bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suitable Fertilizer Application Depth Enhances the Efficient Utilization of Key Resources and Improves Crop Productivity in Rainfed Farmland on the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Chen Guangzhou , Cai Tie , Wang Junying , Wang Yuhao , Ren Liangqi , Wu Peng , Zhang Peng , Jia Zhikuan
Published: June 2022

Appropriate fertilizer application methods can help to improve crop yields. However, limited information is available regarding how different fertilizer application depths might affect crop production in dryland winter wheat-summer maize cropping in the Loess Plateau region of China. Therefore, we conducted field experiments in 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 to evaluate the effects of changing the fertilizer placement depth on summer maize (current crop) and winter wheat (succeeding crop) productivity, as well as the resource use efficiency and soil nitrate-nitrogen residue (SNR) level. Four fertilizer placement depths were tested comprising 5 cm (FD5), 15 cm (FD15), 25 cm (FD25), and 35 cm (FD35). The nitrogen uptake by summer maize in the two seasons was 10.0, 6.5, and 11.8% higher under FD15 compared with those under FD5, FD25, and FD35, respectively, because FD15 effectively increased the root length density, root surface area density, and rate of root bleeding sap. Due to the increased nitrogen uptake, the leaf area index, plant height, stem diameter, and accumulated dry matter were improved in summer maize. The interception of photosynthetically active radiation was 3.6, 3.7, and 5.9% higher under FD15 compared with those under FD5, FD25, and FD35, respectively. The summer maize grain yield increased by 13.9–22.4% under FD15 compared with the other treatments. In addition, the SNR in the deep soil (200–300 cm) was significantly lower under FD15 during the summer maize harvest (17.9–30.7%) compared with the other treatments. Moreover, FD15 increased the winter wheat (succeeding crop) grain yield (2.6–11.2%) and reduced the SNR in the 200–300 cm soil layer (8.8–16.8%) at the winter wheat harvest. The highest radiation use efficiency, precipitation use efficiency, and nitrogen use efficiency were obtained under FD15 in both summer maize and winter wheat. These results clearly suggest that depth fertilization of 15 cm enhanced the productivity and resource use efficiency for the current and subsequent crops in rainfed farmland in the Loess Plateau of China, as well as reducing the SNR in the deep soil to promote sustainable agricultural development. These findings provide a practical reference for optimizing fertilizer application management.
The Effects of ARCS Motivational Instruction in Physical Education on Learning Cognition and the Health-Related Physical Fitness of Students
Authors: Luo Xi , Liu Liu , Li Jingjing
Published: June 2022

The environment in metropolitan regions along with other factors such as changes in lifestyle and academic pressure can result in students reducing the time they spend pursuing outdoor activities. An increase in sedentary lifestyles and lack of physical activity seriously threaten the health of students, due to reduced physical fitness. To solve this issue, cultivating exercise habits should commence from childhood. Physical education in schools is the best time to cultivate the development of a wholesome body and mind in students. Students need to have high flexibility, strong learning ability, and regular exercise in schools for their future physical and mental development, the establishment of an exercise regimen, and the cultivation of motor skills. For this study, university students in Sichuan Province were chosen as research samples, and 500 copies of a questionnaire were distributed among them. After removing invalid and incomplete questionnaires, 375 were deemed valid, a retrieval rate of 75%. The research results demonstrated significant positive correlations between (1) the Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Satisfaction (ARCS) motivational instruction in physical education and learning cognition, (2) learning cognition and health-related physical fitness, and (3) ARCS motivational instruction in physical education and health-related physical fitness. The study results suggest that a good exercise regimen boosts students' self-confidence, increases their motivation to participate in physical activities, enhances their health-related physical fitness, and cultivates habits to engage in lifelong physical activity.
The Dynamic Interaction of Second Language Motivation and Emotional Experience: The Case of Chinese Learners of English
Authors: Tian Lixian , McCafferty Steven G.
Published: June 2022

This study investigated the dynamic interaction of second language motivation and emotional experience for Chinese learners of English in four different contexts: (1) those in China with little or no intention of learning the language for communicative purposes; (2) those in China intending to study abroad; (3) those studying abroad in North America; and (4) those who had returned to China after studying abroad. Data included interviews with representatives from the different contexts. Analysis focused on Vygotsky’s concept of perezhivanie, or how Chinese learners of English experienced their learning environments cognitively and affectively as leading to goals and goal-directed activity across their English learning experiences. Differences among learners both across groups and within the same group were found for how motivation shapes experience and how experience shapes motivation in the process of second and foreign language learning.
Relationship Between Affective Temperaments and Suicide Risk in Patients With First-Onset Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Yin Lu , Song Tian-He , Wei Yan-Yan , Zhang Li-Gang , Zhou Shuang-Jiang , Yu Jian-Jin , Zhang Li-Ye , Li Hong-Juan , Chen Jing-Xu
Published: June 2022

Background

People may endorse suicidal behavior during a major depressive episode. Affective temperaments may play a role in this risk. We explored the relationship between affective temperaments and suicide and identified some traits that can predict suicide risk in depression.

Materials and Methods

We analyzed the results of the Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A) in 284 participants recruited from a psychiatric clinic and the community in Beijing and compared the subscale scores (temperaments of cyclothymic, dysthymic, anxious, irritable, and hyperthymic) among major depressive disorders (MDDs) vs. the general population as well as depressive patients with vs. without suicide risk, using Student’s test, chi-square test, rank-sum test, and multivariable regression modeling.

Results

The incidence of suicidal risk in depressive subjects was 47.62% (80/168). Being unmarried (p < 0.001), unemployed (p = 0.007), and temperaments of dysthymic, cyclothymic, anxious, and irritable scores (all p < 0.001) were significantly more prevalent in patients with depression than in the general population. Young age (p < 0.001), female sex (p = 0.037), unmarried (p = 0.001), more severe depression (p < 0.001), and dysthymic, anxious, and cyclothymic temperament (all p < 0.05) were significantly more prevalent in patients with depressive disorder than those without suicide risk. The logistic regression analysis showed that younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.937, 95% CI 0.905∼0.970), female sex (OR = 2.606, 95% CI 1.142∼5.948), more severe depression (OR = 1.145, 95% CI 1.063∼1.234), cyclothymic temperament (OR = 1.275, 95% CI 1.102∼1.475), and dysthymic temperament (OR = 1.265, 95% CI 1.037∼1.542) were all independently associated with high suicidal risk in patients with first-onset major depression (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Temperament traits differ between the general population and people suffering from MDD. Subjects with MDD who have much more severe depressive symptoms and a cyclothymic or dysthymic temperament were at a high risk of suicide.
Association Between Social Network and Cognitive Function: A Cross-Sectional Assessment From the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Etiology Research Center Cohort (2013–2018)
Authors: Kim Jimin , Yang Ji Su , Youm Yoosik , Kim Dae Jung , Kim Hyeon Chang , Jung Sun Jae
Published: June 2022

Background

This study aimed to investigate how social networks are associated with cognitive function in the middle-aged and elderly Korean population.

Methods

A total of 7,704 individuals over the age of 50 were included from the baseline recruitment of the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Etiology Research Center cohort from the years 2013 to 2018. Egocentric social network characteristics including network size, intimacy, and frequency of face-to-face meetings were measured as exposures, and the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) score was measured to reflect general cognitive function as an outcome. We also stratified the analysis by income level into tertiles, with income caps of 42,000 thousand won and 72,000 thousand won. A general linear regression model was used, adjusting for age, gender, socioeconomic factors, lifestyle factors, depressive symptoms, and study settings.

Results

Social network properties were positively associated with cognitive function in both men and women. However, the specific estimates varied according to gender and income level. In men, frequency was most significantly associated with cognitive function (standardized β = 0.093, p-value <0 .0001). In women, the strength of the association with cognitive function was found in size (standardized β = 0.055, p-value = 0.001). The effect modification of income level could be seen in the association between frequency and cognitive function. The strongest association between frequency and cognitive function was found in the middle income group in men (standardized β = 0.114, p-value = 0.0063), and the low income group in women (standardized β = 0.076, p-value = 0.0039).

Conclusion

There were positive associations between social network properties (i.e., size, intimacy, and frequency of face-to-face meetings) and cognitive function. The degree of association varied according to social network properties, gender, and income level. Overall, among social network properties, social network size was an important factor in the cognition of women, whereas frequency was important in the cognition of men.
The Flexibility of Physio-Cognitive Decline Syndrome: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Lin Yi-Cheng , Chung Chih-Ping , Lee Pei-Lin , Chou Kun-Hsien , Chang Li-Hung , Lin Szu-Ying , Lee Yi-Jung , Lin Ching-Po , Wang Pei-Ning
Published: June 2022

The mutual presence of impairments in physical and cognitive functions in older adults has been reported to predict incident disability, dementia, and mortality. The longitudinal transitions of phenotypes between these functional impairments, either individually or in combination, remain unclear. To investigate the natural course and prevalence of physical and/or cognitive impairments (CIs), we enrolled participants from a community-based population. Data were retrieved from the first (August 2011 and December 2012) and second wave (August 2013 and June 2015) of the I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study (ILAS). All participants were classified into four groups: robust, mobility impairment (MI), CI, and physio-cognitive decline syndrome (PCDS). MI was diagnosed with weakness and/or slowness. CI was diagnosed if a subject met a cutoff below 1.5 standard deviations (SDs) of age-, sex-, and education-matched norms of any neuropsychological assessments. PCDS was combined with MI and CI. Our results showed that 38, 14, 30, and 18% of the participants were on the robust, MI, CI, and PCDS at the first wave, respectively. After 2.5 years, 17% robust, 29% MI, and 37% CI progressed to PCDS. In contrast, 33% of PCDS was reversed to non-PCDS. Predictors of conversion to PCDS included worse memory and language functions, older age, lower muscle mass, and the presence of diabetes. In PCDS, a stronger hand-grip strength, younger age, and better memory functions predicted reversion to non-PCDS status. In summary, we probed the transition of PCDS. The skeletal muscle mass/function and memory function are crucial factors associated with PCDS reversion or progression.
Understanding Community Participation in Rural Health Care: A Participatory Learning and Action Approach
Authors: Mishra Abhisek , Singh Arvind Kumar , Parida Swayam Pragyan , Pradhan Somen Kumar , Nair Jyolsna
Published: June 2022

Community participation is one of the founding pillars of primary health care. However, due to various reasons, we are yet to achieve complete integration of this component into the health system functioning in India. The objective of our study was to do a formative assessment of community participation in a rural healthcare setting by adopting participatory learning action (PLA). technique. The study participants included frontline health workers and members from local governing institutions of rural areas. The study design is qualitative in nature with a participatory approach. A number of three PLA techniques have been used as a part of this study to recognize available resources for community participation, address its barriers and facilitators, and finally devise a time-line-based action plan. Based on the this, a conceptual framework for community participation pertaining to the rural healthcare system has been developed. This study highlights the importance of understanding the psychosocial aspects of community participation among various stakeholders involved in rural health care. Lessons learned from this PLA study will be helpful in the integration of community-based participatory approach within grassroot level healthcare planning and service delivery.
The Impact of Energy Productivity and Eco-Innovation on Sustainable Environment in Emerging Seven (E-7) Countries: Does Institutional Quality Matter?
Authors: Safi Adnan , Chen Yingying , Zheng Liya
Published: June 2022

Emerging economies are showing promising growth and economic success, but the growth process has significantly increased carbon emissions in these countries and deteriorated environmental quality. Environmental degradation is an issue of serious concern as it is directly linked to human lives and health. Since the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Emerging Seven (E-7) countries have struggled to meet the SDG targets, as it's been a challenge for them to lower carbon emissions and improve the quality of the environment. Thus, the present study explores the key factors that significantly affect environmental quality. This study examines the effect of institutional quality, energy productivity, and eco-innovation on consumption-based carbon dioxide (CCO2) emissions for E-7 economies. The cointegration analysis results show a long-run relationship between institutional quality, energy productivity, GDP, eco-innovation exports, imports, and CCO2 emissions. The results obtained using the cross-sectionally augmented autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL) model show that institutional quality, energy productivity, eco-innovation, and exports adversely affect CCO2 emissions and improve environmental quality in the short and long run. In contrast, imports and GDP are positively linked with CCO2 emissions and contribute to environmental degradation. Policies that target institutional quality, eco-innovation, and energy productivity significantly affect CCO2 emissions and help improve environmental quality.
A Combined Wetting and Scattering Study of the Near Surface Ordering in Sugar Surfactant Based Bicontinuous Microemulsions at Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Surfaces
Authors: Wellert Stefan , Stehle Ralf , Micciulla Samantha , Dahl Margarethe , Steitz Roland , Hellweg Thomas , Holderer Olaf
Published: June 2022

The commercial availability of natural surfactants, e.g., alkyl-oligoglucosides and the solubilization of plant and food grade oils extends the field of applications for microemulsions. To study potential effects of the confinement on the structure and dynamics inside a microemulsion, neutron reflectometry and neutron spin echo spectroscopy under grazing incidence have been used. Measurements of the contact between a bicontinuous microemulsion and a hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface are compared and show a similar wetting behavior and near surface structuring.
Surveillance and Control of African Swine Fever in the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic, March-May 2020: A Multi-Country E-Survey
Authors: Desvars-Larrive Amélie , Käsbohrer Annemarie
Published: June 2022

Stringent COVID-19 public health and social measures (PHSMs) have challenged the work of animal health professionals, especially in the early phase of the pandemic. We aimed to qualitatively describe how COVID-19 PHSMs have affected the surveillance and control of African swine fever (ASF) in Europe, assess how professionals engaged in these activities perceived the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, and identify potential areas of improvement. An online questionnaire was proposed via email between 9 December 2020 and 22 January 2021 to professionals engaged in ASF-related activities in Europe and Eastern neighboring countries. The questionnaire contained questions pertaining to ASF surveillance and control activities between March and May 2020, respondent's perception of the impact of COVID-19 PHSMs on these activities, and respondent's opinion on potential improvements to prepare for future crises. Economic and sanitary variables were used to describe the national contexts over the study period. Twenty-seven respondents from 24 countries participated to the study. Essential activities related to surveillance and management of ASF were reduced and/or adapted but maintained in most surveyed countries. Communication was mentioned as the first area of improvement during crisis while maintenance of efficient veterinary services and surveillance activities were cited second and third top priorities. The need for the development of remote procedures was also recognized. Some respondents highlighted difficulties in ensuring biosecurity and biosafety of the field actors due to shortage in protective equipment. Only a small majority (52%) of the survey participants agreed that their institution/working group is better prepared to future lockdown-type situations. Our study emphasizes that short-term measures were globally successful to tackle the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the routine duties of professionals involved in ASF surveillance and control. Our findings suggest that country-specific improvements are necessary to support and advance the preparedness of the actors involved in infectious animal disease surveillance and control in case lockdown-like measures are implemented. Overall, our results highlight the crucial importance of recognizing animal health services as essential activities during crisis.
SNP Genotyping Characterizes the Genome Composition of the New Baisary Fat-Tailed Sheep Breed
Authors: Zhumadillayev Narzhan , Dossybayev Kairat , Khamzina Aigerim , Kapasuly Tilek , Khamzina Zhangylsyn , Tlevlesov Nurlan
Published: June 2022

Lamb meat has become increasingly popular in several nations during the last few decades, especially in Kazakhstan. Due to the rising demand for lamb meat, our sheep breeders developed a new fat-tailed sheep and named the breed Baisary. Animals of the Baisary breed are characterized by a large physique, strong constitution, stretched body, deep and wide chest, medium or large-sized fat tail, long legs (height at the withers of adult rams 85–100 cm, sheep 75–90 cm), long lanceolate ears and strong hooves. Lambs of the Baisary breed surpass their peers of the original parent breeds by 15–20% in live weight at the weaning period. To characterize the genetic structure of Baisary sheep and compare it with the ancestral breeds, we genotyped 247 individuals from five sheep breeds with Ovine SNP50K. The estimated private allelic richness ranged from 0.0030 to 0.0047, with the minimum and maximum provided by the Gissar (Giss1) and Kazakh meat-wool breeds, respectively. The highest and lowest FIS values, meanwhile, were observed in the Afghan fat-tailed population and Baisary sheep, respectively. The calculated inbreeding coefficient showed that Edilbay and Baisary sheep have excess heterozygosity. According to principal components analysis, Baisary are close to Gissar populations, the Afghan fat-tailed breed and Edilbay sheep. These results were consistent with the Admixture and phylogenetic analysis. Overall, our results indicated that Baisary sheep differ genetically from their progenitors.
FLOWSA: A Python Package Attributing Resource Use, Waste, Emissions, and Other Flows to Industries
Authors: Birney Catherine , Young Ben , Li Mo , Conner Melissa , Specht Jacob , Ingwersen Wesley W.
Published: June 2022

Quantifying industry consumption or production of resources, wastes, emissions, and losses—collectively called flows—is a complex and evolving process. The attribution of flows to industries often requires allocating multiple data sources that span spatial and temporal scopes and contain varied levels of aggregation. Once calculated, datasets can quickly become outdated with new releases of source data. The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) developed the open-source Flow Sector Attribution (FLOWSA) Python package to address the challenges surrounding attributing flows to US industrial and final-use sectors. Models capture flows drawn from or released to the environment by sectors, as well as flow transfers between sectors. Data on flow use and generation by source-defined activities are imported from providers and transformed into standardized tables but are otherwise numerically unchanged in preparation for modeling. FLOWSA sector attribution models allocate primary data sources to industries using secondary data sources and file mapping activities to sectors. Users can modify methodological, spatial, and temporal parameters to explore and compare the impact of sector attribution methodological changes on model results. The standardized data outputs from these models are used as the environmental data inputs into the latest version of USEPA’s US Environmentally Extended Input–Output (USEEIO) models, life cycle models of US goods and services for ~400 categories. This communication demonstrates FLOWSA’s capability by describing how to build models and providing select model results for US industry use of water, land, and employment. FLOWSA is available on GitHub, and many of the data outputs are available on the USEPA’s Data Commons.
Complexity Analysis in the PR, QT, RR and ST Segments of ECG for Early Assessment of Severity in Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy
Authors: Senthamil Selvan Sharanya , Arjunan Sridhar P. , Swaminathan Ramakrishnan , Kumar Dinesh Kant
Published: June 2022

Early-stage detection of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is important for better management of the disease and prevents hospitalization. This study has investigated the complex nature of PR, QT, RR, and ST time segments of ECG signals by computing the fractal dimension (FD) of all segments from 20 min ECG recordings of people with different severity of the disease and healthy individuals. The mean computed for each ECG time segment to distinguish between subjects was insufficient for an early diagnosis. Statistical analysis shows that the change of FD in various time segments of ECG throughout the recording was most suitable to assess the steps for severity in symptoms of CAN between the healthy and the subjects with early symptoms of CAN. The complexity of ECG features was evaluated using various classifier models, namely, support vector machine (SVM), naïve Bayes, random forest, K-nearest neighbor (KNN), AdaBoost, and neural networks. Performance measures were computed on all models, with a maximum neural network classifier having an accuracy of 96.9%. Feature ranking results show that fractal features have more significance than the time segments of ECG in differentiating the subjects. The results of statistical validation show that all the selected features based on ECG physiology proved to have an evident complexity change between normal and severity stages of CAN. Thus, this work reports the complexity analysis in all the selected time segments of ECG that can be an effective tool for early diagnostics for CAN.
Assessment of the Genetic and Phytochemical Variability of Italian Wild Hop: A Route to Biodiversity Preservation
Authors: Rodolfi Margherita , Marieschi Matteo , Chiancone Benedetta , Ganino Tommaso
Published: June 2022

Background: Northern Italy has an enormous heritage of hop biodiversity that need to be exploited and studied. The preservation and valorization through the characterization of the existent biodiversity is a primary goal of the European Green Deal 2023–2030. The aim of this study was to acquire information on the biodiversity of Italian wild hops. Methods: Genetic characterization of sixty accessions was done resorting to Single Sequence Repeated (SSR) markers. Phytochemical characterization of wild hops was achieved using: (i) high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection for bitter acids quantification, (ii) steam distillation for essential oils quantification and (iii) Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for the determination of the aromatic profile. Results: The eight SSR primers showed high Polymorphic Information Content (PIC), especially HlGA23. α-Acids reached values between 0 and 4.125. The essential oils analysis highlighted variability within the studied population, with some accessions characterized by important spicy fraction, and others by fruity and floral notes. Conclusions: The present study allowed the characterization of Italian wild hops and demonstrated an interesting biodiversity. Part of this biodiversity have been shown to be potentially suitable for use in brewing. Moreover, several genotypes could be used in breeding programs to obtain new more sustainable varieties.
A Detailed Review on Foam Concrete Composites: Ingredients, Properties, and Microstructure
Authors: Gencel Osman , Bilir Turhan , Bademler Zeynep , Ozbakkaloglu Togay
Published: June 2022

With the development of new cement-based raw materials, foaming agents and fillers used for special applications of foam concrete, the use of foam concretes has become widespread. Foam concrete is a type of concrete that stands out with its lightness, waste potential, controlled low strength, thermal insulation, acoustics performance, and durability. The knowledge base is still developing for this particular building material. This article describes in detail the fresh, hardened, and physical properties of foam concrete. The properties of materials such as cement, aggregate, foam, and fiber used in foam concrete production are explained and their effects on microstructure are discussed. In addition, physical properties, such as fresh state properties, fresh state and consistency, stability, workability, drying shrinkage, air void system, and water absorption, as well as strength and durability properties are emphasized. The main findings of the presented study are to show the current level of the cement-based foam concretes and their shortcomings, which needs more investigations. The effect of fibers on the characteristics of foam concrete and acoustic characteristic of foam concretes are seen as the main topics to be focused on in the studies.
Robust Automatic Segmentation of Inflamed Appendix from Ultrasonography with Double-Layered Outlier Rejection Fuzzy C-Means Clustering
Authors: Kim Kwang Baek , Song Doo Heon , Park Hyun Jun
Published: June 2022

Accurate diagnosis of acute appendicitis from abdominal ultrasound is a challenging task, since traditional sonographic diagnostic criteria for appendicitis, such as diameter, compressibility, and wall thickness, rely on complete identification or visualization of the appendix and the diagnosis is frequently operator subjective. In this paper, we propose a robust automatic segmentation method for inflamed appendix identification to mitigate abovementioned difficulties. We use outlier rejection fuzzy c-means clustering (FCM) algorithm within a double-layered learning structure to extract the target inflamed appendix area. The proposed method extracts the target appendix in 98 cases out of 100 test images, which is far better than traditional FCM, standard outlier FCM, and double-layered learning with FCM in correct extraction rate. Furthermore, we investigate the outlier rejection effect and double layered learning effect by comparing our proposed method with standard double-layered FCM and the standard outlier-rejection FCM. In this comparison, the proposed method exhibits robust segmentation results in accuracy, precision, and recall by 2.5~5.6% over two standard methods in quality with human pathologists’ marking as the ground truth.
Correction: Wang et al. Characteristic Analysis of Dual-Polarization Weather Radar Echoes of Convective Precipitation and Snowfall in the Mount Everest Region. Atmosphere 2021, 12, 1671
Authors: Wang Lei , Li Yueqing , Xu Xiangde , Li Fang
Published: June 2022

In the published manuscript [...]
An ISOMAP Analysis of Sea Surface Temperature for the Classification and Detection of El Niño & La Niña Events
Authors: Tseng John Chien-Han
Published: June 2022

Isometric feature mapping (ISOMAP) is a nonlinear dimensionality reduction method used for extracting features from spatiotemporal data. The traditional principal component analysis (PCA), a linear dimensionality reduction method, measures the distance between two data points based on the Euclidean distance (line segment), which cannot reflect the actual distance between the data points in a nonlinear space. By contrast, the ISOMAP measures the distance between two data points based on the geodesic distance, which more closely reflects the actual distance by the view of tracing along the local linearity in the original nonlinear structure. Thus, ISOMAP-reconstructed data points can reflect the features of real structures and can be classified more accurately than traditional PCA-reconstructed data points. Moreover, these ISOMAP-reconstructed data points can be used for cluster analysis by emphasizing the differences among the points more than those by the traditional PCA. In this study, sea surface temperature (SST) data points reconstructed using the traditional PCA and ISOMAP were compared. The classification based on these reconstructed SST points was tested using the Niño 3.4 index, which labels El Niño, La Niña, or normal events. The mean differences from the ISOMAP data points were larger than those from the traditional PCA data points. The ISOMAP not only helped differentiate the points in two different events but also provided better difference measurement of the points belonging to the same class (e.g., 82/83 and 97/98 El Niño events). On examining the evolution of the leading three temporal eigen components of the SST PCA, or especially the SST ISOMAP, we found that the trajectories were similar to the Lorenz 63 model on a phase space figure. This implies that NWP perturbations can be traced using the ISOMAP to measure growing unstable behaviors. Spatial eigenmodes (empirical orthogonal function) between the traditional PCA and ISOMAP were also determined and compared herein.
Study on the Influence of Fresh Air System of Range Hood on Kitchen Air Quality
Authors: Xu Xuefeng , Peng Liang , Yu Bingsong , Chen Zhenlei , Shi Fan , He Haitao
Published: June 2022

In this paper, a combination of simulation and testing is used to quantitatively analyze the influence of a fresh air system of indoor range hood on kitchen air quality. The evaluation criteria of kitchen air quality are established based on the air age and air exchange efficiency. The results show that, when the fresh air system is switched to on from off, the indoor mean air age is reduced to 94.7 s from 468.6 s, and the air exchange efficiency is improved to 82.4% from 16.7%. The air quality is upgraded to fresh from moderate pollution. The presented simulation analysis process can provide a guideline for in-depth study of the kitchen air quality and quantitatively assess the kitchen fresh air system.
New Insights into the Neurodegeneration Mechanisms Underlying Riboflavin Transporter Deficiency (RTD): Involvement of Energy Dysmetabolism and Cytoskeletal Derangement
Authors: Colasuonno Fiorella , Marioli Chiara , Tartaglia Marco , Bertini Enrico , Compagnucci Claudia , Moreno Sandra
Published: June 2022

Riboflavin transporter deficiency (RTD) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by motor, sensory and cranial neuropathy. This childhood-onset neurodegenerative disease is caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in either SLC52A2 or SLC52A3 genes, resulting in insufficient supply of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and consequent impairment of flavoprotein-dependent metabolic pathways. Current therapy, empirically based high-dose riboflavin supplementation, ameliorates the progression of the disease, even though response to treatment is variable and partial. Recent studies have highlighted concurrent pathogenic contribution of cellular energy dysmetabolism and cytoskeletal derangement. In this context, patient specific RTD models, based on induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, have provided evidence of redox imbalance, involving mitochondrial and peroxisomal dysfunction. Such oxidative stress condition likely causes cytoskeletal perturbation, associated with impaired differentiation of RTD motor neurons. In this review, we discuss the most recent findings obtained using different RTD models. Relevantly, the integration of data from innovative iPSC-derived in vitro models and invertebrate in vivo models may provide essential information on RTD pathophysiology. Such novel insights are expected to suggest custom therapeutic strategies, especially for those patients unresponsive to high-dose riboflavin treatments.
Defining Expressive Language Benchmarks for Children with Down Syndrome
Authors: Thurman Angela John , Bullard Lauren , Kelly Leona , Wong Caitlyn , Nguyen Vivian , Esbensen Anna J. , Bekins Jennifer , Schworer Emily K. , Fidler Deborah J. , Daunhauer Lisa A. , Mervis Carolyn B. , Pitts C. Holley , Becerra Angela M. , Abbeduto Leonard
Published: June 2022

Establishing expressive language benchmarks (ELBs) for children with Down syndrome (DS), as developed by Tager-Flusberg et al. for children with autism, is critically needed to inform the development of novel treatments, identify individualized treatment targets, and promote accurate monitoring of progress. In the present study, we assessed ELB assignments in three language domains (phonology, vocabulary, and grammar) for 53 young children with DS (CA range: 2.50–7.99 years) using standardized assessments. The participants were classified into one of four ELB levels (preverbal, first words, word combinations, and sentences) in each language domain. Associations with additional measures of language, chronological age, nonverbal cognition, and verbal short-term memory were considered. Analyses of individual ELB profiles indicated substantial variability across the three language domains, with six different patterns of variation across domains emerging. At the same time, the ELB categories were significantly associated with independent language measures and broader developmental domains. Moreover, ELB changes were observed in a small sample of children with DS reassessed 18–24 months after the initial visit. Results from the present study suggest the procedures outlined by Tager-Flusberg et al. for defining ELBs are a potentially useful tool for describing the language abilities of children with DS.
Examining Individual Differences in Singing, Musical and Tone Language Ability in Adolescents and Young Adults with Dyslexia
Authors: Christiner Markus , Serrallach Bettina L. , Benner Jan , Bernhofs Valdis , Schneider Peter , Renner Julia , Sommer-Lolei Sabine , Groß Christine
Published: June 2022

In recent years, evidence has been provided that individuals with dyslexia show alterations in the anatomy and function of the auditory cortex. Dyslexia is considered to be a learning disability that affects the development of music and language capacity. We set out to test adolescents and young adults with dyslexia and controls (N = 52) for their neurophysiological differences by investigating the auditory evoked P1–N1–P2 complex. In addition, we assessed their ability in Mandarin, in singing, their musical talent and their individual differences in elementary auditory skills. A discriminant analysis of magnetencephalography (MEG) revealed that individuals with dyslexia showed prolonged latencies in P1, N1, and P2 responses. A correlational analysis between MEG and behavioral variables revealed that Mandarin syllable tone recognition, singing ability and musical aptitude (AMMA) correlated with P1, N1, and P2 latencies, respectively, while Mandarin pronunciation was only associated with N1 latency. The main findings of this study indicate that the earlier P1, N1, and P2 latencies, the better is the singing, the musical aptitude, and the ability to link Mandarin syllable tones to their corresponding syllables. We suggest that this study provides additional evidence that dyslexia can be understood as an auditory and sensory processing deficit.
Using EmPalPed—An Educational Toolkit on Essential Messages in Palliative Care and Pain Management in Children—As a Strategy to Promote Pediatric Palliative Care
Authors: García-Quintero Ximena , Claros-Hulbert Angélica , Tello-Cajiao María Elena , Bolaños-Lopez Jhon Edwar , Cuervo-Suárez María Isabel , Durán Martha Gabriela García , Gómez-García Wendy , McNeil Michael , Baker Justin N.
Published: June 2022

Background: Most children needing palliative care (PC) live in low- and middle-income countries. In Colombia, pediatric palliative care (PPC) knowledge among healthcare professionals (HCPs) is lacking as PPC is not included in the educational curricula of healthcare programs. Therefore, specific training that improves knowledge of HCPs and access to PC for children and their families is needed. To address this gap, we organized and conducted the Essential Messages in Palliative Care and Pain Management in Children (EmPalPed), an educational toolkit to increase awareness and promote essential knowledge in PPC for low- and middle-income countries. Methodology: The EmPalPed toolkit consisted of a 5-h virtual workshop with small working groups of HCPs caring for children with life-threatening conditions such as cancer. The toolkit was organized along five key domains: (1) PC as it relates to the concept of quality of life (QoL), (2) effective communication, (3) addressing pain management as a top priority, (4) providing end-of-life care, and (5) access to high-quality PC as a fundamental human right. The workshop activities included different educational strategies and tools (e.g., a pocket guide for pain assessment and management, a PPC booklet, a quick guide for communicating bad news, role playing, and discussions of clinical cases). Results: A total of 145 HCPs from 22 centers were trained. The post-test analysis for HCPs showed that attitude and knowledge about communication (p < 0.001), pain assessment (p < 0.001), first-line opioid of choice in children (p < 0.001), and palliative sedation (p < 0.001) had positive and statistically significant changes from the pre-test analysis. Discussion: This study supported the notion that the EmPalPed educational toolkit is an effective mechanism for raising awareness regarding PPC as well as providing training in many of the key aspects of PPC. The EmPalPed training approach should be studied beyond this setting, and the impact should be measured longitudinally.
Robotically Assisted Surgery in Children—A Perspective
Authors: Krebs Thomas Franz , Schnorr Isabel , Heye Pascal , Häcker Franz-Martin
Published: June 2022

The introduction of robotically assisted surgery was a milestone for minimally invasive surgery in the 21st century. Currently, there are two CE-approved robotically assisted surgery systems for use and development in pediatrics. Specifically, tremor filtration and optimal visualization are approaches which can have enormous benefits for procedures in small bodies. Robotically assisted surgery in children might have advantages compared to laparoscopic or open approaches. This review focuses on the research literature regarding robotically assisted surgery that has been published within the past decade. A literature search was conducted to identify studies comparing robotically assisted surgery with laparoscopic and open approaches. While reported applications in urology were the most cited, three other fields (gynecology, general surgery, and “others”) were also identified. In total, 36 of the publications reviewed suggested that robotically assisted surgery was a good alternative for pediatric procedures. After several years of experience of this surgery, a strong learning curve was evident in the literature. However, some authors have highlighted limitations, such as high cost and a limited spectrum of small-sized instruments. The recent introduction of reusable 3 mm instruments to the market might help to overcome these limitations. In the future, it can be anticipated that there will be a broader range of applications for robotically assisted surgery in selected pediatric surgeries, especially as surgical skills continue to improve and further system innovations emerge.
Investigating the Morphology, Optical, and Thermal Properties of Multiphase-TiO2/MAPbI3 Heterogeneous Thin-Films for Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Malevu Thembinkosi D. , Motaung Tshwafo E. , Motloung Setumo V. , Koao Lehlohonolo F. , Mokoena Teboho P. , Mhlongo Motlalepula R.
Published: June 2022

The present study evaluates the effect of mesoporous multiphase titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) as an electron transporting layer and investigates the influence of phase composition on the perovskite solar cell (PSC) performances. This study also aims to evaluate PSC performance using conductive silver ink as an alternative counter electrode. The heterogeneous PSC thin-film solar cells were successfully fabricated and assembled by using a simple a doctor blade and two-step spin coating methods under ambient conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrograph images investigate methyl ammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) crystal formation on the mesoporous TiO2 surface structure. Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) spectra reveal excellent qualitative and quantitative analysis corresponding to the SEM images in the TiO2/MAPbI3 heterogeneous thin films. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) characterization reveals that the TiO2/MAPbI3 thin films are thermally stable recording a maximum of 15.7% mass loss at 800 °C elevated temperatures. Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) characterized the effect of multiphase TiO2 phase transformation on the TiO2/MAPbI3 recombination efficiencies. A maximum of 6% power conversion efficiency (PCE) with the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.58 ± 0.02 V and short circuit current (Jsc) of 3.89 ± 0.17 mAcm−2 was achieved for devices with an active area of 3 × 10−4 m2 demonstrating that the synthesized multiphase TiO2 nanoparticles are promising for large surface area manufacturing. Therefore, it is apparent that multiphase TiO2 NPs play a significant role in the performance of the final device.
Progress of Photonic-Crystal Surface-Emitting Lasers: A Paradigm Shift in LiDAR Application
Authors: Hong Yu-Heng , Miao Wen-Chien , Hsu Wen-Cheng , Hong Kuo-Bin , Lin Chun-Liang , Lin Ching , Chen Shih-Chen , Kuo Hao-Chung
Published: June 2022

Nowadays, the flurry of autonomous vehicles is in full swing regarding light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and depth perception. For such visual perception, light plays an important role. We human beings recognize and distinguish surrounding details when the eye focuses light on the retina. For the LiDAR system, pulsed lasers are employed to measure the relevant range. Thus, appropriate light sources with high performance are in urgent demand. Auspiciously, a revolutionary semiconductor laser technology, namely the photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL), emerges over the past two decades. PCSEL exhibits not only a symmetric beam profile with narrow beam divergence but also a high-power operation with controllability. Therefore, it may be the holy grail for an ultracompact time-of-flight (ToF) LiDAR system. Hereupon, comprehensive analyses of PCSEL-relevant scientific publications and patent documents are conducted. We thereby review the development progress of PCSEL technology. Moreover, a systematic simulation is performed, providing real-time visualization of relevant point clouds with different beam divergence. PCSEL technology with unprecedented merits indeed turns a new leaf and a paradigm shift in LiDAR application is ongoing. It is believed that a lens-free and adjustment-free ultracompact apparatus in simplicity can be expected.
Calorimetric Study of High-Volume Fly Ash-Cement Paste Hydration at Different Temperatures
Authors: Huang Senle , Yao Jikai , Yang Yang , Gu Chunping , Liu Jintao , Kong Deyu , Wen Xiaodong
Published: June 2022

The study on the hydration process of cement-based materials is of significance since it determines the development of the macro-properties. The hydration process of high-volume fly ash (FA)-cement based materials is quite special and needs systematic study. In this study, the hydration heat release of cement paste with high volume FA were measured with isothermal calorimetry at different temperatures. The full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) value of the exothermic peak and the cementitious index (CMI) of FA were used comprehensively to evaluate the influence of FA on cement hydration. It was found that increasing the FA content and water-binder ratio retarded the hydration process for paste but did not show obvious effects on the hydration of cement. The CMI values show that raising the temperature intensified the retarding effect of FA on cement hydration during the induction period, but promoted the subsequent hydration process. According to the normalized heat release to cement, and the change of CMI values with temperature, new evidence was found that FA may not act as nucleation sites during the hydration process of cement. The result can be better explained by the topochemical reaction mechanism.
The Psychological Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adults Treated for Childhood Cancer
Authors: Janah Asmaa , Haddy Nadia , Demoor-Goldschmidt Charlotte , Bougas Nicolas , Clavel Jacqueline , Poulalhon Claire , Lacour Brigitte , Souchard Vincent , Jackson Angela , Casagranda Leonie , Berger Claire , Allodji Rodrigue , El Fayech Chiraz , Fresneau Brice , De Vathaire Florent , Dumas Agnes
Published: June 2022

Background: Compared with the general population, childhood cancer survivors (CCS) could be at greater risk of psychological distress following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Purpose: This cross-sectional study assessed the psychological consequences of COVID-19 on the mental health of CCS. Design and participants: In December 2020, we interviewed through an online self-report questionnaire, 580 5-year CCS participating in the French Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (FCCSS) cohort. Methods: We first compared the mental health score of CCS with that observed in the French general population of the same age and gender. Subsequently, we studied predictors of the mental health score of CCS. Results: External comparisons revealed that the mental health score of CCS was similar to that of the general population. Among CCS, almost 42% stated that their psychological state had been worse during the lockdown. Predictors of poorer mental health included, among others, female gender, reporting a change in the occupational situation, having a relative who had been hospitalized or had died following COVID-19, and a greater perceived infection risk. Interpretation and Implications: Given the pre-existing vulnerability of some CCS to mental distress, the additional psychological consequences of COVID-19 in vulnerable survivors should receive attention from health care providers.