bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical characterisation of the pull-up exercise
Authors: Garavaglia Lorenzo , Romanò Jacopo , Lazzari Fabio , Pittaccio Simone
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Performance is the benchmark to assess the level of an athlete: in this respect, a more precise qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the performance represents an important target to be achieved.

Methods

The work presents a possible method, based on the biomechanical evaluation of the motor exercise with an optoelectronic system, to characterise single or multiple repetitions of pull-ups of 12 athletes of sport climbing and sportive healthy subjects, monitoring and scoring the performance and the safety of the executions. The analysis includes the time courses of the segmental kinematics and some newly developed synthetic indices in the form of performance and safety scores.

Results

The time courses make it possible to analyse the linear and angular kinematics district-by-district and have a direct overview of the ranges of motion, the patterns of task execution, together with the possible strategies adopted to complete the exercise in terms of compensations. The proposed characterisation provides a condensed summary of the global execution quality and offers the possibility to identify which single biomechanical parameters are modified.

Conclusion

The method is intended as a practical tool to enrich the training schedule in terms of the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the performances and to increase the self-awareness while training.
Surface and subsurface structural mapping for delineating the active emergency spillway fault, Aswan, Egypt, using integrated geophysical data
Authors: El Bohoty Mohamed , Ghamry Essam , Hamed Ahmed , Khalifa Mohamed , Taha Ayman , Meneisy Ahmed
Published: July 2023

The High Dam is one of the world’s biggest embankments dams. Moreover, the new city of Aswan, which locates on the western side of the Nile River, is one of the cities that was established to overcome the growing population problem. Therefore, the detailed geophysical studies for the active faults are of more importance for assessing the seismic stability for both of them. Indeed, the emergency spillway fault was documented as a normal and inactive fault. While, a moderate earthquake (ML = 4.6) was recorded along this fault in 2010, about 4.5 km away from the Dam. Hence, its activity must be re-evaluated. The seismic activity along the fault and its extension has been studied. The seismicity distributions and the fault plane solution indicate normal faulting with a strike-slip component and shallow focal depth. Moreover, pore pressure and fluid diffusion play an essential role in fault activation process. On the other hand, the magnetic data for the research area was subjected to a detailed analysis. 2D spectrum analysis and 3D Euler deconvolution methods, were used to analyze and interpret the aeromagnetic anomaly data so as to better understand the tectonic framework of the study region. Finally, the integrated geophysical data delineate the trend of the emergency spillway fault which extends NW–SE. This fault could assist in updating the current seismic source model around the High Dam and new Aswan city for evaluating the seismic hazard for both of them.
Stressor Appraisals and Moderating Role of Forgiveness, Social Support, and Resilience as Adaptive Coping in Stress and Depression Among Older Sexual Minorities
Authors: Dejanipont Bunyong , Wang Chiachih , Jenkins Sharon , Ta Anh , Prybutok Victor , Vosvick Mark
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Compared to straight people, older sexual minorities are at a higher risk of experiencing depression because they encounter additional stressors related to sexual minority status. Nonetheless, the stressor appraisal process and the coping mechanism employed by sexual minority older adults remain understudied. Additionally, research on forgiveness in sexual minorities is scant, especially among older populations. This study examines the extent to which negative social interactions and shame about sexual minority identity explain perceived stress that underlines depression and the relative importance of forgiveness, social support, and resilience in forming adaptive coping, which moderates between stress and depression among sexual minority older adults.

Methods

We used hierarchical component models in structural equation modeling to analyze data—collected in 2017—from a sample of 50 lesbian women and 50 gay men older than 50 years.

Results

Negative social interactions and shame due to heterosexism significantly predict perceived stress, which in turn significantly predicts depressive symptoms. Also, forgiveness is more powerful at forming adaptive coping than social support, while resilience is the most powerful. Moreover, adaptive coping significantly moderates between stress and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Forgiveness and resilience are more important than social support in buffering between stress and mental health problems among older lesbian women and gay men.

Policy Implications

Access to forgiveness interventions should be readily available within mental health settings to promote the mental wellbeing and adaptive coping of clients who experienced interpersonal transgressions or negative self-thoughts.
Spatio-functional organization in virocells of small uncultivated archaea from the deep biosphere
Authors: Banas Indra , Esser Sarah P , Turzynski Victoria , Soares André , Novikova Polina , May Patrick , Moraru Cristina , Hasenberg Mike , Rahlff Janina , Wilmes Paul , Klingl Andreas , Probst Alexander J
Published: July 2023

Despite important ecological roles posited for virocells (i.e., cells infected with viruses), studying individual cells in situ is technically challenging. We introduce here a novel correlative microscopic approach to study the ecophysiology of virocells. By conducting concerted virusFISH, 16S rRNA FISH, and scanning electron microscopy interrogations of uncultivated archaea, we linked morphologies of various altiarchaeal cells to corresponding phylogenetic signals and indigenous virus infections. While uninfected cells exhibited moderate separation between fluorescence signals of ribosomes and DNA, virocells displayed complete cellular segregation of chromosomal DNA from viral DNA, the latter co-localizing with host ribosome signals. A similar spatial separation was observed in dividing cells, with viral signals congregating near ribosomes at the septum. These observations suggest that replication of these uncultivated viruses occurs alongside host ribosomes, which are used to generate the required proteins for virion assembly. Heavily infected cells sometimes displayed virus-like particles attached to their surface, which agree with virus structures in cells observed via transmission electron microscopy. Consequently, this approach is the first to link genomes of uncultivated viruses to their respective structures and host cells. Our findings shed new light on the complex ecophysiology of archaeal virocells in deep subsurface biofilms and provide a solid framework for future in situ studies of virocells.
États-Unis : les 80 ans d’exploitation déjà sur les rails
Authors:   La rédaction
Published: July 2023

Quand on évoque le sujet de l’exploitation des réacteurs jusqu’à 60 ans et au-delà, le cas des États-Unis est souvent cité. Et pour cause : presque tous les réacteurs américains disposent déjà d’une licence d’exploitation jusqu’à 60 ans d’opérations, certains ayant même déjà reçu une licence jusqu’à 80 ans.
Homoeopathy in Psoriasis Vulgaris with Special Emphasis on Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homeopathy: An Evidence-Based Case Report
Authors: Purkait Rajib , Banerjee Abhiram , Choubey Gurudev
Published: July 2023

Background Psoriasis is a chronic multisystem inflammatory disease with predominantly skin and joint involvement. Ample evidences suggest that psoriasis patients improve under homoeopathic treatment. The main objective of this documentation is to find out whether such improvement can be attributable to the homoeopathic treatment.

Method A case of psoriasis vulgaris with the complaint of dry, scaly itching eruption on the extensor surface of both legs is presented here. Outcome-related to impact on daily living (ORIDL) was used to evaluate the patient-reported outcome related to his daily living, disease severity in the involved area was assessed by PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) scale and PDI (Psoriasis Disability Index) scale was used to assess the disease-specific quality of life. Photographs were taken as objective evidence after obtaining consent from the patient. The Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homeopathy (MONARCH) was used to find out the possible causal attribution of the treatment provided.

Result The ORIDL score of (+4) showed the major improvement from patient and physician's perspective. PASI score reduced from ‘11.2 to 0’ (documented in photographs) within a plausible timeframe. The duration of remission of the skin lesion continued for six months. Each domain of PDI score reduced (from ‘25 to 3′) imparting improved quality of life. The high total score (+9 in ‘−6 to 13’ scale) of MONARCH suggested the likelihood of improvement was attributable to the homoeopathic intervention. This case has evidently shown its marked improvement with validated outcome measures.
Fundamental insights into the correlation between chromosome configuration and transcription
Authors: Senapati Swayamshree , Irshad Inayat Ullah , Sharma Ajeet K , Kumar Hemant
Published: July 2023

Eukaryotic chromosomes exhibit a hierarchical organization that spans a spectrum of length scales, ranging from sub-regions known as loops, which typically comprise hundreds of base pairs, to much larger chromosome territories that can encompass a few mega base pairs. Chromosome conformation capture experiments that involve high-throughput sequencing methods combined with microscopy techniques have enabled a new understanding of inter- and intra-chromosomal interactions with unprecedented details. This information also provides mechanistic insights on the relationship between genome architecture and gene expression. In this article, we review the recent findings on three-dimensional interactions among chromosomes at the compartment, topologically associating domain, and loop levels and the impact of these interactions on the transcription process. We also discuss current understanding of various biophysical processes involved in multi-layer structural organization of chromosomes. Then, we discuss the relationships between gene expression and genome structure from perturbative genome-wide association studies. Furthermore, for a better understanding of how chromosome architecture and function are linked, we emphasize the role of epigenetic modifications in the regulation of gene expression. Such an understanding of the relationship between genome architecture and gene expression can provide a new perspective on the range of potential future discoveries and therapeutic research.
Emergent dynamics in an astrocyte-neuronal network coupled via nitric oxide
Authors: Sharma Bhanu , Kumar Spandan , Ghosh Subhendu , Singh Vikram
Published: July 2023

In the brain, both neurons and glial cells work in conjunction with each other during information processing. Stimulation of neurons can induce calcium oscillations in astrocytes which in turn can affect neuronal calcium dynamics. The ‘glissandi’ effect is one such phenomenon, associated with a decrease in infraslow fluctuations, in which synchronized calcium oscillations propagate as a wave in hundreds of astrocytes. Nitric oxide molecules released from the astrocytes contribute to synaptic functions based on the underlying astrocyte–neuron interaction network. In this study, by defining an astrocyte–neuronal (A–N) calcium unit as an integrated circuit of one neuron and one astrocyte, we developed a minimal model of neuronal stimulus-dependent and NO-mediated emergence of calcium waves in astrocytes. Incorporating inter-unit communication via NO molecules, a coupled network of 1000 such A–N calcium units is developed in which multiple stable regimes were found to emerge in astrocytes. We examined the ranges of neuronal stimulus strength and the coupling strength between A–N calcium units that give rise to such dynamical behaviors. We also report that there exists a range of coupling strength, wherein units not receiving stimulus also start showing oscillations and become synchronized. Our results support the hypothesis that glissandi-like phenomena exhibiting synchronized calcium oscillations in astrocytes help in efficient synaptic transmission by reducing the energy demand of the process.
Beam dynamic design and study of a linac with variable output energy for an AB-BNCT facility
Authors: Li H.P. , Su H.Q. , Chen Y.Q. , Kong G.Q. , Wang F.Y. , Wang S. , Lu Y.R.
Published: July 2023

The Accelerator-based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (AB-BNCT) is being established worldwide as a future modality to start an era of in-hospital facilities. The most popular reaction for AB-BNCT is 7Li(p, n)7Be and high-flux neutron beams can be produced by bombarding lithium targets with low-energy proton beams. We chose the combined acceleration structure of Radio Frequency Quadrupole linac (RFQ) and Cross-bar H-mode DTL (CH-DTL) considering the compactness of the structure and the adjustment of output energy. The CW proton beam could be accelerated to 1.8 MeV by one RFQ cavity, and then to the final energy by one CH-DTL cavity. The output beam energy can be adjusted in the range of 2.2 MeV to 3.0 MeV with small beam loss and high beam quality, which could be achieved by controlling the feed power and RF phase of the CH-DTL. The variation of beam energy can meet requirements of the BNCT in treating tumors of different depths without adjusting structure of beam shaping assembly (BSA). The beam dynamics of the RFQ and DTL were completed to meet all requirements and the energy stability and adjustment method of output beam were investigated. In addition, we also performed the start-to-end beam tracking and error sensitivity analysis at last.
Entropic contribution to phenotype fitness
Authors: Catalán Pablo , Antonio García-Martín Juan , Aguirre Jacobo , Cuesta José A , Manrubia Susanna
Published: July 2023

All possible phenotypes are not equally accessible to evolving populations. In fact, only phenotypes of large size, i.e. those resulting from many different genotypes, are found in populations of sequences, presumably because they are easier to discover and maintain. Genotypes that map to these phenotypes usually form mostly connected genotype networks that percolate the space of sequences, thus guaranteeing access to a large set of alternative phenotypes. Within a given environment, where specific phenotypic traits become relevant for adaptation, the replicative ability of a phenotype and its overall fitness (in competition experiments with alternative phenotypes) can be estimated. Two primary questions arise: how do phenotype size, reproductive capability and topology of the genotype network affect the fitness of a phenotype? And, assuming that evolution is only able to access large phenotypes, what is the range of unattainable fitness values? In order to address these questions, we quantify the adaptive advantage of phenotypes of varying size and spectral radius in a two-peak landscape. We derive analytical relationships between the three variables (size, topology, and replicative ability) which are then tested through analysis of genotype-phenotype maps and simulations of population dynamics on such maps. Finally, we analytically show that the fraction of attainable phenotypes decreases with the length of the genotype, though its absolute number increases. The fact that most phenotypes are not visible to evolution very likely forbids the attainment of the highest peak in the landscape. Nevertheless, our results indicate that the relative fitness loss due to this limited accessibility is largely inconsequential for adaptation.
More than a spiny morphology: plastome variation in the prickly pear cacti (Opuntieae)
Authors: Köhler Matias , Reginato Marcelo , Jin Jian-Jun , Majure Lucas C
Published: July 2023

Background

Plastid genomes (plastomes) have long been recognized as highly conserved in their overall structure, size, gene arrangement and content among land plants. However, recent studies have shown that some lineages present unusual variations in some of these features. Members of the cactus family are one of these lineages, with distinct plastome structures reported across disparate lineages, including gene losses, inversions, boundary movements or loss of the canonical inverted repeat (IR) region. However, only a small fraction of cactus diversity has been analysed so far.

Methods

Here, we investigated plastome features of the tribe Opuntieae, the remarkable prickly pear cacti, which represent one of the most diverse and important lineages of Cactaceae. We assembled de novo the plastome of 43 species, representing a comprehensive sampling of the tribe, including all seven genera, and analysed their evolution in a phylogenetic comparative framework. Phylogenomic analyses with different datasets (full plastome sequences and genes only) were performed, followed by congruence analyses to assess signals underlying contentious nodes.

Key Results

Plastomes varied considerably in length, from 121 to 162 kbp, with striking differences in the content and size of the IR region (contraction and expansion events), including a lack of the canonical IR in some lineages and the pseudogenization or loss of some genes. Overall, nine different types of plastomes were reported, deviating in the presence of the IR region or the genes contained in the IR. Overall, plastome sequences resolved phylogenetic relationships within major clades of Opuntieae with high bootstrap values but presented some contentious nodes depending on the dataset analysed (e.g. whole plastome vs. genes only). Congruence analyses revealed that most plastidial regions lack phylogenetic resolution, while few markers are supporting the most likely topology. Likewise, alternative topologies are driven by a handful of plastome markers, suggesting recalcitrant nodes in the phylogeny.

Conclusions

Our study reveals a dynamic nature of plastome evolution across closely related lineages, shedding light on peculiar features of plastomes. Variation of plastome types across Opuntieae is remarkable in size, structure and content and can be important for the recognition of species in some major clades. Unravelling connections between the causes of plastome variation and the consequences for species biology, physiology, ecology, diversification and adaptation is a promising and ambitious endeavour in cactus research. Although plastome data resolved major phylogenetic relationships, the generation of nuclear genomic data is necessary to confront these hypotheses and assess the recalcitrant nodes further.
Zero-shot-capable identification of phage–host relationships with whole-genome sequence representation by contrastive learning
Authors: Zhang Yao-zhong , Liu Yunjie , Bai Zeheng , Fujimoto Kosuke , Uematsu Satoshi , Imoto Seiya
Published: July 2023

Accurately identifying phage–host relationships from their genome sequences is still challenging, especially for those phages and hosts with less homologous sequences. In this work, focusing on identifying the phage–host relationships at the species and genus level, we propose a contrastive learning based approach to learn whole-genome sequence embeddings that can take account of phage–host interactions (PHIs). Contrastive learning is used to make phages infecting the same hosts close to each other in the new representation space. Specifically, we rephrase whole-genome sequences with frequency chaos game representation (FCGR) and learn latent embeddings that ‘encapsulate’ phages and host relationships through contrastive learning. The contrastive learning method works well on the imbalanced dataset. Based on the learned embeddings, a proposed pipeline named CL4PHI can predict known hosts and unseen hosts in training. We compare our method with two recently proposed state-of-the-art learning-based methods on their benchmark datasets. The experiment results demonstrate that the proposed method using contrastive learning improves the prediction accuracy on known hosts and demonstrates a zero-shot prediction capability on unseen hosts.

In terms of potential applications, the rapid pace of genome sequencing across different species has resulted in a vast amount of whole-genome sequencing data that require efficient computational methods for identifying phage–host interactions. The proposed approach is expected to address this need by efficiently processing whole-genome sequences of phages and prokaryotic hosts and capturing features related to phage–host relationships for genome sequence representation. This approach can be used to accelerate the discovery of phage–host interactions and aid in the development of phage-based therapies for infectious diseases.
Citizen scientists can help advance the science and management of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams
Authors: Truchy Amélie , Csabai Zoltán , Mimeau Louise , Künne Annika , Pernecker Bálint , Bertin Willy , Pellizzaro Florent , Datry Thibault
Published: July 2023

Intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams are the world's dominant type of river ecosystem and are becoming more common because of global change. However, the inclusion of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams in water policies and management plans remains largely limited because monitoring schemes and tools are designed for perennial rivers. In the present article, we discuss how smartphone applications used by citizen scientists can quantify the extent and occurrence of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams. We also introduce a new app, DRYRivERS, specifically designed to monitor intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams. After a year of use, we counted more than 3600 observations from more than 1900 river reaches across 19 countries and four continents. Through three case studies, we then show that citizen science can improve our knowledge of the prevalence of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams in the landscape, enhance hydrological modeling and calibration, and guide managers in setting water abstraction restrictions. Together, our approach demonstrates how citizen science can be incorporated into environmental monitoring to better inform river management and policy.
Etiology, morphology, and outcomes of adrenal calcifications in 540 adult patients—a retrospective single-center study
Authors: Kittithaworn Annop , Dogra Prerna , Rahimi Leili , Sandooja Rashi , Bancos Irina
Published: July 2023

Sparse data are available on the etiology, morphology, clinical presentation, and outcomes of adrenal calcification. In this single-center retrospective study of 540 consecutive patients (median age 65 years, 45% women) with adrenal calcification on computed tomography (December 2017 to January 2021), most were discovered incidentally (472, 87%). The commonest etiology was idiopathic (389, 72%), followed by the adrenal tumor (113, 21%), hemorrhage (29, 5%), and infiltrative disease (7, 1%). Calcified adrenal tumors were predominantly benign (92, 81%) and primarily adenomas (63, 69%), whereas the most common calcified adrenal malignancy (16, 18%) was metastasis (12, 67%). Calcification (unilateral 94%, bilateral 6%) morphology varied from punctate (313, 58%) to coarse (165, 30%), linear/curvilinear (46, 9%), and rim-like (16, 3%). In summary, adrenal calcifications are usually incidentally discovered unilateral, punctate, or coarse lesions of unclear etiology. Most calcified adrenal tumors are benign and <20% malignant or pheochromocytomas.
Assessing the influence of preconception diet on female fertility: a systematic scoping review of observational studies
Authors: Alesi Simon , Habibi Nahal , Silva Thais Rasia , Cheung Nicole , Torkel Sophia , Tay Chau Thien , Quinteros Alejandra , Winter Hugo , Teede Helena , Mousa Aya , Grieger Jessica A , Moran Lisa J
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

Preconception diet is a proposed modifiable risk factor for infertility. However, there is no official guidance for women in the preconception period as to which dietary approaches may improve fertility.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

A comprehensive synthesis of the relevant evidence is key to determine the potentially effective dietary patterns and components as well as evidence gaps, and to provide information for nutritional recommendations for couples planning a pregnancy.

SEARCH METHODS

In this systematic scoping review, four electronic databases (Medline and EMBASE via Ovid processing, CAB Direct, and CINAHL via EBSCO) were searched for observational studies (prospective and retrospective cohort, cross-sectional, and case–control studies) from inception to 27 September 2021. Eligible studies included women of reproductive age during the preconception period, and evaluated exposures related to preconception diet and outcomes related to fertility. Results were synthesized using a descriptive approach.

OUTCOMES

A total of 36 studies were eligible for inclusion (31 prospective, 3 cross-sectional, and 2 case–control studies) and were published between 2007 and 2022. Of the assessed dietary exposures, increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet displayed the strongest and most consistent association with improved clinical pregnancy rates. Reducing trans fatty acids (TFAs), saturated fatty acids, and discretionary food intake (fast food and sugar-sweetened beverages) were associated with improvements in live birth, clinical pregnancy rates, and related ART outcomes. The dietary components of seafood, dairy, and soy demonstrated inconsistent findings across the few included studies.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

Due to heterogeneity and the limited available literature on most exposures, there is insufficient evidence to support any specific dietary approach for improving fertility. However, following some of the dietary approaches outlined in this review (anti-inflammatory diets, reducing TFA, and discretionary food intake) are consistent with broad healthy eating guidelines, have little to no associated risk, and offer a plausible set of possible benefits. This warrants further exploration in randomized controlled trials.
A remark on the characteristic elements of anticyclotomic Selmer groups of elliptic curves with complex multiplication at supersingular primes
Authors: Lei Antonio
Published: July 2023

Let $p\ge5$ be a prime number. Let $E/\mathbb{Q}$ be an elliptic curve with complex multiplication by an imaginary quadratic field K such that p is inert in K and that E has good reduction at p. Let $K_\infty$ be the anticyclotomic $\mathbb{Z}_p$-extension of K. Agboola–Howard defined Kobayashi-type signed Selmer groups of E over $K_\infty$ and showed that exactly one of them is cotorsion over the corresponding Iwasawa algebra. In this short note, we discuss a link between the characteristic ideals of the cotorsion signed Selmer group and the fine Selmer group building on a recent breakthrough of Burungale–Kobayashi–Ota on the structure of local points.
Epidemiological and Genetic Analyses of Schizophrenia and Breast Cancer
Authors: Tang Mingshuang , Wu Xueyao , Zhang Wenqiang , Cui Huijie , Zhang Li , Yan Peijing , Yang Chao , Wang Yutong , Chen Lin , Xiao Chenghan , Liu Yunjie , Zou Yanqiu , Yang Chunxia , Zhang Ling , Yao Yuqin , Liu Zhenmi , Li Jiayuan , Jiang Xia , Zhang Ben
Published: July 2023

Background and Hypothesis

While the phenotypic association between schizophrenia and breast cancer has been observed, the underlying intrinsic link is not adequately understood. We aim to conduct a comprehensive interrogation on both phenotypic and genetic relationships between schizophrenia and breast cancer.

Study Design

We first used data from UK Biobank to evaluate a phenotypic association and performed an updated meta-analysis incorporating existing cohort studies. We then leveraged genomic data to explore the shared genetic architecture through a genome-wide cross-trait design.

Study Results

Incorporating results of our observational analysis, meta-analysis of cohort studies suggested a significantly increased incidence of breast cancer among women with schizophrenia (RR = 1.30, 95% CIs = 1.14–1.48). A positive genomic correlation between schizophrenia and overall breast cancer was observed (rg = 0.12, P = 1.80 × 10−10), consistent across ER+ (rg  = 0.10, P = 5.74 × 10−7) and ER– subtypes (rg = 0.09, P = .003). This was further corroborated by four local signals. Cross-trait meta-analysis identified 23 pleiotropic loci between schizophrenia and breast cancer, including five novel loci. Gene-based analysis revealed 27 shared genes. Mendelian randomization demonstrated a significantly increased risk of overall breast cancer (OR = 1.07, P = 4.81 × 10−10) for genetically predisposed schizophrenia, which remained robust in subgroup analysis (ER+: OR = 1.10, P = 7.26 × 10−12; ER–: OR = 1.08, P = 3.50 × 10−6). No mediation effect and reverse causality was found.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates an intrinsic link underlying schizophrenia and breast cancer, which may inform tailored screening and management of breast cancer in schizophrenia.
Long-Term Field Application of a Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterial Consortium Suppressed Root-Knot Disease by Shaping the Rhizosphere Microbiota
Authors: Zhang Li-Na , Jiang Chun-Hao , Si Fangjie , Song Ning , Yang Wei , Zhu Yanze , Luo Yuming , Guo Jian-Hua
Published: July 2023

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are one of the most economically important plant parasitic nematodes, infecting almost all cultivated plants and resulting in severe yield losses every year. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been extensively used to prevent and control root-knot diseases and increase yield. In this study, the effect of a consortium of three PGPR strains (Bacillus cereus AR156, B. subtilis SM21, and Serratia sp. XY21; hereafter “BBS”) on root-knot disease of cucumber was evaluated. The application of BBS significantly reduced the severity of root-knot disease by 56 to 72%, increased yield by 36 to 55%, and improved fruit quality by 14 to 90% and soil properties by 1 to 90% relative to the control in the cucumber fields of the Nanjing suburb, Jiangsu Province, from 2015 to 2018. BBS altered the rhizosphere bacterial community. Compared with the control group, it significantly (false discovery rate, P < 0.05) increased the abundance of 14 bacterial genera that were negatively correlated with disease severity. Additionally, the redundancy analysis suggested that BBS-treated rhizosphere soil samples were dominated by disease-suppressive bacteria, including the genera Iamia, Kutzneria, Salinibacterium, Mycobacterium, Kribbella, Pseudonocardia, Sporichthya, Sphaerisporangium, Actinomadura, Flavisolibacter, Phenylobacterium, Bosea, Hyphomicrobium, Agrobacterium, Sphingomonas, and Nannocystis, which were positively related to total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total organic matter, dissolved organic carbon, [Formula: see text]-N, and available phosphorus contents. This suggests that BBS suppresses root-knot nematodes and improves the soil chemical properties of cucumber by altering the rhizosphere microbial community.
Functional outcomes after bilateral refractive lens exchange with a continuous-range-of-vision intraocular lens
Authors: Khoramnia Ramin , Baur Isabella D. , Łabuz Grzegorz , Köppe Maximilian K. , Hallak Mustafa K. , Auffarth Gerd U.
Published: July 2023

Purpose:

To clinically evaluate a diffractive continuous-range-of-vision intraocular lens (IOL) that combines bifocal and extended depth-of-focus technologies in refractive lens exchange (RLE) patients.

Setting:

University eye clinic.

Design:

Prospective interventional clinical study.

Methods:

Bilateral implantation of the TECNIS Synergy IOL was performed during a RLE procedure in 28 patients. At 3 months postoperatively, uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, uncorrected (UIVA) and distance-corrected (DCIVA) intermediate visual acuities at 80 cm, and uncorrected (UNVA) and distance-corrected (DCNVA) near visual acuities at 40 cm were assessed. Defocus curve testing and contrast sensitivity testing were also performed.

Results:

Binocular UDVA and CDVA of 56 eyes (28 patients) were −0.06 ± 0.07 logMAR and −0.13 ± 0.05 logMAR, respectively. UIVA and DCIVA were −0.06 ± 0.05 logMAR and −0.08 ± 0.06 logMAR, and UNVA and DCNVA were −0.01 ± 0.07 logMAR and −0.04 ± 0.07 logMAR. The defocus curve revealed a visual acuity of 0.10 logMAR or better from +0.50 to −3.00 diopters (D). Photopic contrast sensitivity at spatial frequencies 3.0, 6.0, 12.0, and 18.0 was 1.68 ± 0.20, 1.77 ± 0.19, 1.45 ± 0.18, and 1.02 ± 0.19 log units, respectively. Mesopic contrast sensitivity at the same frequencies was 1.56 ± 0.20, 1.44 ± 0.25, 0.92 ± 0.38, and 0.44 ± 0.37, respectively.

Conclusions:

The Synergy IOL provided very good distance, intermediate, and near visual outcomes. A visual acuity of 0.10 logMAR or better was achieved from +0.50 to −3.0 D. Contrast sensitivity was within the normal range.
The Impact of an Electronic Best Practice Advisory on Patients' Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Risk Profile
Authors: McCarthy Margaret M. , Szerencsy Adam , Fletcher Jason , Taza-Rocano Leslie , Weintraub Howard , Hopkins Stephanie , Applebaum Robert , Schwartzbard Arthur , Mann Devin , D'Eramo Melkus Gail , Vorderstrasse Allison , Katz Stuart D.
Published: July 2023

Background

Regular physical activity (PA) is a component of cardiovascular health and is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, only about half of US adults achieved the current PA recommendations.

Objective

The study purpose was to implement PA counseling using a clinical decision support tool in a preventive cardiology clinic and to assess changes in CVD risk factors in a sample of patients enrolled over 12 weeks of PA monitoring.

Methods

This intervention, piloted for 1 year, had 3 components embedded in the electronic health record: assessment of patients' PA, an electronic prompt for providers to counsel patients reporting low PA, and patient monitoring using a Fitbit. Cardiovascular disease risk factors included PA (self-report and Fitbit), body mass index, blood pressure, lipids, and cardiorespiratory fitness assessed with the 6-minute walk test. Depression and quality of life were also assessed. Paired t tests assessed changes in CVD risk.

Results

The sample who enrolled in the remote patient monitoring (n = 59) were primarily female (51%), White adults (76%) with a mean age of 61.13 ± 11.6 years. Self-reported PA significantly improved over 12 weeks (P = .005), but not Fitbit steps (P = .07). There was a significant improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness (469 ± 108 vs 494 ± 132 m, P = .0034), and 23 participants (42%) improved at least 25 m, signifying a clinically meaningful improvement. Only 4 participants were lost to follow-up over 12 weeks of monitoring.

Conclusions

Patients may need more frequent reminders to be active after an initial counseling session, perhaps getting automated messages based on their step counts syncing to their electronic health record.
The Feasibility of the Three-Dimensional Footswitch-Operated Robotic Arm Exoscope for Cochlear Implant Surgery
Authors: Karinen Eerika , Iso-Mustajärvi Matti , Dietz Aarno
Published: July 2023

Objective

To compare the three-dimensional (3D) footswitch-operated robotic arm exoscope with the operating microscope (OM) in cochlear implant surgery.

Study design

Matched case–control study.

Patients

Cochlear implantation was performed with the exoscope on unselected patients with normal temporal anatomy. The control group that underwent cochlear implantation with the OM was case matched with respect to age, anatomy, surgical technique, and type of anesthesia.

Interventions

Cochlear implantation performed with the 3D exoscope.

Main Outcome measures

Surgical time, occupation of the operation theater, surgical results, and user experience evaluated by a questionnaire.

Results

Eleven patients (13 ears) were successfully operated on with the exoscope. In the exoscope group, we observed one minor intraoperative complication, where the middle dura was exposed during mastoidectomy. Although no clear preference was evident for either device in the overall rating, the subdomain rating revealed that the exoscope’s image quality was deemed inferior, especially at higher magnifications where pixelation became noticeable. The exoscope received higher scores for usability, particularly excelling in terms of surgeon’s ergonomic and comfortability. There was a statistically significant difference in mean surgical time, 146 and 129 min for the exoscope and OM group, respectively.

Conclusions

Cochlear implant surgery was found to be feasible with a 3D exoscope. However, there is a learning curve to overcome regarding handling and the different quality of the image. The exoscope provides better ergonomics for the surgeon.
Differential Volume Increase of Endolymphatic Compartments in Ménière's Disease Is Inversely Associated With Membrane Thickness
Authors: Büki Béla , Ward Bryan K. , Santos Felipe
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Our aim in this study was to characterize the morphology of the endolymphatic compartment on histopathology in individuals with Ménière's disease (MD) and to determine why hydrops of the saccule is more pronounced than that of other compartments of the inner ear in MD.

Methods

Temporal bones from 9 patients with idiopathic MD and from 10 individuals without MD/endolymphatic hydrops were examined. The inner ear fluid compartments in normal ears, and ears with MD were three-dimensionally reconstructed and their volume was calculated. The thickness of the membranes of the labyrinth was measured, and both ruptures of the membranes and patency of the utriculoendolymphatic (UEV; Bast's) valve were assessed.

Results

In ears with MD, the saccule and the cochlear duct were most frequently hydropic; the utricle was involved approximately half as frequently. In ears without MD, the Reissner's membrane and the membranous wall of the saccule were thinner than that of the utricle and of the lateral semicircular canal (p < 0.01). The lateral semicircular canal did not show signs of hydrops. In all ears with MD in which the utricle exceeded the average volume of normals (6 of 12), the UEV was open or there was a rupture in the utricle.

Conclusion

Increases in endolymphatic pressure may cause a primary swelling of the apical cochlear duct and saccule, both of which have relatively thin membranes. Hydrops in the utricle may occur less frequently because of a thicker wall, because of a functioning UEV, and when the saccule has already occupied most of the vestibular perilymphatic space.
Are “buy X get X free” price promotions effective? An acquisition-transaction value perspective
Authors: Bhatt Siddharth Harshkant , Pai Dinesh Ramdas
Published: July 2023

Purpose

“Buy X Get X Free” promotions are popular across retail settings. Retailers promote a variety of products using this promotional frame. However, past research contains mixed findings about the effectiveness of this promotion compared to the straightforward discount on a single unit of a product. The goal of this research is to employ a theoretical lens to examine the effectiveness of “Buy X Get X Free” promotions.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical framework was tested in two experiments using different products and samples. The data collected from each experiment were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential techniques to assess support for the theoretical arguments.

Findings

Findings reveal that at identical levels of per-unit discount, the “Buy X Get X Free” promotion is perceived less favorably by consumers than a straightforward single-unit discount. Consumers perceive lower transaction value and acquisition value and, thereby, a lower purchase intention, from the “Buy X Get X Free” promotion compared to a single-unit discount.

Practical implications

This research was conducted keeping in mind the popularity of the “Buy X Get X Free” promotion in the real world. The findings caution retailers against indiscriminately using this promotional frame.

Originality/value

Using a theoretical lens, this research proposes and validates a framework to systematically examine consumers' perceptions of the two popular discount frames. The proposed theoretical framework provides a richer understanding of the underlying consumer psychology that drives the evaluation of these promotions. Further, primary data from lab experiments validates the framework. The research also helps advance the understanding of consumer evaluation of sales promotions in general.
Projecting complex categories: biodynamic wine producers’ online identity
Authors: Fox Kenneth A. , Wilson Grant Alexander
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how producers of biodynamic and sustainable wine portray their brand identity online.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses an inductive approach to qualitative content analysis of wine producers’ websites. The authors use a theoretical starting point based on the categorizations literature related to institutional scripts and identity projection.

Findings

Producers adopt identity templates similar to the provenance and glory templates established in extant research. They demonstrate templates of community, quality, spirituality and sustainability, but there is a break in the templates, and they adopt a pseudo-rationalist template, avoiding detailed descriptions of practices and underpinning philosophy, leaving any references to them opaque and ambiguous. This may be due to concerns over scientific skepticism or spiritual suspicion, or anticipation of a lack of consumer knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

The geographical location of the sample poses limitations to the results of the study. However, the study provides an examination of the nuances of self-categorization as it relates to identity projection, prompting further investigation into its positive and negative potential.

Practical implications

Research on the connection between quality perceptions and experience and credence attributes suggests producers should do more to emphasize the philosophy underpinning biodynamics.

Originality/value

The study contributes to research on marketing for inherently sustainable producers who may suffer potential negative reactions in general and biodynamic wine producers in particular. This study provides nuance to the understanding of negative reactions to novel and innovative wine production practices.
Inter‐municipal cooperation and local government perspectives on community health and wellbeing
Authors: Morgan Michelle J. , Stratford Elaine , Harpur Siobhan , Rowbotham Samantha , Chamberlain Dan
Published: July 2023

Globally, local governments face increasing service delivery demands and citizen expectations, including in relation to community health and wellbeing. Inter‐municipal cooperation is one strategy to respond to those demands. In Australia, however, there is limited empirical research about the types of inter‐municipal cooperation local governments engage in and about their perspectives on community health and wellbeing. Without such knowledge, limits are placed on strategies the sector can develop and deploy to collectively tackle complex issues that extend beyond municipal boundaries. Responding to that gap in research and those consequential challenges for strategy, we surveyed municipal personnel in all 29 local governments in the state of Tasmania and included questions to quantify inter‐municipal cooperation using social network analysis. Results show the extent to which local governments cooperate across seven domains and reveal that participants prioritised community health and wellbeing and described funding, collaboration, legislation, and systems thinking as ways to advance their contributions to that priority. We found social network analysis to be a useful method to measure inter‐municipal cooperation; however, further research into how and why local governments collaborate across diverse service types would help inform how those services can be enhanced, including for community health and wellbeing.

Points for practitioners

Inter‐municipal cooperation is important for local governments to manage resources with increasing service delivery demands and citizen expectations.

This Australian study shows how inter‐municipal cooperation can be quantified and articulated visually using social network analysis—a method that could measure changes over time and enable cross‐jurisdiction comparisons.

In Tasmania:

inter‐municipal cooperation occurs in distinct regional networks and more research about how and why these networks function across diverse service types could inform service enhancement; and

those in local government want to advance their contributions to community health and wellbeing and need support in the form of funding, collaboration, legislation, and systems thinking capacity.
Merging two eDNA metabarcoding approaches and citizen‐science‐based sampling to facilitate fish community monitoring along vast Sub‐Saharan coastlines
Authors: Burian Alfred , Bruce Kat , Tovela Erica , Bakker Judith , Balcells Laura , Bennett Rhett , Chordekar Sarah , Costa Hugo M. , Crampton‐Platt Alex , de Boer Hugo , Ross‐Gillespie Vere , de Sacramento Antonio , Sidat Naseeba , Simbine Luisa , Ready Jonathan , Tang Cuong , Mauvisseau Quentin
Published: July 2023

The coastline of Sub‐Saharan Africa hosts highly diverse fish communities of great conservation value, which are also key resources for local livelihoods. However, many costal ecosystems are threatened by overexploitation and their conservation state is frequently unknown due to their vast spatial extent and limited monitoring budgets. Here, we evaluated the potential of citizen science‐based eDNA surveys to alleviate such chronic data deficiencies and assessed fish communities in Mozambique using two 12S metabarcoding primer sets. Samples were either collected by scientific personnel or trained community members and results from the two metabarcoding primers were combined using a new data merging approach. Irrespective of the background of sampling personnel, a high average fish species richness was recorded (38 ± 20 OTUs per sample). Individual sections of the coastline largely differed in the occurrence of threatened and commercially important species, highlighting the need for regionally differentiated management strategies. A detailed comparison of the two applied primer sets revealed an important trade‐off in primer choice with MiFish primers amplifying a higher number of species but Riaz primers performing better in the detection of threatened fish species. This trade‐off could be partly resolved by applying our new data‐merging approach, which was especially designed to increase the robustness of multiprimer assessments in regions with poor reference libraries. Overall, our study provides encouraging results but also highlights that eDNA‐based monitoring will require further improvements of, for example, reference databases and local analytical infrastructure to facilitate routine applications in Sub‐Saharan Africa.