bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The health advantage of volunteering is larger for older and less healthy volunteers in Europe: a mega-analysis
Authors: de Wit Arjen , Qu Heng , Bekkers René
Published: March 2022

There is a vast literature on the health benefits associated with volunteering for volunteers. Such health advantages are likely to vary across groups of volunteers with different characteristics. The current paper aims to examine the health advantages of volunteering for European volunteers and explore heterogeneity in the association between volunteering and health. We carry out a mega-analysis on microdata from six panel surveys, covering 952,026 observations from 267,212 respondents in 22 European countries. We provide open access to the code we developed for data harmonization. We use ordinary least squares, fixed effects, first difference, and fixed effect quantile regressions to estimate how volunteering activities and changes therein are related to self-rated health for different groups. Our results indicate a small but consistently positive association between changes in volunteering and changes in health within individuals. This association is stronger for older adults. For respondents 60 years and older, within-person changes in volunteering are significantly related to changes in self-rated health. Additionally, the health advantage of volunteering is larger for respondents in worse health. The advantage is largest at the lowest decile and gradually declines along the health distribution. The magnitude of the association at the first decile is about twice the magnitude of the association at the ninth decile. These results suggest that volunteering may be more beneficial for the health of specific groups in society. With small health advantages from year to year, volunteering may protect older and less healthy adults from health decline in the long run.
Making Sense of ‘Mastery’: Understandings of a Policy Term Among a Sample of Teachers in England
Authors: Simpson Adrian , Wang Yuqian
Published: March 2022

This paper considers the term ‘mastery’ as used in mathematics education across different times and locations. A case study from England is offered to show how these pedagogical approaches morph as they move from one territory to another, in the context of each territory’s history. The paper first examines English policy documents, research and published curricula for their use of the term. This suggests that ‘mastery’ in England has become associated with mathematics teaching practices used in high-performing territories such as Singapore and Shanghai (China). But, the efforts to transport approaches predominately from East Asian sources, against the background of an existing Western set of meanings for the term, have led to considerable inconsistency in interpretations and definitions of the ‘mastery approach’. A subsequent case study of eight teachers involved in developing mastery approaches in England explores how they make sense of ‘mastery’ in the context of these inconsistent messages. We suggest that this generates challenges for teachers tasked with implementing mastery approaches, with the danger that anything can be done in the name of mastery.
Estimating Evapotranspiration of Pomegranate Trees Using Stochastic Configuration Networks (SCN) and UAV Multispectral Imagery
Authors: Niu Haoyu , Zhao Tiebiao , Wang Dong , Chen YangQuan
Published: March 2022

Evapotranspiration (ET) estimation is important in precision agriculture water management, such as evaluating soil moisture, drought monitoring, and assessing crop water stress. As a traditional method, evapotranspiration estimation using crop coefficient (Kc) has been commonly used. Since there are strong similarities between the Kc curve and the vegetation index curve, the crop coefficient Kc is usually estimated as a function of the vegetation index. Researchers have developed linear regression models for the Kc and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), usually derived from satellite imagery. However, the spatial resolution of the satellite image is often insufficient for crops with clumped canopy structures, such as vines and trees. Therefore, in this article, the authors used Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to collect high-resolution multispectral imagery in a pomegranate orchard located at the USDA-ARS, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, Parlier, CA. The Kc values were measured from a weighing lysimeter and the NDVI values were derived from UAV imagery. Then, the authors established a relationship between the NDVI and Kc by using a linear regression model and a stochastic configuration networks (SCN) model, respectively. Based on the research results, the linear regression model has an R2 of 0.975 and RMSE of 0.05. The SCN regression model has an R2 and RMSE value of 0.995 and 0.046, respectively. Compared with the linear regression model, the SCN model improved performance in predicting Kc from NDVI. Then, actual evapotranspiration was estimated and compared with lysimeter data in an experimental pomegranate orchard. The UAV imagery provided a spatial and tree-by-tree view of ET distribution.
Impact of China’s environmental decentralization on carbon emissions from energy consumption: an empirical study based on the dynamic spatial econometric model
Authors: Liu Xianzhao , Yang Xu
Published: March 2022

Facing the growing problem of carbon emission pollution, the scientific and reasonable division of environmental management power between governments is the premise and institutional foundation for realizing China’s carbon emission reduction target in 2030. In this article, we directly assess the degree of environmental decentralization according to the allocation of environmental managers among different levels of government. By incorporating fiscal decentralization indicators, the provincial panel data and dynamic spatial econometric model are used to empirically test the impact of environmental decentralization on carbon emissions from a spatial perspective. The results show that (1) China’s provincial carbon emissions have significant inertia dependence and spatial path dependence. The increase (decrease) of provincial carbon emissions will lead to the increase (decrease) of carbon emissions in neighboring regions. (2) At the national level, environmental decentralization, environmental administrative decentralization, and environmental monitoring decentralization significantly reduce China’s carbon emissions, while environmental supervision decentralization and fiscal decentralization significantly increase carbon emissions. Similarly, the interaction of environmental decentralization and its decomposition indicators and fiscal decentralization also significantly promotes carbon emissions, and the impact is related to the types of environmental management decentralization. (3) The carbon emission effects of environmental decentralization in different regions are heterogeneous. The inhibition effect of environmental decentralization, environmental administrative decentralization, and environmental monitoring decentralization on carbon emissions in the western region is significantly greater than that in the eastern and central regions, but the inhibitory effect of the interaction of environmental decentralization and its decomposition index and fiscal decentralization on carbon emissions in the eastern region was significantly stronger than that in the central and western regions. The above results provide theoretical support for China to construct a differentiated carbon emission environmental management system from two aspects of regional differences and environmental management power categories.
LVEF by Multigated Acquisition Scan Compared to Other Imaging Modalities in Cardio-Oncology: a Systematic Review
Authors: Printezi Markella I. , Yousif Laura I. E. , Kamphuis Janine A. M. , van Laake Linda W. , Cramer Maarten J. , Hobbelink Monique G. G. , Asselbergs Folkert W. , Teske Arco J.
Published: March 2022

Purpose of Review

The prevalence of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is increasing due to improved cancer survival. Serial monitoring of cardiac function is essential to detect CTRCD, guiding timely intervention strategies. Multigated radionuclide angiography (MUGA) has been the main screening tool using left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to monitor cardiac dysfunction. However, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) may be more suitable for serial assessment. We aimed to assess the concordance between different non-radiating imaging modalities with MUGA to determine whether they can be used interchangeably.

Recent Findings

In order to identify relevant studies, a PubMed search was performed. We included cross-sectional studies comparing MUGA LVEF to that of 2D TTE, 3D TTE, and CMR. From 470 articles, 22 were selected, comprising 1017 patients in total. Among others, this included three 3D TTE, seven 2D harmonic TTE + contrast (2DHC), and seven CMR comparisons. The correlations and Bland-Altman limits of agreement varied for CMR but were stronger for 3D TTE and 2DHC.

Our findings suggest that MUGA and CMR should not be used interchangeably whereas 3D TTE and 2DHC are appropriate alternatives following an initial MUGA scan. We propose a multimodality diagnostic imaging strategy for LVEF monitoring in patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Psychology as a historical science? Theoretical assumptions, methodological considerations, and potential pitfalls
Authors: Hutmacher Fabian , Mayrhofer Roland
Published: March 2022

The current condition of (Western) academic psychology can be criticized for various reasons. In the past years, many debates have been centered around the so-called “replication crisis” and the “WEIRD people problem”. However, one aspect which has received relatively little attention is the fact that psychological research is typically limited to currently living individuals, while the psychology of the past remains unexplored. We find that more research in the field of historical psychology is required to capture both the similarities and differences between psychological mechanisms both then and now. We begin by outlining the potential benefits of understanding psychology also as a historical science and explore these benefits using the example of stress. Finally, we consider methodological, ideological, and practical pitfalls, which could endanger the attempt to direct more attention toward cross-temporal variation. Nevertheless, we suggest that historical psychology would contribute to making academic psychology a truly universal endeavor that explores the psychology of all humans.
Social touch in the age of computational ethology: Embracing as a multidimensional and complex behaviour
Authors: Ocklenburg Sebastian , Packheiser Julian , Hidalgo-Gadea Guillermo
Published: March 2022

Social affective touch is an important aspect of close relationships in humans. It has been also observed in many non-human primate species. Despite the high relevance of behaviours like embraces for personal wellbeing and mental health, they remain vastly under-investigated in psychology. This may be because psychology often relies on a limited repertoire of behavioural measurements such as error rates and reaction time measurements. These are, however, insufficient to capture the multidimensional complexity of highly interactive dyadic behaviours like embraces. Based on recent advances in computational ethology in animal models, the rapidly emerging field of human computational ethology utilizes an accessible repertoire of machine learning methods to track and quantify complex natural behaviours. We highlight how such techniques can be utilized to investigate social touch and which preliminary conditions, motor aspects and higher-level interactions need to be considered. Ultimately, integration of computational ethology with mobile neuroscience techniques such as ultraportable EEG systems will allow for an ecologically valid investigation of social affective touch in humans that will advance psychological research of emotions.
Comparison of transient and permanent LAD ligation in mice using 18F-FDG PET imaging
Authors: Fischer Maximilian , Weinberger Tobias , Messerer Denise , Zacherl Mathias J. , Schulz Christian , Massberg Steffen , Bartenstein Peter , Lehner Sebastian , Boening Guido , Todica Andrei
Published: March 2022

Objective

Animal models for myocardial injuries represent important cornerstones in cardiovascular research to monitor the pathological processes and therapeutic approaches. We investigated the association of 18F-FDG derived left ventricular metabolic volume (LVMV), defect area and cardiac function in mice after permanent or transient ligation of the left anterior descending artery (LAD).

Methods

Serial non-invasive ECG-gated 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) after permanent or transient LAD ligation enabled a longitudinal in vivo correlation of 18F-FDG derived left ventricular metabolic volume to functional parameters and myocardial defect.

Results

The LVMV shows a more prominent drop after permanent than transient LAD ligation and recovers after 30 days. The loss of LVMV correlates with the defect area assessed by QPS software. Cardiac function parameters (e.g., EDV, ESV, SV) by the QGS software positively correlate with LVMV after permanent and transient LAD ligation.

Conclusions

This study provides novel insight into 18F-FDG derived LVMV after permanent and transient LAD ligation by longitudinal in 18F-FDG PET imaging and underlines the associations of the FDG derived parameter and cardiac function.
Unsteady interaction of crossflow instability with a forward-facing step
Authors: Rius-Vidales Alberto F. , Kotsonis Marios
Published: March 2022

Experiments have been conducted on a swept wing model in a low-turbulence wind tunnel at chord Reynolds number of

$2.17 \times 10^{6}$

to investigate the unsteady interaction of a forward-facing step (FFS) with incoming stationary crossflow (CF) vortices. The impact of varying the FFS height on the development and growth of primary and secondary CF disturbances and the ensuing laminar–turbulent transition is quantified through detailed hot-wire anemometry and infrared thermography measurements. The presence of the FFS results in either a critical (i.e. moderate transition advancement) or a supercritical behaviour (i.e. transition advancing abruptly to the FFS location). The arrival of the forced stationary CF vortices at the step is accompanied by their amplification. Unsteady analysis for the critical cases indicates temporal velocity fluctuations following closely the development of the baseline configuration (i.e. agreeing with the development of secondary instabilities). Consequently, laminar breakdown originates from the outer side of the upwelling region of the CF vortices. In contrast, for the supercritical FFS, the laminar breakdown unexpectedly originates from the inner side of the upwelling region. Evidence points to an unsteady mechanism possibly supported by locally enhanced spanwise-modulated shears and the recirculation region downstream of the FFS edge. This mechanism appears to govern the abrupt tripping of the flow in supercritical step cases. The findings in this work provide insight into the unsteady FFS–CF vortex interaction, which is pivotal to understanding the influence of an FFS on the laminar–turbulent boundary-layer transition in swept aerodynamic surfaces.
Optimal discounted drawdowns in a diffusion approximation under proportional reinsurance
Authors: Brinker Leonie Violetta , Schmidli Hanspeter
Published: March 2022

A diffusion approximation to a risk process under dynamic proportional reinsurance is considered. The goal is to minimise the discounted time in drawdown; that is, the time where the distance of the present surplus to the running maximum is larger than a given level
$d > 0$
. We calculate the value function and determine the optimal reinsurance strategy. We conclude that the drawdown measure stabilises process paths but has a drawback as it also prevents surpassing the initial maximum. That is, the insurer is, under the optimal strategy, not interested in any more profits. We therefore suggest using optimisation criteria that do not avoid future profits.
Hacking international organizations: The role of privileges, immunities, good faith and the principle of State sovereignty
Authors: Buchan Russell , Tsagourias Nicholas
Published: March 2022

This article examines the extent to which international law protects international organizations (IOs) from hacking operations committed by States. First, it analyzes whether hacking operations undertaken by member States and host States breach the privileges and immunities granted to IOs by their constitutive treaties, headquarters agreements, and conventions on privileges and immunities concerning the inviolability of their premises, property, assets, archives, documents and correspondence. The article also explores the question of whether hacking operations carried out by non-member States breach these provisions on the basis that they have passed into customary international law or because they attach to the international legal personality of IOs. Second, the article considers the question of whether hacking operations breach the principle of good faith. In this regard, it discusses the applicability of the principle of good faith to the relations between IOs, member States, host States and non-member States, and then considers how hacking operations impinge on a number of postulates emanating from good faith such as the pacta sunt servanda rule, the duty to respect the legal personality of IOs, the duties of loyalty, due regard and cooperation, and the duty not to abuse rights. Finally, the article examines the question of whether the principle of State sovereignty offers IOs indirect protection insofar as hacking can breach the sovereignty of the host State or the sovereignty of the State on whose cyber infrastructure the targeted data is resident.
Cross-biome antibiotic resistance decays after millions of years of soil development
Authors: Chen Qing-Lin , Hu Hang-Wei , Yan Zhen-Zhen , Zhu Yong-Guan , He Ji-Zheng , Delgado-Baquerizo Manuel
Published: March 2022

Soils harbor the most diverse naturally evolved antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) on Earth, with implications for human health and ecosystem functioning. How ARGs evolve as soils develop over centuries, to millennia (i.e., pedogenesis), remains poorly understood, which introduces uncertainty in predictions of the dynamics of ARGs under changing environmental conditions. Here we investigated changes in the soil resistome by analyzing 16 globally distributed soil chronosequences, from centuries to millennia, spanning a wide range of ecosystem types and substrate age ranges. We show that ARG abundance and diversity decline only after millions of years of soil development as observed in very old chronosequences. Moreover, our data show increases in soil organic carbon content and microbial biomass as soil develops that were negatively correlated with the abundance and diversity of soil ARGs. This work reveals natural dynamics of soil ARGs during pedogenesis and suggests that such ecological patterns are predictable, which together advances our understanding of the environmental drivers of ARGs in terrestrial environments.
Dual-lifetime luminescent probe for time-resolved ratiometric oxygen sensing and imaging
Authors: Yang Jun , Dai Peiling , Li Meng , Tang Man , Wu Qi , Liu Shujuan , Zhao Qiang , Zhang Kenneth Yin
Published: March 2022

A dual-lifetime luminescent polymer was used for time-resolved ratiometric imaging. Intracellular oxygen content was determined based on the response of the phosphorescence lifetime and the phosphorescence/fluorescence ratio toward oxygen quenching.
A detailed theoretical investigation to unravel the molecular mechanism of the ligand-free copper-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reaction
Authors: Rajalakshmi C. , Krishnan Anandhu , Saranya Salim , Anilkumar Gopinathan , Thomas Vibin Ipe
Published: March 2022

A DFT study into the mechanism of ligand-free Cu catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions of unsaturated halides with aryl boronic acid that portrays the effect of substrate molecules on reaction feasibility by acting as pseudo-ancillary ligands.
Transition to the viscoelastic regime in the thinning of polymer solutions
Authors: Rajesh Sreeram , Thiévenaz Virgile , Sauret Alban
Published: March 2022

The pinch-off of droplets of dilute polymer solutions features a transition from a Newtonian to a viscoelastic regime. We study this transition and show that it is characterized by a self-similar evolution of the strain rate.
Thermal neutron fluence measurement using a cadmium differential method at the laser-driven neutron source
Authors: Mori Takato , Yogo Akifumi , Hayakawa Takehito , Mirfayzi Seyed R , Lan Zechen , Wei Tianyun , Abe Yuki , Arikawa Yasunobu , Nakai Mitsuo , Mima Kunioki , Nishimura Hiroaki , Fujioka Shinsuke , Kodama Ryosuke
Published: March 2022

We produced high-energy neutrons by p + Be and d + Be reactions with protons and deuterons with continuous energies of up to 30 and 10 MeV/u, respectively, provided from laser-plasma interactions. Thermal neutrons were subsequently generated through deceleration by a small moderator with conjunction on the Be target. Here, we report the measurements on the thermal neutron fluence using the activation method with/without Cd filters. The unstable isotopes of 198Au, 56Mn, 60Co, and 181Hf were produced through (n, γ) reactions by a single laser shot. The nuclear reaction fractions were evaluated by measuring the γ-rays emitted from these unstable isotopes. The thermal neutron fluences from the four nuclides are consistent within their experimental uncertainties. The fluence is evaluated to be (2.2 ± 0.4) × 105 neutrons cm−2 at the distance of approximately 9 mm at 90° against the laser axis. The present result shows that the method to generate thermal neutrons from a compact neutron source with a diameter of 44 mm and length of 46 mm is expected to be a useful tool for various nuclear experiments and applications.
Cluster radioactivity around shell closures: correlation of half-lives with the energy levels of daughter nuclei
Authors: Ismail M , Adel A
Published: March 2022

The emission of Be, C, O, and Ne clusters from seven parent nuclei with neutron numbers around the neutron magicities N = 82 and 126 are considered. The universal decay law (UDL) formula, as well as the double-folding model derived from the Michigan three-range Yukawa–Paris NN interaction with zero- and finite-range exchange components, are utilized to compute the half-life time for 23 cluster decay processes. The calculations utilizing the UDL formula show satisfactory agreement with the experimental data. The reliable UDL formula is used to calculate log T
c for more than 1500 cluster emitters and its variation with the neutron number, N
d, of the daughter nuclei is presented. The behavior of log T
c with neutron number variation is studied and correlated to the energy levels of the daughter nuclei. For a neutron number N
d larger than the neutron magic number, log T
c increases almost linearly with increasing N
d, leaving the daughter nuclei in most cases with the same nuclear spin value. This linear behavior of log T
c results from equal nuclear spin values of the daughter nuclei. At the magic neutron number, the nuclear spin changes strongly and as a result log T
c increases as N
d decreases. Log T
c reaches to a maximum value when all the neutrons in the cluster are emitted from levels below the neutron gap. Leaving the daughter nuclei in the same spin produces almost linear variation of log T
c. For protons in various clusters emitted from the same level or the same group of levels, log T
c has almost the same value and the same behavior of variation with N
d. Also, the values of log T
c for specific types of cluster depend on the N to Z ratio for different isotopes of this cluster. From the available nuclear spin values, the neutron energy levels around the magic numbers are presented.
The vibration modal characteristics of drillstring in compound drilling
Authors: Yuan Heyi , Dong Guangjian , Chen Yingjie , Wang Qiang , Mi Guangyong
Published: March 2022

The compound drilling plays an important role in improving borehole quality. The modal analysis model of drillstring is established to analyze the modal of longitudinal vibration, lateral vibration and torsional vibration, respectively. Compared with longitudinal and torsional vibrations, the intrinsic frequency range of lateral vibration are smaller, and it is harder to prevent resonance by adjusting critical rotation speed in case of lateral vibration. The intrinsic frequency of drillstring decreases as drillstring length increases. The longer drillstring is, the larger the increase and the smaller the interval range between the intrinsic frequencies of orders will be. It is easier to cause resonance when the frequency of exciting forces changes. As the number of order increases, the intrinsic frequency of the three vibrations increases and their increase amplitude is: longitudinal vibration > torsional vibration > lateral vibration. The results are benefit for the drillstring design and improving the wellbore quality.
Advancement of power generation system by instalment of solar photovoltaic system for multiple wells: A Case Study
Authors: Singh Pushpendra , Sharma Kedar , Talwariya Akash
Published: March 2022

This paper proposes the solution for electricity issues in agriculture sector of particular location in Rajasthan. The issues reported about the availability of ground water and availability of Electricity from electric Grid. The study proposes a centralized solar photovoltaic system for available nearby open wells, which are being operated by diesel engine pump-sets, which emits greenhouse gases and pollute the environment. The proposed centralized photovoltaic system will provide power for submersible pump sets. The additional available power can be stored in batteries, utilized for charging the batteries of electrical vehicles or sell back to electric grid. This paper shows the cost analysis for proposed systems that can be applied and effective centralized solar photovoltaic system in the area considered for study. Centralized solar photovoltaic generation supply to different consumers in different slots and may increase the conflict between consumers, demand side management provide suitable solution to consumers is proposed and analyse in future work.
Should central bank liquidity be a vehicle for fiscal disciplining?
Authors: Vestergaard Jakob , Gabor Daniela
Published: March 2022

With notable exceptions, central banking scholars typically pay little attention to collateral frameworks, and therein, to the haircuts applied to the collateral assets pledged to access central bank liquidity. One such exception, Kjell Nyborg (2017) argues that the collateral policies adopted by the European Central Bank (ECB) aggravated the sovereign debt crisis and put the survival of the euro at risk. Drawing on the money view, we argue that Nyborg’s critique of the ECB’s crisis response is misguided and that his proposal to deepen and reinforce the ECBs role in the fiscal disciplining of member states via its collateral framework would be procyclical and destabilizing. We identify core principles for collateral policies suitable to stabilise market-based financial systems: (i) countercyclical haircuts, (ii) suspension of collateral valuation practices; and should these not be sufficient to abate collateral market liquidity strains, (iii) outright purchases of collateral assets.
Three-dimensional crustal and upper-mantle resistivity structure of Alberta, Canada: implications for Precambrian tectonics
Authors: Wang Enci , Unsworth Martyn
Published: March 2022

This paper describes the first detailed 3-D study of the Alberta basement using the magnetotelluric (MT) method. Long-period MT data were used to generate a 3-D electrical resistivity model of the crust and upper mantle beneath Alberta. The Western Canada Sedimentary Basin was imaged as a low-resistivity layer. A number of crustal and upper-mantle conductors were imaged and include: (1) the Red Deer conductor, (2) the Kiskatinaw conductor, (3) a conductor coincident with the Kimiwan oxygen isotope anomaly, (4) the southern Alberta–British Columbia conductor, (5) the Loverna block conductor and (6) a conductor beneath the Birch Mountain kimberlite field. Conductors (3) and (6) are newly identified in this study. All of these conductors can be related to past tectonic events associated with the assembly of Laurentia and subsequent kimberlite magmatism. The depth of the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary across Alberta varies from 150 to 300 km as defined from the 100 Ω m contour. Furthermore, the Snowbird tectonic zone in Alberta is characterized by a thick, resistive lithosphere.  Similarly, the diamondiferous Buffalo Head Hills kimberlite field is imaged with a thick, resistive lithosphere, both may indicate depletion. In contrast, the Birch Mountain kimberlite field is underlain by a pronounced conductor that extends through the lithosphere and may be the result of metasomatism.
The Sincerest Form of Flattery? Biosimilars in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Patil Seema A , Bhat Shubha , Limdi Jimmy K , Farraye Francis A , Cross Raymond K
Published: March 2022

Lay Summary

Biosimilar medications have the potential to significantly reduce the cost of treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Observational studies have shown similar efficacy and safety of biosimilars to biologic reference products. Shared decision-making is crucial to the successful implementation of these agents.
Time Course of Splenic Cytokine mRNA and Hormones during a Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in Toads
Authors: Floreste Felipe R , Titon Braz , Titon Stefanny C M , Muxel Sandra M , Gomes Fernando R , Assis Vania R
Published: March 2022

Synopsis

Inflammation comprises alterations in glucocorticoids (in amphibians, corticosterone—CORT) and melatonin (MEL) levels, two hormones with immunomodulatory effects on cytokine production in several vertebrates. Cytokines mediate inflammation progress differently depending on their function. While some are secreted during the acute phase of the immune response, others prevail during the resolution phase. Major efforts have been made to understand the interaction of endocrine mediators and cytokine production in endotherms, but little is known for ectotherms so far. Characterizing the stages of inflammation and their interplay with endocrine mediators is crucial for an assertive and integrative approach to amphibian physiology and ecoimmunology. Herein, we investigated CORT and MEL plasma levels as well as splenic cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10) mRNA levels during the progression of the inflammatory response in toads (Rhinella diptycha) in four time-points (1, 3, 6, and 18 h) after an immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using independent samples. Toads were responsive to LPS, with all hormones and cytokines affected by LPS. IL-1β and IL-6 were up-regulated after 1 h, but IL-1β decreased right after 3 h, while IL-6 sustained up-regulation throughout all time-points. IL-10 had not been detected until 6 h post-LPS-stimulation, when it showed up-regulation, along with a CORT increase at the same time-point. After 18 h, CORT levels were still high, and IL-1β was up-regulated again, along with up-regulated IL-6 and an IL-10 decrease. We also found positive correlations between IL-1β with IL-6 for LPS and saline groups. LPS-treated individuals showed an overall decrease in MEL plasma levels compared to saline counterparts. Our results showcase the early endocrine and molecular events of the amphibian immune response. We also report activation of the hypothalamus–pituitary–interrenal (HPI) axis during inflammation and increasing evidence for an immune–pineal axis to be described in amphibians.
Multiple and Diffuse Gliomas by 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT
Authors: García Vicente Ana María , Pérez-Beteta Julian , Bosque Jesús J. , Soriano Castrejón Ángel María , Pérez-García Víctor Manuel
Published: March 2022

Gliomas are characterized by an inherent diffuse and irregular morphology that prevents defining a boundary between tumor and healthy tissue, both in imaging assessment and surgical field. The effective identification of the extent of the disease in diffuse and multiple gliomas is crucial for their management but doing so by radiological means can be challenging. We present a broad spectrum of diffuse and multiple gliomas using 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT, demonstrating the potential of metabolic imaging in the evaluation of these gliomas, with implications in patient clinical management and outcome.
Discovery of a druggable copper-signaling pathway that drives cell plasticity and inflammation
Authors: Solier Stéphanie , Müller Sebastian , Cañeque Tatiana , Versini Antoine , Baron Leeroy , Gestraud Pierre , Servant Nicolas , Emam Laila , Mansart Arnaud , Pantoș G. Dan , Gandon Vincent , Sencio Valentin , Robil Cyril , Trottein François , Bègue Anne-Laure , Salmon Hélène , Durand Sylvère , Wu Ting-Di , Manel Nicolas , Puisieux Alain , Dawson Mark A. , Watson Sarah , Kroemer Guido , Annane Djillali , Rodriguez Raphaël
Published: March 2022

Inflammation is a complex physiological process triggered in response to harmful stimuli. It involves specialized cells of the immune system able to clear sources of cell injury and damaged tissues to promote repair. Excessive inflammation can occur as a result of infections and is a hallmark of several diseases. The molecular basis underlying inflammatory responses are not fully understood. Here, we show that the cell surface marker CD44, which characterizes activated immune cells, acts as a metal transporter that promotes copper uptake. We identified a chemically reactive pool of copper(II) in mitochondria of inflammatory macrophages that catalyzes NAD(H) redox cycling by activating hydrogen peroxide. Maintenance of NAD+ enables metabolic and epigenetic programming towards the inflammatory state. Targeting mitochondrial copper(II) with a rationally-designed dimer of metformin triggers distinct metabolic and epigenetic states that oppose macrophage activation. This drug reduces inflammation in mouse models of bacterial and viral (SARS-CoV-2) infections, improves well-being and increases survival. Identifying mechanisms that regulate the plasticity of immune cells provides the means to develop next-generation medicine. Our work illuminates the central role of copper as a regulator of cell plasticity and unveils a new therapeutic strategy based on metabolic reprogramming and the control of epigenetic cell states.
Antecedents and consequences of internet addiction among school and college students: evidence from India
Authors: Balasubramanian Nidhya , Parayitam Satyanarayana
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Internet addiction (IA) has become a global health problem. As the research on IA has progressed, this study aims to explore the antecedents and consequences of IA, particularly in the Indian context. A conceptual model was developed, and hypotheses were formulated based on the conceptual model and the hypotheses were tested.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigated 752 schools and collected students from the southern part of India. First, psychometric properties of the survey instrument were tested, and hierarchical regression was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results revealed that time spent on the internet every day is positively related to IA, internet experience in terms of years is positively related to IA, income and gender moderates the relationship between time spent every day on the internet and internet experience and IA and IA is positively related to time spent on networking, video streaming, short video apps, educational apps, chat apps, online shopping apps, money-involved apps, etc.

Practical implications

The outcomes of this study are essential for the school and college students and their parents. As IA has become chronic in the present-day digital world, it is necessary to take rectification measures to avoid facing the perils of IA. The conceptual model provides a simple framework of explaining how young students spend their time on the internet to become addicted gradually. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of controlling the younger generation's behavior, particularly regarding internet use.

Originality/value

This study is unique and innovative to the extent that it explores the antecedents of IA and the moderating role of gender and income in the relationship between the time spent on the internet and the IA. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, developing a conceptual model is the first of its kind to study school and college students in India.
Gender achievement gap in the national secondary education examination in Ethiopia
Authors: Abegaz Melaku , Eftekari Hossein
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper examines the gender achievement gap in the Ethiopian secondary education system using tenth-grade national examination results for the period 2002/03–2013/14.

Design/methodology/approach

Statistical tests are employed to determine equality of the average male and female GPAs (grade point average), and equality of the proportions of female and male test-takers in the upper and lower achievement distributions. Further, a panel fixed effects model is used to evaluate factors that affect the regional average GPAs by gender and to determine whether those factors could explain observed gender achievement gaps.

Findings

Results indicate statistically significant gender achievement gaps in all regional states and the capital city. The gap has been persistent with a minor declining trend and will not be closed if continued at the current trend. The authors also find that the regional average male and female test scores could be explained partially by factors such as pupil-teacher ratio, the proportion of rural students and access to secondary schools. These factors, however, cannot explain the observed gender achievement gap.

Originality/value

The study uses regional data collected from the annual educational abstracts published by the Ethiopian ministry of education. It investigates the trends of the gender achievement gaps across the regional states and overtime at the tenth-grade level. It depicts the persistence of the gap hindering girls from furthering their education.
Proof of Foreign Nationality and Citizenship Deprivation: Pham and Competing Approaches to Proof in the British Courts
Authors: Thwaites Rayner
Published: March 2022

This paper analyses competing approaches to proof of foreign nationality in the British courts, in the context of challenges to deprivation of citizenship. I argue that prevalent British approaches to proof, as on display in the Pham litigation and subsequent cases, are in unproductive tension with a fundamental principle of nationality law, namely that it is for each state to determine under its law who are its nationals. Prevalent British approaches elide this principle, effectively wresting interpretive authority over foreign nationality law away from the relevant foreign state. I argue for approaches focused on direct ascertainment of foreign nationality, as opposed to its reconstruction according to British standards.
Isoginkgetin inhibits inflammatory response in the fibroblast‐like synoviocytes of rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing matrix metallopeptidase 9 expression
Authors: Shao Nan , Feng Zhibo , Li Nannan
Published: March 2022

Inflammatory and invasive fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) contribute to the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Isoginkgetin (IGKG) has been identified as having anti‐inflammatory properties. This study investigated whether IGKG could be utilized to treat RA. Primary FLS were isolated from synovial tissues derived from six RA patients, which were over‐expressed with matrix metallopeptidase 9 and cultured with or without tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and then further treated with IGKG. IGKG down‐regulated the content of various interleukins (ILs), namely, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐8, in RA‐FLS supernatant with or without TNF‐α stimulation, with diminished migration and invasion properties as assayed by the transwell system. Furthermore, down‐regulated inflammatory cytokine secretion and down‐regulated migration and invasion properties could be reversed through matrix metallopeptidase 9 overexpression. Dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay indicated that IGKG could inhibit nuclear factor kappa B transcription activity. Western blot analysis also demonstrated that IGKG down‐regulated the expression of p‐IκBα, p‐p65, and MMP9. IGKG displayed the ability to inhibit the inflammatory response of RA‐FLS through the NF‐κB/MMP9 pathway with diminished migration and invasion.
Plant-associated fungi affect above- and belowground pest responses to soybean plants
Authors: Rivera-Vega Loren J. , Zhou Wenqing , Buchman Leah W. , Valencia Cesar U. , Jack Allison L. H. , Castillo Lopez Diana , Sword Gregory A.
Published: March 2022

Aim

The objective of this research was to screen fungal isolates originally isolated from cotton plants and measure their effects on the interactions between soybean and two aboveground pests (cabbage looper; Trichoplusia ni and soybean looper; Chrysodeixis includens) as well as a belowground pest (soybean cyst nematode; Heterodera glycines).

Methods and Results

For aboveground pests, we measured the leaf area consumed and larval weight. For our belowground pest tests, we measured shoot height, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight and number of cysts. Out of the 50 fungal isolates tested, we tested 30 fungi in the interaction with cabbage looper, 36 for soybean looper, 41 for soybean cyst nematode. We tested 23 isolates against all pests and identified multiple isolates that significantly changed the response of pests on inoculated soybean plants versus controls.

Conclusions

We identified three fungal isolates that significantly reduced both leaf area consumed aboveground by caterpillars and number of cysts produced belowground by nematodes. These isolates were an Epicoccum italicum, a Chaetomium undulatum and a Stemphylium majusculum.

Significance and Impact of Study

Overall, this study provides important insights into plant-fungal interactions and their effect on both above- and belowground pests. This study also highlights an important first step towards harnessing the potential of microbial inoculates as a tool for integrated pest management in soybeans.
The application and research progress of bacteriophages in food safety
Authors: Wang Zhihui , Zhao Xihong
Published: March 2022

The abuse of antibiotics and the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria aggravate the problem of food safety. Finding safe and efficient antibiotic substitutes is an inevitable demand for ensuring the safety of animal-derived food. Bacteriophages are a kind of virus that can infect bacteria, fungi or actinomycetes. They have advantages of simple structure, strong specificity and nontoxic side effects for the human body. Bacteriophages can not only differentiate live cells from dead ones but also detect bacteria in a viable but nonculturable state. These characteristics make bacteriophages more and more widely used in the food industry. This paper describes the concept and characteristics of bacteriophages, and introduces the application of bacteriophages in preharvest production, food processing, storage and sales. Several methods of using bacteriophages to detect foodborne pathogens are listed. Finally, the advantages and limitations of bacteriophages in the food industry are summarized, and the application prospect of bacteriophages in the food industry is discussed.
Análisis factorial confirmatorio de una escala de disposición al aprendizaje autodirigido en estudiantes de pedagogía chilenos
Authors: Cerda Cristian , León Miriam , Saiz José L. , Villegas Lorena
Published: March 2022

Esta investigación tuvo como propósito analizar la estructura factorial de una escala de disposición al aprendizaje autodirigido, identificando el mejor ajuste entre tres estructuras factoriales disponibles en la literatura. Adicionalmente, se analizó la relación entre los factores de la escala (autogestión, autocontrol y deseos de aprender) y las variables sexo (hombres 53.3 % y mujeres 46.7 %), situación académica (al día 55.7 % y no al día 44.3 %) y edad de los participantes (M = 21.9, DE = 3.4). Contestaron el instrumento, de 40 ítems, 546 estudiantes de pedagogía de una universidad pública ubicada en el sur de Chile. La estructura factorial con mejor ajuste (Autogestión RMSEA = 0.07, CFI = 0.95, TLI = 0.94, SRMR = 0.04; autocontrol RMSEA = 0.06, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.94, SRMR = 0.04 y deseos de aprender RMSEA = 0.08, CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.96, SRMR = 0.03) mostró que las variables autogestión y deseos de aprender presentan diferencias en situación académica (Autogestión t = -4.48, p < 0.001; deseos de aprender t = 4.34, p < 0.001), mientras que la variable autocontrol muestra diferencias según sexo (t = 2.72, p < 0.01). Un análisis de regresión múltiple estableció que la situación académica de los estudiantes es predictora de aprendizaje autodirigido. Nuevas investigaciones, usando este instrumento, permitirían generar avances en la identificación de una estructura factorial sólida que dé cuenta del aprendizaje autodirigido en la población chilena de estudiantes de pedagogía.
Cost-effectiveness of ambulatory care management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax: an open-label, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Luengo-Fernandez Ramon , Landeiro Filipa , Hallifax Rob , Rahman Najib M
Published: March 2022

Background

Ambulatory management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax has been shown to reduce initial hospitalisation, but at the expense of increase adverse events. As a result, questions remain about the cost-effectiveness of this option.

Objectives

A within-trial economic evaluation alongside a randomised controlled trial was performed to assess the cost-effectiveness of ambulatory care when compared with standard guideline-based management.

Methods

Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either an ambulatory device or standard guideline-based management (aspiration, standard chest tube insertion or both). Follow-up was 12 months. Outcomes included healthcare resource use and costs, quality of life, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and cost-effectiveness.

Results

236 patients were recruited and randomly assigned to ambulatory care (n=117) and standard care (n=119). After multiple imputation for missing data, patients in the ambulatory care group had significantly lower National Health Service healthcare costs (−£788, 95% CI difference: −1527 to −50; p=0.037) than those in the standard care group. There were no differences in the number of QALYs gained (mean difference: −0.001, 95% CI difference: −0.032 to 0.030; p=0.95). When standard care was compared with ambulatory care, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £799 066 per QALY gained, well above current thresholds of cost-effectiveness. As a result, the probability of ambulatory care being cost-effective was 0.93.

Conclusion

Outpatient ambulatory management is highly likely to be a cost-effective option in the management of primary pneumothorax.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN79151659.