bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of energetic particle energization observations at MMS and injections at Van Allen Probes
Authors: Chepuri S. N. F. , Jaynes A. N. , Turner D. L. , Gabrielse C. , Baker D. N. , Mauk B. H. , Cohen I. J. , Leonard T. , Blake J. B. , Fennell J. F.
Published: January 2023

In this study, we examine particle energization and injections that show energetic electron enhancements at both MMS in the magnetotail and Van Allen Probes in the inner magnetosphere. Observing injections along with a corresponding flow burst allows us to better understand injections overall. Searching for suitable events, we found that only a small number of events at MMS had corresponding injections that penetrated far enough into the inner magnetosphere to observe with Van Allen Probes. With the four suitable events we did find, we compared the energy spectra at the two spacecraft and mapped the boundary of where the injection entered the inner magnetosphere. We found that, among these injections in the inner magnetosphere, the electron flux did not increase above ∼400 keV, similar to previous results, but the corresponding signatures in the tail observed increased fluxes at 600 keV or higher. There does not appear to be a comparable flux increase at Van Allen Probes and MMS for a given event. None of our injections included ion enhancements at Van Allen Probes, but one included an ion injection at geosynchronous orbit in the GOES spacecraft. All of our injections were dispersed at Van Allen Probes, and we were therefore able to map an estimate of the injection boundary. All of the injections occurred in the premidnight sector. Although we found some events where particle energizations in the tail are accompanied by inner magnetospheric injections, we do not find a statistical link between the two.
Race development and performance-determining factors in a mass-start cross-country skiing competition
Authors: Seeberg Trine M. , Kocbach Jan , Wolf Hanna , Talsnes Rune Kjøsen , Sandbakk Øyvind B.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Although five of six Olympic events in cross-country skiing involve mass-starts, those events are sparsely examined scientifically. Therefore, in this study, we investigated speed profiles, pacing strategies, group dynamics and their performance-determining impact in a cross-country skiing mass-start competition.

Methods

Continuous speed and position of 57 male skiers was measured in a six-lap, 21.8 km national mass-start competition in skating style and later followed up with an online questionnaire. Skiers ranked from 1 to 40 were split into four performance-groups: R1–10 for ranks 1 to 10, R11–20 for ranks 11 to 20, R21–30 for ranks 21 to 30, and R31–40 for ranks 31 to 40.

Results

All skiers moved together in one large pack for 2.3 km, after which lower-performing skiers gradually lost the leader pack and formed small, dynamic packs. A considerable accordion effect occurred during the first half of the competition that lead to additional decelerations and accelerations and a higher risk of incidents that disadvantaged skiers at the back of the pack. Overall, 31% of the skiers reported incidents, but none were in R1–10. The overall trend was that lap speed decreased after Lap 1 for all skiers and thereafter remained nearly unchanged for R1–10, while it gradually decreased for the lower-performing groups. Skiers in R31–40, R21–30, and R11–20 lost the leader pack during Lap 3, Lap 4, and Lap 5, respectively, and more than 60% of the time-loss relative to the leader pack occurred in the uphill terrain sections. Ultimately, skiers in R1–10 sprinted for the win during the last 1.2 km, in which 2.4 s separated the top five skiers, and a photo finish differentiated first from second place. Overall, a high correlation emerged between starting position and final rank.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that (a) an adequate starting position, (b) the ability to avoid incidents and disadvantages from the accordion effect, (c) tolerate fluctuations in intensity, and (d) maintain speed throughout the competition, particularly in uphill terrain, as well as (e) having well-developed final sprint abilities, are key factors determining performance during skating-style mass-start cross-country skiing competitions.
Normative values of resting heart rate variability in young male contact sport athletes: Reference values for the assessment and treatment of concussion
Authors: Ziadia Hatem , Sassi Idriss , Trudeau François , Fait Philippe
Published: January 2023

Objective

The objective of this study was to identify the main determinants of heart rate variability (HRV) in male athletes aged 14 to 21 years who practice competitive contact sports and to integrate these determinants with the aim of defining normative values of short-term HRV in the time and frequency domains.

Methods

Participants (n = 369) were aged 14 to 21 years and included 221 football players and 148 ice hockey players. HRV was measured for 5 min at rest, and standard HRV parameters in the time and frequency domains were calculated. Heart rate (HR), age, body mass index (BMI), number of sports weekly practices (WSP) and concussion history (mTBI) were considered determinants potentially able to influence HRV.

Results

Multiple regression analysis revealed that HR was the primary determinant of standard HRV parameters. The models accounted for 13% to 55% of the total variance of HRV and the contribution of HR to this model was the strongest (β ranged from −0.34 to −0.75). HR was the only determinant that significantly contributes to all HRV parameters. To counteract this dependence, we calculated HRV corrected by the mean RR interval (RRm). Such corrections do not remove any physiological differences in HRV; they simply remove the mathematical bias. HRV parameters were therefore normalized, and their normative limits were developed relative to the mean heart rate. After correction, the correlation coefficients between HR and all corrected HRV parameters were not statistically significant and ranged from −0.001 to 0.045 (p > 0.40 for all). The automatically corrected HRV calculator, which recalculates standard HRV parameters and converts them into corrected parameters in addition to determining whether a given value is within normal limits, facilitates clinical interpretation.

Conclusion

This study provides for the first time corrected normative values of short-term and resting state HRV parameters in competitive contact sport athletes aged 14 to 21 years. These values were developed independently of the major determinants of HRV. The baseline values for HRV parameters given here could be used in clinical practice when assessing and monitoring cerebral concussions. They may assist in decision making for a safe return to play.
Local action of moderate heating and illumination induces propagation of hyperpolarization electrical signals in wheat plants
Authors: Yudina Lyubov , Sukhova Ekaterina , Popova Alyona , Zolin Yuriy , Abasheva Karina , Grebneva Kseniya , Sukhov Vladimir
Published: January 2023

Electrical signals (ESs), which are generated in irritated zones of plants and propagate into their non-irritated parts, are hypothesized to be an important mechanism of a plant systemic response on the local action of adverse factors. This hypothesis is supported by influence of ESs on numerous physiological processes including expression of defense genes, production of stress phytohormones, changes in photosynthetic processes and transpiration, stimulation of respiration and others. However, there are several questions, which require solution to support the hypothesis. Particularly, the non-physiological stimuli (e.g., strong heating or burning) are often used for induction of ESs; in contrast, the ES induction under action of physiological stressors with moderate intensities requires additional investigations. Influence of long-term environmental factors on generation and propagation of ESs is also weakly investigated. In the current work, we investigated ESs induced by local action of the moderate heating and illumination in wheat plants under irrigated and drought conditions. It was shown that combination of the moderate heating (40°C) and illumination (blue light, 540 μmol m−2s−1) induced electrical signals which were mainly depolarization electrical signals near the irritation zone and hyperpolarization electrical signals (HESs) on the distance from this zone. The moderate soil drought did not influence HESs; in contrast, the strong soil drought significantly decreased amplitude of HESs. Finally, it was shown that the moderate heating could induce HESs without additional action of illumination. It was hypothesized that both hyperpolarization and depolarization ESs could be caused by the hydraulic wave.
Food losses perceived by family farms: Challenges and policy implications from a micro-approach quantification
Authors: Herrera-Quinteros Gabriela , Jara-Rojas Roberto
Published: January 2023

During the last decade, food loss and waste (FLW) has been gaining more attention due to its negative effect on food security. However, the lack of information about FLW quantification and characterization remains a problem, especially from the perspectives of local citizens and farmers. There is limited literature examining food losses (FL) in primary production of the food supply chain (FSC) and specific policies are needed to improve the FLW measurement. The aim of this research is to analyze how much FL is generated at the farm level using a micro-approach methodology from harvest to primary commercialization stages among farmers located in Central Chile. Additionally, we explore factors affecting FL using a fractional regression model with special emphasis on the harvest stage. Data were collected using phone interviews, conducted in 2019, with 177 small-scale producers of vegetables and berries. FL generated by the sample from harvest to primary commercialization was 14.5% on average. Farmers identified a considerable volume of FL during primary production, mostly during the harvest. The factors that increased FL among small-scale farmers were the production system and its harvest period, commercialization channels, labor shortage, and cosmetic standards. As a case study, the information collected here can be useful for encouraging further research emphasizing the harvest stage and the role of the production systems in generating FLW.
Identification of ferroptosis-related genes and predicted overall survival in patients with burns
Authors: Zhao Mingjian , Zhang Yetong , Zhao Hongliang
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Burns are a common trauma associated with considerable mortality and morbidity. Although a lot is known regarding burns' pathogenesis, the involvement of ferroptosis is uncertain. Here, we aimed to explore vital ferroptosis-related genes and molecules in burns, through bioinformatics analysis, to uncover new effective therapeutic targets.

Methods

The FerrDb database was used to acquire ferroptosis-related genes and GSE19743 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), a dataset with analysis of control and burned individuals. Hub genes were selected with Cytoscape software, and Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted. Cox proportional hazard function and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were implemented to screen prognosis-related genes. Additionally, the miRWalk database was used to acquire the miRNAs relevant to our hub genes function and analyzed for enrichment.

Result

We identified 64 differentially expressed genes and through the intersection with ferroptosis-related genes, 10 were selected as hub genes. GO analysis revealed that the hub genes' most enriched activities were response to oxidative stress, pyridine-containing compound metabolic processes, and reactive oxygen species metabolic processes. KEGG pathways' analysis showed that these overlapped genes were enriched in several pathways, namely, in VEGF signaling. Furthermore, the molecular miRNA functions significantly enriched were signal transduction and cell communication, namely, the biological pathways of the glypican pathway and the ErbB receptor signaling network. SLC40A1 and GPT2 genes were found to be associated with overall survival, suggesting an important role in burn prognosis.

Discussion

This study may improve our understanding of the underlying burn mechanisms and provide a new direction for the prevention of poor outcomes, advances in burns treatment, and drug development.
Feasibility and preliminary experience of single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic total gastrectomy with Overlap esophagojejunostomy for gastric cancer: A study of 10 cases
Authors: Yin Jiu-Heng , Chen Yi-Hui , Ren Yan-Bei , Wang Rong , Su Shuai , Jiang En-Lai , Li Yun-Bo , Wang Ting , Xiao Wei-Dong , Du Guang-Sheng
Published: January 2023

Background

This study aimed to explore the feasibility and safety of single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic total gastrectomy (SITG + 1) with Overlap esophagojejunostomy (SITG + 1-Overlap) and to share preliminary experiences.

Methods

This retrospective study included 10 patients with gastric cancer located in the cardia or body who underwent SITG + 1-Overlap between August 2020 and October 2021.The demographics, tumor characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and short-term complications of all the enrolled patients were summarized and statistically analyzed. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) if they were normally distributed. Otherwise, Median (Quartile1, Quartile3) was used.

Results

In the collective perioperative data of these 10 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy, the median of the length of transumbilical incision and blood loss were 3.0 cm and 100.0 ml respectively, and the mean operation time and 385.5 ± 51.6 min. Postoperative data indicated that the gastric tube was removed on 2.0 (2.0, 3.0) days, and the timing of first feeding, activity, flatus, and defecation was 1.5 (1.0, 2.0) days, 2.0 (2.0, 2.0) days, 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) days, and 3.8 ± 0.6 days, respectively. The timing of drainage tube removal was 4.6 ± 1.0 days after operation. The duration of hospital stay was 7.5 ± 1.2 days and the VAS pain scores for the 3 days following surgery were 3.0 (2.0, 3.3), 2.0 (2.0, 3.0), and 1.5 (1.0, 2.0) respectively. The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was 30.7 ± 13.2. Most biochemical indicators gradually normalized with the recovery of the patients after surgery. No 30-day postoperative complications were noted.

Conclusions

For the first time, our preliminary data indicate the feasibility and safety of Overlap esophagojejunostomy in SITG + 1 surgery. This modified Overlap procedure has the potential to simplify the reconstruction procedure and lower the technical challenge of SITG + 1 radical gastrectomy for cardia or upper gastric cancer in the early and advanced stages.
Hypoperfusion cerebral infarction after carotid artery stenting: A case report
Authors: Ma Yuerong , Zhang Renwei , Liu Yumin
Published: January 2023

Carotid artery stent implantation (CAS) plays an important role in preventing cerebral infarction associated with carotid stenosis. The postoperative complications of CAS include cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS), cerebral infarction, vascular injury, carotid sinus reaction, and stent restenosis. Hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is a serious complication that arises after the performance of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or CAS and is characterized by high blood pressure, headache, epilepsy, and focal neurological deficit. Therefore, it is very important to evaluate and diagnose CHS. Cerebral infarction after CAS is often caused by distal embolism due to the shedding of microemboli. With the application of distal brain protection devices, the risk of distal embolism is significantly reduced. In this study, we report a rare case of hypoperfusion cerebral infarction after carotid artery stenting in a patient with severe carotid stenosis complicated with contralateral common carotid artery occlusion.
HMMR potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of cancer—speculation based on a pan-cancer analysis
Authors: Shang Junyi , Zhang Xiaoju , Hou Guangjie , Qi Yong
Published: January 2023

Background

Although the status of universal upregulation for the Hyaluronan-Mediated Motility Receptor (HMMR) in pan-cancer is still unknown, HMMR is upregulated and associated with poor prognosis for some tumors.

Methods

Exploring HMMR expression in different tumor types using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) or other public databases for a pan-cancer analysis, exploring the relationship between HMMR and tumor prognosis, and exploring the role of HMMR in tumor immunity.

Results

No matter the pairing or unpairing of data, HMMR expression generally increased compared to corresponding normal tissue. Based on a CCLE study, our results indicated that HMMR is widely expressed in various tumor cells. For most tumor types, high HMMR expression was associated with reduced Overall Survival (OS), Return to Functional Status (RFS), and Platinum Free Interval (PFI). ROC curves indicated that HMMR displays high prediction potential for most tumor types. In pan-cancer, HMMR is correlated with some clinical staging, immune cells, and immune checkpoints for some tumors. The GO/KEGG enrichment analysis results for proteins most closely related to HMMR indicate that the most highly enriched pathways are all related to tumor development.

Conclusions

Our pan-cancer analysis of HMMR suggests that HMMR can be used as a potential diagnostic and prognostic indicator of pan-cancer and that HMMR may be involved in tumor development.
An adaptive, negative feedback circuit in a biohybrid device reprograms dynamic networks of systemic inflammation in vivo
Authors: Namas Rami A. , Mikheev Maxim , Yin Jinling , Barclay Derek , Jefferson Bahiyyah , Mi Qi , Billiar Timothy R. , Zamora Ruben , Gerlach Jorg , Vodovotz Yoram
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Systemic acute inflammation accompanies and underlies the pathobiology of sepsis but is also central to tissue healing. We demonstrated previously the in vivo feasibility of modulating the key inflammatory mediator tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) through the constitutive production and systemic administration of soluble TNF-α receptor (sTNFR) via a biohybrid device.

Methods: We have now created multiple, stably transfected human HepG2 cell line variants expressing the mouse NF-κB/sTNFR. In vitro, these cell lines vary with regard to baseline production of sTNFR, but all have ~3.5-fold elevations of sTNFR in response to TNF-α.

Results: Both constitutive and TNF-α-inducible sTNFR constructs, seeded into multicompartment, capillary-membrane liver bioreactors could reprogram dynamic networks of systemic inflammation and modulate PaO2, a key physiological outcome, in both endotoxemic and septic rats.

Discussion: Thus, Control of TNF-α may drive a new generation of tunable biohybrid devices for the rational reprogramming of acute inflammation.
Integrated analysis of lncRNA and mRNA for the apoptosis of porcine ovarian granulosa cells after polyphenol resveratrol treatment
Authors: Zhang Huibin , Liu Yangguang , Han Zheng , Xu Qilong , Zhang Nannan , Wang Jinglin , Zheng Xianrui , Ding Yueyun , Yin Zongjun , Zhang Xiaodong
Published: January 2023

Resveratrol (RES) is a non-flavonoid polyphenol compound that can be involved in follicular development and ovulation. However, the mechanism by which resveratrol regulates the apoptosis of porcine ovarian granulosa cells (POGCs) through long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is poorly understood. We generated POGCs models of different doses of RES (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 μM). It was observed that the cell viability was the highest in the 50 μM group, and the highest apoptosis rates were recorded in the 100 μM group. Therefore, a control group (n = 3, 0 μM RES group), a low RES group (n = 3, 50 μM RES group), and a high RES group (n = 3, 100 μM RES group) of POGCs were created for next RNA sequencing. Gene Ontology (GO) indicated that differentially expressed lncRNAs associated with apoptotic process were highly enriched. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of lncRNA target genes found that the Wnt signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway were both enriched. Furthermore, we constructed lncRNA-mRNA networks related to Metabolic and Cell Apoptosis, respectively. In the networks, five key-lncRNAs were screened, which may play a significant role in the process of POGCs metabolism and apoptosis. Furthermore, we focused on the function of a lnc-GAM (lncRNA associated with Granulosa cells Apoptosis and Metabolism) and verified that lnc-GAM could influence cell apoptosis in POGCs development by affecting the mRNA expression of apoptosis-related markers, and also affects the secretion of steroid hormones and related genes expression in POGCs cultured in vitro. Our study provides seminal data and important new insights into the regulation of reproductive mechanisms in porcine and other female mammals.
Association of globulin concentrations with prognosis in horses with lymphoma
Authors: Wensley Fiona M. , Berryhill Emily H. , Magdesian K. Gary
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Lymphoma is the most common hemopoietic neoplasia in horses. Common clinicopathologic abnormalities in equine lymphoma include hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperfibrinogenemia, anemia, thrombocytopenia and lymphocytosis. Hypoglobulinemia has been reported in other species with lymphoma, however it has not been well-described in horses. The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence of hypoglobulinemia in equine lymphoma, and to identify prognosis and clinicopathological abnormalities associated with serum globulin concentrations.

Methods

Ninety-six horses with lymphoma were investigated in this retrospective study. Patients were allocated into groups based on serum globulin concentration. Survival analysis was performed to determine risk factors associated with globulin concentration and outcome.

Results

Nineteen horses were hypoglobulinemic (≤2.1 g/dL), 63/98 were normoglobulinemic (2.2–4.3 g/dL), and 16/98 were hyperglobulinemic (≥4.4 g/dL). Hyperglobulinemia was associated with a higher anion gap (P = 0.0005), lower bicarbonate (P = 0.006), sodium (P = 0.03) and chloride concentrations (P = 0.002), and higher total protein than hypoglobulinemic horses (P < 0.0001). For location, 37% of horses with mucocutaneous lymphoma were hypoglobulinemic, compared to none in the hyperglobulinemic group (P = 0.02). Survival times were significantly different between low, normal and high globulin groups (P = 0.0002, median [range] survival times: 333 [1–3792], 43 [1–4,001] and 4 [1–129] days, respectively). Significant risk factors for shortened time to death were hyperglobulinemia (HR 2.4, P = 0.02), T cell lymphoma (HR 3.5, P < 0.0001), and multicentric (HR 3.1, P = 0.0008) and mediastinal (HR 6.4, P = 0.006) forms of lymphoma. Lack of chemotherapy was associated with shortened survival time (HR 4.5, P < 0.0001). B cell lymphomas (P < 0.0001) and mucocutaneous lymphoma location (P < 0.0001) were associated with longer survival times.

Discussion

Serum globulin concentrations are associated with location of lymphoma, clinicopathologic abnormalities, and survival times in equine lymphoma.
CD4+ T lymphocyte recovery in the modern antiretroviral therapy era: Toward a new threshold for defining immunological non-responders
Authors: Taramasso Lucia , Labate Laura , Briano Federica , Brucci Giorgia , Mora Sara , Blanchi Sabrina , Giacomini Mauro , Bassetti Matteo , Di Biagio Antonio
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Despite the high level of efficacy of modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) in reducing HIV viremia and the control of viral replication, some people living with HIV (PLWH) do not recover their CD4+ T cell count.

Methods

To evaluate the frequency and predictive factors of discordant immune responses, we performed a retrospective cohort study of 324 antiretroviral-naïve PLWH who initiated first-line ART between 2008 and 2018 and maintained HIV RNA < 50 copies/ml during 36 months of follow-up. PLWH were defined as immunological non-responders (INRs) when CD4+ T cell count was < 20% compared with baseline (INR20%), or < 500 cells/mm3 (INR500) or < 200 cells/mm3 (INR200) at 36 months.

Results

The prevalence of INR20%, INR500, and INR200 was 12.5%, 34.6%, and 1.5%, respectively. After adjustment for possible confounders, CD4 nadir showed a significant association with all INR definitions, with lower values predicting INR500 (aOR 0.98, 95% CI 0.98–0.99, p < 0.001) and INR200 (aOR 0.98, 95% CI 0.95–1.01, p = 0.096). Moreover, a higher baseline CD4/CD8 ratio was inversely related to the probability of being INR500 (OR 0.03, 95% CI 0.01–0.12, p < 0.001) and INR200 (OR 0.002, 95% CI 18–7–67.72, p = 0.255). By contrast, INR20% had a higher CD4 nadir and CD4/CD8 ratio than other INRs, suggesting the identification of an heterogenous population with such definition.

Discussion

The present study highlights how INR200 has become rare in the contemporary ART era, and about one-third of PLWH meet the criteria for INR500. Overcoming the threshold of 500 CD4/mm3 could be an appropriate definition of immune response, in contrast with the older definitions of INR200 and INR20%. Early diagnosis and rapid treatment initiation, before CD4 counts and the CD4/CD8 ratio begin to decline, are critical for achieving an optimal immune response.
Lecto-escritura del español como segunda lengua en la educación de niños sordos
Authors: Álvarez-Escobar María Lorena , Arroyo-Lewin María Angélica , Bermúdez-García José Ángel
Published: January 2023

El presente trabajo analiza la problemática en la que se encuentran inmersas personas sordas en un ambiente oral y letrado, el cual, es poco significativo y muchas veces inaccesible por su condición viso-gestual. El aprendizaje de la lectura y la escritura en niños sordos ha motivado una serie de interrogantes asociadas a las dificultades de comprensión y expresión escrita, la relación que guarda con sus propias limitaciones sensoriales y al uso de distintos métodos de enseñanza de la lectoescritura. El objetivo de la investigación, es determinar los factores asociados a los procesos de lectoescritura del español como segunda lengua, en estudiantes sordos de Educación Básica Elemental. Para la ejecución de este estudio se empleó una metodología interpretativa, cuyo escenario corresponde a una unidad educativa especializada para niños y adolescentes sordos. En cuanto a la población y muestra, estuvo compuesta por los estudiantes de segundo, tercer y cuarto grado de Educación General Básica y sus respectivos maestros. Entre los resultados se evidenció un logro limitado en la adquisición del manejo de habilidades lingüísticas ligadas a la lectura y la escritura en el idioma español; además, de falta de motivación por su aprendizaje y el uso de estrategias poco contextualizadas para la enseñanza de una segunda lengua. El estudio concluye con la necesidad de una capacitación docente encaminada a emplear técnicas significativas y métodos globales para la enseñanza de la lectoescritura.
Use of Graphical and Numerical Approaches for Diallel Analysis of Grain Yield and Its Attributes in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Varying Environmental Conditions
Authors: Chaudhari Gita R. , Patel D. A. , Kalola A. D. , Kumar Sushil
Published: January 2023

Improving yield is the main aim of plant breeders. In the case of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), a major challenge in this regard is genotype–environment interactions, and a knowledge of these is required to successfully select high-yielding genotypes. In this study, graphical and numerical approaches of diallel analysis have been used to reveal such interactions. Ten different wheat genotypes were crossed using a half-diallel approach. The parents, hybrids, and standard checks were evaluated at the Regional Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat, Anand, India under both standard and late-sown conditions in two separate years (E1 and E2 (normal-18 November 2018 and late sown-10 December 2018, respectively, Rabi 2018–2019), E3 and E4 (normal-18 November 2019 and late sown-10 December 2019, respectively, Rabi 2019–2020)). For each sowing, ‘t2’ values were calculated for eleven phenotypic characteristics: days to 50% heading, days to maturity, plant height, number of effective tillers per plant, length of main stem, number of spikelets per main spike, number of grains per main spike, grain yield per main spike, grain yield per plant, 1000-grain weight, and harvest index. Components of the gene effect revealed that the number of spikelets per main spike in E2 and E4, and the number of grains per main spike in E2 were governed by both additive and dominance gene action across the environments. Other characteristics were the greater influence of the dominance gene effect, except for days to 50% heading in E1, E2, E3, and E4; days to maturity in E2, E3, and E4; grain yield per main spike in E4. Many characteristics exhibited overdominance, an asymmetrical distribution of positive–negative, dominance–recessive genes, and narrow-sense heritability in all environments. In graphical analysis, regression value ‘b’ was unity for days to 50% heading (E1 and E4) and 1000-grain weight (E3 and E4), which revealed an absence of digenic interactions for these characteristics in the respective environments. Therefore, a given population may be improved to isolate superior recombinants for the development of desired parents in future breeding programs.
Detoxification of Toxic Organic Dye by Heteroatom-Doped Fluorescent Carbon Dots Prepared by Green Hydrothermal Method Using Garcinia mangostana Extract
Authors: Arul Velusamy , Radhakrishnan Kothalam , Sampathkumar Natarajan , Vinoth Kumar Jothi , Abirami Natarajan , Inbaraj Baskaran Stephen
Published: January 2023

In this work, nitrogen- and oxygen-doped fluorescent carbon dots (NOFCDs) were prepared using a simple green hydrothermal carbonization technique. Aqueous ammonia and the plant extract of Garcinia mangostana were used as a source of nitrogen and carbon, respectively. The prepared NOFCDs were examined using a variety of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques for physicochemical characterization. Fluorescence and UV–visible spectroscopy measurements were used to analyze the NOFCDs’ excitation-dependent fluorescent emission and absorption nature. It is observed that fluorescence intensity was excited at 320 nm and the strongest emission peak absorbed at 405 nm. The HRTEM imaging revealed NOFCDs to be spherical in shape with particle size at 3.58 nm. Moreover, the amorphous nature of NOFCDs was verified by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and SAED pattern techniques. Through FTIR, XPS, and EDS investigations, the doping of nitrogen and oxygen over the surface of the NOFCDs was evaluated and validated. The presence of carboxylic, amine, hydroxyl, and carbonyl functional groups on NOFCDs’ surface was shown by XPS and FTIR investigations. By using NaBH4, the obtained NOFCDs were demonstrated to possess excellent catalytic activity in the detoxification of methylene blue. Overall, this study revealed that the NOFCDs synthesized from green sources could be a promising material for catalytic and environmental remediation applications.
There You Are! Automated Detection of Indris’ Songs on Features Extracted from Passive Acoustic Recordings
Authors: Ravaglia Davide , Ferrario Valeria , De Gregorio Chiara , Carugati Filippo , Raimondi Teresa , Cristiano Walter , Torti Valeria , Hardenberg Achaz Von , Ratsimbazafy Jonah , Valente Daria , Giacoma Cristina , Gamba Marco
Published: January 2023

The growing concern for the ongoing biodiversity loss drives researchers towards practical and large-scale automated systems to monitor wild animal populations. Primates, with most species threatened by extinction, face substantial risks. We focused on the vocal activity of the indri (Indri indri) recorded in Maromizaha Forest (Madagascar) from 2019 to 2021 via passive acoustics, a method increasingly used for monitoring activities in different environments. We first used indris’ songs, loud distinctive vocal sequences, to detect the species’ presence. We processed the raw data (66,443 10-min recordings) and extracted acoustic features based on the third-octave band system. We then analysed the features extracted from three datasets, divided according to sampling year, site, and recorder type, with a convolutional neural network that was able to generalise to recording sites and previously unsampled periods via data augmentation and transfer learning. For the three datasets, our network detected the song presence with high accuracy (>90%) and recall (>80%) values. Once provided the model with the time and day of recording, the high-performance values ensured that the classification process could accurately depict both daily and annual habits of indris‘ singing pattern, critical information to optimise field data collection. Overall, using this easy-to-implement species-specific detection workflow as a preprocessing method allows researchers to reduce the time dedicated to manual classification.
Hematological and Serum Biochemical Values of Free-Ranging Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Poland
Authors: Karpiński Mirosław , Czyżowski Piotr , Beeger Sławomir , Flis Marian
Published: January 2023

This study presents the hematological and serum biochemical values of physically captured roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The study material was blood sampled from roe deer captured with the use of a specialist trap mesh and no anesthesia. Blood samples were collected from 122 roe deer from January to April in 2016, 2017, and 2018 in the Lublin region of Poland. The hematological and biochemical variables were determined with results showing statistically significant differences between the mean values of RBC, HCT, and HB according to sex. Reference intervals should be more specific to the broad physical versus chemical capture categories.
Conventional Hospitalization versus Sequential Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy for Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: Post-Hoc Analysis of a Multicenter Observational Cohort
Authors: Castillo-Fernández Nerea , Pérez-Crespo Pedro María Martínez , Salamanca-Rivera Elena , Herrera-Hidalgo Laura , de Alarcón Arístides , Navarro-Amuedo María Dolores , Marrodán Ciordia Teresa , Pérez-Rodríguez María Teresa , Sevilla-Blanco Juan , Jover-Saenz Alfredo , Fernández-Suárez Jonathan , Armiñanzas-Castillo Carlos , Reguera-Iglesias José María , Natera Kindelán Clara , Boix-Palop Lucía , León Jiménez Eva , Galán-Sánchez Fátima , del Arco Jiménez Alfonso , Bahamonde-Carrasco Alberto , Vinuesa García David , Smithson Amat Alejandro , Cuquet Pedragosa Jordi , Reche Molina Isabel María , Pérez Camacho Inés , Merino de Lucas Esperanza , Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez Belén , Rodríguez Baño Jesús , López Cortés Luis Eduardo
Published: January 2023

It is not known whether sequential outpatient parenteral antimicrobial (OPAT) is as safe and effective as conventional hospitalization in patients with S. aureus bacteremia (SAB). A post-hoc analysis of the comparative effectiveness of conventional hospitalization versus sequential OPAT was performed in two prospective Spanish cohorts of patients with S. aureus bacteremia. The PROBAC cohort is a national, multicenter, prospective observational cohort of patients diagnosed in 22 Spanish hospitals between October 2016 and March 2017. The DOMUS OPAT cohort is a prospective observational cohort including patients from two university hospitals in Seville, Spain from 2012 to 2021. Multivariate regression was performed, including a propensity score (PS) for receiving OPAT, stratified analysis according to PS quartiles, and matched pair analyses based on PS. Four hundred and thirteen patients were included in the analysis: 150 in sequential OPAT and 263 in the full hospitalization therapy group. In multivariate analysis, including PS and center effect as covariates, 60-day treatment failure was lower in the OPAT group than in the full hospitalization group (p < 0.001; OR 0.275, 95%CI 0.129–0.584). In the PS-based matched analyses, sequential treatment under OPAT was not associated with higher 60-day treatment failure (p = 0.253; adjusted OR 0.660; % CI 0.324–1.345). OPAT is a safe and effective alternative to conventional in-patient therapy for completion of treatment in well-selected patients with SAB, mainly those associated with a low-risk source and without end-stage kidney disease.
A Novel Combination Method of a Convolutional Neural Network and Energy Operators for the Detection of Change-Points in Electromyographic Signals
Authors: Wang Shenglin , Zhu Shifan , Shang Zhen
Published: January 2023

Currently, neural network algorithms based on time-domain features are used for change-point detection problems, and they have proven to be effective. However, due to the instability of human biosignals, establishing a training dataset with labels is difficult. For supervised learning methods, wherein parameters are updated on a small sample set through a feed-forward mechanism, it is difficult to ascertain the degree to which the performance of the trained neural network corresponds to the overfitting of the dataset upon which the network was trained. To this end, this paper attempted to directly replace the parameters in the convolutional neural network that need to be updated by training. A method based on the combination of the Teager–Kaiser energy operator (TKEO) and the convolutional neural network is proposed. We tested the proposed method on simulated EMG data with different signal-to-noise ratios and real data with labels, respectively. Compared with multiple detection methods, the proposed method had significant advantages in terms of reliability, accuracy, and computational speed. Furthermore, the proposed method does not require any prior knowledge about the signal, lending itself to be flexible and adaptable to any application. It may be a promising alternative to solving change-point detection problems.
Anisortopic Modeling of Hydraulic Fractures Height Growth in the Anadarko Basin
Authors: Merzoug Ahmed , Ellafi Abdulaziz , Rasouli Vamegh , Jabbari Hadi
Published: January 2023

Correct estimation of hydraulic fracture height growth is a critical step in the design of Hydraulic Fracturing (HF) treatment, as it maximizes the reservoir stimulation and returns on investment. The height of the fractures is governed by several in situ conditions, especially stress variation with depth. The common workflow to estimate stress is by building the mechanical earth model (MEM) and calibrating it using the Diagnostic Fracture Injection Test (DFIT). However, DFIT interpretation is a complex task, and depending on the method used, different results may be obtained that will consequently affect the predicted hydraulic fracture height. This work used the tangent and compliance methods for DFIT interpretation, along with isotropic and anisotropic stress profiles, to estimate the HF height growth using numerical modeling in a 3D planar HF simulator. Data from two wells in the Anadarko Basin were used in this study. The predicted height was compared with microseismic data. The results showed that even though the tangent method fits better to the isotropic stress profile, HF did not match with the microseismic data. On the contrary, the anisotropic stress profile showed a good match between the compliance DFIT model and the microseismic events. Based on the discussions presented in this study, the validity of the DFIT interpretation is debatable, and when the formations are anisotropic, the isotropic model fails to correctly estimate the minimum stress profile, which is the main input for the estimation of the fracture height. This is in addition to the fact that some researchers have questioned the use of the tangent method in low-permeability formations.
(Pro)Renin Receptor Antagonism Attenuates High-Fat-Diet–Induced Hepatic Steatosis
Authors: Gayban Ariana Julia B. , Souza Lucas A. C. , Cooper Silvana G. , Regalado Erick , Kleemann Robert , Feng Earley Yumei
Published: January 2023

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) comprises a spectrum of liver damage directly related to diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. The (pro)renin receptor (PRR) has recently been demonstrated to play a role in glucose and lipid metabolism. Here, we test the hypothesis that the PRR regulates the development of diet-induced hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. C57Bl/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or normal-fat diet (NFD) with matching calories for 6 weeks. An 8-week methionine choline-deficient (MCD) diet was used to induce fibrosis. Two weeks following diet treatment, mice were implanted with a subcutaneous osmotic pump delivering either the peptide PRR antagonist, PRO20, or scrambled peptide for 4 or 6 weeks. Mice fed a 6-week HFD exhibited increased liver lipid accumulation and liver triglyceride content compared with NFD-fed mice. Importantly, PRO20 treatment reduced hepatic lipid accumulation in HFD-fed mice without affecting body weight or blood glucose. Furthermore, PRR antagonism attenuated HFD-induced steatosis, particularly microvesicular steatosis. In the MCD diet model, the percentage of collagen area was reduced in PRO20-treated compared with control mice. PRO20 treatment also significantly decreased levels of liver alanine aminotransferase, an indicator of liver damage, in MCD-fed mice compared with controls. Mechanistically, we found that PRR antagonism prevented HFD-induced increases in PPARγ and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 3 expression in the liver. Taken together, our findings establish the involvement of the PRR in liver triglyceride synthesis and suggest the therapeutic potential of PRR antagonism for the treatment of liver steatosis and fibrosis in NAFLD.
Biomechanical Research Methods Used in Acrobatic Gymnastics: A Systematic Review
Authors: Leite Isaura , Fonseca Pedro , Ávila-Carvalho Lurdes , Vilas-Boas João Paulo , Goethel Márcio , Mochizuki Luis , Conceição Filipe
Published: January 2023

The biomechanical analysis of Acrobatic Gymnastics elements has not been extensively explored in scientific research to date. Due to the increased challenge of implementing experimental protocols and collecting data from multiple individuals, it is required to develop strategies that allow a safe, valid and reproducible methodology. This work aims to collect information and systematically analyze the biomechanical approach in Acrobatic Gymnastics to date. A search was conducted in the Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, PubMed and ISBS databases. After the selection and quality-control phases, fourteen documents were included. The results revealed that the biomechanical research in Acrobatics has been focused on balance evaluation, in which the force plate and the center of pressure are the most used instrument and variable, respectively. Research has been focused on kinetics evaluation. Kinematics analysis of pair/group elements would provide scientific answers to unresolved problems, considering that Gymnastics provides almost limitless possibilities to study human motion. Researchers should focus on the type of element, difficulty degree, main characteristics, relationship between the instrument and floor surface specificity and safety conditions. We encourage gymnastics clubs and coaches to establish networks with biomechanics laboratories, allowing to bridge the gap between research and practice.
First Trimester Ultrasound Detection of Fetal Central Nervous System Anomalies
Authors: Ungureanu Delia Roxana , Drăgușin Roxana Cristina , Căpitănescu Răzvan Grigoraș , Zorilă Lucian , Ofițeru Anca Maria Istrate , Marinaș Cristian , Pătru Ciprian Laurențiu , Comănescu Alexandru Cristian , Comănescu Maria Cristina , Sîrbu Ovidiu Costinel , Vrabie Maria-Sidonia , Dijmărescu Lorena Anda , Streață Ioana , Burada Florin , Ioana Mihai , Drăgoescu Alice Nicoleta , Iliescu Dominic Gabriel
Published: January 2023

Objective: To evaluate the potential of the first-trimester ultrasound (US) features for the detection of central nervous system (CNS) anomalies. Methods/Methodology: This is a prospective one-center three-year study. Unselected singleton pregnant women were examined using an extended first-trimester anomaly scan (FTAS) that included the CNS assessment: the calvaria shape, the septum (falx cerebri), the aspect of the lateral ventricles, the presence of the third ventricle and aqueduct of Sylvius (AS) and the posterior brain morphometry: the fourth ventricle, namely intracranial translucency (IT), brain stem/brain stem–occipital bone ratio (BS/BSOB) and cisterna magna (CM). The spine and underlying skin were also evaluated. The cases were also followed during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and at delivery. FTAS efficiency to detect major CNS abnormalities was calculated. Results: We detected 17 cases with CNS major abnormalities in a population of 1943 first-trimester (FT) fetuses, including spina bifida with myelomeningocele, exencephaly-anencephaly, holoprosencephaly, hydrocephaly, cephalocele and Dandy-Walker malformation. The CNS features in the abnormal group are presented. In the second trimester (ST), we further diagnosed cases of corpus callosum agenesis, cerebellar hypoplasia, vein of Galen aneurysm and fetal infection features (ventriculomegaly, intraventricular bands, intraventricular cyst and hyperechoic foci), all declared normal at the FTAS. During the third trimester (TT) scan we identified a massive fetal cerebral haemorrhage absent at previous investigations. We report a detection rate of 72.7% of fetal brain anomalies in the FT using the proposed CNS parameters. The sensitivity of the examination protocol was 72.7%, and the specificity was 100%. Conclusion: A detailed FT CNS scan is feasible and efficient. The majority of cases of major CNS abnormalities can be detected early in pregnancy. The visualization rates of the CNS parameters in the FT are great with short, if any, additional investigation time. FT cerebral disorders such as haemorrhage or infections were missed in the FT even when an extended evaluation protocol was used.
A Secure Base for Entrepreneurship: Attachment Orientations and Entrepreneurial Tendencies
Authors: Segal Sandra , Mikulincer Mario , Hershkovitz Lihi , Meir Yuval , Nagar Tamir , Maaravi Yossi
Published: January 2023

Entrepreneurship catalyzes economic growth; it generates jobs, advances the economy and solves global challenges. Hence, it is crucial to understand the factors contributing to entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs’ development. While many studies have investigated intrapersonal factors for entrepreneurial tendencies, the present study focuses on a critical yet often overlooked interpersonal aspect: attachment orientations. Specifically, this article examines the relationship between adult attachment orientations and entrepreneurial tendencies. Three studies across three countries (Israel, the UK, and Singapore) indicated that an anxious attachment orientation in close relationships is negatively associated with enterprising tendencies. In Israel (Study 1) and Singapore (Study 2), avoidant attachment in close relationships was also negatively correlated to such tendencies. Overall, the more people feel secure in close relationships (lower scores on attachment anxiety or avoidance), the higher their enterprising tendencies. Limitations and future research suggestions are discussed.