admission but had no medical records of maltreatment in Hong Kong. The participants completed a set of questionnaires on executive functions and mental health and provided blood samples for measurement of IL-6 and IL-10 levels during a health assessment session.

Results

Compared with the unexposed group, the exposed group reported poorer maternal care during childhood (β = −4.64, p < 0.001) and had lower family support (β = −2.97, p = 0.010) and higher inflammatory responses (IL-6: β = 0.15, p = 0.001; IL-10: β = 0.11, p = 0.011) at follow-up. Additionally, the associations of childhood maltreatment exposure with family support and maternal care differed by age of onset and the length of time since exposure.

Conclusions

This matched cohort study highlights childhood maltreatment as a risk factor for systemic inflammation and an indicator of suboptimal social environment, both of which could persist over a long period of time.
Testing the effects of 4-week training programs based on extreme and medium-sided soccer games: a study focusing on change-of-direction, vertical jump height and locomotor profile
Authors: Makar Piotr , Praça Gibson , Kawczyński Adam , Akyildiz Zeki , yıldız Mehmet , Aquino Rodrigo , Clemente Filipe Manuel
Published: November 2022

Aim

This study tested the effects of two training programs (one program based on extreme sided-games of 1v1 vs. one program based on the medium-sided game of 5v5) on the physical fitness adaptations of youth soccer players. In specific, it was analyzed the effects of the training programs on the 5–0–5 change-of-direction time (5–0–5 time), countermovement jump (CMJ), and final velocity in the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness test (VIFT).

Methods

This study followed a randomized parallel study design. Twenty male regional-level soccer players (age: 17.0 ± 0.3 years old) were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) the 1v1 format; and (2) the 5v5 format. The training intervention lasted four weeks. The week before (baseline) and the week after the intervention, the participants were assessed in the 5–0–5 change-of-direction test (measured using timing gates), CMJ (measured by photoelectric cells), and 30–15 Intermittent Fitness test. The training intervention consisted of 8 sessions (2 sessions per week). The 1v1 group performed four repetitions of 30 s in each session, while the 5v5 group performed four repetitions of 4 min.

Results

The 5–0–5 time changed − 4.82% (p = 0.004; d = 1.115) for the 1v1 group and − 4.26% (p = 0.004; d = 0.859) for the 5v5 group. CMJ changes occurred both in the 1v1 and 5v5 group and amounted to 1.7% (p = 0.003; d = 0.509) and 1.2% (p = 0.263; d = 0.155) respectively. VIFT changed 2.6% (p = 0.718; d = 0.178) for the 1v1 group and 3.0% (p = 0.593; d = 0.274) for the 5v5 group. The 1v1 group reported significantly lower post-intervention 5–0–5 time than the 5v5 group (− 4.3%;p = 0.048; d = 0.954), although no significant differences in CMJ (3.2%;p = 0.147; d = 0.678) and VIFT (2.5%;p = 0.697; d = 0.177) were revealed.

Conclusions

The extreme-sided games meaningfully beneficiated the vertical jump height and change-of-direction performance of youth soccer players. The extreme-sided games seem more beneficial than medium-sided games for improving these physical abilities while showing that four weeks were enough to impact the players significantly.
Effects of a small-sided games training program in youth male soccer players: variations of the locomotor profile while interacting with baseline level and with the accumulated load
Authors: Silva Ana Filipa , Oliveira Rafael , Ceylan Halil Ibrahim , Akyildiz Zeki , González-Fernández Francisco Tomás , Nobari Hadi , Yıldız Mehmet , Birlik Sabri , Clemente Filipe Manuel
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to (1) analyze the impact of a small-sided game training program in the locomotor profile of youth male soccer players (while interacting with the baseline level – higher and lower level); and (2) test the relationships between variation in locomotor profile and the accumulated demands in 3v3, 5v5 and match over the period of observation.

Methods

The cohort lasted 3-weeks. Twenty under-17 male amateur soccer players (16.8 ± 0.41 years; experience: 6.35 ± 0.67 years) were assessed twice for their final velocity at 30−15 intermittent fitness test (VIFT), peak speed at 30-m sprint test (PSS) and anaerobic speed reserve (ASR). The PSS was estimated using a Global Positioning System, while the VIFT was estimated using the maximum level attained by the players during the test. Based on the baseline levels, the scores were standardized using the Z-score. The total score of athleticism (TSA) was calculated per player to organize the players into two groups: lower TSA and higher TSA. Over the three weeks of observation, the small-sided games of 3v3 and 5v5 and match demands were monitored using polar team pro. The heart rate responses (mean and peak), distance covered (overall and split by speed thresholds), and peak speed in these games were obtained and summed over the weeks. The repeated measures ANCOVA tested the variations (time) of the locomotor profile of players while considering the baseline as covariable and the group as a factor. The Pearson-product correlation test analyzed the relationships between variations in locomotor profile (Δ, post-baseline) and the accumulated demands in 3v3, 5v5, and match.

Results

Between-groups analysis (lower TSA vs. higher TSA) revealed no significant differences on VIFT (p = 0.915), PSS (p = 0.269), ASR (p = 0.258) and TSA score (p = 0.138). Within-group (baseline vs. post-observation) analysis revealed significant difference on VIFT (p < 0.001), PSS (p = 0.008), while no significant differences were found on ASR (p = 0.949) and TSA score (p = 0.619). Significant correlations were found between ΔPSS and match total distance (r = 0.444; p = 0.050), match Z2 (r = 0.481; p = 0.032) and match Z3 (r = 0.454; p = 0.044). Significant correlations were found between ΔTSA and match total distance (r = 0.457; p = 0.043), match Z1 (r = 0.451; p = 0.046), match Z2 (r = 0.500; p = 0.025) and match Z3 (r = 0.468; p = 0.037).

Conclusion

Significant improvements were observed after the period of observation. However, the fitness baseline level and the accumulated training load in the small-sided games seem to have no significant impact on the observed improvements.
Anticipatory postural adjustments in older versus young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Duarte Manuela Brito , da Silva Almeida Gizele Cristina , Costa Kelly Helorany Alves , Garcez Daniela Rosa , de Athayde Costa e Silva Anselmo , da Silva Souza Givago , de Melo-Neto João Simão , Callegari Bianca
Published: November 2022

Background

Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) are a feedforward mechanism triggered in advance to a predictable perturbation, to help the individual counteract mechanical effects that the disturbance may cause. Whether or not this strategy is compromised in the elderly is not a consensus in the literature.

Methods

In this systematic review with meta-analysis, we investigated aging effects on postural control, based on anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs). We selected 11 eligible articles of the following databases: Lilacs, SciELO, PubMed, Cochrane Central, Embase, and CINAHL, involving 324 research participants, assessing their methodological quality and extracting electromyographic, posturographic, and kinematic measurements. We included studies that investigated the occurrence of APAs in healthy younger and older adults, published before 10th August 2022, in English. Studies involving participant with conditions that may affect balance or that did not report measures of onset or amplitude of electromyography (EMG), COP, or kinematics were excluded. To analyze the aggregated results from these studies, we performed the analysis based on the outcome measures (EMG, COP, or kinematic measures) used in individual studies. We calculated differences between younger and older adult groups as the mean differences between the groups and the estimated effect. Egger’s test was conducted to evaluate whether this meta-analysis had publication bias.

Results

Through this review, older adults showed no significant difference in the velocity to perform a movement compared to the younger adults (MD 0.95, 95% CI −0.86, 2.76, I2 = 82%), but both muscle onset and center of pressure (COP) onset were significantly more delayed in older than in younger adults: erector spinae (MD −31.44, 95% CI −61.79, −1.09, I2 = 95%); rectus abdominis (RA) (MD −31.51, 95% CI −70.58, −3.57, I2 = 85%); tibialis anterior (TA) (MD −44.70, 95% CI −94.30, 4.91, I2 = 63%); soleus (SOL) (MD −37.74, 95% CI −65.43, −10.05, I2 = 91%); gastrocnemius (GAS) (MD −120.59, 95% CI −206.70, −34.49, I2 = 94%); quadriceps (Q) (MD −17.42, 95% CI −34.73, −0.12, I2 = 0%); biceps femoris (BF) (MD −117.47, 95% CI −192.55, −42.70, I2 = 97%); COP onset (MD −45.28, 95% CI −89.57, −0.98, I2 = 93%), and COP apa (COPapa) (MD 2.35, 95% CI −0.09, 4.79, I2 = 64%). These changes did not seem to be linked to the speed of movement but possibly to age-related physiological changes that indicated decreased motor control during APAs in older adults.

Conclusions

Older adults use different postural strategies that aim to increase the safety margin and stabilize the body to perform the movement, according to the requirements imposed, and this should be considered in rehabilitation protocols.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD420119143198
A variational approach for mixed elliptic problems involving the p-Laplacian with two parameters
Authors: Hadjian Armin , Nieto Juan J.
Published: November 2022

By exploiting an abstract critical-point result for differentiable and parametric functionals, we show the existence of infinitely many weak solutions for nonlinear elliptic equations with nonhomogeneous boundary conditions. More accurately, we determine some intervals of parameters such that the treated problem admits either an unbounded sequence of solutions or a pairwise distinct sequence of solutions that strongly converges to zero. No symmetric condition on the nonlinear term is considered.
Increasing returns and business cycles in a family of Goodwinian models with Leontiev technology
Authors: Ryzhenkov Alexander V.
Published: November 2022

The main purpose of this paper is to build a family of tutorial Goodwinian (essentially Marxist) models of capital accumulation through industrial cycles that are less complicated than the author’s models of the extended capitalist reproduction in the USA already published. The subordinate purpose is to advance refinement of these models from the standard “neoclassical” assumptions that distort the generic structures determining perpetual disequilibrium in the reproduction of the aggregate social capital. The ascending from abstract to concrete applies the notion of twofold nature of capitalist production as creation of use value and labour value (prioritizing surplus value). This approach reveals substantial facets of endogenous increasing returns and technological progress induced by capitalist production relations. A three-dimensional Goodwinian model L-1, containing the greed feedback loops, reflects destabilizing cooperation and stabilizing competition of investors. Monopoly capital implements proportional and derivative control over the capital accumulation rate. The growth rate of output per worker directly depends on the growth rates of capital intensity and employment ratio in a technical progress function, whereas the capital-output ratio is constant. Oscillations imitating growth cycles are endogenous. A recession (mild crisis) is a manifestation of relative and absolute over-accumulation of capital. A knife-edge limit cycle maintains a growth cycle with the Kondratiev duration; a more solid limit cycle with a period of about 7.5 years upholds a business cycle with a recession without reduced net output. These limit cycles result from the subsequent supercritical Andronov–Hopf bifurcations. The transformation of the growth cycle into industrial cycle gives credit to raising status of capital-output ratio from auxiliary in L-1 to the level (phase) variable in four-dimensional L-2. A mechanization (automation) function mirrors induced technical progress. L-2 embraces new 11 intensive feedback loops involving capital-output ratio. Proportional and derivative control over this ratio by monopoly capital is taken into account. Pair of supercritical Andronov–Hopf bifurcations gives birth to two limit cycles. The second is a remote analogue for Kuznets cycle with the period of about 18 years; the first upholds the industrial cycle with period of about 7 years and declining net output in the outright crisis. Besides relative and absolute over-accumulation of capital, the specific positive and negative feedback loops containing capital-output ratio are required for crises in industrial cycles. Long-term enhancement of monopoly profit through lowering a targeted domestic capital accumulation rate and diminishing a targeted output-capital ratio is substantiated analytically and validated by computer simulations. The gained insights highlight caveats for hastily policy recommendations.
Mechanical Properties and Flexural Strength of Reinforced Concrete Beams Containing Waste Material as Partial Replacement for Coarse Aggregates
Authors: Aziz Parween Latif , Abdulkadir Mohammed R.
Published: November 2022

The volume of waste materials and by products are increasing and endangering the environment safety. Some of these waste materials can be used in the production of building materials, such as concrete. In order to study the possibility of using some waste materials as aggregate replacement for the purpose of producing structural RC members this investigation was carried out. This research describes the results of test of reinforced concrete beams containing different types of waste materials, namely crumbed rubber, granular plastic, and crushed bricks. Ten RC beams containing different percentages (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) of waste materials as coarse aggregate replacement have been investigated. The beams were 150 × 200 mm in size and 2000 mm in length and tested under four points loading. Mechanical properties of the concrete used for the beams were also studied. Test results indicated a reduction in compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and elastic modulus due to the inclusion of the waste materials used. The maximum loss in concrete compressive strength was recorded to be 54.95%, 50.31%, and 20.41% for concrete mix with 15% crumbed rubber, plastic waste aggregate, and 5% crushed brick, respectively. Test results of the beams showed that ultimate load capacity was reduced by 30.21% and 9.94% when 15% of crumbed rubber and granular plastic were used, respectively. The failure mode of all the tested beams was similar and followed same pattern, steel yielding followed by concrete compression failure. Finally, based on the flexural capacity of the beams tested it is recommend that gravel replacement of up to 15% of crumbed rubber, granular plastic, and crushed brick can be safely used to produce normal type of RC beams for minor structural application.
Integrating historic preservation into a wider framework of urban development through comprehensive planning: an evaluation of local comprehensive plans in U.S. state capitals
Authors: Zhang Luchen , Tang Yuexing , Chen Yang
Published: November 2022

Historic preservation should be integrated into the broader framework of urban development. This makes preservation through local comprehensive planning a good option. However, few local comprehensive plans have demonstrated the content or quality needed to preserve or make effective use of historic resources. This study uses content analysis to evaluate the extent to which US state capitals have integrated historic preservation into local comprehensive plans. Multiple regression is then used to analyze the variables that affect the quality of those plans. The study reveals that historic preservation is integrated into local comprehensive plans to a moderate extent, which varies widely among U.S. state capitals. Indicators in the implementation component of these plans achieve a generally weak performance, as do indicators for the energy theme in urban development. The present study also shows that when preservationists are included among the plan authors and heritage committees are involved in the planning process, the plans are of higher quality. Finally, this study provides policy recommendations, based on these results, to guide planners, managers, decision makers, preservation advocates, and citizens toward more effective ways of integrating historic preservation into the comprehensive planning process.
A self-employed taxpayer experimental study on trust, power, and tax compliance in eleven countries
Authors: Batrancea Larissa M. , Nichita Anca , De Agostini Ruggero , Batista Narcizo Fabricio , Forte Denis , de Paiva Neves Mamede Samuel , Roux-Cesar Ana Maria , Nedev Bozhidar , Vitek Leoš , Pántya József , Salamzadeh Aidin , Nduka Eleanya K. , Kudła Janusz , Kopyt Mateusz , Pacheco Luis , Maldonado Isabel , Isaga Nsubili , Benk Serkan , Budak Tamer
Published: November 2022

The slippery slope framework explains tax compliance along two main dimensions, trust in authorities and power of authorities, which influence taxpayers’ compliance attitudes. Through frequentist and Bayesian analyses, we investigated the framework’s assumptions on a sample of 2786 self-employed taxpayers from eleven post-communist and non-post-communist countries doing business in five economic branches. After using scenarios that experimentally manipulated trust and power, our results confirmed the framework’s assumptions regarding the attitudes of the self-employed taxpayers; trust and power fostered intended tax compliance and diminished tax evasion, trust boosted voluntary tax compliance, whereas power increased enforced tax compliance. Additionally, self-employed taxpayers from post-communist countries reported higher intended tax compliance and lower tax evasion than those from non-post-communist countries. Our results offer tax authorities insights into how trust and power may contribute to obtaining and maintaining high tax compliance levels amid global economic challenges, downturns, and increasing tax compliance costs.
Autophagy-related genes in Egyptian patients with Behçet's disease
Authors: Saleh Doaa N. , Ramadan Abeer , Mohammed Rania Hassan , Alnaggar Alshaimaa Rezk L. R. , Saleh Eman M.
Published: November 2022

Background

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic, multi-systemic, recurrent condition that affects the vascular, ocular, mucocutaneous, and central nervous systems. The diagnosis of this disease depends on its clinical features, which are similar to those observed in several diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, pemphigus vulgaris, systemic lupus erythematosus, Crohn ҆s disease, and Sjӧgren’s syndrome. Lysosome-mediated autophagy is a catabolic, cytoprotective mechanism that maintains cell homeostasis by degrading undesired long-lived proteins and recycling nutrients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlations between some autophagy-related genes (ATG5,ATG7,ATG12,LC3b,mTOR) and the pathogenesis and immunopathology of BD. The expression levels of the genes were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in 101 individuals that are classified into two groups. Group 1: (n = 71) BD patients, Group 2: (n = 30) healthy controls.

Results

Patients with BD had lower mRNA expression levels ofATG5andmTORand higher levels ofLC3bmRNA than the controls. No significant differences in the levels of bothATG7andATG12were observed between the two groups. According to the area under the curve analysis,LC3bwas considered the best candidate biomarker among the selected markers for the diagnosis of BD. The mRNA expression ofATG5was significantly correlated with patient age and the presence of oral ulcers. The mRNA expression ofATG7was significantly associated with age and the presence of erythema nodosum and vascular lesions, whereas that ofLC3bwas significantly correlated with the presence of pustules.

Conclusion

These findings indicated that elevated levels ofLC3bwere strongly associated with BD. Likewise, the levels ofATG5andATG7were associated with the complications and outcomes of this disease. Additional assessments of the mRNA expression levels of these autophagy-related genes might prove beneficial in diagnosing this autoimmune disorder.
Sequence-constrained multitask horizon tracking
Authors: Luo Yiliang , Zhang Gulan , Zhang Jianjun , Li Yong , Lin Yu , Li Biao , Liang Chenxi , Li Lei
Published: November 2022

Deep learning-based automatic horizon tracking has achieved promising results but still faces serious cross-horizon phenomena. Therefore, based on multitask learning, seismic data characteristics, and the seismic horizon sequence (or position) relationship, we have developed a sequence-constrained multitask horizon tracking (SMHT) method for high-precision automatic horizon tracking. SMHT contains the horizon label automatic enrichment, the multitask horizon tracking network (MHTN), and the horizon sequence-constrained loss function. Horizon label automatic enrichment aims to automatically generate the upper and lower auxiliary horizon labels of the target horizon label, and then the horizon region labels corresponding to the auxiliary and target horizon labels for MHTN. MHTN contains the shared layer, the auxiliary task, the main task, and the horizon sequence-constrained horizon correction. In MHTN, the shared layer generates multiscale feature maps of the input seismic data. The auxiliary task uses the concept of object detection to extract the horizon region (or probability), and the main task extracts the high-precision horizon within the extracted horizon region. The horizon sequence-constrained horizon correction with the horizon sequence-constrained loss function aims to avoid the cross-horizon phenomenon and finally obtain precise horizon tracking results. Application of MHTN to two field 3D seismic data sets finds that SMHT performs well in automatic horizon tracking.
Weak charges quantization in SU(3)c ⊗ SU(n)L ⊗ U(1)Y gauge models
Authors: Palcu Adrian
Published: November 2022

After proving, in a previous paper, that the electric charge quantization occurs as a natural consequence in renormalizable

gauge models, we take here a step further within the same paradigm in order to obtain the precise weak charges quantization. To this end a viable boson mass spectrum is obtained first, once a proper parametrization in the Higgs sector is taken into consideration. Hence, by diagonalizing the neutral bosons mass matrix, the quantized neutral weak charge operators are obtained. The Standard Model phenomenology is not affected at all, as its scale (v

SM
 = 246 GeV) is decoupled from the higher scale (V ∼ 10 TeV) specific to our generalized electro-weak unification.
DNA Methylation in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Authors: Lafontaine Nicole , Wilson Scott G , Walsh John P
Published: November 2022

Graves disease and Hashimoto disease form part of the spectrum of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), to which genetic and environmental factors are recognized contributors. Epigenetics provides a potential link between environmental influences, gene expression, and thyroid autoimmunity. DNA methylation (DNAm) is the best studied epigenetic process, and global hypomethylation of leukocyte DNA is reported in several autoimmune disorders. This review summarizes the current understanding of DNAm in AITD. Targeted DNAm studies of blood samples from AITD patients have reported differential DNAm in the promoter regions of several genes implicated in AITD, including TNF, IFNG, IL2RA, IL6, ICAM1, and PTPN22. In many cases, however, the findings await replication and are unsupported by functional studies to support causal roles in AITD pathogenesis. Furthermore, thyroid hormones affect DNAm, and in many studies confounding by reverse causation has not been considered. Recent studies have shown that DNAm patterns in candidate genes including ITGA6, PRKAA2, and DAPK1 differ between AITD patients from regions with different iodine status, providing a potential mechanism for associations between iodine and AITD. Research focus in the field is moving from candidate gene studies to an epigenome-wide approach. Genome-wide methylation studies of AITD patients have demonstrated multiple differentially methylated positions, including some in immunoregulatory genes such as NOTCH1, HLA-DRB1, TNF, and ICAM1. Large, epigenome-wide studies are required to elucidate the pathophysiological role of DNAm in AITD, with the potential to provide novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets.
Communal nesting is the optimal strategy for heat conservation in a social marsupial: lessons from biophysical models
Authors: Nespolo Roberto F. , Peña Isabella , Mejías Carlos , Ñunque Abel , Altamirano Tomás , Bozinovic Francisco F.
Published: November 2022

Endothermy, understood as the maintenance of continuous and high body temperatures owing to the combination of metabolic heat production and an insulative cover, is severely challenged in small endotherms inhabiting cold environments. As a response, social clustering combined with nest use (=communal nesting) is a common strategy for heat conservation. To quantify the actual amount of energy that is saved by this strategy, we studied the social marsupial Dromiciops gliroides (monito del monte), an endemic species of the cold forests of southern South America. It is hypothesized that sociability in this marsupial was driven by cold conditions, but evidence supporting this hypothesis is unclear. Here, we used taxidermic models (‘mannequins’) to experimentally test the energetic benefits of clustering combined with nest use. To do this, we fitted and compared cooling curves of solitary and grouped mannequins, within and outside of a nest, at the typical winter ambient temperatures of their habitat (5°C). We found that the strategy that minimized euthermic cost of maintenance was the combination of nest use and clustering, thus supporting communal nesting as a social adaptation to cope with the cold. Considering the basal metabolic rate of monitos, our estimates suggest that the savings represents almost half of energy consumption per day (in resting conditions). This study shows how simple biophysical models could help to evaluate bioenergetic hypotheses for social behavior in cold-adapted endotherms.
Lactate sensing by neuroepithelial cells isolated from the gills of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus)
Authors: Leonard Erin M. , Weaver Fiona E. , Nurse Colin A.
Published: November 2022

Lactate is produced in most vertebrate cells as a by-product of anaerobic metabolism. In addition to its role as a fuel for many tissues, circulating lactate can act as a signalling molecule and stimulates ventilation in air- and water-breathing vertebrates. Recent evidence suggests lactate acts on O2- and CO2/H+-sensitive chemoreceptors located in the mammalian carotid body. While analogous receptors (neuroepithelial cells or NECs) in fish gills are presumed to also function as lactate sensors, direct evidence is lacking. Here, using ratiometric Fura-2 Ca2+ imaging, we show that chemosensitive NECs isolated from killifish gills respond to lactate (5–10 mmol l−1; pHe ∼7.8) with intracellular Ca2+ elevations. These responses were inhibited by an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker (nifedipine; 0.5 µmol l−1), a monocarboxylic acid transporter (MCT) blocker (α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate; 300 µmol l−1) or a competitive MCT substrate (pyruvate; 5 mmol l−1). These data provide the first direct evidence that gill NECs act as lactate sensors.
Does paternal acceptance buffer the effect of maternal rejection on victimization in early adolescents? A short-term longitudinal study
Authors: Charalampous Kyriakos , Tantaros Spyridon , Georgiou Stelios , Stavrinides Panayiotis
Published: November 2022

Parental rejection is a significant predictor of adolescents’ social adjustment, including victimization. Despite the fact that parenting research has largely neglected the role of the father, there are indications that paternal acceptance can play a protective role against maternal rejection. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the effect of maternal rejection indicators on victimization, and to examine whether paternal acceptance moderates this effect, in a cross-cultural sample of 846 (Mage = 12.63, SDage = 1.01, Ngirls = 403) of Greek (N = 471) and Cypriot (N = 375) early adolescents, following a short-term longitudinal research design (six-month interval). Students completed self-report measures. Results indicated that the maternal rejection had a strong effect on victimization six months later, even when taking into account initial victimization levels, and that paternal acceptace moderated this effect to a large extend. The findings are discussed and suggestions for future research are given.
Profiling parents’ wellbeing with a newly developed positive parenting measure
Authors: Kyriazos Theodoros , Stalikas Anastassios
Published: November 2022

This study focused on replicating the tenability and reliability of the 4-factor structure of a new positive parenting measure, namely NICOMACHUS – Positive Parenting (NPP). Positive parenting scores were used along with wellbeing scores (emotional, psychological, happiness, life satisfaction, positive emotions, life meaning) to profile respondents using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA). The sample included 489 respondents with at least a child aged 7–13 years during 2021-22 (amidst COVID-19). The 4-factor NPP structure was tenable and reliable. The significantly different 4-factor bifactor model vs. the first-order 4-factor model suggested there may be a general parenting factor simultaneously with the 4 specific positive parenting factors. Bifactor fit measures suggested both total and per factor NPP scores can be reliably calculated. Regarding LPA, 3 positive parenting–wellbeing profiles emerged with adequate size. Profile 1 (containing about 50% of the respondents) had the highest positive parenting and wellbeing scores. Profile 2 (containing about 35% of the respondents) had the 2nd highest positive parenting and the lowest wellbeing scores. Profile 3 (containing about 15% of the respondents) had the lowest positive parenting and the 2nd highest wellbeing scores. This 3-profile solution was cross-validated with 8 different clustering methods. Mean score differences across the 3 profiles were significant, with a large effect size for all the LPA inputs, suggesting that the derived profiles were significantly distinct from one another. There were significant associations between parental characteristics (age, role, education level, work status, annual income), child characteristics (gender, special needs, birth order), and profile membership.
Staining ability of herbal tea preparations on a nano-filled composite restorative material – an in-vitro study
Authors: Narkedamalli Raj Kumar , Muliya Vidya Saraswathi , Pentapati Kalyana Chakravarthy
Published: November 2022

Background: Discoloration of tooth-colored restorations due to various factors is one of the principal causes behind the failure of aesthetics. There has been an surge in the consumption of herbal beverages in recent times and the dietary factors play a potential role in the discoloration tooth-coloured restorations. This study was done to juxtapose the staining ability of green tea (GT), moringa tea (MT), and hibiscus tea (HT) on a nano-filled composite restorative material.

Methods: The study was conducted in-vitro on composite samples prepared using moulds. 112 discs were prepared from FiltekTM Z350XT composite using a brass mould lined with mylar strips. Samples were divided into GT, MT, HT, and artificial saliva (AS) groups and immersed in freshly prepared beverages for 15 minutes each day for 45 days. Digital reflectance spectrophotometer was utilized to record color at baseline, 30, and 45 days. Repeated-measures ANOVA with a post-hoc Bonferroni test was used to compare groups within each group. ANOVA with a post-hoc Games Howell test was used to compare mean differences in ΔE among the groups.

Results: Maximum discoloration was observed in the GT, followed by HT and MT, with the least being in the AS group at the end of 30 and 45 days (P<0.001 and P<0.001) respectively.

Conclusions: The universal nano-filled composite material showed clinically detectable discoloration when exposed to Green Tea, Hibiscus Tea, and Moringa Tea which increased with time. Herbal beverages have the potential to cause discoloration of the composite resin which is often the choice of material for anterior aesthetic restorations.
Effect of planting density on root biomass and distribution, and soil organic carbon stock of Acacia decurrens stands in Northwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Endalamaw Biazen , Dawud Seid Muhie , Gobezie Tsegaye
Published: November 2022

Background:The expandingAcacia decurrenswoodlots in Northwestern Ethiopia is recognized for carbon storageviaroot biomass and soil organic carbon (SOC) enhancement but its planting densities have varied considerably. This study evaluated the effect of planting density on the root biomass, SOC stock, and vertical distributions in the stands.

Methods:Five planting densities (0.5 m x 0.5 m, 0.75 m x 0.75 m, 1 m x 1 m, 1.25 m x 1.25 m, and 1.5 m x 1.5 m) were replicated four times with randomized complete block design. Soil core (6.67 cm diameter) and pit (900 cm2area) methods were used to collect fine and coarse root samples within 0–50 cm soil depth (having five soil layers in 10 cm intervals), respectively. Fine root biomass samples were classified as live and dead (necromass) and further as tree and herbaceous root. All root biomass samples were washed, oven-dried, weighed, and standardized into gram per meter square (g m-2) for root biomass comparisons for each planting density and soil depth, then summed up for 0–50 cm depth as a total root biomass. The vertical distributions of fine and coarse root biomass at each depth were expressed as a percentage (in decimal) of the total root biomass (0–50 cm).

Conclusions:Planting density had significant effects on root biomass, SOC stock, and root distributions (P < 0.05) but inconsistent for the percentage of SOC stock at all soil layers except at 40-50 cm. PlantingA. decurrenswith high density is recommended to increase root biomass, SOC, and percentage of roots in deep soil layers. Further study is suggested for the effects of stand age on root biomass dynamics and SOC stock with large scale.