bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Storage of halved strawberry fruits affects aroma, phytochemical content and gene expression, and is affected by pre-harvest factors
Authors: Baldwin Ashley , Dhorajiwala Rakhee , Roberts Callum , Dimitrova Simone , Tu Sarah , Jones Stephanie , Ludlow Richard A. , Cammarisano Laura , Davoli Daniela , Andrews Robert , Kent Nicholas A. , Spadafora Natasha D. , Müller Carsten T. , Rogers Hilary J.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Strawberry fruit are highly valued for their aroma which develops during ripening. However, they have a short shelf-life. Low temperature storage is routinely used to extend shelf-life for transport and storage in the supply chain, however cold storage can also affect fruit aroma. Some fruit continue to ripen during chilled storage; however, strawberries are a non-climacteric fruit and hence ripening postharvest is limited. Although most strawberry fruit is sold whole, halved fruit is also used in ready to eat fresh fruit salads which are of increasing consumer demand and pose additional challenges to fresh fruit storage.

Methods

To better understand the effects of cold storage, volatilomic and transcriptomic analyses were applied to halved Fragaria x ananassa cv. Elsanta fruit stored at 4 or 8°C for up to 12 days over two growing seasons.

Results and discussion

The volatile organic compound (VOC) profile differed between 4 or 8°C on most days of storage. Major differences were detected between the two different years of harvest indicating that aroma change at harvest and during storage is highly dependent on environmental factors during growth. The major component of the aroma profile in both years was esters. Over 3000 genes changed in expression over 5 days of storage at 8°C in transcriptome analysis. Overall, phenylpropanoid metabolism, which may also affect VOCs, and starch metabolism were the most significantly affected pathways. Genes involved in autophagy were also differentially expressed. Expression of genes from 43 different transcription factor (TF) families changed in expression: mostly they were down-regulated but NAC and WRKY family genes were mainly up-regulated. Given the high ester representation amongst VOCs, the down-regulation of an alcohol acyl transferase (AAT) during storage is significant. A total of 113 differentially expressed genes were co-regulated with the AAT gene, including seven TFs. These may be potential AAT regulators.
A bench-top Dark-Root device built with LEGO® bricks enables a non-invasive plant root development analysis in soil conditions mirroring nature
Authors: Dermendjiev Georgi , Schnurer Madeleine , Stewart Ethan , Nägele Thomas , Marino Giada , Leister Dario , Thür Alexandra , Plott Stefan , Jeż Jakub , Ibl Verena
Published: May 2023

Roots are the hidden parts of plants, anchoring their above-ground counterparts in the soil. They are responsible for water and nutrient uptake and for interacting with biotic and abiotic factors in the soil. The root system architecture (RSA) and its plasticity are crucial for resource acquisition and consequently correlate with plant performance while being highly dependent on the surrounding environment, such as soil properties and therefore environmental conditions. Thus, especially for crop plants and regarding agricultural challenges, it is essential to perform molecular and phenotypic analyses of the root system under conditions as near as possible to nature (#asnearaspossibletonature). To prevent root illumination during experimental procedures, which would heavily affect root development, Dark-Root (D-Root) devices (DRDs) have been developed. In this article, we describe the construction and different applications of a sustainable, affordable, flexible, and easy to assemble open-hardware bench-top LEGO® DRD, the DRD-BIBLOX (Brick Black Box). The DRD-BIBLOX consists of one or more 3D-printed rhizoboxes, which can be filled with soil while still providing root visibility. The rhizoboxes sit in a scaffold of secondhand LEGO® bricks, which allows root development in the dark and non-invasive root tracking with an infrared (IR) camera and an IR light-emitting diode (LED) cluster. Proteomic analyses confirmed significant effects of root illumination on barley root and shoot proteomes. Additionally, we confirmed the significant effect of root illumination on barley root and shoot phenotypes. Our data therefore reinforces the importance of the application of field conditions in the lab and the value of our novel device, the DRD-BIBLOX. We further provide a DRD-BIBLOX application spectrum, spanning from investigating a variety of plant species and soil conditions and simulating different environmental conditions and stresses, to proteomic and phenotypic analyses, including early root tracking in the dark.
Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of age-, dark-, and salt-induced senescence reveals underlying mechanisms and key regulators of leaf senescence in Zoysia japonica
Authors: Wang Lanshuo , Doan Phan Phuong Thao , Chuong Nguyen Nguyen , Lee Hyo-Yeon , Kim Jin Hee , Kim Jeongsik
Published: May 2023

The lawn grass Zoysia japonica is widely cultivated for its ornamental and recreational value. However, its green period is subject to shortening, which significantly decreases the economic value of Z. japonica, especially for large cultivations. Leaf senescence is a crucial biological and developmental process that significantly influences the lifespan of plants. Moreover, manipulation of this process can improve the economic value of Z. japonica by extending its greening period. In this study, we conducted a comparative transcriptomic analysis using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to investigate early senescence responses triggered by age, dark, and salt. Gene set enrichment analysis results indicated that while distinct biological processes were involved in each type of senescence response, common processes were also enriched across all senescence responses. The identification and validation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) via RNA-seq and quantitative real-time PCR provided up- and down-regulated senescence markers for each senescence and putative senescence regulators that trigger common senescence pathways. Our findings revealed that the NAC, WRKY, bHLH, and ARF transcription factor (TF) groups are major senescence-associated TF families that may be required for the transcriptional regulation of DEGs during leaf senescence. In addition, we experimentally validated the senescence regulatory function of seven TFs including ZjNAP, ZjWRKY75, ZjARF2, ZjNAC1, ZjNAC083, ZjARF1, and ZjPIL5 using a protoplast-based senescence assay. This study provides new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying Z. japonica leaf senescence and identifies potential genetic resources for enhancing its economic value by prolonging its green period.
Development of a phenotyping protocol for combined drought and salinity stress at seedling stage in rice
Authors: Kota Suneetha , Vispo Naireen Aiza , Quintana Marinell R. , Cabral Carlo L. U. , Centeno C. Arloo , Egdane James , Maathuis Frans J. M. , Kohli Ajay , Henry Amelia , Singh Rakesh Kumar
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The case of combined drought and salinity stress is increasingly becoming a constraint to rice production, especially in coastal areas and river deltas where low rainfall not only reduces soil moisture levels but also reduces the flow of river water, resulting in intrusion of saline sea-water. A standardized screening method is needed in order to systematically evaluate rice cultivars under combined drought+salinity at the same time because sequential stress of salinity followed by drought or vice-versa is not similar to simultaneous stress effects. Therefore, we aimed to develop a screening protocol for combined drought+salinity stress applied to soil-grown plants at seedling stage.

Methods

The study system used 30-L soil-filled boxes, which allowed a comparison of plant growth under control conditions, individual drought and salinity stress, as well as combined drought+salinity. A set of salinity tolerant and drought tolerant cultivars were tested, together with several popular but salinity and drought-susceptible varieties that are grown in regions prone to combined drought+salinity. A range of treatments were tested including different timings of the drought and salinity application, and different severities of stress, in order to determine the most effective that resulted in visible distinction among cultivars. The challenges related to determining a protocol with repeatable seedling stage stress treatment effects while achieving a uniform plant stand are described here.

Results

The optimized protocol simultaneously applied both stresses by planting into saline soil at 75% of field capacity which was then allowed to undergo progressive drydown. Meanwhile, physiological characterization revealed that chlorophyll fluorescence at seedling stage correlated well with grain yield when drought stress was applied to vegetative stage only.

Discussion

The drought+salinity protocol developed here can be used for screening rice breeding populations as part of a pipeline to develop new rice varieties with improved adaptation to combined stresses.
Popcorn (Zea mays L. var. Everta) haploids identified by Navajo phenotype and ploidy level
Authors: Silva Jean Paulo Aparecido da , Viana José Marcelo Soriano , Dias Kaio Olimpio das Graças , Silva Jéssica Coutinho , Tupper Vivian Torres Bandeira , Clarindo Wellington Ronildo
Published: May 2023

For popcorn, obtaining and identifying haploids are still challenging steps. We aimed to induce and screen haploids in popcorn using the Navajo phenotype, seedling vigor, and ploidy level. We used the Krasnodar Haploid Inducer (KHI) in crosses with 20 popcorn source germplasms and five maize controls. The field trial design was completely randomized, with three replications. We assessed the efficacy of induction and identification of haploids based on the haploidy induction rate (HIR) and false positive and negative rates (FPR and FNR). Additionally, we also measured the penetrance of the Navajo marker gene (R1-nj). All putative haploids classified by the R1-nj were germinated together with a diploid sample and evaluated for false positives and negatives based on vigor. Seedlings from 14 females were submitted to flow cytometry to determine the ploidy level. The HIR and penetrance were analyzed by fitting a generalized linear model with a logit link function. The HIR of the KHI, adjusted by cytometry, ranged from 0.0 to 1.2%, with a mean of 0.34%. The average FPR from screening based on the Navajo phenotype was 26.2% and 76.4% for vigor and ploidy, respectively. The FNR was zero. The penetrance of R1-nj ranged from 30.8 to 98.6%. The average number of seeds per ear in temperate germplasm (76) was lower than that obtained in tropical germplasm (98). There is an induction of haploids in germplasm of tropical and temperate origin. We recommend the selection of haploids associated with the Navajo phenotype with a direct method of confirming the ploidy level, such as flow cytometry. We also show that haploid screening based on Navajo phenotype and seedling vigor reduces misclassification. The origin and genetic background of the source germplasm influence the R1-nj penetrance. Because the known inducers are maize, developing doubled haploid technology for popcorn hybrid breeding requires overcoming unilateral cross-incompatibility.
The multifarious role of callose and callose synthase in plant development and environment interactions
Authors: Li Ning , Lin Zeng , Yu Peiyao , Zeng Yanling , Du Shenxiu , Huang Li-Jun
Published: May 2023

Callose is an important linear form of polysaccharide synthesized in plant cell walls. It is mainly composed of β-1,3-linked glucose residues with rare amount of β-1,6-linked branches. Callose can be detected in almost all plant tissues and are widely involved in various stages of plant growth and development. Callose is accumulated on plant cell plates, microspores, sieve plates, and plasmodesmata in cell walls and is inducible upon heavy metal treatment, pathogen invasion, and mechanical wounding. Callose in plant cells is synthesized by callose synthases located on the cell membrane. The chemical composition of callose and the components of callose synthases were once controversial until the application of molecular biology and genetics in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana that led to the cloning of genes encoding synthases responsible for callose biosynthesis. This minireview summarizes the research progress of plant callose and its synthetizing enzymes in recent years to illustrate the important and versatile role of callose in plant life activities.
Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals molecular regulation of salt tolerance in two contrasting chickpea genotypes
Authors: Khan Hammad Aziz , Sharma Niharika , Siddique Kadambot H.M. , Colmer Timothy David , Sutton Tim , Baumann Ute
Published: May 2023

Salinity is a major abiotic stress that causes substantial agricultural losses worldwide. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important legume crop but is salt-sensitive. Previous physiological and genetic studies revealed the contrasting response of two desi chickpea varieties, salt-sensitive Rupali and salt-tolerant Genesis836, to salt stress. To understand the complex molecular regulation of salt tolerance mechanisms in these two chickpea genotypes, we examined the leaf transcriptome repertoire of Rupali and Genesis836 in control and salt-stressed conditions. Using linear models, we identified categories of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) describing the genotypic differences: salt-responsive DEGs in Rupali (1,604) and Genesis836 (1,751) with 907 and 1,054 DEGs unique to Rupali and Genesis836, respectively, salt responsive DEGs (3,376), genotype-dependent DEGs (4,170), and genotype-dependent salt-responsive DEGs (122). Functional DEG annotation revealed that the salt treatment affected genes involved in ion transport, osmotic adjustment, photosynthesis, energy generation, stress and hormone signalling, and regulatory pathways. Our results showed that while Genesis836 and Rupali have similar primary salt response mechanisms (common salt-responsive DEGs), their contrasting salt response is attributed to the differential expression of genes primarily involved in ion transport and photosynthesis. Interestingly, variant calling between the two genotypes identified SNPs/InDels in 768 Genesis836 and 701 Rupali salt-responsive DEGs with 1,741 variants identified in Genesis836 and 1,449 variants identified in Rupali. In addition, the presence of premature stop codons was detected in 35 genes in Rupali. This study provides valuable insights into the molecular regulation underpinning the physiological basis of salt tolerance in two chickpea genotypes and offers potential candidate genes for the improvement of salt tolerance in chickpeas.
The use of mazes over time in Spanish heritage speakers in the US
Authors: Martinez-Nieto Lourdes , Moen Theresa , Pierce Melissa , Restrepo Maria Adelaida
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Mazes are linguistic disfluencies such as filled pauses, repetitions, or revisions of grammatical, phonological, or lexical aspects of words that do not contribute to the meaning of a sentence. Bilingual children are believed to increase the numbers of mazes in their native or heritage language, the minority language, as they become more proficient in the second language, the societal language. Mazes may increase over time in bilingual Spanish-speaking children as they become more proficient in English, the societal language in the United States. However, current studies have not been conducted longitudinally. Higher rates of mazes in the heritage language over time may be due to changes in language proficiency and differences in processing demands in the children as they use more complex language. Moreover, children with developmental language disorder (DLD) can also present higher rates of mazes than children with typical language. Heritage speakers, therefore, are at risk of being misdiagnosed with DLD due to high rates of mazes. Currently, we do not understand what the typical rates of mazes are as heritage speakers get older and become more proficient in the societal language. The current study examined the type and frequency of Spanish mazes longitudinally in a group of 22 Spanish heritage speakers with and without DLD and determined the changes over time.

Methods

A total of 11 children with typical language development (TLD) and 11 with DLD participated in this 5-year longitudinal study. Using a wordless picture book, children completed a retelling task in Spanish during the spring of each academic year (PK to 3rd grade) as part of a 5-h testing battery. Narratives were transcribed and coded for types of mazes (filled pauses, repetitions, grammatical revisions, phonological revisions, and lexical revisions).

Results and conclusion

The results of the study indicate that TLD children increased their overall percentage of mazed words and utterances. The opposite pattern was observed in the DLD group, which decreased their percentage of mazed words and utterances. In contrast, both groups demonstrated a decrease in repetitions in first grade and an increase in third grade. Additionally, the TLD and DLD children decreased in the percentage of fillers in first grade and then increased in the third grade. Results suggest that maze use is quite variable in heritage speakers and does not necessarily differentiate groups. Clinicians should not rely solely on mazes to determine ability status. In fact, high use of mazes can reflect typical language development.
Older adults recover more marginal knowledge and use feedback more effectively than younger adults: evidence using “I don’t know” vs. “I don’t remember” for general knowledge questions
Authors: Umanath Sharda , Barrett Talia E. , Kim Stacy , Walsh Cole A. , Coane Jennifer H.
Published: May 2023

Through three experiments, we examined older and younger adults’ metacognitive ability to distinguish between what is not stored in the knowledge base versus merely inaccessible. Difficult materials were selected to test this ability when retrieval failures were very frequent. Of particular interest was the influence of feedback (and lack thereof) in potential new learning and recovery of marginal knowledge across age groups. Participants answered short-answer general knowledge questions, responding “I do not know” (DK) or “I do not remember” (DR) when retrieval failed. After DKs, performance on a subsequent multiple-choice (Exp. 1) and short-answer test following correct-answer feedback (Exp. 2) was lower than after DRs, supporting self-reportednot rememberingreflects failures of accessibility whereasnot knowingcaptures a lack of availability. Yet, older adults showed a tendency to answer more DK questions correctly on the final tests than younger adults. Experiment 3 was a replication and extension of Experiment 2 including two groups of online participants in which one group was not provided correct answer feedback during the initial short-answer test. This allowed us to examine the degree to which any new learning and recovery of access to marginal knowledge was occurring across the age groups. Together, the findings indicate that (1) metacognitive awareness regarding underlying causes of retrieval failures is maintained across different distributions of knowledge accessibility, (2) older adults use correct answer feedback more effectively than younger adults, and (3) in the absence of feedback, older adults spontaneously recover marginal knowledge.
Life design facing the fertility gap: promoting gender equity to give women and men the freedom of a mindful life planning
Authors: Camussi Elisabetta , Meneghetti Daria , Rella Riccardo , Sbarra Maria Luisa , Calegari Elena , Sassi Cinzia , Annovazzi Chiara
Published: May 2023

Nowadays, society is characterized by enormous and rapid changes, erratic careers, gender discrimination, injustices, and inequities. Discrimination includes professional and educational segregation, the gender pay gap, stereotypical gender roles, and social expectations. In this context, phenomena called low fertility and fertility gap are increasing. Indeed, the birth rate necessary to ensure the replacement of the population is not reached, with severe repercussions at a social, environmental, and economic level. This study aimed to investigate 835 women’s perceptions of the desire for motherhood and the associated difficulties. Hierarchical multiple regression and thematic decomposition analyses first highlight a significant difference between the number of children women realistically plan and the ideal number of children they would like. Secondly, the results showed how the parenthood choice is connected to the perception of social and gender inequity. Finally, in a Life Design perspective, preventive actions will be described to support women to get back to the center of life choices, building dignified fair paths and family projects.
Calling for a meaningful contribution? Bridging contributing to society with motivation theory
Authors: Bryant Rowdy , Lysova Evgenia I. , Khapova Svetlana N.
Published: May 2023

This paper examines the concept of “contributing to society” in the context of meaningful work and calling. While previous studies have identified it as a significant dimension within these concepts, little attention has been paid to trying to conceptualize it. Also, with “self-oriented” fulfillment being an important aspect of the experience of meaningfulness, the understanding of contribution to society might be more complex than being simply an “other-oriented” concept. In response to this conceptual unclarity, we define contributing to society as a belief individuals hold about whether tasks positively impact work beneficiaries. We integrate this with Situated Expectancy-Value Theory (SEVT) to determine the expected task value of such belief. Our argument is that fulfillment of a contribution depends on three factors: (1) the expectation of a contribution based on someone's calling and expected meaningfulness; (2) the extent to which the employee is invested in the task, the costs of such task, whether the beneficiary and impact value and the utility for the self and beneficiary match the preference; (3) the extent to which this contribution is sufficient considering someone's expectation. Therefore, the expected task value can differ between individuals concerning the number and types of beneficiaries and the extent and value of the impact. Moreover, in this way contributions to society should also be perceived from a self-oriented perspective to be fulfilling. This original concept offers a theoretical framework and a research agenda that proposes new avenues of inquiry for calling, meaningful work, contributing to society, and related fields such as job design, and public policy.
Testamentary capacity assessment in dementia using artificial intelligence: prospects and challenges
Authors: Economou Alexandra , Kontos John
Published: May 2023

Testamentary capacity (TC), a set of capacities involved in making a valid Will, has become prominent in capacity evaluations due to the demographic increase in older persons and associated increase in cognitive impairment. The assessment of contemporaneous TC follows the criteria derived from the Banks v Goodfellow case, which do not bind capacity solely on the basis of presence of a cognitive disorder. Although effort is being made for establishing more objective criteria for TC judgment, variations in situational complexity call for incorporating the different circumstances of the testator in capacity assessment. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies such as statistical machine learning have been used in forensic psychiatry mainly for the prediction of aggressive behavior and recidivism but little has been done in the area of capacity assessment. However, the statistical machine learning model responses are difficult to interpret and explain, which presents problems with regard to the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union. In this Perspective we present a framework for an AI decision support tool for TC assessment. The framework is based on AI decision support and explainable AI (XAI) technology.
Involving hard-to-reach populations is pivotal for the tailoring and implementation of an epidemiological study in cross-border communities of French Guiana and Suriname
Authors: Schaub Roxane , Ottevanger M. Sigrid Mac Donald , Harkisoen Soeradj , Pesna Béatrice , Duijves Celine , Heemskerk Marieke , Polime Thomas , Tuaillon Edouard , Vreden Stephen , Nacher Mathieu
Published: May 2023

Background

Hard-to-reach, vulnerable and cross-border populations are often disproportionately affected by communicable diseases. Epidemiological data on viral hepatitis in French Guiana and Suriname are available for urban areas, but not for remote communities. The Maroni River, which separates FG and Suriname, is home to Tribal and Indigenous communities. Reaching these populations is challenging due to logistical constraints, cultural and language barriers, and mistrust of outsiders.

Objectives

We aimed to conduct an epidemiological study of viral hepatitis [Maroni Hepatites Virales (MaHeVi)] in this remote and complex area. Here, we describe the operational hurdles and solutions required to achieve this.

Methods

We undertook a preliminary assessment of the area with local community leaders and health workers to gain approval of MaHeVi, acceptance of blood sampling, and suggestions for adapting the study to cultural and logistical constraints. Anthropological assessments were conducted through focus groups and interviews with key individuals to assess knowledge, beliefs and risk factors for VH.

Results

MaHeVi was well received by the local communities. The approval of the community leaders was crucial for the implementation and acceptance of the study. The main adaptations were hiring community health mediators to overcome cultural and language differences, using blotting paper instead of venipuncture for logistical and acceptability reasons, and adapting communication materials.

Conclusion

Careful preparation and tailoring of the communication materials and research protocol have enabled the successful implementation of the study. This process could be replicated in this area and transferred to other complex contexts combining borders, logistical hurdles and populations requiring cultural adaptations.
Quantitative nanohistology of aging dermal collagen
Authors: Huang Sophia , Strange Adam , Maeva Anna , Siddiqui Samera , Bastien Phillipe , Aguayo Sebastian , Vaez Mina , Montagu-Pollock Hubert , Ghibaudo Marion , Potter Anne , Pageon Herve , Bozec Laurent
Published: May 2023

The skin is the largest organ in the body and is essential for protecting us from environmental stressors such as UV radiation, pollution, and pathogens. As we age, our skin undergoes complex changes that can affect its function, appearance, and health. These changes result from intrinsic (chronological) and extrinsic (environmental) factors that can cause damage to the skin’s cells and extracellular matrix. As higher-resolution microscopical techniques, such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), are being deployed to support histology, it is possible to explore the biophysical properties of the dermal scaffold’s constituents, such as the collagen network. In this study, we demonstrate the use of our AFM-based quantitative nanohistology, performed directly on unfixed cryosections of 30 donors (female, Caucasian), to differentiate between dermal collagen from different age groups and anatomical sites. The initial 420 (10 × 10 μm2) Atomic Force Microscopy images were segmented into 42,000 (1 × 1 μm2) images before being classified according to four pre-defined empirical collagen structural biomarkers to quantify the structural heterogeneity of the dermal collagen. These markers include interfibrillar gap formation, undefined collagen structure, and registered or unregistered dense collagen fibrillar network with evident D-banding. The structural analysis was also complemented by extensive nanoindentation (∼1,000 curves) performed on individual fibrils from each section, yielding 30,000 indentation curves for this study. Principal Component Analysis was used to reduce the complexity of high-dimensional datasets. The % prevalence of the empirical collagen structural biomarkers between the papillary and reticular dermis for each section proves determinant in differentiating between the donors as a function of their age or the anatomical site (cheek or breast). A case of abnormal biological aging validated our markers and nanohistology approach. This case also highlighted the difference between chronological and biological aging regarding dermal collagen phenotyping. However, quantifying the impact of chronic and pathological conditions on the structure and function of collagen at the sub-micron level remains challenging and lengthy. By employing tools such as the Atomic Force Microscope as presented here, it is possible to start evaluating the complexity of the dermal matrix at the nanoscale and start identifying relevant collagen morphology which could be used toward histopathology standards.
Vestibular rehabilitation improves spontaneous nystagmus normalization in patients with acute unilateral vestibulopathy
Authors: Lacour Michel , Lopez Christophe , Thiry Alain , Tardivet Laurent
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Spontaneous nystagmus (SN) can be observed after acute unilateral vestibulopathy (AUVP). The slow phase eye velocity of the SN progressively decreases in darkness as the result of rebalanced neurophysiological activity between both vestibular nuclei, a process that can take several months. Although this compensatory process can occur spontaneously, there is poor evidence that vestibular rehabilitation (VR) can facilitate the process.

Methods

We documented the natural time course of SN reduction in patients with AUVP, as well as the effects of VR by means of a unilateral rotation paradigm. In a retrospective study (Study 1: n = 126 AUVP patients), we compared the time course of the SN reduction in patients with VR (n = 33) and without VR (n = 93). In a prospective study (Study 2: n = 42 AUVP patients), we compared the effects of early VR (n = 22; initiated within the first two weeks of symptoms onset) or late VR (n = 20; initiated after the second week of symptoms onset) on the time course of the SN reduction.

Results

Study 1 showed shorter median time of SN normalization in patients with VR compared to patients without VR (14 days and 90 days, respectively). Study 2 showed that AUVP patients with early and late VR had a similar median time of SN normalization. The SN slow phase eye velocity was significantly decreased as early as the end of the first VR session in both groups, and kept decreasing at each subsequent VR session. In the early VR group, 38% of the patients had slow phase eye velocity below 2°/s after the first VR session, 100% after the fifth session. Similar findings were observed in the late VR group.

Discussion

Taken together, these results indicate that VR with a unidirectional rotation paradigm speeds up the normalization of SN. This effect seems independent of the time between symptoms onset and commencement of VR, but early intervention is recommended to speed up the SN reduction.
Is sustainable certification's ability to combat greenwashing trustworthy?
Authors: Nygaard Arne
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Certifications are widely recognized as important tools in addressing climate change, safeguarding human rights, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices. However, this critical review article draws attention to potential negative impacts associated with certifications. The purpose of this review is to highlight the risks and challenges associated with certifications despite their intended benefits.

Methods

The review draws on existing literature on certifications and their impacts, as well as empirical studies on the effectiveness of certifications in addressing climate change, safeguarding human rights, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices.

Results

The review finds that certifications can increase the perceived value of eco-friendly brands and consumer willingness to pay. However, the review also highlights the risks of greenwashing and free riding, which can undermine the intended benefits of certifications. Additionally, the institutional organization of certification systems may exhibit structural inertia, which may impede the integration of disruptive green technologies and market transitions.

Discussion

The potential negative impacts of certifications on addressing climate change, safeguarding human rights, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices should not be overlooked. It is essential to implement measures to mitigate the risks of eco-opportunism and to effectively combat greenwashing. The review suggests that certification systems should be designed to promote innovation and the adoption of new technologies, rather than being a barrier to change.

Conclusion

Certifications are important tools for addressing climate change, safeguarding human rights, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices. However, their potential negative impacts should be acknowledged and addressed. The review recommends implementing measures to mitigate the risks of eco-opportunism and to effectively combat greenwashing, while promoting innovation and the adoption of new technologies.
Viewing river corridors through the lens of critical zone science
Authors: Wymore Adam S. , Ward Adam S. , Wohl Ellen , Harvey Judson W.
Published: May 2023

River corridors integrate the active channels, geomorphic floodplain and riparian areas, and hyporheic zone while receiving inputs from the uplands and groundwater and exchanging mass and energy with the atmosphere. Here, we trace the development of the contemporary understanding of river corridors from the perspectives of geomorphology, hydrology, ecology, and biogeochemistry. We then summarize contemporary models of the river corridor along multiple axes including dimensions of space and time, disturbance regimes, connectivity, hydrochemical exchange flows, and legacy effects of humans. We explore how river corridor science can be advanced with a critical zone framework by moving beyond a primary focus on discharge-based controls toward multi-factor models that identify dominant processes and thresholds that make predictions that serve society. We then identify opportunities to investigate relationships between large-scale spatial gradients and local-scale processes, embrace that riverine processes are temporally variable and interacting, acknowledge that river corridor processes and services do not respect disciplinary boundaries and increasingly need integrated multidisciplinary investigations, and explicitly integrate humans and their management actions as part of the river corridor. We intend our review to stimulate cross-disciplinary research while recognizing that river corridors occupy a unique position on the Earth's surface.
Determinants of organic food purchasing intention: an empirical study of local consumers in Da Nang city, Central Vietnam
Authors: Mai Ngo Thanh , Phuong Tran Thi Lan , Dat Tran Tho , Truong Dinh Duc
Published: May 2023

With the rapid economic development in the past decades, Vietnamese people are more and more aware of the role of safe food for their health and that of their families. Currently, the trend of organic food consumption is happening faster, especially in urban areas. The study aims to determine the influence of transparent information and knowledge about organic products on consumers' attitudes, trust, and subjective norms affecting their purchase intention of organic products. Data were collected from 420 consumers in Da Nang city, Central Vietnam. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) method and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were used to evaluate the scale's reliability and identify the impact factors. The results show that attitudes and trust have a positive relationship with the intention to buy organic food. In addition, research shows that trust is a predecessor of attitudes and mediates the relationship between information, knowledge about organic food, and intention to buy organic food. The study's findings are consistent with previous literature and provide implications for food managers, organic food businesses, and the community.
Comparison of CT-guided thoracic sympathetic nerve block and radiofrequency in the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis
Authors: Zhang Li , Xu Shuang-shuang , Liu Xiao-lan , Zhao Wei , Ma Ying , Huang Bing
Published: May 2023

Background

Primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH) is a condition marked by an overactive secretion of the hand's exocrine glands and is frequently hereditary. The profuse sweating associated with this condition can significantly impair the patient's daily activities and quality of life.

Objective

The objective of this study was to compared the benefits and drawbacks of thoracic sympathetic block and thoracic sympathetic radiofrequency in the treatment of PPH.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 69 patients. They were divided into groups A and B according to their treatment. Group A (34 cases) received CT-guided percutaneous thoracic sympathetic nerve chain anhydrous alcohol chemical damage block, and group B (35 cases) received CT-guided percutaneous thoracic sympathetic nerve chain radiofrequency thermocoagulation.

Results

Palmar sweating disappeared immediately after the operation. The recurrence rates at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 5.88% vs. 2.86% (P > 0.05), 20.59% vs. 5.71% (P > 0.05), 32.35% vs. 11.43% (P < 0.05),32.35% vs. 11.43% (P < 0.05), 25% vs. 14.71% (P < 0.05), and 68.75% vs. 20.59% (P < 0.05), respectively. The incidence of intercostal neuralgia and compensatory hyperhidrosis was higher in group A compared with of group B (52.94% vs. 22.86%, P < 0.05; 55.88% vs. 22.86%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Both methods were found to be effective in treating PPH, but thoracic sympathetic radiofrequency had a longer-term effect, a lower recurrence rate, and a lower incidence of intercostal neuralgia and compensatory hyperhidrosis than a thoracic sympathetic block.
Integration of prolapsing technique and one-stitch method of ileostomy during laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Li Xiangmin , Tian Min , Chen Jingbo , Liu Yulin , Tian Hu
Published: May 2023

Background

Prolapsing technique is a type of natural orifice specimen extraction surgery that can overcome the difficulty of precise transection of the distal rectum and subsequent anastomosis in a narrow pelvic space. Currently, protective ileostomy is widely utilized in low anterior resection for low rectal cancer, which may reduce the severe consequences caused by anastomotic leakage. The study aimed to combine the prolapsing technique with a one-stitch method of ileostomy and evaluate the surgical outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with low rectal cancer who underwent protective loop ileostomy in laparoscopic low anterior resection between January 2019 and December 2022. The patients were divided into prolapsing technique combined with the one-stitch method of ileostomy (PO) group and traditional method (TM) group, and the intraoperative details and early postoperative outcomes of the two groups were measured.

Results

A total of 70 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 30 patients who underwent PO and 40 patients who underwent the traditional procedure. The PO group had a shorter total operative time than the TM group (197.8 ± 43.4 vs. 218.3 ± 40.6 min, P = 0.047). The time of intestine function recovery in the PO group was shorter than that in the TM group (24.6 ± 3.8 vs. 32.7 ± 5.4 h, P < 0.001). Compared with the TM group, the average VAS score was significantly lower in the PO group (P < 0.001). The incidence of anastomotic leakage in the PO group was significantly lower than that in the TM group (P = 0.034). The operative time of loop ileostomy was 2.0 ± 0.6 min in the PO group, which was significantly less than 15.1 ± 2.9 min in the TM group. Skin irritation was observed in 2 patients in the PO group and 10 patients in the TM group; therefore, there was a significant difference (P = 0.044).

Conclusion

This method is safe and feasible, which reduces the technical difficulty and achieves rapid postoperative recovery with few complications.
Patterns of cytokine release and association with new onset of post-cardiac surgery atrial fibrillation
Authors: Kota Rahul , Gemelli Marco , Dimagli Arnaldo , Suleiman Saadeh , Moscarelli Marco , Dong Tim , Angelini Gianni D. , Fudulu Daniel P.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication of cardiac surgery, associated with increased mortality, stroke risk, cardiac failure and prolonged hospital stay. Our study aimed to assess the patterns of release of systemic cytokines in patients with and without POAF.

Methods

A post-hoc analysis of the Remote Ischemic Preconditioning (RIPC) trial, including 121 patients (93 males and 28 females, mean age of 68 years old) who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and aortic valve replacement (AVR). Mixed-effect models were used to analyze patterns of release of cytokines in POAF and non-AF patients. A logistic regression model was used to assess the effect of peak cytokine concentration (6 h after the aortic cross-clamp release) alongside other clinical predictors on the development of POAF.

Results

We found no significant difference in the patterns of release of IL-6 (p = 0.52), IL-10 (p = 0.39), IL-8 (p = 0.20) and TNF-α (p = 0.55) between POAF and non-AF patients. Also, we found no significant predictive value in peak concentrations of IL-6 (p = 0.2), IL-8 (p = >0.9), IL-10 (p = >0.9) and Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α)(p = 0.6), however age and aortic cross-clamp time were significant predictors of POAF development across all models.

Conclusions

Our study suggests no significant association exists between cytokine release patterns and the development of POAF. Age and Aortic Cross-clamp time were found to be significant predictors of POAF.
Evaluation of Blockchain-Based Crowdfunding Campaign Success Factors Based on VASMA-L Criteria Weighting Method
Authors: Venslavienė Santautė , Stankevičienė Jelena , Leščauskienė Ingrida
Published: May 2023

When investing in blockchain-based crowdfunding campaigns, choosing the right one is difficult. Therefore, it is important to recognize success factors that express the value of the specific campaign. This study is aimed at determining the success factors impacting the investors’ decision to fund blockchain-based crowdfunding campaigns and ranking them according to their importance in decision-making. An online survey was employed to collect expert opinions. The modification of the visual analogue scale matrix for criteria weighting methodology called VASMA-L was presented in this study to rank the list of the predetermined factors. To reduce the uncertainties in the decision-making process and the cognitive overload of the survey respondents, all the predetermined success factors were split into two smaller groups and assessed as those that fit both traditional and blockchain-based crowdfunding models and those that are specific only to the blockchain-based crowdfunding model. The main findings disclose that the three factors with the highest VASMA weights are from the first group. This means that when selecting the specific crowdfunding campaign to invest in, investors use common factors rather than those specific to blockchain-based crowdfunding. Only investor preferences were chosen and analyzed for successful blockchain-based crowdfunding campaign investment in this research. The VASMA-L methodology might help compare several criteria groups and select the most important ones. In addition, this weighting methodology might help investors to choose the most thrilling blockchain-based crowdfunding campaigns to fund.
Electric Rocket Launcher Aircraft—Drone-Launched Short Range Rocket System
Authors: Shubov Mikhail
Published: May 2023

This paper is concerned with the idea of a significant improvement of state-of-the-art short-range rockets by means of using rocket artillery systems. Such a system consists of a rocket launcher aircraft (RLA) and a drone-launched short range rocket (DLSRR). An RLA is a reusable first stage of a military rocket. A DLSRR is the expendable second stage, which flies to the target. RLA-DLSRR systems have not yet been built, but they have been described in previous works by the author. State-of-the-art rocket systems are completely expendable and, hence, extremely expensive. No rocket artillery system with a reusable first stage has been built so far. Civilian spaceships with reusable first stages have been successful since 2015. In an electrically pumped rocket engine, the fuel and oxidizer are pumped into a combustion chamber by an electric-motor-driven pump. The electric motor is powered by a battery bank. Electrically pumped rocket engines would further decrease the cost of RLA-DLSRR systems. These engines are less expensive and more reliable then conventional rocket engines. In the present paper, it is shown that commercially available lithium polymer battery banks, as well as high specific power electric motors, provide sufficient power for the rocket engines needed for RLA-DLSRR systems. In the example given, it is calculated that an ERLA–DLSRR system with a liftoff mass of 15 tons can deliver a 210 kg payload to a range of up to 567 km with an impact velocity of up to 2415 m/s.
Experimental Evaluation of Vibrational Stability of SOPs in Aerospace Industry Using PCB Strain Effectiveness of a PCB-Strain-Based Design Methodology
Authors: Park Tae-Yong , Park Jae-Hyeon , Oh Hyun-Ung
Published: May 2023

Steinberg’s theory, which is based on the fatigue failure theory, has been widely used for predicting the structural safety of solder joints in aerospace electronic units under vibration during launches. However, theoretical limitations are encountered when evaluating the structural safety of highly integrated electronic packages mounted on printed circuit boards (PCBs) under various boundary conditions. Therefore, in our previous study, a PCB-strain-based methodology was proposed to overcome the technical limitations of the conventional Steinberg theory, and its effectiveness was validated by conducting fatigue life tests on various types of specimens, such as the ball grid array, column grid array, and quad flat package. In this study, the aim was to increase its completeness and reliability by targeting small outline packages (SOPs) that have not yet been considered. The finite element (FE) model of the SOP was proposed to guarantee the reliable prediction of the structural safety of the solder joints used in the PCB-strain-based methodology. The proposed modeling technique contributes to enable the rapid construction of an FE model for the electronic unit because it was greatly simplified into a zero-dimensional lumped mass and rigid link element to simulate the package mass and solder joint, respectively. The effectiveness of the methodology was validated by performing fatigue life tests on PCB specimens under various boundary conditions. Those experimental and analytical results indicated that the proposed methodology was much more effective in predicting the structural safety of a solder joint for various cases of tested specimens compared with the Steinberg’s theory. The simplified FE model of SOP with the rigid link element connected to six points on the package mounting area of the PCB was effective for estimating margin of safety of solder joint. The results of this study would contribute to increase the availability of the proposed methodology for rapid mechanical design of electronic units in aerospace industries.