bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of relative humidity, surface area and production route on hydrogen yields from water on the surface of plutonium dioxide
Authors: Webb Kevin , Gregson Colin , Holt Josh , McLuckie Bliss , Orr Robin , Sims Howard , Woodhead David , Hobbs Jeff , Steele Helen , Currell Fred , Jones Luke , Pimblott Simon , Taylor Robin
Published: March 2023

Over 60 samples of plutonium dioxide (PuO2) powders of varying provenance have been exposed to humid atmospheres and the hydrogen (H2) generation rates measured by gas chromatography. The effects of relative humidity (RH), specific surface area (SSA), plutonium isotopic composition (absorbed dose), and overlying atmosphere have been investigated for ‘as received’ PuO2 powders from the United Kingdom’s Thorp and Magnox reprocessing plants, high surface area powder produced in the laboratory and Magnox PuO2 that was recalcined at 800, 900 or 950°C. Hydrogen generation was shown to be susceptible to subtle influences with the most consistent results observed at 95% RH. However, it was shown that the measured (net) hydrogen decreases with decreasing RH and with atmosphere in the order: Air > argon > nitrogen. There was no clear effect of SSA, apart from with the highest SSA samples (∼40 m2.g−1) but these powders also have very different morphology, porosity, and carbon content to the rest. The results presented substantially enhance the growing body of literature on the factors that determine hydrogen and gas generation from PuO2 that has significant implications for long term safe storage of plutonium globally.
Neurological impairment and malnutrition in children: The role of home enteral nutrition in real life
Authors: Diamanti Antonella , Capriati Teresa , Mosca Antonella , Trovato Chiara Maria , Laureti Francesca , Mazzoli Bianca , Bolasco Giulia , Caldaro Tamara , De Peppo Francesco , Staccioli Susanna , Papa Raffaele Edo , Cerchiari Antonella , De Angelis Paola , Maggiore Giuseppe
Published: March 2023

Objective

Recent decades have brought an increased survival of children with Neurologic Impairment (NI) but malnutrition and digestive comorbidity remain important challenges to face. We designed the present study to assess the course of nutritional status following standardized Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) program and to evaluate impact of changing mode of feeding, as a part of overall multidisciplinary management, on digestive co-morbidity as Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Oropharyngeal Dysphagia (OPD), constipation and airway aspiration.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis on NI children entered into Institutional HEN program due to NI disorders between January 2011 and 2019. Demographic, anthropometric characteristics (BMI z-score and weight for age z-score) and symptoms (GERD, OPD constipation and airway aspiration) were collected at the enrolment and during the follow up.

Results

We enrolled 402 patients (median age: 39 months); overall survival was 97%. Nutritional status was significantly improved by HEN; in particular growth profile significantly changed within the first 2 years following HEN beginning; GERD and airways aspirations decreased after HEN beginning. Constipation and OPD remained unchanged over time.

Conclusions

Malnutrition and digestive complaints are distinctive features of NI children. Nutritional status improve after 2 years from the beginning of standardized nutritional interventions. Overall multidisciplinary care, including standardized HEN protocols, seems to also impact on GERD and airway aspirations, which can decrease over time. It is possible that constipation and OPD, unchanged over time, are more dependent on underlying diseases than on overall treatments.
Immune microenvironment and clinical feature analyses based on a prognostic model in lymph node-positive breast cancer
Authors: Lu Nannan , Fu Changfang , Zhang Lei , You Yangyang , Li Xiang , Zhang Qian , Wang Pin , Han Xinghua
Published: March 2023

Background

If lymph node metastasis occurs in breast cancer patients, the disease can progress rapidly. Based on the infiltrative immune cells of breast cancer patients with lymph node positivity, we constructed the LNPRS for selecting prognostic predictors.

Methods

The LNPRS was established and the predictive value of the LNPRS was verified by independent testing cohorts. A nomogram was also established to confirm the therapeutic guidance significance of the LNPRS. The correlation of the LNPRS with tumor mutation burden, immune microenvironment score, immune checkpoints, the proportion of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, and GSEA and GSVA enrichment pathways were also evaluated.

Results

In the training cohort, the overall survival of breast cancer patients who had high LNPRS was shorter than that of patients who had low LNPRS (7.98 years versus 20.42 years, P-value< 8.16E-11). The AUC values for 5-, 10-, and 15-years were 0.787, 0.739, and 0.800, respectively. The ability to predict prognosis for the LNPRS was also tested in 3 independent testing cohorts. Furthermore, the predictive value of the LNPRS for chemotherapy and immunotherapy was also proven. The GSEA and GSVA showed that the LNPRS was closely related to the activation of T and B lymphocytes and IFN-γ secretion. Moreover, breast cancer patients with low LNPRS had higher TME scores than those with high LNPRS.

Conclusion

We can conclude that the LNPRS is a robust prognostic biomarker in breast cancer patients with positive lymph nodes and may be helpful for patients to make a clinical decision.
Analysis of risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma and establishment of a clinical prognosis model
Authors: Ge Xin-Yu , Sun Ming-Chen , Wang Tian-Yi , Wang Xi-Min , Liu Gang , Yang Tao , Lu Yi-Ming , Wang Wei
Published: March 2023

Liver cancer is a common malignancy of the digestive system. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the most majority of these tumors and it has brought a heavy medical burden to underdeveloped countries and regions. Many factors affect the prognosis of HCC patients, however, there is no specific statistical model to predict the survival time of clinical patients. This study derived a risk factor signature of HCC and reliable clinical prediction model by statistically analyzing The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database patient information using an open source package in the python environment.
The combination of radiomics features and VASARI standard to predict glioma grade
Authors: You Wei , Mao Yitao , Jiao Xiao , Wang Dongcui , Liu Jianling , Lei Peng , Liao Weihua
Published: March 2023

Background and Purpose

Radiomics features and The Visually AcceSAble Rembrandt Images (VASARI) standard appear to be quantitative and qualitative evaluations utilized to determine glioma grade. This study developed a preoperative model to predict glioma grade and improve the efficacy of clinical strategies by combining these two assessment methods.

Materials and Methods

Patients diagnosed with glioma between March 2017 and September 2018 who underwent surgery and histopathology were enrolled in this study. A total of 3840 radiomic features were calculated; however, using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method, only 16 features were chosen to generate a radiomic signature. Three predictive models were developed using radiomic features and VASARI standard. The performance and validity of models were evaluated using decision curve analysis and 10-fold nested cross-validation.

Results

Our study included 102 patients: 35 with low-grade glioma (LGG) and 67 with high-grade glioma (HGG). Model 1 utilized both radiomics and the VASARI standard, which included radiomic signatures, proportion of edema, and deep white matter invasion. Models 2 and 3 were constructed with radiomics or VASARI, respectively, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.937 and 0.831, respectively, which was less than that of Model 1, with an AUC of 0.966.

Conclusion

The combination of radiomics features and the VASARI standard is a robust model for predicting glioma grades.
Circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood as a diagnostic biomarker of breast cancer: A meta-analysis
Authors: Jin Tao , Chen Yao , Chen Qing-Yan , Xiong Yang , Yang Ji-Qiao
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Studies have reported that breast cancer (BC) patients’ circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have varying results for their diagnostic role. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to systematically assess the accuracy of CTCs in the diagnosis of BC.

Methods

A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the overall accuracy of CTC detection. A pooled analysis of sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and diagnostic advantage ratio (DOR) was used to measure diagnostic accuracy. In addition, the area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to discriminate BC from non-BC. An analysis of the threshold effect was calculated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. We calculated the Q and I2 statistics to determine whether the studies were heterogeneous. Sensitivity analysis was performed by removing studies one by one. Publication bias was assessed by Deeks’ funnel plot asymmetry test.

Results

Studies from the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang, Vip, and CNKI databases were collected for diagnosing BC from January 2000 to April March 2023. Finally, 8 publications were retrieved in total containing 2014 cases involved in the study. Based on a random-effects model, it was found that the pooled SEN was 0.69 (0.55 - 0.80), SPE was 0.93 (0.60 - 0.99), PLR was 9.5 (1.4 - 65.9), NLR was 0.33 (0.23 - 0.48), DOR was 29 (4 - 205) and the AUC of the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was 0.81 (0.77 - 0.84). Some heterogeneity was found in the article, but there was no threshold effect to account for it (P = 0.27). Deek’s funnel plot asymmetry test indicated that no publication bias was observed in this meta-analysis (P = 0.52).

Conclusion

The results of this meta-analysis confirmed that CTCs were an important component of noninvasive methods of confirming BC with SEN of 0.69 (0.55 - 0.80), SPE of 0.93 (0.60 - 0.99) and AUC of 0.81 (0.77 - 0.84).
Cardiac infarction caused by PD-1 inhibitor during small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ureter treatment: A case report
Authors: Li Xiaoying , Wen Jing , Li Hongtao , Huang Yan , Zhou Hongliang
Published: March 2023

Although small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ureter (ureteral SCNEC) is rare, it always leads to a poor prognosis. Also, no treatment recommendation has been given for ureteral SCNEC, with only PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors being used for its treatment. Here, we report a case of atypical symptoms of cardiac infarction caused by a PD-1 inhibitor used in the treatment of ureteral SCNEC and hope to address concerns regarding the possible cardiac toxicity caused by PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in ureteral SCNEC patients.
Clinical practice guidelines for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: A systematic review using the appraisal of guidelines for research and evaluation (AGREE) II instrument
Authors: Amer Yasser S. , Anabrees Jasim , Abdelmawla Mohamed , Abdalgader Ayman , Almazroei Asmaa , Alhifzi Ibrahim , AlOnazi Abdullah Hawash , Sabr Yasser , Hneiny Layal , El-Malky Ahmed , Alshalawi Ayesha , Alayoubi Ahmed , Chaudhry Iftikhar A. , Elkhateeb Omar
Published: March 2023

Background and Objective

To systematically review, critically appraise the quality of recent clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and map their recommendations.

Data Sources

CPG databases (GIN, ECRI, NICE, SIGN, DynaMed), Bibliographic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL), and related specialized professional societies (e.g., AAP, CPS, BAPM, RCPCH, and SNS).

Study Selection

Original de-novo developed evidence-based CPGs for HIE, group authorship, Arabic or English languages, and international or national scope. The systematic review was drafted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and Johnston et al methodological guide.

Data Extraction

Quality assessment of the included HIE CPGs by the Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch & Evaluation II (AGREE II) Instrument and report their characteristics, AGREE II ratings, and recommendations

Data Synthesis

Our search retrieved 2,489 citations, of which two recent HIE CPGs were eligible and appraised: Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) and Queensland Maternity and Neonatal Services (QMN). The overall assessment of the QMN CPG was superior (83%). Domain 1 (Scope & Purpose) scored (47%, 63%), Domain 2 (Stakeholder Involvement) (72%, 39%), Domain 3 (Rigour of Development) (48%, 43%), Domain 4 (Clarity & Presentation) (100%, 96%), Domain 5 (Applicability) (59%, 9%), and Domain 6 (Editorial Independence) (67%, 17%) for the QMN and CPS CPGs respectively. All appraisers recommended the QMN CPG for use in practice.

Conclusion

The methodological quality of the QMN CPG was superior with the relevant recommendations for its use in neonatal practice.

Limitations

limited to Arabic and English languages.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=258291, identifier: CRD42021258291.
The strengths and complexities of European registries concerning paediatric kidney transplantation health care
Authors: Oomen Loes , De Wall Liesbeth L. , Krupka Kai , Tönshoff Burkhard , Wlodkowski Tanja , Van Der Zanden Loes FM , Bonthuis Marjolein , Duus Weinreich Ilse D. , Koster-Kamphuis Linda , Feitz Wout FJ , Bootsma-Robroeks Charlotte MHHT
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Patient data are increasingly available in (multi)national registries, especially for rare diseases. This study aims to provide an overview of current European registries of paediatric kidney transplantation (PKT) care, their coverage, and their focus. Based on these data, we assess whether the current status is optimal for achieving our common goal: the optimalisation of health care.

Methods

A list of all PKT centres within the European Union (EU) as well as active PKT registries was compiled using existing literature and the European Platform on Rare Disease Registration. Registry staff members were contacted to obtain information about the parameters collected and the registry design. These data were compared between registries.

Results

In total, 109 PKT centres performing PKT surgery were identified in the 27 EU Member States. Currently, five European PKT registries are actively collecting data. In 39% of these centres, no data were registered within any of these five existing international registries. A large variety was observed in the number of patients, centres, and countries involved in the registries. Furthermore, variability existed regarding the inclusion criteria, definitions used, and parameters collected. Collection of perioperative urologic data are currently underrepresented in the registries.

Discussion

Currently, multiple registries are collecting valuable information in the field of PKT, covering the majority of PKT centres in Europe. Due to a large variety in the parameters collected as well as different focuses, data collection is currently fragmented and suboptimal; therefore, the current existing data are incomplete. In addition, a considerable proportion of the transplantation centres do not enter data in any international registry. Combining available information and harmonising future data collection could empower the aim of these registries—namely increasing insights into the strengths and potential of current care and therefore improve healthcare
Optimisation of alpha-amylase inhibitor production in solid state fermentation
Authors: Fatoki O. A. , Onilude A. A. , Ekanola Y. A. , Akanbi C. T.
Published: March 2023

Though not a known producer of alpha-amylase inhibitor, the potential of Streptomyces xinghaiensis AAI-2 to produce this important metabolite was assessed and the process optimised in solid substrate using response surface methodology. The isolate was grown in an inoculum medium, inoculated into wheat bran and supplemented with a basal medium for production of alpha amylase inhibitor. Optimum conditions were determined by Response Surface Methodology. The extract was recovered using sodium phosphate buffer at refrigerated temperature and assay for the presence of alpha-amylase inhibitor was carried out by Dinitrosalicylic acid method. Based on the results of the experimental trials and iteration with those values, it was predicted that optimal pH for alpha-amylase inhibitor production using S. xinghaiensis in solid culture of wheat bran was pH 6.4–6.9 while optimal moisture content and incubation time were predicted as 71%–73% and 9–12 days respectively.
A novel alcohol steamed preparation from Gastrodia elata Blume: Pharmacological assessment of a functional food
Authors: Cheng Lijun , Wang Hui , Ma Kejian , Deng Yang , Li Maoru , Ma Ji
Published: March 2023

Rhizoma Gastrodia (Orchidaceae; Gastrodia elata Blume), the rhizome of Gastrodia elata Blume (GE), is traditionally used as both a medicinal and functional food, with proven efficacy in treating mental disorders. In traditional processing, GE is washed, steamed with water, dried, and sliced. In this study, a novel processing technology-alcohol steamed GE (AGE) was proposed as an alternative. Totally, 17 compounds were identified in fresh GE and AGE. Compared with fresh GE, the relative content of parishin A and parishin E decreased after alcohol steaming, whereas gastrodin (GAS), p-hydroxylbenzyl alcohol (HBA), Parishin B, and Parishin C were increased. Additionally, the pentobarbital-induced sleep mice model and Chronic Restraint Stress (CRS) model were applied to evaluate the pharmacological effects of fresh GE and steamed GE, and both fresh and steamed GE showed an intensive hypnotic and anti-anxiety effect. Furthermore, the anti-anxiety mechanism based on serum metabolic was investigated and the tryptophan metabolic pathway was considered the response to the anti-anxiety effect of GE. Although the optimization of the processing technology of AGE still needs to be further explored, the current results have provided new thoughts for the processing technology and clinical application of GE.
Pharmacokinetic comparison of sitagliptin and metformin HCl extended-release tablets versus JANUMET® XR in healthy volunteers under fasting and fed conditions
Authors: Que Linling , Qin Wei , Shi Yunfei , Ding Ying , Huang Kai , Qian Zhenzhong , Huang Bingjie , Zhou Peipei , He Qing
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives: Janumet® XR is the combination of sitagliptin and extended metformin hydrochloride produced by Merck Sharp & Dohme. It is specially designed for diabetes mellitus patients taking both drugs already. Janumet® XR exhibited clinically significant blood glucose lowering efficacy and long-term use safety. However, no generic form of Janumet® XR has been approved in western countries. The relatively high cost made the medication less prescribed. A more affordable form of this drug may benefit an immense diabetes mellitus population. The current study compared the bioequivalence (BE) of sitagliptin 100 mg and metformin 1000 mg produced by Nanjing Chia-Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Company to Janumet® XR in healthy Chinese subjects.

Methods: Twenty-eight healthy Chinese subjects were enrolled in Study 1 and 2, respectively. Both studies were conducted with an open, randomized, two-period crossover design using the test (T) or the reference (R) drug. Study 1 is conducted under the fasting state, and Study 2 is under the fed state. Subjects received an oral dose of sitagliptin 100 mg and metformin 1000 mg, and plasma concentrations of sitagliptin and metformin were determined up to 72 h post-dose. Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters, including maximum serum concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve up to the last quantifiable concentration (AUC0–t) of both sitagliptin and metformin, were calculated and compared between the T and R treatments.

Results: In the fasting study, the geometric mean ratios of Cmax, AUC0–t, and AUC0-∞ for sitagliptin were 109.42%, 101.93%, and 101.95%, respectively; the corresponding ratios for metformin were 98.69%, 94.12%, and 93.42%, respectively. In the fed study, the geometric mean ratios of Cmax, AUC0–t, and AUC0-∞ for sitagliptin were 98.41%, 100.30%, and 100.24%, respectively; the corresponding ratios for metformin were 97.79%, 99.28%, and 100.69%, respectively. The 90% CIs of Cmax, AUC0–t, and AUC0-∞ in both studies were all within acceptance limits (80.00%–125.00%).

Conclusion: The results demonstrated for the first time that sitagliptin 100 mg and metformin 1000 mg produced by Nanjing Chia-Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Company was bioequivalent to the branded Janumet® XR, and both drugs were well tolerated.
Consistent assessment of neutron-induced activation of 93Nb
Authors: Avrigeanu Vlad , Avrigeanu Marilena
Published: March 2023

A concurrent assessment of all measured excitation functions for various reactions induced by neutrons on 93Nb, in addition to the results of TENDL-2021 and default parameters in TALYS-1.96, is given in this work. We use consistent parameter sets that were formerly obtained or validated by the analysis of other independent data, while no empirical rescaling factors of γ and/or neutron widths have been used. The correlation between the measured error bars of the primary data providing the consistent input parameters and the final uncertainty bands of the calculated results have been pointed out. At the same time, a proper account in this work of all available data for competitive reaction channels prevented compensation effects of less accurate model parameters. Remaining questions and the need for additional measurements are emphasized.
Changes in the oxidative status and damage by non-essential elements in the digestive gland of the gastropod Pomacea canaliculata
Authors: Campoy-Diaz Alejandra D. , Malanga Gabriela , Giraud-Billoud Maximiliano , Vega Israel A.
Published: March 2023

The freshwater gastropod Pomacea canaliculata fulfills the ideal conditions of a bioindicator species since its digestive gland bioconcentrates elements toxic for human and ecosystems health. The aim of this work was to study the balance between production of free radicals and antioxidant defenses, and the generation of oxidative damage in the digestive gland of this mollusk after exposure (96 h) to three elements with differential affinities for functional biological groups: mercury (5.5 μg/L of Hg+2 as HgCl2), arsenic [500 μg/L of (AsO4)−3 as Na3AsO47H2O], or uranium [700 μg/L of (UO2)+2 as UO2(CH2COOH)2]. Bioconcentration factors of Hg, As, and U were 25, 23, and 53, respectively. Snails exhibited a sustained increase of reactive species (RS), and protein and lipid damage. Lipid radicals increased between 72 and 96 h, respectively, in snails exposed to U and Hg while this parameter changed early (24 h) in As- exposed snails. Snails showed protein damage, reaching maximum values at different endpoints. This redox disbalance was partially compensated by non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses α-tocopherol (α-T), β-carotene (β-C), uric acid, metallothionein (MTs). Snails consumed α-T and β-C in an element-dependent manner. The digestive gland consumed rapidly uric acid and this molecule was not recovered at 96 h. Digestive gland showed a significant increase in MTs after elemental exposure at different endpoints. The enzymatic antioxidant defenses, represented by the catalase and glutathione-S-transferase activities, seems to be not necessary for the early stages of the oxidative process by metals. This work is the first attempt to elucidate cellular mechanisms involved in the tolerance of this gastropod to non-essential elements. The bioconcentration factors and changes in the oxidative status and damage confirm that this species can be used as a bioindicator species of metal pollution in freshwater bodies.
Arabidopsis AtMSRB5 functions as a salt-stress protector for both Arabidopsis and rice
Authors: Cai Yu-Si , Cai Jung-Long , Lee Jent-Turn , Li Yi-Min , Balladona Freta Kirana , Sukma Dewi , Chan Ming-Tsair
Published: March 2023

Salinity, drought and low temperature are major environmental factors that adversely affect crop productivity worldwide. In this study we adopted an activation tagging approach to identify salt tolerant mutants of Arabidopsis. Thousands of tagged Arabidopsis lines were screened to obtain several potential mutant lines resistant to 150 mM NaCl. Transcript analysis of a salt-stress tolerance 1 (sst1) mutant line indicated activation of AtMSRB5 and AtMSRB6 which encode methionine sulfoxide reductases. Overexpression of AtMSRB5 in Arabidopsis (B5OX) showed a similar salt tolerant phenotype. Furthermore, biochemical analysis indicated stability of the membrane protein, H+-ATPase 2 (AHA2) through regulation of Na+/K+ homeostasis which may be involved in a stress tolerance mechanism. Similarly, overexpression of AtMSRB5 in transgenic rice demonstrated a salt tolerant phenotype via the modulation of Na+/K+ homeostasis without a yield drag under salt and oxidative stress conditions.
Nitrogen application enhances yield, yield-attributes, and physiological characteristics of dryland wheat/maize under strip intercropping
Authors: Hussain Sadam , Naseer Muhammad Asad , Guo Ru , Han Fei , Ali Basharat , Chen Xiaoli , Ren Xiaolong , Alamri Saud
Published: March 2023

Intercropping has been acknowledged as a sustainable practice for enhancing crop productivity and water use efficiency under rainfed conditions. However, the contribution of different planting rows towards crop physiology and yield is elusive. In addition, the influence of nitrogen (N) fertilization on the physiology, yield, and soil water storage of rainfed intercropping systems is poorly understood; therefore, the objective of this experiment was to study the contribution of different crop rows on the physiological, yield, and related traits of wheat/maize relay-strip intercropping (RSI) with and without N application. The treatments comprised of two factors viz. intercropping with three levels (sole wheat, sole maize, and RSI) and two N application rates, with and without N application. Results showed that RSI significantly improved the land use efficiency and grain yield of both crops under rainfed conditions. Intercropping with N application (+N treatment) resulted in the highest wheat grain yield with 70.37 and 52.78% increase as compared with monoculture and without N application in 2019 and 2020, respectively, where border rows contributed the maximum followed by second rows. The increase in grain yield was attributed to higher values of the number of ears per square meter (10-25.33% more in comparison to sole crop without N application) during both study years. The sole wheat crop without any N application recorded the least values for all yield-related parameters. Despite the absence of significant differences, the relative decrease in intercropped maize under both N treatments was over 9% compared to the sole maize crop, which was mainly ascribed to the border rows (24.65% decrease compared to the sole crop) that recorded 12 and 13% decrease in kernel number and thousand-grain weight, respectively than the sole crop. This might be attributed to the reduced photosynthesis and chlorophyll pigmentation in RSI maize crop during the blended growth period. In a nutshell, it can be concluded that wheat/maize RSI significantly improved the land use efficiency and the total yield compared to the sole crops’ yield in arid areas in which yield advantages were mainly ascribed to the improvement in wheat yield.
Potential mitigation of environmental impacts of intensive plum production in southeast China with maintenance of high yields: Evaluation using life cycle assessment
Authors: Yan Xiaojun , Ye Delian , Tang Yafu , Muneer Muhammad Atif , Christie Peter , Tou Congyue , Xu Weidong , Shen Bingrong , Xu Jinxian , Zhang Jiangzhou
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Intensive plum production usually involves high yields but also high environmental costs due to excessive fertilizer inputs. Quantitative analysis of the environmental effects of plum production is thereby required in the development of optimum strategies to promote sustainable fruit production.

Methods

We collected survey questionnaires from 254 plum production farms in Zhao’an county, Fujian province, southeast China to assess the environmental impacts by life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The farms were categorized into four groups based on yield and environmental impacts, i.e., LL (low yield and low environmental impact), LH (low yield but high environmental impact), HL (high yield but low environmental impact), and HH (high yield and high environmental impact).

Results

The environmental impacts, i.e., average energy depletion, global warming, acidification, and eutrophication potential in plum production were 18.17 GJ ha-1, 3.63 t CO2 eq ha-1, 42.18 kg SO2 eq ha-1, and 25.06 kg PO4 eq ha-1, respectively. Only 19.7% of farmers were in the HL group, with 13.3% in the HH group, 39.0% in LL, and 28.0% LH. Plum yields of the HL group were 109-114% higher than the mean value of all 254 farms. Additionally, the HL group had a lower environmental impact per unit area compared to the overall mean value, with a reduction ranging from 31.9% to 36.7%. Furthermore, on a per tonne of plum production basis, the energy depletion, global warming potential, acidification potential, and eutrophication potential of HL farms were lower by 75.4%, 75.0%, 75.6%, and 75.8%, respectively. Overall, the total environmental impact index of LL, LH, HL, and HH groups were 0.26, 0.42, 0.06, and 0.21, respectively.

Discussion

Excessive fertilizer N application was the main source of the environmental impacts, the potential to reduce fertilizer N rate can be achieved without compromising plum yield by studying the HH group. The results provide an important foundation for enhancing the management of plum production, in order to promote ‘green’ agricultural development by reducing environmental impacts.
Institutionalizing collaborative regional governance in organizationally thin regions—Regional development agencies and the neglect of social innovations
Authors: Kovanen Sunna , Ulrich Peter , Gailing Ludger
Published: March 2023

This article compares one emerging and three established regional development agencies in rural regions in Germany as examples of collaborative governance for socially innovative regional development. We ask, firstly, how an emergent collaborative regional governance network can be institutionalized in the long term based on participatory mechanisms on several levels as well as between actors with different goals and values. Secondly, how an organizationally thin, rural context influences the governance network in steering the social innovation promotion and what kind of development for whom do different governance networks mobilize. Research was conducted as a qualitative comparative case study with semi-structured expert interviews. The findings highlight that the institutionalization of collaborative governance is supported by funding and policies from upper scales and the model of regional development agency enhances the learning of collaborative governance between public institutions. However, the goal and beneficiaries of the development are mainly the classic economic actors, whereas transformative grassroots movements enhancing social innovation are largely ignored by public-driven collaborative governance.
The role of psychopathological symptoms in lumbar stenosis: A prediction model of disability after lumbar decompression and fusion
Authors: Mazzucchi Edoardo , La Rocca Giuseppe , Cusumano Davide , Bazzu Paola , Pignotti Fabrizio , Galieri Gianluca , Rinaldi Pierluigi , De Santis Vincenzo , Sabatino Giovanni
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Pre-operative psychological factors may influence outcome after spine surgery. The identification of patients at risk of persisting disability may be useful for patient selection and possibly to improve treatment outcome.

Methods

Patients with neurogenic claudication associated with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) performed a psychological assessment before lumbar decompression and fusion (LDF) surgery. The following tests were administrated: Visual Analogic Scale; Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90-R), Short Form-36 and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The primary outcome was ODI score lower than 20. A cross correlation matrix (CCM) was carried out with significant variables after univariate analysis and a linear logistic regression model was calculated considering the most significant variable.

Results

125 patient (61 men and 64 women) were included in the study. Seven parameters of the SCL-90-R scale showed statistical significance at the univariate analysis: obsessivity (p < 0.001), Current Symptom Index (p = 0.001), Global Severity Index (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001), positive Symptom Total (p = 0.002), somatization (p = 0.001) and anxiety (p = 0.036). Obsessivity was correlated with other significant parameters, except GSI (Pearson’s correlation coefficient = 0.11).

The ROC curve for the logistic model considering obsessivity as risk factor, has an area under the curve of 0.75.

Conclusion

Pre-operative psychopathological symptoms can predict persistence of disability after LDF for DLSS. Future studies will evaluate the possibility of modifying post operative outcome through targeted treatment for psychological features emerged during pre-operative assessment.
Viewing entrepreneurship through a goal congruity lens: The roles of dominance and communal goal orientations in women’s and men’s venture interests
Authors: Folberg Abigail , Goering Tara , Wetzel Lindsey , Yang Xiaoming , Ryan Carey
Published: March 2023

The objective of this research was to examine gender differences in entrepreneurial venture interests drawing on goal congruity theory, which posits that people adopt gender-stereotypic goal orientations in response to social pressures to conform to traditional gender roles. Aspiring entrepreneurs (N = 351) first wrote about what they believed made an entrepreneur successful. They then completed measures of agentic and communal goal orientations (i.e., male and female stereotypic orientations, respectively) and indicated their interests in starting ventures in stereotypically feminine (e.g., salon), masculine (e.g., auto-repair) and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM; e.g., software developer) ventures. Analysis of open-ended responses demonstrated that participants ascribed more agentic and, specifically, more dominance attributes to entrepreneurs than communal attributes (e.g., warmth). Bifactor structural equation modeling indicated that, as expected, agentic goal orientations included dimensions of competence, self-direction, and dominance orientations; communal goal orientations were unidimensional. Further, as expected, dominance and communal orientations partially accounted for gender differences in all three career types. We discuss implications for entrepreneurial education and practice from a goal congruity perspective and the use of bifactor modeling to improve the measurement of goal orientations.
The impact of career calling on higher vocational nursing students’ learning engagement: The mediating roles of career adaptability and career commitment
Authors: Chen Jingyuan , Zhang Xiaoxia
Published: March 2023

Learning engagement is an important predictor of academic success and a key indicator of educational quality. It has therefore attracted considerable research interest, with previous studies exploring how to enhance engagement via pedagogical approaches, strategies, and content, as well as through teacher-student interaction. However, the relationship between individual learners’ internal mechanisms and learning engagement has yet to be investigated in depth. Accordingly, the present study explored the direct effects of career calling on higher vocational nursing students’ learning engagement and the mediating roles of career adaptability and career commitment via a parallel mediation model. Data were collected from 388 nursing students at two higher vocational colleges in China and the hypotheses were tested using correlation and regression analyses. The results showed that career calling imparted a significant positive effect on the nursing students’ engagement in learning, with career adaptability and career commitment mediating this relationship. These findings highlight the importance of promoting learning engagement among nursing students and the need to carefully design instructional activities for the healthcare profession.
Instruction effects on randomness in sequence generation
Authors: Guseva Maja , Bogler Carsten , Allefeld Carsten , Haynes John-Dylan
Published: March 2023

Randomness is a fundamental property of human behavior. It occurs both in the form of intrinsic random variability, say when repetitions of a task yield slightly different behavioral outcomes, or in the form of explicit randomness, say when a person tries to avoid being predicted in a game of rock, paper and scissors. Randomness has frequently been studied using random sequence generation tasks (RSG). A key finding has been that humans are poor at deliberately producing random behavior. At the same time, it has been shown that people might be better randomizers if randomness is only an implicit (rather than an explicit) requirement of the task. We therefore hypothesized that randomization performance might vary with the exact instructions with which randomness is elicited. To test this, we acquired data from a large online sample (n = 388), where every participant made 1,000 binary choices based on one of the following instructions: choose either randomly, freely, irregularly, according to an imaginary coin toss or perform a perceptual guessing task. Our results show significant differences in randomness between the conditions as quantified by conditional entropy and estimated Markov order. The randomization scores were highest in the conditions where people were asked to be irregular or mentally simulate a random event (coin toss) thus yielding recommendations for future studies on randomization behavior.
Prediction error cost exists in the reading processing of Chinese native speakers and advanced Chinese L2 learners
Authors: Feng Lijuan , Jiang Nan
Published: March 2023

This study applies the paradigm of self-paced reading to examine the Context Predictability Effect in the processing of Chinese and detect whether there is a prediction error cost. Context constraint strength (constraining and neutral) and word predictability (predictable and unpredictable) were strictly manipulated. The statistical results suggest that: (1) There is a Context Predictability Effect for Chinese native speakers in reading processing, which is consistent with most previous studies; (2) There is also a Context Predictability Effect for advanced Chinese L2 learners; (3) Both Chinese native speakers and Chinese L2 learners have a prediction error cost in reading processing, a finding different from those of much previous research. (4) Chinese L2 learners are significantly slower than Chinese native speakers when they conduct predictive reading processing. This paper is very enlightening in that it identifies the existence of a prediction error cost in Chinese L2 processing by means of behavioral experiments, providing evidence for the hypothesis of Lexical Prediction. In a strongly predictive setting, when encountering a plausible but unpredictable word, the brain must expend extra effort to suppress, revise, or reanalyze the material, and this may account for the prediction error cost.
Adjunctive transcranial alternating current stimulation for patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zheng Wei , Cai Dong-Bin , Nie Sha , Chen Jian-Hua , Huang Xing-Bing , Goerigk Stephan , Brunoni Andre Russowsky , Zheng Wei
Published: March 2023

Objective

We performed a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, controlled trials (RCTs) to systematically investigate the therapeutic effects and tolerability of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods

Electronic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, and the Cochrane Library up to 1 April 2022. Double-blind RCTs examining the efficacy and safety of tACS for patients with MDD were included. The primary outcome was the improvement of depressive symptoms following a course of tACS treatment. Data were analyzed using Review Manager Version 5.3 (Cochrane IMS, Oxford, UK). Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias and Jadad scale. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and the Egger test.

Results

We identified 883 articles, of which 4 RCTs with 5 active treatment arms covering 224 participants with MDD on active tACS (n = 117) and sham tACS (n = 107) were eligible for inclusion. Meta-analysis of depressive symptoms at post-tACS found an advantage of active tACS over sham tACS (n = 212, standard mean difference (SMD) = −1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): −2.23, −0.06; I2 = 90%, P = 0.04). The significant superiority of active tACS over sham tACS in improving depressive symptoms remained in a sensitivity analysis. Active tACS was significantly superior to sham tACS regarding depressive symptoms at the 4 week follow-up (SMD = −1.07, 95% CI: −2.05, −0.08; I2 = 88%, P = 0.03) and study-defined remission [risk ratio (RR) = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.36, 3.14, I2 = 9%, P = 0.0006]. The discontinuation rate due to any reason was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). All included studies were rated as high quality (Jadad score ≥ 3), with funnel plots of primary outcome not suggestive of publication bias.

Conclusion

tACS appeared to be modestly effective and safe for improving depressive symptoms in patients with MDD, although further studies are warranted.
Antimicrobial activity of a new class of synthetic retinoid antibiotics and comparator agents against ocular staphylococci
Authors: André Camille , Schrank Cassandra L. , Cheng Jaramillo Ana Victoria , Mylonakis Eleftherios , Wuest William M. , Gilmore Michael S. , Kim Wooseong , Bispo Paulo J. M.
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Antimicrobial resistance is global pandemic that poses a major threat to vision health as ocular pathogens, especially staphylococcal species, are becoming increasingly resistant to first-line therapies. Here we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of a new class of synthetic retinoids in comparison to currently used antibiotics against clinically relevant ocular staphylococcal isolates.

Methods

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by broth microdilution for 3 novel synthetic retinoids (CD1530, CD437, and a CD437 analogue) and 7 comparator antibiotics, against a collection of 216 clinical isolates.

Results

CD437 MIC50 and MIC90 were 2 µg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus, and 1 µg/mL and 2 µg/mL respectively, for coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). CD1530 (MIC50 = 2 µg/mL for all species) also displayed good activity with an in vitro potency slightly lower (2-fold) for S. aureus (MIC90 = 4 µg/mL) when compared to CD437. A CD437 analogue also demonstrated good in vitro activity (MIC50 = 2 µg/mL for all species) and potency (MIC90 = 2 µg/mL for MRSA and 4 µg/mL for MSSA and CoNS). In vitro potencies were similar or higher than that of comparator agents, and were not impacted by multidrug resistance phenotypes.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that synthetic retinoids display potent in vitro activity against ocular staphylococcal species, including multidrug-resistant isolates.
Water table depth assimilation in integrated terrestrial system models at the larger catchment scale
Authors: Li Fang , Kurtz Wolfgang , Hung Ching Pui , Vereecken Harry , Hendricks Franssen Harrie-Jan
Published: March 2023

As an important source of water for human beings, groundwater plays a significant role in human production and life. However, different sources of uncertainty may lead to unsatisfactory simulations of groundwater hydrodynamics with hydrological models. The goal of this study is to investigate the impact of assimilating groundwater data into the Terrestrial System Modeling Platform (TSMP) for improving hydrological modeling in a real-world case. Daily groundwater table depth (WTD) measurements from the year 2018 for the Rur catchment in Germany were assimilated by the Localized Ensemble Kalman Filter (LEnKF) into TSMP. The LEnKF is used with a localization radius so that the assimilated measurements only update model states in a limited radius around the measurements, in order to avoid unphysical updates related to spurious correlations. Due to the mismatch between groundwater measurements and the coarse model resolution (500 m), the measurements need careful screening before data assimilation (DA). Based on the spatial autocorrelation of the WTD deduced from the measurements, three different filter localization radii (2.5, 5, and 10 km) were evaluated for assimilation. The bias in the simulated water table and the root mean square error (RMSE) are reduced after DA, compared with runs without DA [i.e., open loop (OL) runs]. The best results at the assimilated locations are obtained for a localization radius of 10 km, with an 81% reduction of RMSE at the measurement locations, and slightly smaller RMSE reductions for the 5 and 2.5 km radius. The validation with independent WTD data showed the best results for a localization radius of 10 km, but groundwater table characterization could only be improved for sites <2.5 km from measurement locations. In case of a localization radius of 10 km the RMSE-reduction was 30% for those nearby sites. Simulated soil moisture was validated against soil moisture measured by cosmic-ray neutron sensors (CRNS), but no RMSE reduction was observed for DA-runs compared to OL-run. However, in both cases, the correlation between measured and simulated soil moisture content was high (between 0.70 and 0.89, except for the Wuestebach site).
Implementation of a Cascade Fault Tolerant Control and Fault Diagnosis Design for a Modular Power Supply
Authors: Zaidi Abdelaziz , Barambones Oscar , Zanzouri Nadia
Published: March 2023

The main objective of this research work was to develop reliable and intelligent power sources for the future. To achieve this objective, a modular stand-alone solar energy-based direct current (DC) power supply was designed and implemented. The converter topology used is a two-stage interleaved boost converter, which is monitored in closed loop. The diagnosis method is based on analytic redundancy relations (ARRs) deduced from the bond graph (BG) model, which can be used to detect the failures of power switches, sensors, and discrete components such as the output capacitor. The proposed supervision scheme including a passive fault-tolerant cascade proportional integral sliding mode control (PI-SMC) for the two-stage boost converter connected to a solar panel is suitable for real applications. Most model-based diagnosis approaches for power converters typically deal with open circuit and short circuit faults, but the proposed method offers the advantage of detecting the failures of other vital components. Practical experiments on a newly designed and constructed prototype, along with simulations under PSIM software, confirm the efficiency of the control scheme and the successful recovery of a faulty stage by manual isolation. In future work, the automation of this reconfiguration task could be based on the successful simulation results of the diagnosis method.