bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic feasibility and cost modeling for horse training centers: a financial perspective from Brazil
Authors: Alves Laya K. S. , Pairis-Garcia Monique D. , Veloso Bruna S. , Dos Santos Henrique C. , Silveira Naiara C. S. , Lopes Idael M. G. , Raineri Camila
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to develop a cost calculation model for equine training centers and assess their feasibility. It established critical parameters for such centers, including facilities, equipment, labor, and operational metrics. A Microsoft Excel-based model allocated costs into variable, fixed operating, and opportunity costs. Input prices and quantities were collected to calculate economic indicators like gross margin, net margin, profit, break-even point, total factor productivity, and rate of return. A five-year cash flow projection was developed, estimating financial indicators like net present value (NPV), rate of return, internal rate of return (IRR), and discounted payback. The project obtained an annual profit of $5,298,64, with gross and net margins of $51,630.35 and $23,852.72, respectively. In this scenario, the break-even point, which represents the minimum number of horses needed for costs to equal profits, was calculated to be nine horses. The rate of return for the project was 15%. Risk indicators demonstrated a high level of security (531.49% IRR and payback within the first year), and profitability indicators were positive, with an NPV of $87,005.78, a benefit-cost index (IBC) of 2.75, and a profitability rate of 1,261%. The project was found to be financially viable, and the cost model aligned with economic theory principles. This model offers a valuable tool for equine training center operators, investors, and stakeholders, enabling informed decision-making by providing a detailed economic and financial analysis of costs and profitability. It assists in optimizing resource management, improving pricing strategies, identifying areas of inefficiency to enhance profitability, and supporting long-term planning and sustainability in equine businesses.
Editorial
Authors: Grigoleto Netto Jose Valdeci , Sá Jeferson de Souza
Published: December 2024

Caros/as leitores/as, é com grande entusiamo que nós editores apresentamos a segunda edição da Revista Conversas em Psicologia referente ao ano de 2024 que segue, como sempre, abarcando conteúdos e produções de cunho científico que são relevantes para compreenção da teoria e prática da Psicologia.
Nesta segunda edição, seguimos contando com textos que dialogam com a Psicologia em diferentes áreas de atuação, abrangendo a Psicologia Hospitalar, a Neuropedagogia, a Arteterapia e outros campos de prática. Esperamos nesta revista publicar artigos que versem sobre as múltiplas faces da Psicologia. Nosso objetivo sempre é somar, agregar...
Destacamos que a imagem que compõe a capa desta edição foi gerada através da Inteligência Artificial, tendo como comando palavras que compõem a edição, versando sobre Psicologia e seus olhares variados.
Diante disso, desejamos a todos ótimas leituras e, também, desejamos um Feliz Natal e próspero ano novo, na expectativa de que em 2025 você possa compartilhar seus estudos e práticas aqui na revista. Estamos abertos para conhecer seus trabalhos. Um abraço afetuoso.
A Narrative Review of Molecular, Immunohistochemical and In-Situ Techniques in Dermatopathology
Authors: Gabriel J. A. , Weerasinghe N. , Balachandran P. , Salih R. , Orchard G. E.
Published: December 2024

Skin disorders pose a significant health burden globally, affecting millions of individuals across diverse demographics. Advancements in molecular techniques have revolutionised our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of skin disorders, offering insights into their pathogenesis, diagnosis, and potential targeted treatment. Furthermore, the integration of molecular diagnostics into clinical practice has enhanced the accuracy of skin disorder diagnoses. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), next-generation sequencing (NGS), and other molecular assays have allowed for the detection of infectious agents, assessment of genetic mutations, and profile gene expression patterns with unequalled precision. These techniques have proven instrumental in distinguishing between subtypes of skin cancers, aiding treatment strategies and prognostic assessments. Moreover, molecular profiling is increasingly guiding the selection of therapeutic agents, ensuring a personalised and effective approach to managing skin disorders. The application of PCR has revolutionised the field by enabling the identification of microbial DNA (i.e., Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Epstein-Barr Virus) in skin infections and detecting specific genetic mutations associated with dermatological disorders (e.g., BRAF). DNA sequencing technologies, such as next-generation sequencing, have facilitated the elucidation of genetic variations and mutations in skin diseases (i.e., bullous disorders), paving the way for personalised treatment approaches. Gene expression profiling techniques, such as microarrays and RNA sequencing, have provided insights into dysregulated pathways and molecular signatures associated with conditions ranging from inflammatory skin disorders to cutaneous malignancies. Immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization have proven invaluable in determining protein expression patterns and detecting chromosomal abnormalities, respectively, aiding in the characterization of skin lesions in conjunction with the molecular data. Proteomic studies have contributed to understanding the intricate protein networks involved in dermatological conditions (i.e., psoriasis), while epigenetic analyses have shed light on the role of epigenetic modifications in gene regulation within skin cancer (i.e., Malignant Melanoma). Together, these molecular techniques have laid the groundwork for targeted therapies and precision medicine in dermatology, with implications for improved diagnostics and treatment outcomes. This review focuses on the routinely employed molecular techniques within dermatopathology, with a focus on cutaneous malignancies, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and neonatal screening which can be implemented in the diagnosis and contribute to improved patient care.
Sclerostin and OPG/RANK-L system take part in bone remodeling in patients with acromegaly
Authors: Halupczok-Żyła Jowita , Jawiarczyk-Przybyłowska Aleksandra , Bolanowski Marek
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Acromegaly is a disease characterized by enhanced bone turnover with persistently high vertebral fracture risk. Sclerostin is a glycoprotein, which acts as an inhibitor of bone formation and activates osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. The osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator for the nuclear factor κ B ligand (RANK-L) system is crucial for controlling bone metabolism.

Objective

The study aimed primarily at evaluating sclerostin, OPG, and RANK-L concentrations in patients at different stages of acromegaly activity. The secondary aim was to identify an association of sclerostin with the OPG/RANK-L system and bone mineral density (BMD).

Materials and methods

The study enrolled 126 patients aged 40 to 80 years, including 72 patients with acromegaly and 54 controls (CG). The acromegaly patients were further classified into the following subgroups: active acromegaly (AA), controlled acromegaly (CTA), and cured acromegaly (CA). Blood samples were taken from the participants to measure sclerostin, OPG, RANK-L, growth hormone (GH), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed at the lumbar spine and hip.

Results

Significantly lower sclerostin concentrations were observed in acromegaly patients compared with CG (AA, CTA, CA, CTA+CA, AA+CTA+CA vs CG; p < 0.001). Significant differences in OPG concentrations were revealed between the following groups: CTA vs CA (p=0.002), CTA vs CG (p<0.001), CTA+CA vs. CG (p<0.001), and AA+CTA+CA vs. CG (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in RANK-L concentrations between studied groups, regardless of the adopted classification (p>0.05). There were no statistically significant correlations between sclerostin and GH/IGF-1 or BMD. In the AA+CTA+CA group, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between SCL and OPG concentrations (r=0.271; p=0.022). A significant negative correlation between SCL and RANK-L was found in the AA group (r=-0.738; p=0.046).

Conclusions

Patients with acromegaly have lower sclerostin concentrations than healthy controls, which may be a result of a compensatory mechanism to increased bone loss. The influence of the GH/IGF-I axis on bone remodeling may be mediated in part by the OPG/RANK-L system. The interaction between SCL and OPG/RANK-L system in acromegaly should be further elucidated.
Identification and validation the predictive biomarkers based on risk-adjusted control chart in gemcitabine with or without erlotinib for pancreatic cancer therapy
Authors: Zhao Aijun , Tu Dongsheng , He Ye , Liu Liu , Wu Bin , Ren Yixing
Published: December 2024

Background

In a randomized clinical controlled trial (PA.3) conducted by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, the effects of gemcitabine combined with the targeted drug erlotinib (GEM-E) versus gemcitabine alone (GEM) on patients with unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic pancreatic cancer were studied. This trial statistically demonstrated that the GEM-E combination therapy moderately improves overall survival (OS) of patients. However, real-world analysis suggested that GEM-E for pancreatic cancer was not more effective than GEM. The heterogeneity in outcomes or treatment effect exist. Thus, we tried to find predictive biomarkers to identifying the heterogeneous patients.

Methods

Of the 569 eligible patients, 480 patients had plasma samples. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model were used to identify baseline characteristics related to OS, and a risk adjusted Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) control chart based on a weighted score test from the Cox model was constructed to monitor patients’ survival risk. Maximally selected rank statistics were constructed to identifying the predictive biomarkers, in addition, a risk adjusted control chart based on a weighted score test from the Cox model was constructed to validating the predictive biomarkers, discover the patients who sensitive to the GEM-E or GEM.

Results

Three baseline characteristics (ECOG performance status, extent of disease, and pain intensity) were identified related to prognosis. A risk-adjusted EWMA control chart was constructed and showed that GEM-E did improve OS in a few patients. Three biomarkers (BMP2, CXCL6, and HER2) were identified as predictive biomarkers based on maximum selected rank test, and using the risk-adjusted EWMA control chart to validate the reality and discover some patients who are sensitive to the GEM-E therapy.

Conclusion

In reality, GEM-E has not shown a significant advantage over GEM in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. However, we discovered some patients who are sensitive to the GEM-E therapy based on the predictive biomarkers, which suggest that the predictive biomarkers provide ideas for personalized medicine in pancreatic cancer.
The phytohormone abscisic acid enhances remyelination in mouse models of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Van Gaever Femke , Mingneau Fleur , Vanherle Sam , Driege Yasmine , Haegman Mira , Van Wonterghem Elien , Xie Junhua , Vandenbroucke Roosmarijn E. , Hendriks Jerome J. A. , Beyaert Rudi , Staal Jens
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Over the past few decades, there has been a sudden rise in the incidence of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Western countries. However, current treatments often show limited efficacy in certain patients and are associated with adverse effects, which highlights the need for safer and more effective therapeutic approaches. Environmental factors, particularly dietary habits, have been observed to play a substantial role in the development of MS. In this study, we are the first to investigate the potential protective effect of the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) in MS. ABA, which is abundant in fruits such as figs, apricots and bilberries, is known to cross the blood-brain barrier and has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in conditions like depression and Alzheimer's disease.

Methods

In this study, we investigated whether ABA supplementation enhances remyelination in both ex vivo and in vivo mouse models.

Results

Our results indicated that ABA enhanced remyelination and that this enhanced remyelination is associated with increased lipid droplet load, reduced levels of degraded myelin, and a higher abundance of F4/80+ cells in the demyelinated brain of mice treated with ABA. In in vitro models, we further demonstrated that ABA treatment elevates lipid droplet formation by enhancing the phagocytic capacity of macrophages. Additionally, in a mouse model of microglial activation, we showed that ABA-treated mice maintain a less inflammatory microglial phenotype.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight a crucial role for macrophages and microglia in enabling ABA to enhance the remyelination process. Furthermore, ABA’s ability to improve remyelination together with its ability to reduce microglial activation, make ABA a promising candidate for modulating macrophage phenotype and reducing neuroinflammation in MS.
FB5P-seq-mAbs: monoclonal antibody production from FB5P-seq libraries for integrative single-cell analysis of B cells
Authors: Ado Sakina , Dong Chuang , Attaf Noudjoud , Moussa Myriam , Carrier Agathe , Milpied Pierre , Navarro Jean-Marc
Published: December 2024

Parallel analysis of phenotype, transcriptome and antigen receptor sequence in single B cells is a useful method for tracking B cell activation and maturation during immune responses. However, in most cases, the specificity and affinity of the B cell antigen receptor cannot be inferred from its sequence. Antibody cloning and expression from single B cells is then required for functional assays. Here we propose a method that integrates FACS-based 5’-end single-cell RNA sequencing (FB5P-seq) and monoclonal antibody cloning for integrative analysis of single B cells. Starting from a cell suspension, single B cells are FACS-sorted into 96-well plates for reverse transcription, cDNA barcoding and amplification. A fraction of the single-cell cDNA is used for preparing 5’-end RNA-seq libraries that are sequenced for retrieving transcriptome-wide gene expression and paired BCR sequences. The archived cDNA of selected cells of interest is used as input for cloning heavy and light chain variable regions into antibody expression plasmid vectors. The corresponding monoclonal antibodies are produced by transient transfection of a eukaryotic producing cell line and purified for functional assays. We provide detailed step-by-step instructions and describe results obtained on ovalbumin-specific murine germinal center B cells after immunization. Our method is robust, flexible, cost-effective, and applicable to different B cell types and species. We anticipate it will be useful for mapping antigen specificity and affinity of rare B cell subsets characterized by defined gene expression and/or antigen receptor sequence.
The nasal mycobiome of individuals with allergic rhinitis and asthma differs from that of healthy controls in composition, structure and function
Authors: Pérez-Losada Marcos , Castro-Nallar Eduardo , García-Huidobro Jenaro , Boechat José Laerte , Delgado Luis , Rama Tiago Azenha , Oliveira Manuela
Published: December 2024

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma (AS) are two of the most common chronic respiratory diseases and a major public health concern. Multiple studies have demonstrated the role of the nasal bacteriome in AR and AS, but little is known about the airway mycobiome and its potential association to airway inflammatory diseases. Here we used the internal transcriber spacers (ITS) 1 and 2 and high-throughput sequencing to characterize the nasal mycobiome of 339 individuals with AR, AR with asthma (ARAS), AS and healthy controls (CT). Seven to ten of the 14 most abundant fungal genera (Malassezia, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Wallemia, Rhodotorula, Sporobolomyces, Naganishia, Vishniacozyma, and Filobasidium) in the nasal cavity differed significantly (p ≤ 0.049) between AS, AR or ARAS, and CT. However, none of the same genera varied significantly between the three respiratory disease groups. The nasal mycobiomes of AR and ARAS patients showed the highest intra-group diversity, while CT showed the lowest. Alpha-diversity indices of microbial richness and evenness only varied significantly (p ≤ 0.024) between AR or ARAS and CT, while all disease groups showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.0004) in microbial structure (i.e., beta-diversity indices) when compared to CT samples. Thirty metabolic pathways (PICRUSt2) were differentially abundant (Wald’s test) between AR or ARAS and CT patients, but only three of them associated with 5-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide (AIR) biosynthesis were over abundant (log2 Fold Change >0.75) in the ARAS group. AIR has been associated to fungal pathogenesis in plants. Spiec-Easi fungal networks varied among groups, but AR and ARAS showed more similar interactions among their members than with those in the CT mycobiome; this suggests chronic respiratory allergic diseases may disrupt fungal connectivity in the nasal cavity. This study contributes valuable fungal data and results to understand the relationships between the nasal mycobiome and allergy-related conditions. It demonstrates for the first time that the nasal mycobiota varies during health and allergic rhinitis (with and without comorbid asthma) and reveals specific taxa, metabolic pathways and fungal interactions that may relate to chronic airway disease.
Diagnostic accuracy of heart rate variability as a screening tool for mild neurocognitive disorder
Authors: Czopek-Rowinska Julia , de Bruin Eling D. , Manser Patrick
Published: December 2024

Background

Mild neurocognitive disorder (mNCD) is recognized as an early stage of dementia and is gaining attention as a significant healthcare problem due to current demographic changes and increasing numbers of patients. Timely detection of mNCD provides an opportunity for early interventions that can potentially slow down or prevent cognitive decline. Heart rate variability (HRV) may be a promising measure, as it has been shown to be sensitive to cognitive impairment. However, there is currently no evidence regarding the diagnostic accuracy of HRV measurements in the context of the mNCD population. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of vagally-mediated HRV (vm-HRV) as a screening tool for mNCD and to investigate the relationship between vm-HRV with executive functioning and depression in older adults who have mNCD.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from healthy older adults (HOA) and individuals with a clinical diagnosis of mNCD with a biomarker-supported characterization of the etiology of mNCD. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis based on the area under the curve. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated based on the optimal threshold provided by Youden’s Index. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between vm-HRV and executive functioning and depression.

Results

This analysis included 42 HOA and 29 individuals with mNCD. The relative power of high frequency was found to be increased in individuals with mNCD. The greatest AUC calculated was 0.68 (with 95% CI: 0.56, 0.81) for the relative power of high frequency. AUCs for other vm-HRV parameters were between 0.53 and 0.61. No consistent correlations were found between vm-HRV and executive functioning or depression.

Conclusion

It appears that vm-HRV parameters alone are insufficient to reliably distinguish between HOA and older adults with mNCD. Additionally, the relationship between vm-HRV and executive functioning remains unclear and requires further investigation. Prospective studies that encompass a broad range of neurocognitive disorders, HRV measurements, neuroimaging, and multimodal approaches that consider a variety of functional domains affected in mNCD are warranted to further investigate the potential of vm-HRV as part of a multimodal screening tool for mNCD. These multimodal measures have the potential to improve the early detection of mNCD in the future.
Association between tinnitus and hearing impairment among older adults with age-related hearing loss: a multi-center cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Zhifeng , Lu Yan , Chen Chenyu , Lin Shaolian , Xie Ting , Luo Xiaoyang , Lin Yanchun , Chen Yuqing , Feng Yong , Xiong Guanxia , Ma Xiulan , Zeng Chaojun , Lin Chang
Published: December 2024

Objective

The relationship between tinnitus in the elderly with hearing loss remains elusive. This study aimed to reveal the association between tinnitus and hearing impairment among older adults with age-related hearing loss (ARHL).

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among a population of outpatients diagnosed with ARHL at four medical centers in different regions of China, from June 2020 to June 2023. ARHL patients were divided into two groups based on their self-reported tinnitus: tinnitus and non-tinnitus. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the association between tinnitus and hearing impairment in ARHL patients. Subgroup analyses, stratified by gender and age, were performed to further evaluate the association.

Results

A total of 418 older adults with ARHL were included in the study. Compared to the non-tinnitus group, ARHL patients with tinnitus had lower hearing thresholds (β = −5.07; 95% confidence interval (CI) −9.32 to −0.81; p = 0.020). On subgroup analyses stratified by gender and age, the male ARHL patients with tinnitus still had lower hearing thresholds compared to those without tinnitus (β = −6.96; 95% CI −12.70 to 1.22; p = 0.018). In females, tinnitus was not associated with hearing thresholds (β = −3.69; 95% CI −10.11 to 2.74, p = 0.262). There was no association between tinnitus and hearing thresholds in both the age group of ≥70 years (β = −4.31; 95% CI −9.65 to 1.03; p = 0.116) and the age group of <70 years (β = −3.54; 95% CI −9.96 to 2.89; p = 0.282).

Conclusion

Based on this multi-center cross-sectional study, we reveal that there is no evidence for the assumption that tinnitus may exacerbate hearing loss in the elderly for the first time. On the contrary, tinnitus is associated with better hearing in the male elderly with ARHL. More extensive longitudinal studies are needed to give a comprehensive insight of the present findings and the underlying mechanisms.
Domain adaptation spatial feature perception neural network for cross-subject EEG emotion recognition
Authors: Lu Wei , Zhang Xiaobo , Xia Lingnan , Ma Hua , Tan Tien-Ping
Published: December 2024

Emotion recognition is a critical research topic within affective computing, with potential applications across various domains. Currently, EEG-based emotion recognition, utilizing deep learning frameworks, has been effectively applied and achieved commendable performance. However, existing deep learning-based models face challenges in capturing both the spatial activity features and spatial topology features of EEG signals simultaneously. To address this challenge, a domain-adaptation spatial-feature perception-network has been proposed for cross-subject EEG emotion recognition tasks, named DSP-EmotionNet. Firstly, a spatial activity topological feature extractor module has been designed to capture spatial activity features and spatial topology features of EEG signals, named SATFEM. Then, using SATFEM as the feature extractor, DSP-EmotionNet has been designed, significantly improving the accuracy of the model in cross-subject EEG emotion recognition tasks. The proposed model surpasses state-of-the-art methods in cross-subject EEG emotion recognition tasks, achieving an average recognition accuracy of 82.5% on the SEED dataset and 65.9% on the SEED-IV dataset.
A good response to furmonertinib fourth-line treatment of an advanced lung adenocarcinoma patient with EGFR exon20in and PIK3CA mutation: a case report and literature review
Authors: Sun Kai , Wang Peng
Published: December 2024

Background

Lung cancer, including small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is the most prevalent cancer globally and remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, frequently observed in female NSCLC patients, have revolutionized treatment strategies with the advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). These therapies significantly improve survival and are considered the standard of care for patients harboring EGFR mutations. However, most patients eventually develop resistance to EGFR-TKIs, leading to disease progression. Resistance mechanisms are classified as either EGFR-dependent or EGFR-independent, the latter involving bypass pathway activation, including dysregulation of downstream signaling cascades. EGFR-independent resistance often renders all EGFR-TKIs ineffective, necessitating further investigation into resistance mechanisms.

Case summary

We report the case of a 63-year-old Chinese woman diagnosed with synchronous lung adenocarcinoma harboring an EGFR exon 21 far-loop insertion mutation and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). A multidisciplinary team recommended systemic therapy for the lung adenocarcinoma and clinical observation for ccRCC. First-line treatment with bevacizumab plus pemetrexed-carboplatin achieved a progression-free survival (PFS) of 7 months. Second-line treatment with sintilimab and nedaplatin resulted in a PFS of 4.9 months. Third-line therapy with sintilimab and anlotinib proved ineffective. In the fourth line, the patient received furmonertinib, a third-generation EGFR-TKI, based on the FAVOUR trial. This treatment achieved durable disease control with excellent tolerability, yielding a PFS of 27 months and ongoing clinical benefit.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates that furmonertinib can provide significant clinical benefit to NSCLC patients with complex resistance mechanisms, including those involving the PIK3CA/mTOR pathway. These findings support its potential to overcome EGFR-TKI resistance and warrant further investigation in similar clinical contexts.
Sustainable integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches within the African infectious disease vaccine research and development ecosystem
Authors: Hare Jonathan , Nielsen Morten , Kiragga Agnes , Ochiel Daniel
Published: December 2024

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) techniques, including reverse vaccinology and predictive models, have already been applied for developing vaccine candidates for COVID-19, HIV, and Hepatitis, streamlining the vaccine development lifecycle from discovery to deployment. The application of AI and ML technologies for improving heath interventions, including drug discovery and clinical development, are expanding across Africa, particularly in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria. Further initiatives are required however to expand AI/ML capabilities across the continent to ensure the development of a sustainable ecosystem including enhancing the requisite knowledge base, fostering collaboration between stakeholders, ensuring robust regulatory and ethical frameworks and investment in requisite infrastructure.
Effects of polystyrene microplastics on the growth and metabolism of highland barley seedlings based on LC-MS
Authors: Xiao Wenqi , Xiang Peng , Liao Wenlong , Xiong Zhuang , Peng Lianxin , Zou Liang , Liu Bingliang , Li Qiang
Published: December 2024

Microplastics are widely present in the environment and can adversely affect plants. In this paper, the effects of different concentrations of microplastics on physiological indices and metabolites of highland barley were investigated for the first time using a metabolomics approach, and revealed the response mechanism of barley seedlings to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) was revealed. The results showed that the aboveground biomass of highland barley exposed to low (10 mg/L) and medium (50 mg/L) concentrations of PS-MPs increased by 32.2% and 48.2%, respectively. The root length also increased by 16.4% and 21.6%, respectively. However, the aboveground biomass of highland barley exposed to high (100 mg/L) concentrations of PS-MPs decreased by 34.8%, leaf length by 20.7%, and root length by 25.9%. Microplastic exposure increased the levels of antioxidant activity, suggesting that highland barley responds to microplastic stress through oxidative stress. Metabolome analysis revealed that the contents of 4 metabolites increased significantly with increasing PS-MPs concentration in positive ionmode, while the contents of 8 metabolites increased significantly with increasing PS-MPs concentration in negative ionmode (P < 0.05), including prunin, dactylorhin E, and schisantherin B. Additionally, PS-MPs significantly interfered with highland barley flavonoid biosynthesis, pyrimidine metabolism, purine metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis metabolic pathways. This study provides a new theoretical basis for a deeper understanding of the effects of different concentrations of PS-MPs on highland barley.
Reduce the application of phosphorus fertilizer in peanut fields and improve its efficiency by using iron modified biochar to adsorb phosphorus recovery products
Authors: Zhang Junxiao , Bu Xiangxi , Huang Zhenyu , Wu Changxue , Xie Xiangwen
Published: December 2024

Introduction

To address the scarcity of agricultural phosphorus (P) fertilizers and reduce phosphorus accumulation in wastewater, this study employed iron-modified biochar (Fe-B) to adsorb phosphorus from water. The phosphorus-loaded iron-modified biochar (Fe-BP) was subsequently applied to peanut fields. Batch experiments were conducted to determine the optimal adsorption parameters and mechanism of Fe-B for phosphate ions (PO43−).

Methods

The field experiment utilized a randomized complete block design, comprising the following treatments: no biochar and no P fertilizer (B0P0), no biochar with conventional phosphate fertilizer (B0P1, CK, P2O5 at 144 kg ha−1), biochar with CK (B1P1), Fe-B with CK (FeB-P1), phosphorus-loaded Fe-B with CK (FeBP-P1), and phosphorus-loaded Fe-B with two-thirds CK (FeBP-P2, P2O5 at 96 kg ha-1).

Results

The results demonstrated that the biochar dosage of 0.05 g (2 g L-1) results in a phosphate removal rate exceeding 80%. Optimal adsorption efficiency occurs within a pH range of 6-9, with a sharp decline observed at pH values above 10. The presence of NO3-, Cl-, and SO42- does not significantly affect the phosphate adsorption capacity of Fe-B, unlike HCO3- and CO32-, which reduce it. After the fifth desorption and recycling process, the adsorption capacity of the biochar decreased to 24%. The peanut yield in the FeB-P1 treatment was 50.8% higher than that in the FeBP-P2 treatment. While the phosphorus recovery efficiency (REP) does not significantly differ between FeBP-P2 and B1P1 treatments, both are superior to B0P1. Moreover, FeBP-P2 facilitated the available phosphorus concentration in the root zone.

Discussion

Overall, phosphorus-loaded iron-modified biochar reduced the required amount of phosphorus fertilizer, maintain peanut yield, and enhanced phosphorus fertilizer utilization efficiency.
Psychometric validation of the Cardiac Distress Inventory - Short Form among people with cardiac diseases in Hong Kong
Authors: Fong Ted C. T. , Leung Ian C. H. , Wong Chun Ka , Jackson Alun C. , Ho Rainbow Tin Hung
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Cardiac patients experience various somatic and psychosocial symptoms and stress is an important prognostic factor of cardiac rehabilitation. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the 12-item Cardiac Distress Inventory – Short Form (CDI-SF) in the Chinese context.

Methods

A total of 227 patients with cardiac diseases were recruited in a specialist outpatient clinic in Hong Kong between Aug 2022 and July 2023. The participants completed the CDI-SF and validated measures on psychosocial functioning and quality of life. Exploratory factor analysis and partial correlation analysis were conducted to examine the factorial validity, reliability, and convergent validity of the CDI-SF with reference to validating measures.

Results

The 1-factor model showed adequate model fit with excellent composite reliability (ω = .92) and substantial factor loadings (λ = .64 –.94, p <.01). The CDI-SF factor was negatively associated with age (r = –.21, p <.01) and showed positive and strong partial correlations (r = .59 –.69, p <.01) with impact of event, depression, and burnout, and negative partial correlations (r = -.43 to -.54, p <.01) with resilience and quality of life.

Conclusion

Our study provides the first results on the psychometric properties of the CDI-SF among cardiac patients in Hong Kong. The psychometric results support the CDI-SF as a precise, valid, and reliable measure of cardiac distress in the Chinese context.
An experimental comparison of participants’ experience in face-to-face, video, and virtual reality meetings
Authors: van Gent Sophie , Langefeld Anja , Held Niels , Cremers Anita , Loots Gjalt , Gunkel Simon N. B.
Published: December 2024

The increasing prevalence of remote working and the challenges it presents underscores the need for alternative technologies that can provide a more healthy, natural and social remote meeting experience. However, there is a limited understanding of how such technologies compare to other modalities, especially face-to-face communication. This study investigates the impact of three meeting modalities - face-to-face, videoconferencing, and virtual reality (VR) - on participants’ experience of social presence, wellbeing, and task engagement during a meeting involving a negotiation task. Despite the hypothesis that these experiences would significantly differ across modalities, no such differences were found. We suspect that characteristics of the meeting participants and the negotiation task, the meeting duration, as well as the measurements used have moderated the effect of meeting modality on experience. The VR modality was however perceived as more enjoyable, suggesting that immersive technologies like VR hold potential for enhancing the remote meeting experience. The results also underscore that there is no one-size fits all solution when it comes to choosing the best meeting modality. The study stresses the need for ongoing research to optimize the remote meeting experience in the context of different meeting objectives and practical considerations.
Analgesic efficacy of tapentadol in chronic joint disorders in horses: plasma serotonin concentration and adrenocortical response as biomarkers of pain-induced stress
Authors: Costa Giovanna Lucrezia , Tabbì Marco , Bruschetta Giuseppe , Spadola Filippo , Leonardi Fabio , Bruno Fabio , Iannelli Nicola Maria , Licata Patrizia , Macrì Francesco , Passino Eraldo Sanna , Macrì Daniele , Interlandi Claudia
Published: December 2024

The study aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of tapentadol in horses, by determining plasma serotonin concentration and adrenocortical response, as biomarkers of pain stress in chronic joint disorders. Thirty-six horses (20 females and 16 males) were divided into three groups of 12 subjects each: group A, osteoarthritis (OA), grade 3–4 lameness; group B, OA, grade 5 lameness; and group C, no OA, no lameness, were enrolled. The orthopedic examination included flexion tests, and radiological and ultrasound examinations. The degree of lameness has been estimated from 0 to 5 according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEPs). Heart and respiratory rates (HR and RR) and blood pressure were recorded. Serotonin concentration and circulating cortisol levels were determined at baseline and the end of every week for 4 weeks. Biochemical parameters were recorded at baseline and the end of treatment with tapentadol. Subjects with OA were treated with tapentadol 0.5 mg kg−1. The response to painful stimulus on flexion tests was evaluated using the modified numeric pain rating scale (modified NRS 0–7) from baseline and the cumulative pain score (CPS 0–4) after the first week of treatment with tapentadol. The lameness decreased throughout the timeline in both groups (score from 3–4 to 1 in group A and score from 5 to 1 in group B) (p < 0.05). The NRS score decreased throughout the timeline (p < 0.05), from mild pain to no pain in group A (score 1–3 to 0) and from moderate pain to no pain in group B (score from 4 to 0). Physiological variables remained within the physiological range throughout the timeline. Cumulative pain scores ranged from 0.5 to 4 in group A and 1.5 to 7 in group B (p = 0.008). Serotonin concentrations remained unchanged throughout the timeline in all groups (p = 1.000) but in the OA groups, the concentrations were lower than control (p < 0.001). Circulating cortisol levels were reduced compared to baseline in subjects treated with tapentadol (p < 0.001). Tapentadol is effective in OA pain management in horses. Serotonin and cortisol may be utilized as biomarkers in the pain stress response. Serotonin can also determine the state of wellbeing of patients.
Effects of Replacing Fishmeal with American Cockroach Residue on the Growth Performance, Metabolism, Intestinal Morphology, and Antioxidant Capacity of Juvenile Cyprinus carpio
Authors: Zou Xiaofang , Zhang Chenggui , Guo Bingyan , Cao Yu , Yang Yongshou , Xiao Peiyun , Long Xiaowen
Published: December 2024

Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets (Diet 1–Diet 5, with Diet 1 as the control) were formulated to replace 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of fishmeal with American cockroach residue. Juvenile Cyprinus carpio (initial body weight approximately 74 g) were randomly assigned to these diets for a 10-week feeding trial. The Diet 3 group (40% replacement) showed significantly higher final body weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio compared to other groups. No significant differences were observed in crude protein, ash, and total amino acid content across the diets. Groups fed Diet 1 and Diet 2 exhibited higher intestinal trypsin, lipase, α-amylase, and hepatic trypsin activities. Serum triglyceride (TG) levels were highest in the Diet 5 group. Hepatic aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity was significantly lower in the Diet 3 and Diet 5 groups compared to Diet 1. Serum urea nitrogen levels followed a non-linear trend, initially increasing, then decreasing, and rising again with increasing fishmeal replacement. No significant differences were found in serum total protein (TP) levels among the dietary groups. Intestinal villus number, muscle layer thickness, villus height, villus width, and crypt depth remained consistent across groups. However, goblet cell numbers were significantly reduced at the 60% replacement level, which could impair intestinal barrier function. Diet 3 showed higher serum and hepatic total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, while Diet 2 had the highest hepatic total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were lowest in the Diet 2 and Diet 5 groups. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels showed an increasing trend with higher fishmeal replacement levels. In conclusion, replacing fishmeal with American cockroach residue did not adversely affect growth performance or body composition in juvenile C. carpio. Substituting 20–40% of fishmeal with American cockroach residue enhanced antioxidant capacity and immune function in juvenile C. carpio.
Application of an Ensemble Stationary-Based Category-Based Scoring Support Vector Regression to Improve Drought Prediction in the Upper Colorado River Basin
Authors: Bazrkar Mohammad Hadi , Han Heechan , Abitew Tadesse , Park Seonggyu , Zamani Negin , Jeong Jaehak
Published: December 2024

Recent above-normal temperatures, which exacerbated the impacts of precipitation deficits, are recognized as the primary driver of droughts in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB), USA. This research aims to enhance drought prediction models by addressing structural changes in non-stationary temperature time series and minimizing drought misclassification through the ES-CBS-SVR model, which integrates ESSVR and CBS-SVR. The research investigates whether this coupling improves prediction accuracy. Furthermore, the model’s performance will be tested in a region distinct from those originally used to evaluate its generalizability and effectiveness in forecasting drought conditions. We used a change point detection technique to divide the non-stationary time series into stationary subsets. To minimize the chances of drought mis-categorization, category-based scoring was used in ES-CBS-SVR. In this study, we tested and compared the ES-CBS-SVR and SVR models in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) using data from the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS), where the periods 1950–2004 and 2005–2014 were used for training and testing, respectively. The results indicated that ES-CBS-SVR outperformed SVR consistently across of the drought indices used in this study in a higher portion of the UCRB. This is mainly attributed to variable hyperparameters (regularization constant and tube size) used in ES-CBS-SVR to deal with structural changes in the data. Overall, our analysis demonstrated that the ES-CBS-SVR can predict drought more accurately than traditional SVR in a warming climate.
Continuous Estimation of Blood Pressure by Utilizing Seismocardiogram Signal Features in Relation to Electrocardiogram
Authors: Zienkiewicz Aleksandra , Korhonen Vesa , Kiviniemi Vesa , Myllylä Teemu
Published: December 2024

There is an ongoing search for a reliable and continuous method of noninvasive blood pressure (BP) tracking. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of utilizing seismocardiogram (SCG) signals, i.e., chest motion caused by cardiac activity, for this purpose. This research is novel in examining the temporal relationship between the SCG-measured isovolumic moment and the electrocardiogram (PEPIM). Additionally, we compare these results with the traditionally measured pre-ejection period with the aortic opening marked as an endpoint (PEPAO). The accuracy of the BP estimation was evaluated beat to beat against invasively measured arterial BP. Data were collected on separate days as eighteen sets from nine subjects undergoing a medical procedure with anesthesia. Results for PEPIM showed a correlation of 0.67 ± 0.18 (p < 0.001), 0.66 ± 0.17 (p < 0.001), and 0.67 ± 0.17 (p < 0.001) when compared to systolic BP, diastolic BP, and mean arterial pressure (MAP), respectively. Corresponding results for PEPAO were equal to 0.61 ± 0.22 (p < 0.001), 0.61 ± 0.21 (p < 0.001), and 0.62 ± 0.22 (p < 0.001). Values of PEPIM were used to estimate MAP using two first-degree models, the linear regression model (achieved RMSE of 11.7 ± 4.0 mmHg) and extended model with HR (RMSE of 10.8 ± 4.2 mmHg), and two corresponding second-degree models (RMSE of 10.8 ± 3.7 mmHg and RMSE of 8.5 ± 3.4 mmHg for second-degree polynomial and second-degree extended, respectively). In the intrasubject testing of the second-degree model extended with HR based on PEPIM values, the mean error of MAP estimation in three follow-up measurements was in the range of 7.5 to 10.5 mmHg, without recalibration. This study demonstrates the method’s potential for further research, particularly given that both proximal and distal pulses are measured in close proximity to the heart and cardiac output. This positioning may enhance the method’s capacity to more accurately reflect central blood pressure compared to peripheral measurements.
Cognitive Reserve? Cognitive Capacity!
Authors: Paap Kenneth R.
Published: December 2024

The concept of cognitive reserve (CR) has been a cornerstone in cognitive aging research, offering a framework to explain how life experiences like education, occupation, bilingualism, and physical exercise may buffer individuals from cognitive decline in the face of aging or neurological disease. However, this paper argues that the CR model, while influential, may have outlived its usefulness due to inherent limitations that constrain future research directions and unintentionally encourage “magical thinking”. Specifically, CR’s definition, which relies on cognitive performance being “better than expected” based on known measures of brain structure and function, makes the concept temporally bound to current scientific understanding, potentially stifling novel insights into cognition. In contrast, we propose a shift to a cognitive capacity (CC) framework, which views cognitive performance as being always determined by the brain’s structural and functional capacities, without needing to invoke expectations based on incomplete knowledge. The CC framework is broader, encompassing factors that either promote or demote cognitive performance by directly modifying brain structure and function. This reconceptualization opens avenues for investigating cognitive enhancement not only in the context of aging or disease but also in young, healthy individuals. By emphasizing causal pathways between brain changes and cognitive outcomes, this perspective provides a more flexible and testable approach to understanding the mechanisms behind cognitive performance and its modulation across the lifespan.
Digital Industrial Design Method in Architectural Design by Machine Learning Optimization: Towards Sustainable Construction Practices of Geopolymer Concrete
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Zhong Yantao , Zhu Fei , Huang Jiandong
Published: December 2024

The construction industry’s evolution towards sustainability necessitates the adoption of environmentally friendly materials and practices. Geopolymer concrete (GeC) stands out as a promising alternative to conventional concrete due to its reduced carbon footprint and potential for cost savings. This study explores the predictive capabilities of soft computing models in estimating the compressive strength of GeC, utilizing multi-layer perceptron (MLP) neural networks and hybrid systems incorporating the Gannet Optimization Algorithm (GOA) and Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO). A dataset comprising 63 observations from a quarry mine in Malaysia is employed, with influential parameters normalized and utilized for model development. Consequently, we integrate optimization algorithms (GOA and GWO) with MLP to fine-tune the model’s parameters and improve prediction accuracy. The models are evaluated using R2, RMSE, and VAF. Various MLP architectures are explored, evaluating transfer functions and training techniques to optimize performance. In addition, hybrid models GOA–MLP and GWO–MLP are developed, with parameters fine-tuned to enhance predictive accuracy. During the training phase, the GWO–MLP model achieved an R2 of 0.981, RMSE of 0.962, and VAF of 97.44%, compared to MLP’s R2 of 0.95, RMSE of 0.918, and VAF of 94.59%. During the testing phase, GWO–MLP also showed the best performance with an R2 of 0.976, RMSE of 1.432, and VAF of 97.51%, outperforming both MLP and GOA–MLP. The GOA–MLP model demonstrated improved performance over MLP with an R2 of 0.963, RMSE of 0.811, and VAF of 95.78% in the training phase and R2 of 0.944, RMSE of 2.249, and VAF of 92.86% in the testing phase. Hence, the results show that the GWO–MLP model consistently outperforms both MLP and GOA–MLP models. Sensitivity analysis further elucidates the impact of key parameters on compressive strength, aiding in the optimization of GeC formulations for enhanced mechanical properties. Overall, the study underscores the efficacy of machine learning models in predicting GeC compressive strength, offering insights for sustainable construction practices.