bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Greenhouse gas emissions in irrigated paddy rice as influenced by crop management practices and nitrogen fertilization rates in eastern Tanzania
Authors: Mboyerwa Primitiva A. , Kibret Kibebew , Mtakwa Peter , Aschalew Abebe
Published: October 2022

In rice production greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction is an important task for many countries, Tanzania included. Of global agricultural GHG emitted from rice fields, about 30 and 11% are represented by CH4 and N2O, respectively. For successful climate smart rice cultivation, rice management practices, including nitrogen fertilization are two key crucial components that need evaluation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the crop management practices and N fertilization on yield and greenhouse gases emission in paddy rice production, Experiments were designed in split-plot randomized complete block and replicated three times. Two rice management practices namely conventional practice (CP) and system of rice intensification (SRI) and six rates of nitrogen fertilizer (absolute control, 0, 60, 90,120 and 150 kg N ha−1) were applied in two consecutive seasons. The Source-selective and Emission-adjusted GHG CalculaTOR for Cropland (SECTOR) was used to calculate the GHG emission. Methane emission was in the range of 88.7–220.6 kg ha−1season−1, where higher emission was recorded in CP treatments (ABC, CP 0 and CP 120N) compared to SRI treatments. SRI reduced methane and carbon dioxide emission by 59.8% and 20.1% over CP, respectively. Seasonal nitrous oxide emissions was in the range of no detected amount to 0.0002 kgN2O ha−1 where SRI treatments recorded up to 0.0002 kgN2O ha−1 emissions while in CP treatment no amount of N2O was detected. The interaction of system of rice intensification and 90 kg N ha−1 (SRI90N) treatment recorded higher grains yield (8.1, 7.7 t ha−1) with low seasonal global warming potential (GWP) (3,478 and 3,517 kg CO2e ha−1) and low greenhouse gas intensity (0.42, 0.45 kg CO2e per kg paddy) compared to other treatments in wet and dry season, respectively. Therefore, SRI with 90 kg N was the treatment with mitigation potential and reduced GWP without compromising rice yield.
Exploring the complexity of smallholders' intense use of glyphosate in maize crops from South Mexico: Remarks for an ongoing agroecological transition
Authors: Monroy-Sais Ana Sofía , Astier Marta , Wies Germán , Pavesi Riccardo , Mascorro-de Loera Daniel , García-Barrios Luis
Published: October 2022

Recently, Mexico has launched policies of agroecological transition that seek to foster healthier agri-food systems. One of these policies is the reduction and eventual elimination of glyphosate by 2024. Despite being the most used herbicide in Mexico and the world, little information exists about what factors determine a greater or reduced use of glyphosate in different socio-ecological contexts. This study aimed to explore different agricultural management, biophysical and social variables and their effects on glyphosate use in maize crops by smallholders (<8 ha). A questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were performed with 142 farmer families in four regions of the state of Chiapas to document the use of herbicides and glyphosate. By using regression trees, we identified those variables that determine a greater or lesser use of glyphosate for each region and jointly. The average volume of glyphosate for the four regions during an agricultural cycle was 2.7 l/ha−1. Sets of variables were associated with syndromes of greater use of glyphosate and herbicides in general, such as small plots (<0.67 ha), indigenous population, younger farmers, fewer family members, rainfed conditions, and plots without mechanization. These results can help the design of contextualized and flexible policies of transition, consistent with the socio-ecological heterogeneity of Mexico.
Structure and functioning of wild and agricultural grazing ecosystems: A comparative review
Authors: Kleppel Gary S. , Frank Douglas A.
Published: October 2022

For more than 10 million years, large, herd forming ruminants have thrived as parts of sustainable grazing ecosystems. Conversely, since their domestication 8,000–11,000 years ago, cattle, sheep, and goats have often exhibited dysfunctional relationships with the ecosystems they inhabit. A considerable literature, developed over decades, documents the negative impacts of animal agriculture and associated activities (e.g., feed production) on grassland ecosystems. Coincident with the accumulating data documenting the impacts of “conventional” animal agriculture, has been a growing interest in restoring functionality to agricultural grazing ecosystems. These “regenerative” protocols often seek to mimic the structure and functions of wild grazing ecosystems. The objectives of this paper were two-fold: First to review the literature describing the structure and some key functional attributes of wild and agricultural grazing ecosystems; and second, to examine these attributes in conventionally and regeneratively managed grazing ecosystems and, assuming the wild condition to be the standard for sustainable grazer-environment relationships, to ascertain whether similar relationships exist in conventionally or regeneratively managed agricultural grazing ecosystems. Not unexpectedly our review revealed the complexity of both wild and agricultural grazing ecosystems and the interconnectedness of biological, chemical, and physical factors and processes within these systems. Grazers may increase or decrease system functionality, depending upon environmental conditions (e.g., moisture levels). Our review revealed that biodiversity, nitrogen cycling, and carbon storage in regenerative grazing systems more closely resemble wild grazing ecosystems than do conventional grazing systems. We also found multiple points of disagreement in the literature, particularly with respect to aboveground primary production (ANPP). Finally, we acknowledge that, while much has been accomplished in understanding grazing ecosystems, much remains to be done. In particular, some of the variability in the results of studies, especially of meta-analyses, might be reduced if datasets included greater detail on grazing protocols, and a common definition of the term, “grazing intensity.”
Case report and literature review: Rare male aggressive angiomyxoma of the scrotum
Authors: Chen Yue , Wei YaPing , Chang Hong , Yu ChunKai
Published: October 2022

Aggressive angiomyxoma (AAM) is an uncommon locally infiltrative tumor that frequently occurs in the pelvic soft tissues of female patients; it has a high rate of local recurrence. However, AAM is extremely rare in males. Herein, we present the case of a 70-year-old man with a gradually enlarging painless mass in the scrotum. The patient underwent local excision of the scrotal AAM, with no local relapse after 17 months of follow-up. In addition to the present case, the clinicopathological features of males with AAM reported in literature (to the best of our knowledge) are discussed in this report. The literature review revealed that the gross morphology, clinical process, and histopathology of AAM in males resemble those of AAM in females. In particular, estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor has been shown to be expressed in male patients, which may provide an option for hormone therapy. Moreover, in males, a lower recurrence rate has been observed after surgery to remove the tumor. However, more data are needed to validate this observation. This report emphasizes the importance of considering AAM as the differential diagnosis of myxoid neoplasms in male genital areas.
Reconstruction of nasopharyngeal defect with submental flap during surgery for nasopharyngeal malignant tumors
Authors: Ma Hongzhi , Fang Jugao , Zhong Qi , Hou Lizhen , Feng Ling , He Shizhi , Wang Ru , Yang Yifan
Published: October 2022

Objective

To investigate the feasibility and effect of a pedicled submental flap in postoperative defect repair of nasopharyngeal malignant tumors.

Methods

Eight cases (six women, two men; age, 29–63 years) of postoperative defects after resection of malignant nasopharyngeal tumors with a lesion stage of (r) T1–3N0–2M0 were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative enhanced thin-slice computed tomography of the neck was performed to predict the submental flap reflux vein. The submental flap was prefabricated during the operation, and the nasopharyngeal mass was removed through the parapharyngeal space approach combined with nasal endoscopy/mandibular external rotation/maxillary overturning. The submental flap was elevated to the nasopharyngeal defect area through the parapharyngeal space for repair.

Results

Intraoperative examination confirmed that among the eight submental flaps, three had venous drainage into the internal jugular vein and five had venous drainage into the external jugular vein; these findings were consistent with the preoperative computed tomography findings. The size of the submental flap was 8–10 cm × 5–6 cm. The repair range reached the eustachian orifice on the healthy side and extended to the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus on the affected side. The flap extended to the posterior upper part of the nasal septum at the top, to the oropharynx at the bottom, and to the bony surface of the skull base at the deep side. Primary healing after surgery was achieved, and no flap necrosis occurred. After 3–77 months of follow-up, one patient with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy developed cervical lymph node recurrence again, one patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma had lung metastasis, and the remaining six patients had no recurrence.

Conclusions

The pedicled submental flap is used to repair postoperative defects in the nasopharyngeal region through the cervical parapharyngeal space. It is a simple and fast procedure with adequate tissue volumes. The flap can effectively protect important structures such as the internal carotid artery and reduce the risk of infection and bleeding from postoperative wound exposure.
Mutation of FMDV Lpro H138 residue drives viral attenuation in cell culture and in vivo in swine
Authors: Azzinaro Paul A. , Medina Gisselle N. , Rai Devendra , Ramirez-Medina Elizabeth , Spinard Edward , Rodriguez-Calzada Monica , Zhu James , Rieder Elizabeth , de los Santos Teresa , Díaz-San Segundo Fayna
Published: October 2022

The foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) leader proteinase (Lpro) is a papain like protease that cleaves the viral polyprotein and several host factors affecting host cell translation and induction of innate immunity. Introduction of Lpro mutations ablating catalytic activity is not tolerated by the virus, however, complete coding sequence deletion or introduction of targeted amino acid substitutions can render viable progeny. In proof-of-concept studies, we have previously identified and characterized FMDV Lpro mutants that are attenuated in cell culture and in animals, while retaining their capacity for inducing a strong adaptive immunity. By using molecular modeling, we have now identified a His residue (H138), that resides outside the substrate binding and catalytic domain, and is highly conserved across serotypes. Mutation of H138 renders possible FMDV variants of reduced virulence in vitro and in vivo. Kinetics studies showed that FMDV A12-LH138L mutant replicates similarly to FMDV A12-wild type (WT) virus in cells that do not offer immune selective pressure, but attenuation is observed upon infection of primary or low passage porcine epithelial cells. Western blot analysis on protein extracts from these cells, revealed that while processing of translation initiation factor eIF-4G was slightly delayed, no degradation of innate sensors or effector molecules such as NF-κB or G3BP2 was observed, and higher levels of interferon (IFN) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) were induced after infection with A12-LH138L as compared to WT FMDV. Consistent with the results in porcine cells, inoculation of swine with this mutant resulted in a mild, or in some cases, no clinical disease but induction of a strong serological adaptive immune response. These results further support previous evidence that Lpro is a reliable target to derive numerous viable FMDV strains that alone or in combination could be exploited for the development of novel FMD vaccine platforms.
Analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block in dogs undergoing ovariectomy
Authors: Cavaco Jéssica Sperandio , Otero Pablo Ezequiel , Ambrósio Aline Magalhães , Neves Ieda Cristina Boni , Perencin Felipe Montanheiro , Pereira Marco Aurélio Amador , Matera Julia Maria , Fantoni Denise Tabacchi
Published: October 2022

Background

In medicine, the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been shown as an effective method of analgesia in several surgical procedures. In this context, this prospective, randomized, blinded study aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of TAP block, guided by ultrasound in female dogs submitted to ovariectomy.

Methods

Therefore, 32 animals randomly assigned in two groups (n= 16) were used. Groups consisted of TAP block control (TBC) which received water injection (0.2 ml kg−1point), and TAP block bupivacaine (TBB) which received bupivacaine (0.2 ml kg−1point at 0.25%); both groups were submitted to four-point approach. Animals were pre-medicated with acepromazine (0.03 mg kg−1) and meperidine (2 mg kg−1) IM, propofol was used as anesthetic induction (3–5 mg kg−1) IV, and isoflurane was used to maintain. To standardize groups, the animals received a continuous infusion of remifentanil (0.2μg kg−1min) and rocuronium (0.6 mg kg−1) IV in the intraoperative period. Variables measured were the heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, temperature, peripheral oxyhemoglobin saturation, exhaled carbon dioxide concentration, exhaled isoflurane concentration, serum cortisol, analgesia, and sedation. Before the pre-anesthetic medication (Baseline) and 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after extubation, pain and sedation were assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS), Glasgow composite measure pain scale (GCMPS-SF), and sedation scale. Moreover, serum cortisol was measured at different moments.

Results

The results show that in the intraoperative period, there was no significant difference between groups. After surgery, in TBC, 13 out of 16 animals required analgesic rescue, whereas, in TBB, this occurred only in one animal. Regarding the measurement of serum cortisol, the TBC group showed a significant difference when compared to the baseline time in the traction of the first ovary (p< 0.0001), 2 h (p= 0.0441), and 8 h (p= 0.0384) after extubation. In TBB, cortisol showed a significant increase only in the traction of the first ovary and 2 h after extubation (p< 0.0001).

Conclusion

The technique using ultrasound-guided TAP block in two points approach by hemiabdomen with 0.2 ml kg−1bupivacaine 0.25% was effective in providing post-operative analgesia in dogs undergoing ovariectomy.
Educación financiera y su incidencia en el comportamiento crediticio de los socios: caso Fundación de Desarrollo Comunitario sin Fronteras
Authors: Álvarez-Paccha Luis Miguel , Ochoa-Herrera Johanna Maribel , Vallejo-Ramírez Jorge Baltazar
Published: October 2022

El desarrollo global acelerado demanda una sociedad evolutiva que se expanda a igual o mayor ritmo. Es por ello, que los aspectos económicos y financieros necesitan un estudio pormenorizado, y con ello, se garantiza la correcta administración del dinero que deriva al bienestar económico de las poblaciones. Bajo esta premisa, con la presente investigación se pretende conocer la incidencia que tiene la educación financiera sobre la toma de decisiones crediticias en el grupo de estudio que son los socios de la Fundación de Desarrollo Comunitario sin Fronteras, DECOF, quienes cuentan con operaciones crediticias vigentes al año 2021. Educación financiera, nivel de endeudamiento, manejo de las finanzas personales y morosidad son las variables seleccionadas para el estudio, y se sustenta en el análisis de correlación Chi-cuadrado de Pearson apoyado del coeficiente V de Cramer, para así, demostrar la asociatividad de las variables y grado de correlación. La información se recolectó a través de la aplicación de una encuesta a un total de 230 socios, que fue la muestra estimada.  Los hallazgos principales indican una incidencia fuerte entre las variables seleccionadas. Así mismo, se dedujo que la educación financiera y el nivel de endeudamiento tienen una correlación moderada, no obstante, la correlación entre educación financiera y morosidad fue muy débil. Finalmente, se agrega que 3 de las 4 correlaciones tuvieron significancia estadística suficiente para deducir que entre los pares de variables correlacionadas sí existe asociatividad de acuerdo con la prueba Chi-cuadrado de Pearson.
Market risk and expected minimum return of the chemical substance and product manufacturing sector: Period 2011 – 2020
Authors: Tonon-Ordóñez Luis , Cevallos-Rodríguez Estefanía , Pinos-Luzuriaga Luis , Orellana-Osorio Iván
Published: October 2022

Riesgo y rentabilidad son dos aspectos interdependientes en la actividad empresarial: se debe asumir un cierto nivel de riesgo para lograr una mayor rentabilidad. El modelo de valoración de activos de capital (CAPM) es uno de los modelos más utilizados en la práctica para determinar la rentabilidad exigida en una inversión en un activo financiero en función del riesgo asumido. Existen diversos modelos y herramientas estadísticas que buscan predecir el riesgo financiero. En el presente trabajo de investigación se determinó, a través de información contable, el riesgo de mercado y rendimiento mínimo esperado en el sector de fabricación de substancias y productos químicos (CIIU C20). La data fue obtenida de la Superintendencia, Valores y Seguros y correspondió al periodo 2011-2020, y se analizaron los resultados en periodos de 5 años, para de esta manera, conocer las variaciones que se presentan entre los distintos periodos. Para el análisis de este sector se consideraron 3.756 observaciones (376 empresas por año en promedio) en el periodo. Además, se consideraron como mercado un total de 513.895 observaciones. En el modelo CAPM se consideró como tasa libre de riesgo la tasa pasiva del Banco Central del Ecuador y como rendimiento de mercado un ROE ajustado del total de empresas del sector societario del Ecuador. El coeficiente Beta desapalancado y apalancado obtenido en los 5 periodos analizados es superior a 1, es decir, que se considera un sector riesgoso. El rendimiento mínimo esperado del sector se reduce de 12,15% en el periodo 2011-2015 a 4,98% en el periodo 2016-2020. Los resultados indican que el sector de fabricación de substancias y productos químicos tiene un mejor desempeño que el mercado en conjunto, ya que posee un rendimiento mayor al exigido. Si se considera el alto nivel de incertidumbre existente actualmente, determinar el riesgo de mercado es una herramienta
El desarrollo científico en las universidades mediante los semilleros de investigación
Authors: Calla-Vásquez Kriss Melody , Torres-Rivera Julia Lizet , Mory-Chiparra William Eduardo
Published: October 2022

El estudio busca explicar el desarrollo científico en una universidad privada, a través de los semilleros de investigación, fortaleciendo el pensamiento crítico, la resolución de problemas y promoviendo la innovación. En tal sentido, el estudio se desarrolló bajo el enfoque cuantitativo de alcance transversal; de nivel descriptivo-correlacional; con el tipo de muestreo no probabilístico-intencional. Contando con la participación de 1.116 estudiantes universitarios del programa de investigación formativa. Obteniendo como resultado que el punto relevante que mostraron las jornadas de capacitación en el marco de la investigación formativa a los semilleros de investigación es que estuvieron relacionadas con el interés particular de los participantes por un manejo efectivo de los gestores de referencia bibliográficas. Existiendo un interés por acceder a las bases de datos científicas; y manejar de un modo óptimo el software como el Zotero, EndNote y Mendeley; a fin de gestionar la información científica a través del almacenamiento, organización, gestionar las citas y referencias bibliográficas. Llegando a la conclusión que los semilleros representan en la investigación formativa de las universidades; un programa para estimular el desarrollo de competencias investigativas en los estudiantes de diversos ciclos a través del desarrollo de cursos vinculados con la metodología de la investigación, la redacción científica, uso de herramientas informáticas para la gestión de referencias.
Bacillus velezensis Associated with Organomineral Fertilizer and Reduced Phosphate Doses Improves Soil Microbial—Chemical Properties and Biomass of Sugarcane
Authors: Santos Hariane Luiz , Silva Gustavo Ferreira da , Carnietto Melina Rodrigues Alves , Oliveira Laura Costa , Nogueira Carlos Henrique de Castro , Silva Marcelo de Almeida
Published: October 2022

Appropriately using phosphorus (P) for the fertilization of sugarcane is critical to achieving high productivity because it is one of the most limiting nutrients in agricultural cropping systems. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the morphological, biochemical, and yield responses of sugarcane, and the soil microbial–chemical properties, under the use of organomineral fertilizer (OF) associated or not with Bacillus velezensis strain UFV 3918 (B) combined with mono ammonium phosphate (MAP) doses. The experimental design used was completely randomized, consisting of eight treatments [Control (3/3 MAP); OF (without MAP); OF + 1/3 MAP; OF + 2/3 MAP; OF + 3/3 MAP; B + OF + 1/3 MAP; B + OF + 2/3 MAP; B + OF + 3/3 MAP] and four replicates. B + OF + 1/3 MAP provided increases in accumulated soil basal respiration (11.9%), carbon of microbial biomass (35.9%), fluorescein diacetate (12.7%), arylsulfatase (25.5%), and acid phosphatase (10.1%) activity compared to the control, which implied in higher shoot and total biomass. These results present a potential strategy for sugarcane fertilization, using bacteria in combination with OF to improve P nutrition and growth in sugarcane with reduced economic and environmental impact.
Mechanical Structure Design and Experimental Study of Gamma-ray Monitor for Small Satellite Payload
Authors: Guo Pengfei , Xin Hongbing , Yang Sheng , Xiong Shaolin , Li Xinqiao , An Zhenghua , Zhang Dali
Published: October 2022

In this paper, a novel mechanical structure for a gamma-ray monitor (GRM) is designed for a small satellite payload. Its structural stiffness, strength and dynamic response are directly related to the performance of the novel GRM, which must meet the static and dynamic characteristic requirements of the structure in a harsh vibration environment. The static and dynamic simulation of the structure are carried out by finite element method (FEM), and the mechanical structure response laws of the novel GRM are analyzed and validated by vibration tests. Through comparing the frequency response simulation results with the vibration test results, the minimum safety factor of the key components of the structure is 4.07, the fundamental frequency error is within 5.04%, the acceleration response error is within 8.5%, the root mean square of total acceleration (Grms) error is within 14.2%, and the sinusoidal characteristic sweep frequency error before and after the vibration test is within 5.0%. The results show that the payload structure has large structural stiffness, high strength and reasonable frequency response characteristics, and meets the design requirements.
The French Telematic Magazine Art Accès (1984–1987)
Authors: Vicet Marie
Published: October 2022

Created in 1984 by the French artists ORLAN, Frédéric Develay and Frédéric Martin and shown for the first time at the Centre Pompidou during the exhibition Les Immatériaux (28 March to 15 July 1985), the telematic magazine Art Accès has marked the history of the art on Minitel, the French Videotex system in use between 1980 and 2012. For ORLAN and Frédéric Develay, Art Accès was a way both to propose an artistic and cultural alternative to a purely utilitarian and mercantile content, but also to explore the possibilities of a ‘poor’ medium. Working within the framework of the magazine, ORLAN and Frédéric Develay invited visual artists, but also poets and musicians to use videotex, to transgress it in all possible ways and thus to make an original work that is made by this medium and for this medium. Although the French Minitel network ended in 2012 and the magazine has long since disappeared, there are still traces, fragments or documents that allow us to reconstruct its history. This essay proposes an initial study of this telematic experience and of some of its most emblematic creations.
Detecting and Understanding Sentiment Trends and Emotion Patterns of Twitter Users—A Study on the Demise of a Bollywood Celebrity
Authors: Marouf Ahmed Al , Rokne Jon G. , Alhajj Reda
Published: October 2022

Detecting societal sentiment trends and emotion patterns is of great interest. Due to the time-varying nature of these patterns and trends this detection can be a challenging task. In this paper, the emotion patterns and trends are detected among social media users in a certain case and it is noted that the detection of the trends and patterns is especially difficult in this medium because of the use of informal language. In particular, the role of social networks in the expression of emotions relating to the death of a well-known and loved Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput (SSR) by their fans is explored. The data for the analysis of the emotional state and the sentiment levels of the fans has been acquired from Twitter posts. Different existing sentiment analysis algorithms were compared for the study and chosen for identifying the sentiment trend over a specific timeline of events. The same Twitter posts were also analyzed for emotional content by extracting linguistic features using the psycholinguistic package, Linguistic Inquiry and the Word Count package (LIWC), relating to emotions. Additionally, viral hashtags extracted from the Twitter posts have been segmented and analyzed in order to identify new viral hashtags expressed by the posts over time. The associations between the old and new viral hashtags and between sentiment trends and emotional shifts among the fan base of SSR have been determined and presented graphically.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Patients with HIV: A Scoping Review
Authors: Macca Laura , Moscatt Vittoria , Ceccarelli Manuela , Ingrasciotta Ylenia , Nunnari Giuseppe , Guarneri Claudio
Published: October 2022

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, debilitating skin disease of the apocrine glands. Bibliographic search revealed few studies concerning the association between HS and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To assess this link, we performed a systematic review of the current knowledge through a careful analysis of the relevant and authoritative medical literature in the field. Results showed that people with HIV are particularly susceptible to developing HS with the characteristic involvement of atypical sites, such as face or thighs, due to HIV-related immunosuppression. Based on the pathogenesis of both conditions and according to our review, we suggest that HIV screening should be routinely performed in suspected cases while monitoring and integrated approach in management are mandatory in the management of HIV-positive patients with HS.
Detection of Fall Risk in Multiple Sclerosis by Gait Analysis—An Innovative Approach Using Feature Selection Ensemble and Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Schumann Paula , Scholz Maria , Trentzsch Katrin , Jochim Thurid , Śliwiński Grzegorz , Malberg Hagen , Ziemssen Tjalf
Published: October 2022

One of the common causes of falls in people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) is walking impairment. Therefore, assessment of gait is of importance in MS. Gait analysis and fall detection can take place in the clinical context using a wide variety of available methods. However, combining these methods while using machine learning algorithms for detecting falls has not been performed. Our objective was to determine the most relevant method for determining fall risk by analyzing eleven different gait data sets with machine learning algorithms. In addition, we examined the most important features of fall detection. A new feature selection ensemble (FS-Ensemble) and four classification models (Gaussian Naive Bayes, Decision Tree, k-Nearest Neighbor, Support Vector Machine) were used. The FS-Ensemble consisted of four filter methods: Chi-square test, information gain, Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance and RelieF. Various thresholds (50%, 25% and 10%) and combination methods (Union, Union 2, Union 3 and Intersection) were examined. Patient-reported outcomes using specialized walking questionnaires such as the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12) and the Early Mobility Impairment Questionnaire (EMIQ) achieved the best performances with an F1 score of 0.54 for detecting falls. A combination of selected features of MSWS-12 and EMIQ, including the estimation of walking, running and stair climbing ability, the subjective effort as well as necessary concentration and walking fluency during walking, the frequency of stumbling and the indication of avoidance of social activity achieved the best recall of 75%. The Gaussian Naive Bayes was the best classification model for detecting falls with almost all data sets. FS-Ensemble improved the classification models and is an appropriate technique for reducing data sets with a large number of features. Future research on other risk factors, such as fear of falling, could provide further insights.
Recurrence Score® Result Impacts Treatment Decisions in Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Patients with Early Breast Cancer in a Real-World Setting—Results of the IRMA Trial
Authors: Dannehl Dominik , Engler Tobias , Volmer Lea L. , Staebler Annette , Fischer Anna K. , Weiss Martin , Hahn Markus , Walter Christina B. , Grischke Eva-Maria , Fend Falko , Taran Florin-Andrei , Brucker Sara Y. , Hartkopf Andreas D.
Published: October 2022

Background: Patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative (HER2−) early breast cancer (eBC) with a high risk of relapse often undergo adjuvant chemotherapy. However, only a few patients will gain benefit from chemotherapy. Since classical tumor characteristics (grade, tumor size, lymph node involvement, and Ki67) are of limited value to predict chemotherapy efficacy, multigene expression assays such as the Oncotype DX® test were developed to reduce over- and undertreatment. The IRMA trial analyzed the impact of Recurrence Score® (RS) assessment on adjuvant treatment recommendations. Materials and methods: The RS result was assessed in patients with HR+/HER2− unilateral eBC with 0–3 pathologic lymph nodes who underwent primary surgical treatment at the Department for Women’s Health of Tuebingen University, Germany. Therapy recommendations without knowledge of the RS result were compared to therapy recommendations with awareness of the RS result. Results: In total, 245 patients underwent RS assessment. Without knowledge of the RS result, 92/245 patients (37.6%) would have been advised to receive chemotherapy. After RS assessment, 56/245 patients (22.9%) were advised to undergo chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was waived in 47/92 patients (51.1%) that were initially recommended to receive it. Chemotherapy was added in 11/153 patients (7.2%) that were recommended to not receive it initially. Summary: Using the RS result to guide adjuvant treatment decisions in HR+/HER2− breast cancer led to a substantial reduction of chemotherapy. In view of the results achieved in prospective studies, the RS result is among other risk-factors suitable for the individualization of adjuvant systemic therapy.
Cuprotosis Programmed-Cell-Death-Related lncRNA Signature Predicts Prognosis and Immune Landscape in PAAD Patients
Authors: Chi Hao , Peng Gaoge , Wang Rui , Yang Fengyi , Xie Xixi , Zhang Jinhao , Xu Ke , Gu Tao , Yang Xiaoli , Tian Gang
Published: October 2022

In terms of mortality and survival, pancreatic cancer is one of the worst malignancies. Known as a unique type of programmed cell death, cuprotosis contributes to tumor cell growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Cuprotosis programmed-cell-death-related lncRNAs (CRLs) have been linked to PAAD, although their functions in the tumor microenvironment and prognosis are not well understood. This study included data from the TCGA-PAAD cohort. Random sampling of PAAD data was conducted, splitting the data into two groups for use as a training set and test set (7:3). We searched for differentially expressed genes that were substantially linked to prognosis using univariate Cox and Lasso regression analysis. Through the use of multivariate Cox proportional risk regression, a risk-rating system for prognosis was developed. Correlations between the CRL signature and clinicopathological characteristics, tumor microenvironment, immunotherapy response, and chemotherapy sensitivity were further evaluated. Lastly, qRT-PCR was used to compare CRL expression in healthy tissues to that in tumors. Some CRLs are thought to have strong correlations with PAAD outcomes. These CRLs include AC005332.6, LINC02041, LINC00857, and AL117382.1. The CRL-based signature construction exhibited outstanding predictive performance and offers a fresh approach to evaluating pre-immune effectiveness, paving the way for future studies in precision immuno-oncology.
Statistical Treatments of Chloride Threshold and Corrosion Propagation Rate
Authors: Andrade Carmen , Izquierdo David
Published: October 2022

The variability found in real structures is a function of the “intrinsic” variability of the material itself, of its aging with time and of the external climatic conditions, and, therefore, it is normal that the chloride threshold and the corrosion rates could vary spatially in the same structure or temporarily as the concrete ages. In present communication, some statistical distributions of chloride threshold are discussed, as well as the variability of the corrosion rate in real exposure conditions. In all both cases, the values found in laboratory specimens are in the same range than those found in real structures. The chloride threshold can vary from 0.2% to around 3% by weight of cement depending on the corrosion potential, which, in turn, depends on the particular condition of the steel bar in each structure. The corrosion rates show to be below 0.1 µA/cm2 when the steel is passive and values above 1 µA/cm2 are seldom found in real structures. The high variability when considering all choices may impact in a prediction of residual life of several decades of difference which aims into the need for the assessment of a specialized engineering judgement in function of the quality of the concrete and the exposure class.
Effects of Intercropping Pandanus amaryllifolius on Soil Properties and Microbial Community Composition in Areca Catechu Plantations
Authors: Zhong Yiming , Zhang Ang , Qin Xiaowei , Yu Huan , Ji Xunzhi , He Shuzhen , Zong Ying , Wang Jue , Tang Jinxuan
Published: October 2022

The areca nut (Areca catechu L.) and pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.) intercropping cultivation system has been widely practiced to improve economic benefits and achieve the development of sustainable agriculture in Hainan Province, China. However, there is a lack of research on the relationships among soil properties, soil enzyme activities, and microbes in this cultivation system. Therefore, a random block field experiment of pandan intercropped with areca nut was established to investigate the effects of environmental factors on the diversity and functions of soil microbial communities in Lingshui county, Hainan Province. The diversity and composition of soil microbial communities under different cropping modes were compared using Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA (bacteria) and ITS-1 rRNA (fungi) genes, and FAPROTAX and FUNGuild were used to analyze and predict the bacteria and fungi community functions, respectively. Correlation analysis and redundancy analysis were used to explore the responses of soil microbial communities to soil environmental factors. The results showed that the bacterial community was more sensitive to the areca nut and pandan intercropping system than the fungal community. The functional predictions of fungal microbial communities by FAPROTAX and FUNGuild indicated that chemoheterotrophy, aerobic chemoheterotrophy, and soil saprotroph were the most dominant functional communities. The intercropping of pandan in the areca nut plantation significantly enhanced the soil bacterial Ace and Chao indices by reducing the soil organic carbon (SOC) and total phosphorus (TP) content. In the intercropping system, urease (UE) and acid phosphatase were the key factors regulating the soil microbial community abundance. The dominant bacterial and fungal phyla, such as Firmicutes, Methylomirabilota, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Verrucomicrobia, and Ascomycota significantly responded to the change in planting modes. Soil properties, such as UE, total nitrogen, and SOC had a significant stimulating effect on Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Ascomycota. In summary, soil bacteria responded more significantly to the change in cropping modes than soil fungi and better reflected the changes in soil environmental factors, suggesting that intercropping with pandan positively affects soil microbial homeostasis in the long-term areca nut plantation.
Effects of Different Oxytocin and Temperature on Reproductive Activity in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Based on Sex Steroid Hormone and GtHR Gene Expression
Authors: Yu Jie , Li Dayu , Zhu Jinglin , Zou Zhiying , Xiao Wei , Chen Binglin , Yang Hong
Published: October 2022

Luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) belong to the gonadotropic hormone receptors (GtHR), which are highly expressed in fish gonads and participate in the regulation of fish reproductive activities. Fish gonadal development and gamete maturation are not only regulated by their BPG axis but also affected by natural environmental factors (such as temperature, salinity, pH, nutrients, light, etc.). Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a farmed fish with a short reproductive cycle, fast growth, and high economic value. To study the relationship between gonadotropic hormone receptors (GtHR) and the reproductive activity of Nile tilapia, different oxytocin injection experiments and different temperature treatment experiments were set up, and the expression changes of the GtHR gene in the gonads and the concentration changes of the estradiol (E2) in the female serum and testosterone (T) in the male serum were determined employing a quantitative RT-PCR assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. After the injection of oxytocin, with the change of E2 in females and T in males, the FSHR showed an expression pattern of first increase, then decrease, and the LHR showed an expression pattern of first increase, then decrease, and finally increase in the gonads, and the expression level of FSHR and LHR in the injection group was significantly higher than that in the control group at multiple time points; in addition, the expression level of FSHR and LHR in the oxytocin-combination injection group was higher than that in the single injection group. During 28 days of treatment at different temperatures, the sex steroid hormones and GtHR genes also showed regular changes, and the relationship between each group was 28 °C > 32 °C > 24 °C at most time points. According to the research results, it is speculated that FSHR and LHR play an important role in the development of Nile tilapia gonads and participate in the reproductive activities of Nile tilapia. By comparing and analyzing the changes in the sex steroid hormones and GtHR genes in each experimental group, it is speculated that different oxytocin injections could affect the expression of FSHR and LHR genes in Nile tilapia, and the combined effect of oxytocin was better than single oxytocin; the optimum temperature for the reproduction of Nile tilapia is between 28–32 °C. This study provides a theoretical basis for further elucidating the physiological functions and molecular mechanisms of FSHR and LHR and also provides a reference for the research of reproductive regulation in Nile tilapia.
Clinical Characteristics of Elderly People with Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture Based on a 12-Year Single-Center Experience in Korea
Authors: Lee Seung-Kwan , Jun Deuk-Soo , Lee Dong-Keun , Baik Jong-Min
Published: October 2022

In an aging human population, osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) frequently occurs. We conducted this retrospective study to analyze the clinical characteristics of elderly people with OVCF who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty over a 12-year period at a single medical center in Korea. Between 2007 and 2019, A total of 868 patients (n = 868) were treated at our institution. We assessed 600 of these patients as eligible for study purposes and divided them into three groups: Group A (spine and hip T-scores ≤−2.5; n = 332); Group B (spine T-scores ≤−2.5; n = 189); and Group C (hip T-scores ≤−2.5; n = 79). The baseline characteristics of the patients included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), past history of steroid use, alcohol consumption, use of osteoporosis therapy, smoking, and treatment for OVCF. We compared these characteristics between the three groups. We found that the mean patient age was significantly higher in Group A, compared with Group B, and significantly lower in Group B, compared with Group C. We also found significant differences in the male-to-female ratio and mean body mass index between the three groups. In conclusion, we suggest that special attention should be paid to factors closely associated with spine and hip T-scores when evaluating elderly people with OVCF and determining appropriate treatment.
Workplace Wellbeing and Quality of Life Perceived by Portuguese Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Protective Factors and Stressors
Authors: Sampaio Francisco , Salgado Ricardo , Antonini Matteo , Delmas Philippe , Oulevey Bachmann Annie , Gilles Ingrid , Ortoleva Bucher Claudia
Published: October 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses were exposed to many stressors, which may have been associated with some mental health problems. However, most of the studies carried out on nurses’ quality of life and workplace wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic took a pathogenic approach. Given that current scientific knowledge in this field presented too many gaps to properly inform preventive and therapeutic action, the aim of this study was to explore whether protective factors (resilience, perceived social support, and professional identification) and stressors (perceived stress and psychosocial risks in the workplace) influenced the quality of life and workplace wellbeing perceived by Portuguese nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data for this cross-sectional study was collected through online self-administered questionnaires. Linear regression models were used to analyze the relationships between variables. Results showed that perceived stress, resilience and job satisfaction were associated with quality of life and workplace wellbeing among Portuguese nurses. The study’s findings could serve to inform health policy and should draw the attention of nursing managers to the needs and difficulties reported by nurses, to the importance of providing them with emotional support, and to the relevance of promoting a good work environment.
Formation of Fibrils by the Periplasmic Molecular Chaperone HdeB from Escherichia coli
Authors: Nakata Yui , Kitazaki Yuuto , Kanaoka Hitomi , Shingen Erika , Uehara Rina , Hongo Kunihiro , Kawata Yasushi , Mizobata Tomohiro
Published: October 2022

The molecular chaperones HdeA and HdeB of the Escherichia coli (E. coli) periplasm protect client proteins from acid denaturation through a unique mechanism that utilizes their acid denatured states to bind clients. We previously demonstrated that the active, acid-denatured form of HdeA is also prone to forming inactive, amyloid fibril-like aggregates in a pH-dependent, reversible manner. In this study, we report that HdeB also displays a similar tendency to form fibrils at low pH. HdeB fibrils were observed at pH < 3 in the presence of NaCl. Similar to HdeA, HdeB fibrils could be resolubilized by a simple shift to neutral pH. In the case of HdeB, however, we found that after extended incubation at low pH, HdeB fibrils were converted into a form that could not resolubilize at pH 7. Fresh fibrils seeded from these “transformed” fibrils were also incapable of resolubilizing at pH 7, suggesting that the transition from reversible to irreversible fibrils involved a specific conformational change that was transmissible through fibril seeds. Analyses of fibril secondary structure indicated that HdeB fibrils retained significant alpha helical content regardless of the conditions under which fibrils were formed. Fibrils that were formed from HdeB that had been treated to remove its intrinsic disulfide bond also were incapable of resolubilizing at pH 7, suggesting that certain residual structures that are retained in acid-denatured HdeB are important for this protein to recover its soluble state from the fibril form.
Bioinformatics Analysis of RNA-seq Data Reveals Genes Related to Cancer Stem Cells in Colorectal Cancerogenesis
Authors: Urh Kristian , Zidar Nina , Boštjančič Emanuela
Published: October 2022

Cancer stem cells (CSC) play one of the crucial roles in the pathogenesis of various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Although great efforts have been made regarding our understanding of the cancerogenesis of CRC, CSC involvement in CRC development is still poorly understood. Using bioinformatics and RNA-seq data of normal mucosa, colorectal adenoma, and carcinoma (n = 106) from GEO and TCGA, we identified candidate CSC genes and analyzed pathway enrichment analysis (PEI) and protein–protein interaction analysis (PPI). Identified CSC-related genes were validated using qPCR and tissue samples from 47 patients with adenoma, adenoma with early carcinoma, and carcinoma without and with lymph node metastasis and were compared to normal mucosa. Six CSC-related genes were identified: ANLN, CDK1, ECT2, PDGFD, TNC, and TNXB. ANLN, CDK1, ECT2, and TNC were differentially expressed between adenoma and adenoma with early carcinoma. TNC was differentially expressed in CRC without lymph node metastases whereas ANLN, CDK1, and PDGFD were differentially expressed in CRC with lymph node metastases compared to normal mucosa. ANLN and PDGFD were differentially expressed between carcinoma without and with lymph node metastasis. Our study identified and validated CSC-related genes that might be involved in early stages of CRC development (ANLN, CDK1, ECT2, TNC) and in development of metastasis (ANLN, PDGFD).