bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complete genome analysis of Bacillus velezensis TS5 and its potential as a probiotic strain in mice
Authors: Chen Benhao , Zhou Yi , Duan Lixiao , Gong Xuemei , Liu Xingmei , Pan Kangcheng , Zeng Dong , Ni Xueqin , Zeng Yan
Published: December 2023

Introduction

In recent years, a large number of studies have shown that Bacillus velezensis has the potential as an animal feed additive, and its potential probiotic properties have been gradually explored.

Methods

In this study, Illumina NovaSeq PE150 and Oxford Nanopore ONT sequencing platforms were used to sequence the genome of Bacillus velezensis TS5, a fiber-degrading strain isolated from Tibetan sheep. To further investigate the potential of B. velezensis TS5 as a probiotic strain, in vivo experiments were conducted using 40 five-week-old male specific pathogen-free C57BL/6J mice. The mice were randomly divided into four groups: high fiber diet control group (H group), high fiber diet probiotics group (HT group), low fiber diet control group (L group), and low fiber diet probiotics group (LT group). The H and HT groups were fed high-fiber diet (30%), while the L and LT groups were fed low-fiber diet (5%). The total bacteria amount in the vegetative forms of B. velezensis TS5 per mouse in the HT and LT groups was 1 × 109 CFU per day, mice in the H and L groups were given the same volume of sterile physiological saline daily by gavage, and the experiment period lasted for 8 weeks.

Results

The complete genome sequencing results of B. velezensis TS5 showed that it contained 3,929,788 nucleotides with a GC content of 46.50%. The strain encoded 3,873 genes that partially related to stress resistance, adhesion, and antioxidants, as well as the production of secondary metabolites, digestive enzymes, and other beneficial nutrients. The genes of this bacterium were mainly involved in carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, vitamin and cofactor metabolism, biological process, and molecular function, as revealed by KEGG and GO databases. The results of mouse tests showed that B. velezensis TS5 could improve intestinal digestive enzyme activity, liver antioxidant capacity, small intestine morphology, and cecum microbiota structure in mice.

Conclusion

These findings confirmed the probiotic effects of B. velezensis TS5 isolated from Tibetan sheep feces and provided the theoretical basis for the clinical application and development of new feed additives.
A combination network of CNN and transformer for interference identification
Authors: Zhang Hu , Zhao Meng , Zhang Min , Lin Sheng , Dong Youqiang , Wang Hai
Published: December 2023

Communication interference identification is critical in electronic countermeasures. However, existed methods based on deep learning, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and transformer, seldom take both local characteristics and global feature information of the signal into account. Motivated by the local convolution property of CNNs and the attention mechanism of transformer, we designed a novel network that combines both architectures, which make better use of both local and global characteristics of the signals. Additionally, recognizing the challenge of distinguishing contextual semantics within the one-dimensional signal data used in this study, we advocate the use of CNNs in place of word embedding, aligning more closely with the intrinsic features of the signal data. Furthermore, to capture the time-frequency characteristics of the signals, we integrate the proposed network with a cross-attention mechanism, facilitating the fusion of temporal and spectral domain feature information through multiple cross-attention computational layers. This innovation obviates the need for specialized time-frequency analysis. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach significantly improves recognition accuracy compared to existing methods, highlighting its efficacy in addressing the challenge of communication interference identification in electronic warfare.
Endovascular therapy beyond 24 hours for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion or stenosis in acute ischemic stroke: a retrospective study
Authors: Wen An , Cao Wen-feng , Zhao Chao , Wu Ling-feng , Zhou Yong-liang , Xiang Zheng-bing , Rao Wei , Liu Shi-min
Published: December 2023

Background

To assess the clinical and safety outcomes of endovascular treatment (EVT) administered more than 24 h after the onset of symptoms in patients with acute ischemic stroke resulting from anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion or stenosis (AIS-ACLVO/S).

Methods

We enrolled consecutive AIS-ACLVO/S patients who received EVT in our hospital between January 2019 and February 2022 and divided them into two groups based on the time from AIS onset to EVT: EVT < 24 h group and EVT >24 h group. The successful reperfusion (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction, [mTICI] ≥2b), 90-day modified Rankin Scale score (mRS), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and symptomatic ICH (sICH), as well as mortality, were analyzed in the two groups of patients.

Results

A total of 239 patients were included in the study, with 214 patients in the EVT < 24 h group (67.8 ± 0.8 years, 126 males) and 25 patients in the EVT > 24 h group (62.80 ± 2.0 years, 22 males). Both groups were similar in terms of hypertension, diabetes history, responsible vessels, and Alberta stroke program early computed tomography scores (p > 0.05). However, the EVT < 24 h group had significantly higher age, history of atrial fibrillation, proportion of patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis, and NIHSS scores before EVT than the EVT > 24 h group. AIS etiology differed between the groups, with more cases of large artery atherosclerosis in the EVT > 24-h group and more cases of cardioembolism in the EVT < 24-h group. Successful reperfusion (mTICI ≥2b), ICH, and sICH were similar between the groups. The 90-day functional independence rate (mRS ≤ 2) was significantly higher in the EVT > 24-h than in the EVT < 24-h group (80% vs. 39.7%, p < 0.001), while the 90-day mortality rate was lower in the EVT > 24-h group (0% vs. 24.8%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In our study, we found that EVT beyond 24 h of symptom onset in patients selected with multimodal MR screening, was associated with high functional independence rates and low mortality. Larger or randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings.
The effect of the Lokomat® robotic-orthosis system on lower extremity rehabilitation in patients with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Lina , Xu Gui , Wu Qiaofeng
Published: December 2023

Background

The Lokomat® is a device utilized for gait training in post-stroke patients. Through a systematic review, the objective was to determine whether robot-assisted gait training with the Lokomat® is more effective in enhancing lower extremity rehabilitation in patients with stroke in comparison to conventional physical therapy (CPT).

Methods

In this study, a systematic search was conducted in various databases, including CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), as well as bibliographies of previous meta-analyses, to identify all randomized controlled trials that investigated the use of Lokomat® devices in adult stroke patients. The study aimed to derive pooled estimates of standardized mean differences for six outcomes, namely, Fugl–Meyer Assessment lower-extremity subscale (FMA-LE), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), gait speed, functional ambulation category scale (FAC), timed up and go (TUG), and functional independence measure (FIM), through random effects meta-analyses.

Results

The review analyzed 21 studies with a total of 709 participants and found that the use of Lokomat® in stroke patients resulted in favorable outcomes for the recovery of balance as measured by the BBS (mean difference = 2.71, 95% CI 1.39 to 4.03; p < 0.0001). However, the FAC showed that Lokomat® was less effective than the CPT group (mean difference = −0.28, 95% CI −0.45 to 0.11, P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in FMA-LE (mean difference = 1.27, 95% CI −0.88 to 3.42, P = 0.25), gait speed (mean difference = 0.02, 95% CI −0.03 to 0.07, P = 0.44), TUG (mean difference = −0.12, 95% CI −0.71 to 0.46, P = 0.68), or FIM (mean difference = 2.12, 95% CI −2.92 to 7.16, P = 0.41) between the Lokomat® and CPT groups for stroke patients.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that, with the exception of more notable improvements in balance, robot-assisted gait training utilizing the Lokomat® was not superior to CPT based on the current literature. Considering its ability to reduce therapists' work intensity and burden, the way in which Lokomat® is applied should be strengthened, or future randomized controlled trial studies should use more sensitive assessment criteria.
Intranuclear inclusions of polyQ-expanded ATXN1 sequester RNA molecules
Authors: Gkekas Ioannis , Vagiona Aimilia-Christina , Pechlivanis Nikolaos , Kastrinaki Georgia , Pliatsika Katerina , Iben Sebastian , Xanthopoulos Konstantinos , Psomopoulos Fotis E. , Andrade-Navarro Miguel A. , Petrakis Spyros
Published: December 2023

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by a trinucleotide (CAG) repeat expansion in the ATXN1 gene. It is characterized by the presence of polyglutamine (polyQ) intranuclear inclusion bodies (IIBs) within affected neurons. In order to investigate the impact of polyQ IIBs in SCA1 pathogenesis, we generated a novel protein aggregation model by inducible overexpression of the mutant ATXN1(Q82) isoform in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, we developed a simple and reproducible protocol for the efficient isolation of insoluble IIBs. Biophysical characterization showed that polyQ IIBs are enriched in RNA molecules which were further identified by next-generation sequencing. Finally, a protein interaction network analysis indicated that sequestration of essential RNA transcripts within ATXN1(Q82) IIBs may affect the ribosome resulting in error-prone protein synthesis and global proteome instability. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular pathogenesis of SCA1, highlighting the role of polyQ IIBs and their impact on critical cellular processes.
Life-long consumption of high level of fruits and vegetables reduces tumor incidence and extends median lifespan in mice
Authors: Guo Weimin , Ortega Edwin F. , Wu Dayong , Li Lijun , Bronson Roderick T. , Boehm Sarah K. , Meydani Simin Nikbin
Published: December 2023

Objective

Epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) is negatively associated with the incidence of certain cancers and mortality. However, a causal relationship has not been demonstrated. Thus, we investigated the effect of life-long consumption of high level of FV on median lifespan, key biological functions, and pathologies in mice fed low-fat (LF) or high-fat (HF) diets and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, 5 weeks-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n = 60/group): LF (LF-C, 10% kcal fat), HF (HF-C, 45% kcal fat) or each supplemented with 15% (w/w) of a unique FV mixture (LF + FV and HF + FV, respectively). Mice were euthanized when one group reached 50% mortality. Body weight and composition, tumor incidence, and death were monitored. Blood levels of lipids and pro-inflammatory cytokines were assessed.

Results

After 21 months of feeding, HF-C group reached 50% mortality, at which time mice in all groups were terminated. HF-C had higher mortality (50.0%) compared to the LF-C group (18.3%, p = 0.0008). Notably, HF-FV had lower mortality (23.3%) compared to HF-C group (p = 0.008); there was no significant difference in mortality between HF-FV and LF-C groups. Tumors were found in all groups, and were predominantly present in the liver, followed by those of lung, intestine, and seminal vesicle. Tumor incidence in the HF-C group (73.3%) was higher than that in LF-C group (30.0%, p < 0.0001). HF + FV group had 23.3% lower tumor incidence compared to the HF-C group (p = 0.014). No significant difference in tumor incidence between the LF-C and LF + FV groups was observed. Long-term FV supplementation reduced systemic inflammation and blood lipids.

Conclusion

We provide the first causal evidence that life-long intake of a diet, containing a high level and large variety of FV, decreases tumor incidence and extends median lifespan in mice fed a western-style high-fat diet. These effects of FV are at least in part due to reduced blood levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and improved dyslipidemia.
Real-world predictors of survival in patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer in Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Dawe David E. , Rittberg Rebekah , Syed Iqra , Shanahan Mary Kate , Moldaver Daniel , Bucher Oliver , Galloway Katie , Reynolds Kayla , Paul James T. , Harlos Craig , Kim Julian O. , Banerji Shantanu
Published: December 2023

Background

Although therapy for limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) is administered with curative intent, most patients relapse and eventually die of recurrent disease. Chemotherapy (CT) with concurrent radiotherapy (RT) remains the standard of care for LS-SCLC; however, this could evolve in the near future. Therefore, understanding the current prognostic factors associated with survival is essential.

Objective

This real-world analysis examines factors associated with long-term survival in patients with LS-SCLC treated with CT in Manitoba, Canada.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using Manitoba Cancer Registry and CancerCare Manitoba records. Eligible patients were aged >18 years and had cytologically confirmed LS-SCLC diagnosed between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2018, for which they received CT ± RT. Baseline patient, disease, and treatment characteristics and survival duration, characterized as short (<6 months), medium (6−24 months), and long term (>24 months), were extracted. Overall survival (OS) was estimated at one, two, and five years and assessed using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Over the 15-year study period, 304 patients met the eligibility criteria. Long-term survivors comprised 39.1% of the cohort; at diagnosis, this subgroup was younger, more likely to have Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) 0, and have normal lactate dehydrogenase, sodium, and hemoglobin levels. OS estimates for the entire cohort at one, two, and five years were 66%, 38%, and 18%, respectively. In the ECOG PS 0 subgroup, OS estimates at one, two, and five years were 85%, 52%, and 24%, respectively; OS estimates were 60%, 35%, and 17%, respectively, for ECOG PS 1−2 and were 47%, 23%, and 10%, respectively, for ECOG PS 3−4. OS was significantly higher among patients with normal serum sodium and hemoglobin levels than those with abnormal levels. Univariable hazard regression models found that ECOG PS, age at diagnosis, receipt of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI), and thoracic RT were associated with survival. On multivariable hazard regression, ECOG PS and receipt of PCI were associated with survival.

Conclusion

Survival for greater than two years in patients with LS-SCLC treated with CT ± RT was associated with ECOG PS and receipt of PCI.
Estimating gestational age using the anthropometric measurements of newborns in North Shewa Zone public hospitals, Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Dereje Ifa , Awol Mukemil , Getaye Asfaw , Tujara Zenebe , Alemu Adugna , Negash Abdi , Alemu Fedasan , Zakir Husen , Dinka Ararsa , Edosa Dejene , Shigign Irean , Tunta Abayneh , Mekonnen Mathewos , Tolesa Fikadu , Bekele Kumera , Merkeb Belay , Oyato Befekadu , Tesfa Mekonnin
Published: December 2023

Background

The accurate estimation of gestational age is crucial in identifying prematurity and other health problems in newborns and in providing appropriate perinatal care. Although there are numerous methods for measuring gestational age, they are not always applicable. During these situations, it becomes challenging to ascertain whether a baby has been born prematurely or not. Therefore, this study aims to estimate gestational age by utilizing newborn anthropometric parameters.

Purpose

The objective of this study is to estimate the gestational age of newborns in public hospitals located in the North Shewa Zone of the Oromia Region in Ethiopia, by using anthropometric parameters.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a facility from February 2022 to April 2022, using an interview-based questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. The anthropometric parameters that were measured include foot length (FL), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and chest and head circumference (CHC). The study’s sample size had a total of 420 participants. The data were cleaned, edited, manually checked for completeness, and entered into Epi-data version 3.1. Subsequently, the data were transferred into SPSS for analysis. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, simple linear regression, and multiple linear regressions. Finally, the data were presented using statements and tables.

Results

There is a significant and positive correlation between anthropometric parameters, including head circumference (r: 0.483), MUAC (r: 0.481), foot length (r: 0.457), and chest circumference (r: 0.482) with gestational age. All anthropometric parameters demonstrated positive and significant estimates of gestational age. The combination of the four measurements yielded the strongest estimate of gestational age. Gestational age can be calculated by the formula: Gestational age (Weeks) = 9.78 + 0.209*CHC + 0.607*MUAC + 0.727*FL + 0.322*HC.

Conclusion

Gestational age can be measured using head circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, foot length, and chest circumference. Utilizing the four anthropometric parameters in combination exhibits greater efficacy in estimating gestational age than using them individually. Therefore, it is recommended to use these alternative approaches when standard methods are not applicable.
Pre- and post-chemotherapy spermatogenesis in male patients with malignant bone and soft tissue tumors
Authors: Takeshima Teppei , Mimura Noboru , Aoki Shun , Saito Tomoki , Karibe Jurii , Usui Kimitsugu , Kuroda Shinnosuke , Komeya Mitsuru , Yumura Yasushi
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Malignant bone and soft tissue tumors, commonly called sarcomas, predominantly originate in bone and soft tissues and typically affect individuals at a younger age. Following the resection of the primary tumor, treatment often necessitates radiation therapy and gonadotoxic chemotherapy, the specifics of which depend on the disease’s stage Conversely, there is a notable concern regarding the potential loss of fertility due to these treatments. Consequently, it is recommended that men consider sperm cryopreservation before initiating treatment. This study aims to assess spermatogenesis in male patients diagnosed with malignant bone and soft tissue tumors before and after chemotherapy.

Methods: This study involved 34 male patients diagnosed with malignant bone and soft tissue tumors and subsequently underwent sperm cryopreservation before initiating treatment. Medical records included details about the primary disease, age, marital status at presentation, semen analysis results, treatment regimen and number of courses, post-treatment semen analysis, renewal status and outcomes.

Results: The mean age at the time of sperm cryopreservation was 22.8 years. The median semen volume was 2.5 mL, sperm concentration was 32.6 million/ml, and sperm motility was 38.5%. Following chemotherapy, semen analysis was conducted on 12 patients, with ifosfamide being the predominant drug used in all cases. Among these 12 patients, eight retained viable spermatozoa, and two successfully achieved spontaneous pregnancies resulting in live births. In one of the remaining four cases where no sperm were detected in ejaculate, a live birth was achieved through intracytoplasmic sperm injection using cryopreserved sperm.

Discussion: While ifosfamide, the primary chemotherapy drug for patients with malignant bone and soft tissue tumors, was associated with severe impairments in spermatogenesis, recovery of spermatogenesis was observed in many cases. However, there were instances of prolonged azoospermia. Even in such cases, assisted reproduction using cryopreserved sperm remained viable for achieving parenthood. In light of these findings, offering patients the opportunity for fertility preservation is advisable.
Characterization of Triticum turgidum sspp. durum, turanicum, and polonicum grown in Central Italy in relation to technological and nutritional aspects
Authors: Palombieri Samuela , Bonarrigo Marco , Cammerata Alessandro , Quagliata Giulia , Astolfi Stefania , Lafiandra Domenico , Sestili Francesco , Masci Stefania
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Wheat is a staple food, with the two most common species being Triticum aestivum and Triticum turgidum ssp. durum. Moreover, the latter, T. turgidum, includes other tetraploid subspecies, among which the sspp. turanicum (Khorasan wheat) and polonicum (Polish wheat), whose importance has increased in the last decades, representing alternative crops for marginal areas, in addition to being a source of genetic diversity.

Methods

In this work, different accessions of these three subspecies of T. turgidum have been grown in 2 years in the same environment and have been characterized for technological properties and factors affecting nutritional quality, such as fiber amount and the content of micro- and macro-nutrients in grains, and for root morphological traits.

Results

These analyses allowed the identification, in particular, of a Polish wheat accession showing better technological performances, a higher amount of positive micro- and macro-elements, and a lower amount of toxic cadmium. The modern variety Svevo and the Polish Pol2 showed the lowest and the highest shoot:root ratio, respectively. The high shoot:root ratio in Pol2 was mainly attributable to the decrease in root growth. Although Pol2 had a lower root biomass, its particular root morphology made it more efficient for nutrient uptake, as evident from the greater accumulation of micro- and macro-nutrients.

Discussion

These results underline that it is not possible to draw general conclusions about the difference between primitive and modern wheats, but rather a case-by-case approach should be chosen.
Incels, autism, and hopelessness: affective incorporation of online interaction as a challenge for phenomenological psychopathology
Authors: Tirkkonen Sanna K. , Vespermann Daniel
Published: December 2023

Recent research has drawn attention to the prevalence of self-reported autism within online communities of involuntary celibates (incels). These studies suggest that some individuals with autism may be particularly vulnerable to the impact of incel forums and the hopelessness they generate. However, a more precise description of the experiential connection between inceldom, self-reported autism, and hopelessness has remained unarticulated. Therefore, this article combines empirical studies on the incel community with phenomenological and embodiment approaches to autism, hopelessness, and online affectivity. We analyze three interrelated aspects of online interactions in incel communities – worldview, bodily self-relation, and mutual dismissals – and examine how these elements contribute to the consolidation of the loss of significant life possibilities. By investigating the potential negative influence of specific online environments on affective dispositions, our approach contributes to the debate on current challenges to “situate” phenomenological psychopathology.
Adaptation and validation of the university-to-work success scale among Chinese university graduates
Authors: Jin Qiuping , Yu Kun
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Whether university graduates successfully make the transition from the university to work is critical for their career development. However, a comprehensive measurement of university-to-work success (UWS) that applies across different contexts remains lacking.

Methods

To address this gap, we adapted and validated the first comprehensive UWS measurement, the university-to-work success scale (UWSS), among samples of Chinese university graduates with three studies. We also provided new construct validity evidence for the scale and examined its measurement invariance across gender.

Results

The findings of the current study showed that the 24-item UWSS-Chinese version clearly showed four factors (career satisfaction, income and financial independence, confidence in career future, and adaptation to work) that were consistent with the original scale. Moreover, construct validity analysis revealed that UWSS was positively associated with proposed antecedents (i.e., career adaptability) and outcome (i.e., adult identity). It also showed incremental validity over general indicators of career success (i.e., career adaptability) in predicting adult identity establishment. Additionally, the measurement also showed measurement invariance across gender.

Discussion

Overall, these findings implied that the UWSS-Chinese version had good psychometric properties to be used in future studies and practice in China.
Celebrity CEOs, digital transformation and firm performance in China: the moderating role of controlling shareholders and institutional investors
Authors: Wang Rui , Shao Dong , Han Xinliang , Li Yinyue
Published: December 2023

Background

business leaders’ social status significantly impacts companies’ strategic direction and performance. Digital transformation, an important tool for companies to enhance competitiveness and resilience, plays an important role in the relationship between executive background and firm performance.

Objective

To investigate the impact of celebrity chief executive officers (CEO) on firm performance through digital transformation.

Method

Using data from companies listed on the main boards of the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges between 2017 and 2021, this study explored the relationship between celebrity CEOs, digital transformation, and firm performance.

Result

Celebrity CEOs significantly enhanced a firm’s digital transformation. However, this effect weakened when controlling shareholders and institutional investors held more shares. Additionally, the study showed that celebrity CEOs can improve firm performance through digital transformation. These findings were robust across a range of sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion

This study contributes to understanding celebrity CEOs’ decision-making motivations and economic impacts from a psychological perspective while also providing valuable insights for driving digital transformation within companies.
Job burnout among primary healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional study in China
Authors: Cai Xianming , Zhao Tianshuo , Chen Linyi , Zhang Sihui , Yu Ailing , Sun Xihong , Gao Shengnan , Zhang Yuanshan , Wang Chao , Du Juan , Liu Yaqiong , Lu Qing-Bin , Cui Fuqiang
Published: December 2023

Objective

This study evaluated job burnout among primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) in China during the COVID-19 pandemic, explored its influencing factors, and examined PHCWs' preferences for reducing job burnout.

Method

We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study in Heilongjiang, Sichuan, Anhui, Gansu, and Shandong Provinces. An electronic questionnaire survey was conducted through convenience sampling in communities from May to July 2022. We collected sociodemographic characteristics, job burnout level, job satisfaction, and preferred ways to reduce job burnout among PHCWs.

Results

The job burnout rate among PHCWs in China was 59.87% (937/1565). Scores for each dimension of job burnout were lower among PHCWs who had a better work environment (emotional exhaustion OR: 0.60; depersonalization OR: 0.73; personal accomplishment OR: 0.76) and higher professional pride (emotional exhaustion OR: 0.63; depersonalization OR: 0.70; personal accomplishment OR: 0.44). PHCWs with higher work intensity (emotional exhaustion OR: 2.37; depersonalization OR: 1.34; personal accomplishment OR: 1.19) had higher scores in all job burnout dimensions. Improving work environments and raising salaries were the preferred ways for PHCWs to reduce job burnout.

Conclusion

Strategies should be developed to improve job satisfaction among PHCWs, enhance their professional identity, and alleviate burnout to ensure the effective operation of the healthcare system, especially during periods of overwork.
Formal social support and quality of life of caregivers with autistic children: a large-scale nationwide survey in China
Authors: Ran Qingqing , Tu Liangzhi , Wu Yinghui , Zhang Shunming , Zhang Erliang , Li Huilun , Su Ya , Xiang Mi
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were reported poor quality of life (QOL). Formal social support might improve the QOL of caregivers, however, limited research to date has focused on this association in China and formal social support for this group is conspicuously lacking. The study was aim to understand the QOL in male and female caregivers with ASD children in China and to explore the relationship between QOL and formal social support for caregivers with children with ASD through a large-scale nationwide survey.

Methods

An online questionnaire was used to conduct a cross-sectional study with a sample of 6,120 caregivers of children with ASD. Relationship between Quality of Life and several potential predictors is measured and analyzed. Quality of life were measured by Medical Study Short-Form Health Survey version 2 (Chinese version). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors affecting caregivers' QOL.

Results

The results revealed that the QOL of caregivers of autistic children in China was poor especially male caregivers. Social support was a positive predictor. More importantly, formal social support from rehabilitation institutions can improve caregivers' physical QOL. Caregivers' satisfaction with the rehabilitation institutions affecting their physical and mental QOL.

Conclusion

The formal social support provided by rehabilitation institutions plays a positive role in improving the quality of life of caregivers.
Abortion access in the Americas: a hemispheric and historical approach
Authors: Roth Cassia
Published: December 2023

This perspective article situates the 2022 United States (U.S.) Supreme Court’s overturning ofRoe v. Wade(1973) within the broader history of abortion rights activism and legislation in the greater Americas. The U.S. public has stereotyped Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) as socially conservative regarding gender issues and anti-reproductive rights. But twenty-first-century LAC presents a more complicated landscape than this dominant narrative suggests. In the past 15 years, political, legislative, and public health advances and setbacks across the region provide both a blueprint for re-establishing access to safe and legal abortion and a warning on the consequences of the criminalization of abortion for the U.S. Employing a narrative approach that summarizes recent interdisciplinary literature, this perspective traces the history of the expansion of abortion access in the Americas. Mexico (2007, 2023), Uruguay (2012), Argentina (2020), and Colombia (2022) legalized abortion on demand within specific timeframes. These expansions coexist with severe restrictions on abortion in various nations including Haiti (1835), the Dominican Republic (1884, 2009), Honduras (1985, 2021), El Salvador (1997), and Nicaragua (2006), as well as some states in the United States (2022). This perspective finds that legalization occurs when feminist activists eschew U.S.-based feminist rhetoric of individual rights and choice to reframe abortion as a form of gender-based violence within a discourse of health and wellbeing as a human right. According to this perspective, restrictions on access to the procedure constitute a form of violence against women and people capable of bearing children and violate human rights.
Study on the influence mechanism and level measurement of agricultural green development—A case study of China
Authors: Liu Hongfeng , Liu Huiliang
Published: December 2023

Taking China as an example, this paper analyzes the impact mechanism of agricultural green development and constructs a measurement system of agricultural green development level. The system includes seven subsystems (ensuring food security, optimizing agricultural structure, improving market mechanism, innovation-driven development, building ecological civilization, inheriting traditional culture, and benefiting the people) and 55 measurement indicators. Empirical research was carried out using entropy method and gray correlation to measure the level of green development of China's agriculture, analyze its spatial distribution law, and divide it into three levels according to the development level, then analyze the regional characteristics of each grade. The research shows that the overall level of agricultural green development in China is relatively low, and the constraints are obvious. It is easy to ignore the value of agricultural green development, and the phenomenon of non-green development still exists. Therefore, we must attach great importance to the green development of agriculture, change agricultural production from the pursuit of quantity to the pursuit of quality in the past, formulate an effective path to promote the comprehensive level of agricultural green development in the whole ecological chain, and build a collaborative research institution and information monitoring platform for agricultural green development.
On Finding Optimal (Dynamic) Arborescences
Authors: Espada Joaquim , Francisco Alexandre P. , Rocher Tatiana , Russo Luís M. S. , Vaz Cátia
Published: December 2023

Let G=(V,E) be a directed and weighted graph with a vertex set V of size n and an edge set E of size m such that each edge (u,v)∈E has a real-valued weight w(u,c). An arborescence in G is a subgraph T=(V,E′) such that, for a vertex u∈V, which is the root, there is a unique path in T from u to any other vertex v∈V. The weight of T is the sum of the weights of its edges. In this paper, given G, we are interested in finding an arborescence in G with a minimum weight, i.e., an optimal arborescence. Furthermore, when G is subject to changes, namely, edge insertions and deletions, we are interested in efficiently maintaining a dynamic arborescence in G. This is a well-known problem with applications in several domains such as network design optimization and phylogenetic inference. In this paper, we revisit the algorithmic ideas proposed by several authors for this problem. We provide detailed pseudocode, as well as implementation details, and we present experimental results regarding large scale-free networks and phylogenetic inference. Our implementation is publicly available.
Evaluation of Microbiological and Chemical Properties of Soils as a Result of Anthropogenic Denudation
Authors: Kanarek Piotr , Breza-Boruta Barbara , Pawłowski Mateusz , Kobierski Mirosław
Published: December 2023

Excessive agricultural intensification adversely affects soil quality, particularly in hilly terrain, leading to increased erosion. Anthropogenic denudation, intensified by tillage erosion, results in the displacement of soil material from hilltops and shoulders to their bases. The research hypothesis posits that tillage erosion adversely affects the microbiological and chemical properties of soils, especially at the hilltops of intensively cultivated areas. The study aimed to assess the microbiological and chemical properties of Luvisols cultivated under conventional plowing in the moraine region of the Southern Krajna Lakeland, Poland. The evaluation focused on the results of soil sample analyses taken from the hilltops and foothills of eroded mounds. Microbiological investigations included determining the abundance of actinomycetes, filamentous fungi, heterotrophic bacteria, cellulolytic microorganisms, copiotrophs, and oligotrophs. Additionally, pH values and the contents of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, total organic carbon, and nitrogen were determined. A higher abundance of bacteria, actinomycetes, and copiotrophs was observed at the foothills. Statistically significant differences due to slope effects were noted for all chemical parameters, with higher concentrations of organic carbon, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus found in the foothill areas. Understanding denudation processes can contribute to sustainable soil resource use and agrocenosis conservation.
Molecular Mechanisms of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in Response to Combined Drought and Cold Stresses
Authors: Aili Reziya , Deng Yantian , Yang Rui , Zhang Xiaopeng , Huang You , Li Heyang , Jia Shangang , Yu Longxi , Zhang Tiejun
Published: December 2023

Selecting alfalfa germplasm with high stress resistance forms the foundation for breeding new varieties of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). This study utilized two alfalfa varieties, WL298HQ and Gongnong No. 1, and subjected them to individual and combined cold and drought stress. By measuring the malondialdehyde (MDA) content among seven physiological and biochemical indices and through transcriptome sequencing of roots and leaves, we compared drought and cold resistance between varieties under various stress treatments. This study aimed to identify the primary regulatory genes and pathways, revealing the molecular mechanisms behind their responses to combined stresses. The results showed that under isolated drought and cold stress, the chlorophyll content of the two types of alfalfa significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while the content of MDA, peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), proline (Pro), and soluble protein (SP) content increased (p < 0.05), quickly returning to normal levels upon rehydration. Compared to the control group, 41,103 and 41,831 differentially expressed genes were identified in WL298HQ and Gongnong No. 1, respectively. Differentially expressed genes in Gongnong No. 1 were significantly enriched in the “response to abiotic stimulus”, “response to abscisic stimulus”, and “response to cold” pathways. WL298HQ was enriched in “response to desiccation”, “gibberellic acid-mediated signaling pathway”, and “cellular response to gibberellin stimulus”. Additionally, nineteen genes were significantly concentrated in the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway, with nine genes significantly upregulated in leaves and ten genes downregulated in roots, suggesting that different parts of the alfalfa respond to stress inconsistently. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for understanding the response mechanisms of alfalfa to combined drought and cold stress.
Animal Ghosts at Canadian Universities: The Politics of Concealment and Transparency
Authors: Janara Laura , Donaldson Sue
Published: December 2023

For many years, the lives of animals used for research in Canadian universities have been hidden from public view due both to physical concealment (e.g., security procedures and impenetrable labs) and administrative concealment (non-disclosure of information). Their lives unfold out of sight both physically and discursively, unavailable to the Canadian public for ethical consideration and democratic oversight. Recently, in response to calls by the public to end this secrecy, Canadian universities and the Canadian Council on Animal Care have embraced the language of “transparency” and have begun releasing documentation about animal research practices and procedures. This paper argues that this new “transparency” acts as its own kind of concealment practice, obscuring and displacing meaningful information while constructing highly selective ways of seeing animals in science, and manufacturing acquiescence/consent on the part of the public.
Correction: Laniecki, R.; Magowski, W.L. New Definition of Neoprotereunetes Fain et Camerik, Its Distribution and Description of the New Genus in Eupodidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Eupodoidea). Animals 2023, 13, 2213
Authors: Laniecki Ronald , Magowski Wojciech L.
Published: December 2023

Authors’ address correction: [...]
Animal Use Strategies in the Longshan Mountain Region of Northern China during the First Millennium BC: A Zooarchaeological Analysis of Yucun
Authors: Zong Tianyu , Du Borui , Zhang Chengrui , Sun Feng , Huang Zexian , Cheng Ruoxin , Liu Kexin , Shui Tao , Wang Yongan , Li Yue
Published: December 2023

The first millennium BC saw the expansion of the Western Zhou dynasty in its northwestern frontier, alongside the rise and development of the Qin State in the Longshan Mountain region of northern China. Exploring the subsistence practices of these communities is crucial to gaining a better understanding of the social, cultural, and political landscape in this region at the time. While much of the research to date has focused on the Qin people, the subsistence practices of the Zhou people remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed animal remains from Yucun, a large settlement site associated with the Zhou people, located to the east of the Longshan Mountain. These animal remains were recovered in the excavation seasons of 2018–2020. Our results show that pigs, dogs, cattle, caprines, and horses, which were the major domestic animals at Yucun, accounted for over 90.8% of the animal remains examined in terms of the number of identified specimens (NISP) and 72.8% in terms of the minimum number of individuals (MNI), with cattle and caprines playing dominant roles. In terms of the taxonomic composition and the mortality profiles of pigs, caprines, and cattle, Yucun shared similarities with Maojiaping and Xishan, two contemporaneous Qin cultural sites located to the west of the Longshan Mountain, and differ from other farming societies in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River valley. Considering the cultural attributes and topographic conditions of these various sites, these findings imply that environmental conditions may have played a more significant role than cultural factors in shaping the animal-related subsistence practices in northern China during the first millennium BC.
Adhesive Bowel Obstruction (ABO) in a Stranded Narrow-Ridged Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri)
Authors: Lee Sung Bin , Yuen Adams Hei Long , Lee Young Min , Kim Sang Wha , Kim Sunmin , Poon Cherry Tsz Ching , Jung Won Joon , Giri Sib Sankar , Kim Sang Guen , Jo Su Jin , Park Jae Hong , Hwang Mae Hyun , Seo Jong-pil , Choe Seongjun , Kim Byung Yeop , Park Se Chang
Published: December 2023

In this case report, we present a rare occurrence of a narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri), discovered on the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, that was afflicted with adhesive bowel obstruction (ABO), a life-threatening condition that has scarcely been reported in cetaceans. Diagnosis of ABO was confirmed via radiological and clinical assessments. Post-mortem computed tomography and necropsy revealed ABO between two loops of the jejunum at the L8 level. The mesenteric tissue covering the intestinal lesion was severely thickened with increased tension. Both bowel loops were fixed to the mesentery and acutely angulated, leading to asymmetrical thickening of the cross-sectional bowel walls. The intestinal lumen was stenosed because of pressure from the firm mesenteric band, and no fecal matter was observed in the lumen of the posterior bowel or rectum. Calcified nodules were detected, and histological analysis suggested parasitic or suspected post-parasitic infections. The primary cause of the intestinal lesions is presumed to be a reaction related to parasitic infection. However, further investigations would establish a definitive link between parasitic infections and ABO in this species. This case highlights the importance of studying rare medical conditions in wildlife, providing valuable insights into marine mammal health.
Timing Analyses in FWE Evaluation
Authors: Sîrbu-Drăgan Maria , Brînaru Diana , Halunga Simona
Published: December 2023

This paper presents several conclusions based on time domain analysis of the simulation results of several transmission lines that use frequency-dependent dielectrics, highlighting the fiberglass effect on performance. The matching conditions of the circuit are checked based on a Smith chart simulation that represents the magnitude of the reflection coefficient via scattering parameters. A time domain analysis is provided by means of the eye diagram, which allows the study of the rise and fall time, jitter, and eye height and width of the two materials considered to be appropriate for the examination of composite substrates: one conventional substrate, FR4, and one more oriented to high-speed design constraints, N4000-13. Time domain analyses highlight the effect of increasing the rate for our purpose on the composite substrate for coupled or single-ended interconnections or routes on PCBs.
The Role of Bone Alkaline Phosphatase and Osteocalcin in Saliva as Indicators of Skeletal Maturity in Children
Authors: Kouvelis Georgios , Davidopoulou Sotiria , Kolokitha Olga-Elpis , Papadopoulos Moschos A. , Chatzigianni Athina
Published: December 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and osteocalcin (OC) in the saliva of growing patients of different maturation levels. The sample consisted of 55 patients (34 females and 21 males of 7–16 years old). Two milliliters of saliva were collected and BALP and OC levels were assessed. Skeletal age was estimated using the cervical vertebral maturation method (CVM). The relationship between the biomarkers’ concentration in saliva and skeletal age was examined with the Spearman’s coefficient “ρ” (rho). Correlations between skeletal age groups and BALP and OC concentrations were assessed with the Kruskal–Wallis or the Mann–Whitney tests. No statistically significant differences in the levels of BALP (p = 0.568) and OC (p = 0.996) in saliva were identified according to the patient’s skeletal age. The use of BALP and OC levels in saliva seems to be dubious for skeletal growth assessment. However, slightly differentiated levels of those biomarkers, especially of BALP, through the different maturation stages, with higher concentrations at the pubertal phase, have been noticed. More studies are needed to clarify the exact potential role of these biomarkers as predictors of pubertal onset.
Benchmarking GPU Tensor Cores on General Matrix Multiplication Kernels through CUTLASS
Authors: Huang Xuanteng , Zhang Xianwei , Yang Panfei , Xiao Nong
Published: December 2023

GPUs have been broadly used to accelerate big data analytics, scientific computing and machine intelligence. Particularly, matrix multiplication and convolution are two principal operations that use a large proportion of steps in modern data analysis and deep neural networks. These performance-critical operations are often offloaded to the GPU to obtain substantial improvements in end-to-end latency. In addition, multifarious workload characteristics and complicated processing phases in big data demand a customizable yet performant operator library. To this end, GPU vendors, including NVIDIA and AMD, have proposed template and composable GPU operator libraries to conduct specific computations on certain types of low-precision data elements. We formalize a set of benchmarks via CUTLASS, NVIDIA’s templated library that provides high-performance and hierarchically designed kernels. The benchmarking results show that, with the necessary fine tuning, hardware-level ASICs like tensor cores could dramatically boost performance in specific operations like GEMM offloading to modern GPUs.