bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pomalidomide enhances the maturation of dendritic cells derived from healthy donors and multiple myeloma patients
Authors: Wang Xi , Dai Jingying , Xia Jingyi , Ye Zichen , Huang Xiaobing , Cao Wanjun , Xiao Rong , He Lin
Published: December 2022

Objective: To explore the effect of pomalidomide on the maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) from healthy donors (HDs) and multiple myeloma (MM) patients.

Methods: MoDCs were generated by the incubation of monocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for 7 days in a medium consisting of 800 U/ml granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), 500 U/ml interleukin-4 (IL-4), RPMI 1,640 medium, 5% human serum, 100 U/ml penicillin and 0.1 mg/ml streptomycin. Meanwhile, the incubation system was administrated with 10 µM pomalidomide or 1 × PBS as the control group. On the eighth day, cells were harvested and analyzed by flow cytometry. The CD80+CD86+ cell population in total cells was gated as moDCs in the FACS analyzing system. After that, the expression of CD40 and HLA-DR on moDCs was analyzed. Meanwhile, the supernatant from the incubation system was evaluated for the secretion of cytokines interleukin-12 (IL-12), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: When analyzing all the HD-moDCs together (n = 15), pomalidomide significantly increased the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD40 expression and HLA-DR expression on moDCs compared with the control group (p = 0.003, p = 0.040). Meanwhile, the proportion of CD40+ moDCs and HLA-DR+ moDCs in total moDCs was significantly higher in the pomalidomide group than in the control group (p = 0.008, p = 0.032). When analyzing all MM patient-moDCs together (n = 11), pomalidomide significantly increased the MFI of CD40 expression and HLA-DR expression on moDCs compared with the control group (p = 0.047, p = 0.006). Meanwhile, the proportion of HLA-DR+ moDCs in total DCs was significantly higher in the pomalidomide group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Moreover, HD-moDCs (n = 8) treated with pomalidomide secreted 192% IL-12, 110% TNF-α, and 112% MIP-1α of the untreated moDCs (p = 0.020, p = 0.006, p = 0.055). However, when analyzing MM patient-moDCs (n = 10) together, the secretion of IL-12, TNF-α and MIP-1α from moDCs showed no significant difference between the pomalidomide group and the control group (p = 0.458, p = 0.377, p = 0.248).

Conclusion:In vitro, 10 µM pomalidomide enhances the maturation of moDCs derived from both HDs and MM patients. Pomalidomide shows potential to be applied as a DC adjuvant for DC-based immunotherapy, such as the DC vaccine and DC cell therapy in MM.
Estrogen receptors, ERK1/2 phosphorylation and reactive oxidizing species in red blood cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Di Franco Manuela , Vona Rosa , Gambardella Lucrezia , Cittadini Camilla , Favretti Martina , Gioia Chiara , Straface Elisabetta , Pietraforte Donatella
Published: December 2022

Red blood cells (RBCs) are recognized to be important pathogenetic determinants in several human cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Undergoing to functional alterations when submitted to risk factors, RBCs modify their own intracellular signaling and the redox balance, shift their status from antioxidant defense to pro-oxidant agents, become a potent atherogenic stimulus playing a key role in the dysregulation of the vascular homeostasis favoring the developing and progression of CVD. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular mortality with a prevalence from two to five more likely in woman, mainly attributed to accelerated atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to correlate the RA disease activity and the RBCs functional characteristics. Thirty-two women (aged more than 18 years) with RA, and 25 age-matched healthy women were included in this study. The disease activity, measured as the number of swollen and painful joints (DAS-28), was correlated with 1) the expression of RBCs estrogen receptors, which modulate the RBC intracellular signaling, 2) the activation of the estrogen-linked kinase ERK½, which is a key regulator of RBC adhesion and survival, and 3) the levels of inflammatory- and oxidative stress-related biomarkers, such as the acute-phase reactants, the antioxidant capacity of plasma, the reactive oxidizing species formation and 3-nitrotyrosine. All the biomarkers were evaluated in RA patients at baseline and 6 months after treatment with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). We found, for the first times, that in RA patients 1) the DAS-28 correlated with RBC ER-α expression, and did not correlate with total antioxidant capacity of plasma; 2) the RBC ER-α expression correlated with systemic inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress parameters, as well as ERK½ phosphorylation; and 3) the DMARDs treatments improved the clinical condition measured by DAS-28 score decrease, although the RBCs appeared to be more prone to pro-oxidant status associated to the expression of survival molecules. These findings represent an important advance in the study of RA determinants favoring the developing of CVD, because strongly suggest that RBCs could also participate in the vascular homeostasis through fine modulation of an intracellular signal linked to the ER-α.
Biochar: An emerging recipe for designing sustainable horticulture under climate change scenarios
Authors: Zulfiqar Faisal , Moosa Anam , Nazir Muhammad Mudassir , Ferrante Antonio , Ashraf Muhammad , Nafees Muhammad , Chen Jianjun , Darras Anastasios , Siddique Kadambot H.M.
Published: December 2022

The interest in sustainable horticulture has recently increased, given anthropogenic climate change. The increasing global population will exacerbate the climate change situation induced by human activities. This will elevate global food demands and the vulnerability of horticultural systems, with severe concerns related to natural resource availability and usage. Sustainable horticulture involves adopting eco-friendly strategies to boost yields while maintaining environmental conservation. Biochar (BC), a carbon-rich material, is widely used in farming to improve soil physical and chemical properties and as an organic substitute for peat in growing media. BC amendments to soil or growing media improve seedling growth, increase photosynthetic pigments, and enhances photosynthesis, thus improving crop productivity. Soil BC incorporation improves abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, which are significant constraints in horticulture. BC application also improves disease control to an acceptable level or enhance plant resistance to pathogens. Moreover, BC amendments in contaminated soil decrease the uptake of potentially hazardous metals, thus minimizing their harmful effects on humans. This review summarizes the most recent knowledge related to BC use in sustainable horticulture. This includes the effect of BC on enhancing horticultural crop production and inducing resistance to major abiotic and biotic stresses. It also discuss major gaps and future directions for exploiting BC technology.
Warming offsets the benefits of elevated CO2 in water relations while amplifies elevated CO2-induced reduction in forage nutritional value in the C4 grass Megathyrsus maximus
Authors: Habermann Eduardo , Dias de Oliveira Eduardo Augusto , Contin Daniele Ribeiro , Costa João Vitor Campos Pinho , Costa Katia Aparecida de Pinho , Martinez Carlos Alberto
Published: December 2022

Tropical grasslands are very important to global carbon and water cycles. C4 plants have increased heat tolerance and a CO2 concentrating mechanism that often reduces responses to elevated concentrations of CO2 ([CO2]). Despite the importance of tropical grasslands, there is a scarcity of studies that elucidate how managed tropical grasslands will be affected by elevated [CO2] and warming. In our study, we used a combination of a temperature-free air-controlled enhancement (T-FACE) and a free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) systems to increase canopy temperature and [CO2] under field conditions, respectively. We warmed a field-grown pasture dominated by the C4 tropical forage grass Megathyrsus maximus by 2°C above ambient under two levels of [CO2] (ambient (aC) and elevated (eC - 600 ppm) to investigate how these two factors isolated or combined regulate water relations through stomatal regulation, and how this combination affects PSII functioning, biochemistry, forage nutritive value, and digestibility. We demonstrated that the effects of warming negated the effects of eC in plant transpiration, water potential, proline content, and soil moisture conservation, resulting in warming canceling the eCO2-induced improvement in these parameters. Furthermore, there were additive effects between eC and warming for chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and aboveground nutritive value. Warming sharply intensified the eCO2-induced decrease in crude protein content and increases in forage fibrous fraction and lignin, resulting in a smaller forage digestibility under a warmer CO2-enriched atmosphere. Our results highlight the importance of multifactorial studies when investigating global change impacts on managed ecosystems and the potential consequences for the global carbon cycle like amplification in methane emissions by ruminants and feeding a positive climate feedback system.
Ozone control as a novel method to improve health-promoting bioactive compounds in red leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
Authors: Lee Jin-Hui , Goto Eiji
Published: December 2022

In this study, we determined the short-term effects of ozone exposure on the growth and accumulation of bioactive compounds in red lettuce leaves grown in a controlled environment plant factory with artificial light, also known as a vertical farm. During cultivation, twenty-day-old lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. Redfire) seedlings were exposed to 100 and 200 ppb of ozone concentrations for 72 h. To find out how plants react to ozone and light, complex treatments were done with light and ozone concentrations (100 ppb; 16 h and 200 ppb; 24 h). Ozone treatment with 100 ppb did not show any significant difference in shoot fresh weight compared to that of the control, but the plants exposed to the 200 ppb treatment showed a significant reduction in fresh weight by 1.3 fold compared to the control. The expression of most genes in lettuce plants exposed to 100 and 200 ppb of ozone increased rapidly after 0.5 h and showed a decreasing trend after reaching a peak. Even when exposed to a uniform ozone concentration, the pattern of accumulating bioactive compounds such as total phenolics, antioxidant capacity and total flavonoids varied based on leaf age. At a concentration of 200 ppb, a greater accumulation was found in the third (older) leaf than in the fourth leaf (younger). The anthocyanin of lettuce plants subjected to 100 and 200 ppb concentrations increased continuously for 48 h. Our results suggest that ozone control is a novel method that can effectively increase the accumulation of bioactive compounds in lettuce in a plant factory.
CRISPR/Cas9-induced modification of the conservative promoter region of VRN-A1 alters the heading time of hexaploid bread wheat
Authors: Miroshnichenko Dmitry , Timerbaev Vadim , Klementyeva Anna , Pushin Alexander , Sidorova Tatiana , Litvinov Dmitry , Nazarova Lubov , Shulga Olga , Divashuk Mikhail , Karlov Gennady , Salina Elena , Dolgov Sergey
Published: December 2022

In cereals, the vernalization-related gene network plays an important role in regulating the transition from the vegetative to the reproductive phase to ensure optimal reproduction in a temperate climate. In hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), the spring growth habit is associated with the presence of at least one dominant locus of VERNALIZATION 1 gene (VRN-1), which usually differs from recessive alleles due to mutations in the regulatory sequences of the promoter or/and the first intron. VRN-1 gene is a key regulator of floral initiation; various combinations of dominant and recessive alleles, especially VRN-A1 homeologs, determine the differences in the timing of wheat heading/flowering. In the present study, we attempt to expand the types of VRN-A1 alleles using CRISPR/Cas9 targeted modification of the promoter sequence. Several mono- and biallelic changes were achieved within the 125-117 bp upstream sequence of the start codon of the recessive vrn-A1 gene in plants of semi-winter cv. ‘Chinese Spring’. New mutations stably inherited in subsequent progenies and transgene-free homozygous plants carrying novel VRN-A1 variants were generated. Minor changes in the promoter sequence, such as 1–4 nucleotide insertions/deletions, had no effect on the heading time of plants, whereas the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated 8 bp deletion between −125 and −117 bp of the vrn-A1 promoter shortened the time of head emergence by up to 2-3 days. Such a growth habit was consistently observed in homozygous mutant plants under nonvernalized cultivation using different long day regimes (16, 18, or 22 h), whereas the cold treatment (from two weeks and more) completely leveled the effect of the 8 bp deletion. Importantly, comparison with wild-type plants showed that the implemented alteration has no negative effects on main yield characteristics. Our results demonstrate the potential to manipulate the heading time of wheat through targeted editing of the VRN-A1 gene promoter sequence on an otherwise unchanged genetic background.
Melatonin induces drought tolerance by modulating lipoxygenase expression, redox homeostasis and photosynthetic efficiency in Arachis hypogaea L
Authors: Shreya Sharma , Supriya Laha , Padmaja Gudipalli
Published: December 2022

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-hydroxy tryptamine), a multipotent biomolecule is well known for its ability to confer tolerance to several abiotic and biotic stresses. The regulation of melatonin-mediated drought tolerance in drought-distinguished varieties can be different due to discriminating redox levels. The present study was focused on assessing the effects of melatonin priming against polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced stress with respect to the antioxidant system, photosynthetic parameters, lipoxygenase expression, JA and ABA levels in drought-sensitive (Kadiri-7) and drought-tolerant (Kadiri-9) varieties. Exogenous melatonin alleviated the drought stress effects in sensitive variety (Kadiri-7) by increasing the endogenous melatonin content with an improved antioxidant system and photosynthetic attributes. The primed stressed plants of the sensitive variety exhibited reduced expression and activity of the chlorophyll degrading enzymes (Chl-deg PRX, pheophytinase and chlorophyllase) with a concomitant increase in chlorophyll content in comparison to unprimed controls. Interestingly, melatonin priming stimulated higher expression and activity of lipoxygenase (LOX) as well as enhanced the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of jasmonic acid (JA) including its content in drought stressed plants of the sensitive variety. The expression of NCED3 (involved in ABA-biosynthesis) was upregulated while CYP707A2 (ABA-degradation) was downregulated which corresponded with higher ABA levels. Contrastingly, priming caused a decrease in endogenous melatonin content under drought stress in tolerant variety (Kadiri-9) which might be due to feedback inhibition of its synthesis to maintain intracellular redox balance and regulate better plant metabolism. Furthermore, the higher endogenous melatonin content along with improved antioxidant system, photosynthetic efficiency and LOX expression associated with the increased levels of JA and ABA in unprimed stressed plants of the tolerant variety (Kadiri-9) is pointing towards the effectiveness of melatonin in mediating drought stress tolerance. Overall, exogenous melatonin alleviated the adverse effects of drought stress in sensitive variety while having no add-on effect on drought stress responses of tolerant variety which is inherently equipped to withstand the given duration of drought stress treatment.
Intergroup trust as a mediator between compassion and positive attitudes toward sexual minorities
Authors: Kuglerová Nikoleta , Popper Miroslav , Poslon Xenia Daniela
Published: December 2022

Nurturing compassion is not only beneficial for one’s well-being in terms of feelings and cognitions directed toward oneself, but it can also have positive effects on attitudes toward other people through associated humanity and recognition of the universality of suffering. Having compassion toward others may be particularly beneficial in intergroup relations, as minority and stigmatized groups often experience a lack of compassion from the majority. The present study (N = 244) examines the relation between self-compassion, compassion toward others, and the level of trust and positive attitudes toward members of sexual minorities. The results of path analysis suggest that the relationship between compassion for others and attitudes toward people belonging to sexual minorities is mediated by intergroup trust. Fostering compassion could therefore play an important role in increasing trust and improving attitudes toward the people belonging to stigmatized minorities.
Perceived overall injustice and organizational deviance—Mediating effect of anger and moderating effect of moral disengagement
Authors: Qin Ge , Zhang Lihua
Published: December 2022

Introduction

This study is dedicated to exploring the influence of perceived overall injustice on employee anger and deviant behavior. Based on fairness heuristic theory and cognitive appraisal theory of emotion, a model was developed to investigate the relationship between perceived overall injustice, anger and organizational deviance. Based on social cognitive theory, the moderating role of moral disengagement was proposed.

Methods

The data were collected from three Chinese manufacturing corporations with a total effective sample size of 264. SPSS 26 and Mplus 8.3 were adopted to analyze data. Confirmatory factor analysis, descriptive statistics analysis and correlation results were illustrated. Hierarchical regression was used to test the model.

Results

Statistical results showed that there is a significant positive relationship among perceived overall injustice, anger and organizational deviance. The moderating effect of moral disengagement on the relationship between perceived overall injustice and organizational deviance is significant, while that on the relationship between anger and organizational deviance is insignificant.

Discussion

This study built a model to discuss the emotional and behavioral influences of perceived overall injustice. The findings suggest that individuals feel more anger as the level of perceived overall injustice increases, which thus lead to higher level of organizational deviance. Morally disengaged employees are more likely to engage in organizational deviance after being treated unfairly. However, the moderating effect of moral disengagement on the relationship of anger and organizational deviance was insignificant. The reason might be because anger is an aggressive emotion and individual experiencing anger may lead to impulsive behavior regardless of moral rules. Implications and limitations have been discussed.
Customer agility, market orientation, and brand image in the context of Chinese market
Authors: Junfeng Wang , Zesheng Yang , RuQiang Lai
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Customer agility (CA) and market orientation have been widely discussed in prior research. Also, the role of brand image in business making-decision has been emphasized. However, the current analysis lacks integrating the relationship among the three concepts. Thus, this study creatively creates a causal relationship model of CA, market orientation, and brand image.

Methods

Finally, 289 valid samples from the managers in Chinese market was collected for further analysis by partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Results

The results show that market orientation can positively affect CA (both customer-sensing capability and customer-responding capability), and CA will further have a positive influence on brand image. Also, market orientation has a direct impact on brand image. Additionally, CA (both customer-sensing capability and customer-responding capability) will mediate the impact of market orientation on brand image.

Discussion

The research has both theoretical and practical contributions. From the theoretical perspective, the results contribute to enriching the brand theory, strategy management, and marketing research. From the practical perspective, the investigation enlightens managers to pay attention to the roles of CA implementation and market orientation strategies in enhancing their brand image.
Body perceptions, occupations, eating attitudes, and behaviors emerged during the pandemic: An exploratory cluster analysis of eaters profiles
Authors: Monthuy-Blanc Johana , Corno Giulia , Bouchard Stéphane , St-Pierre Marie-Josée , Bourbeau Francisca , Mostefa-Kara Leïla , Therrien Émie , Rousseau Michel
Published: December 2022

Introduction

COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted people’s mental and physical health. Three areas have been significantly impacted, among others: eating-related behaviors, occupational balance, and exposure to self-image due to videoconferencing. This study aims to explore and document eaters profiles that were reported during the pandemic in the general Canadian population using a holistic perspective, including body perceptions, attitudes, and eating behaviors (i.e., body image, behaviors, attitudes, and motivations regarding food), and occupations (i.e., physical activity and cooking).

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to September 2020. Two hundred and seventy-three Canada’s residents, French speaking of 18 years of age and older, participated in an online survey on behaviors, attitudes, and motivations regarding food and eating as well as body image and occupations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used to determine the eaters profiles. One-way ANOVA and Chi-square test were conducted to differentiate occupational characteristics between eaters profiles.

Results

Three distinctive profiles were found during the COVID-19 pandemic and could be placed on a continuum: the Congruent-driven eater is at the functional pole of the continuum, whereas the Incongruent-driven eater is at the dysfunctional pole of the eaters continuum. In the middle of the continuum, the Incongruent-perceptual eater is at a critical crossing point. Significant differences were reported between eaters profiles.

Discussion

The empirical results based on an eaters continuum conceptualization highlight the importance of understanding how people perceive their body to assess and promote food well-being.
Working toward a transdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning planetary health–A collective reflection
Authors: Dambre Cato , Strack Diaz Julia Gabriela , Orhan Rana , Montag Doreen , van der Zande Indira , Gallo Valentina
Published: December 2022

Background

In order to educate the next generation of leaders to work at reverting the damaging effects of the Anthropocene, there is an increasing need to incorporate more environmental-related aspects in all teaching programmes, including the health-related. Planetary health is a complex field which can benefit from a transdisciplinary pedagogical approach. The aim of this research was to evaluate an approach working toward transdisciplinarity applied to a course of Planetary Health taught at the Bachelor degree Global Responsibility & Leadership of the University of Groningen through substantive feedback and reflections from the students.

Methods

By the end of the course, a focus group was conducted with the students inviting them to reflect on the different aspects of the pedagogical approach, evaluating their effectiveness. A thematic analysis was conducted on the transcribed focus group.

Results

The students appreciated the added value of working toward a transdisciplinary approach and peer-to-peer learning and teaching adopted in the Planetary Health course, as a way of enhancing their learning experience. They pointed out the need of incorporating a transcultural approach into the transdisciplinary one, as a way not only to improve their learning experience, but also to enrich the transdisciplinarity itself.

Conclusion

Incorporating a process toward transdisciplinary and transcultural teaching of planetary health into undergraduate programmes was found to be of added value. The peer-to-peer horizontal learning opportunities were seen as a way for taking advantage of the collaborative, informal teaching and community building serving the overall scope of the course.
Night shifts, insomnia, anxiety, and depression among Chinese nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic remission period: A network approach
Authors: Peng Pu , Liang Mining , Wang Qian , Lu Lulu , Wu Qiuxia , Chen Qiongni
Published: December 2022

Background

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic imposed a heavy workload on nurses with more frequent night shifts, which led to higher levels of insomnia, depression, and anxiety among nurses. The study aimed to describe the symptom-symptom interaction of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among nurses and to evaluate the impact of night shifts on mental distress via a network model.

Methods

We recruited 4,188 nurses from six hospitals in December 2020. We used the Insomnia Severity Index, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 to assess insomnia, depression, and anxiety, respectively. We used the gaussian graphical model to estimate the network. Index expected influence and bridge expected influence was adapted to identify the central and bridge symptoms within the network. We assessed the impact of night shifts on mental distress and compared the network structure based on COVID-19 frontline experience.

Results

The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia was 59, 46, and 55%, respectively. Nurses with night shifts were at a higher risk for the three mental disorders. “Sleep maintenance” was the central symptom. “Fatigue,” “Motor,” “Restlessness,” and “Feeling afraid” were bridge symptoms. Night shifts were strongly associated with sleep onset trouble. COVID-19 frontline experience did not affect the network structure.

Conclusion

“Sleep maintenance,” “Fatigue,” “Motor,” and “Restlessness” were important in maintaining the symptom network of anxiety, depression, and insomnia in nurses. Further interventions should prioritize these symptoms.
Accurate classification of lung nodules on CT images using the TransUnet
Authors: Wang Hongfeng , Zhu Hai , Ding Lihua
Published: December 2022

Background

Computed tomography (CT) is an effective way to scan for lung cancer. The classification of lung nodules in CT screening is completely doctor dependent, which has drawbacks, including difficulty classifying tiny nodules, subjectivity, and high false-positive rates. In recent years, deep convolutional neural networks, a deep learning technology, have been shown to be effective in medical imaging diagnosis. Herein, we propose a deep convolutional neural network technique (TransUnet) to automatically classify lung nodules accurately.

Methods

TransUnet consists of three parts: the transformer, the Unet, and global average pooling (GAP). The transformer encodes discriminative features via global self-attention modeling on CT image patches. The Unet, which collects context by constricting route, enables exact lunge nodule localization. The GAP categorizes CT images, assigning each sample a score. Python was employed to pre-process all CT images in the LIDI-IDRI, and the obtained 8,474 images (3,259 benign and 5,215 lung nodules) were used to evaluate the method's performance.

Results

The accuracies of TransUnet in the training and testing sets were 87.90 and 84.62%. The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of the proposed TransUnet on the testing dataset were 70.92, 93.17, and 0.862%, respectively (0.844–0.879). We also compared TransUnet to three well-known methods, which outperformed these methods.

Conclusion

The experimental results on LIDI-IDRI demonstrated that the proposed TransUnet has a great performance in classifying lung nodules and has a great potential application in diagnosing lung cancer.
Impact of main residential locations on depressive symptoms among older adults in China: A Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition analysis
Authors: Cheng Yuqing , Yu Qiutong , Li Wei , Zuo Genyong
Published: December 2022

Background

With the development of urbanization in China, the scale of internal migration and the number of immigrants among older adults are increasing. This requires paying attention to the living conditions and environment of immigrants. Many studies note a gap in the prevalence of depressive symptoms among older adults living in different main residential locations. However, few studies have examined the extent to which main residential locations influence depressive symptoms among older adults. This study aims to quantify the effect of main residential locations on depressive symptoms.

Methods

For this study, we used data from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Health and Longevity Survey and randomly selected 8,210 individuals aged 65 years and older were from the community to determine the effect of main residential locations on depressive symptoms among older adults. We further used the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition method to quantify the explanatory factors of depressive symptom gaps among older adults and to estimate the relative effect of individual characteristics on depressive symptoms.

Results

In this study, we noted significant differences in depressive symptoms among older adults in different main residential locations. Rural–urban migrants had higher depressive symptom scores (7.164). According to the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition analysis, the high proportion of the depressive symptom gap can be explained by years of education, income, and exercise among different main residential locations groups. In addition, in the main parts of the explained differences, the proportions of the limitation of activities of daily living (2.28, 0.46, and −52.11%) showed opposite effects, while their share in different main residential locations groups varied widely.

Conclusion

Urbanization has resulted in more rural people moving to urban areas in China; Rural–urban migrants have the highest prevalence of depressive symptoms, which needs attention. Thus, there is an urgent need to integrate the health insurance and pension policy for urban and rural residents. This study provides a basis for formulating health policies and promoting the mental health of older adults in China as well as in low- and middle-income countries.
Parent-report health-related quality of life in school-aged children with cerebral palsy: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Vila-Nova Fábio , Santos Sofia , Oliveira Raul , Cordovil Rita
Published: December 2022

Quality of life is both a goal and an outcome in Cerebral Palsy (CP) rehabilitation. Children with CP may show impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to their typical peers. Parents' perceptions of HRQoL of their children could help rehabilitation professionals to identify areas for intervention aiming to improve health and wellbeing. This study aims to compare the proxy HRQoL of Portuguese school-aged children with CP and the general population, and to analyze child and family correlation. Differences were examined using European normative data for children from 8 to 18 years. Correlation and regression analysis examined the association between child and family variables in the CP group with statistically significant low scores. Sixty-eight parents of children and adolescents with CP (12.5 ± 2.91 years) answered the KIDSCREEN-52 parent version. We identified clinically significantly lower HRQoL in four out of ten HRQoL domains (Physical well-being, Autonomy, Moods & Emotions, and Bullying) than the norm peers. Correlations were found between the number of siblings and Autonomy (r = .315), meaning that having more siblings was associated with greater autonomy, and between mobility and Moods & Emotions (r = −.261), where children with impaired mobility shown low scores as perceived by their parents. Age, sex, mobility and cognitive impairment explained 32% of Physical well-being scores (p < .001). Mobility and cognitive impairment explained 16% of Bullying scores (p = .001). Although the family and child variables identified in this study are non-modifiable, they can help in the identification and early intervention aimed at improving HRQoL. Rehabilitation professionals should assess parent perceptions, extending the HRQoL assessment to children who can report and other informants, aiming at fostering wellbeing in children and adolescents with CP.
Kamodo’s model-agnostic satellite flythrough: Lowering the utilization barrier for heliophysics model outputs
Authors: Ringuette Rebecca , De Zeeuw Darren , Rastaetter Lutz , Pembroke Asher , Gerland Oliver , Garcia-Sage Katherine
Published: December 2022

Heliophysics model outputs are increasingly accessible, but typically are not usable by the majority of the community unless directly collaborating with the relevant model developers. Prohibitive factors include complex file output formats, cryptic metadata, unspecified and often customized coordinate systems, and non-linear coordinate grids. Some pockets of progress exist, giving interfaces to various simulation outputs, but only for a small set of outputs and typically not with open-source, freely available packages. Additionally, the increasing array of tools built upon these sporadic interfaces are typically model-specific. We present Kamodo’s model-agnostic satellite flythrough capabilities as the solution to the utilization barrier for heliophysics model outputs. Developed at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center, these flythrough capabilities are built in Python upon a network of model-agnostic interfaces developed in collaboration with model developers, providing interpolation results the community can trust. Kamodo’s flythrough capabilities present the user with a growing variety of flythrough tools based upon a rapidly expanding library of heliophysics model outputs in several domains, currently including a variety of Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Mesosphere and global magnetosphere model outputs. Each capability is designed to be easily accessible via simplistic model-agnostic syntax, with the entire package freely available in the cloud on Github. Here, we describe the tools developed, include several sample applications for common science questions, demonstrate interoperability with selected packages, and summarize ongoing developments.
The Legacy of the Pandemic Preparedness Regime: An Integrative Review
Authors: Bourrier Mathilde S. , Deml Michael J.
Published: December 2022

Objectives: The global response to COVID-19 inherited a long history of preparedness features pertaining to various threats, including bioterrorism, (re)-emerging infectious diseases, and pandemics. We describe the evolution of pandemic preparedness frameworks, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We conducted an integrative literature review of publicly available documents, including grey and scientific literature, on pandemic preparedness frameworks. We relied on social science literature as a main source and used search keywords: pandemic preparedness, H1N1, COVID-19, “whole-of-society”/“whole-of-community.”

Results: The H1N1 pandemic (2009–2010) tested pandemic preparedness frameworks. Lessons-learned reports concluded that the global H1N1 response were too strong and unnecessarily alarming. Such critiques, pandemic fatigue, and budgetary cuts post-2008 explain lack of preparedness for COVID-19. Critiques culminated in a shift towards a “whole-of-society” approach to health crises, although its uptake has not been ideal.

Conclusion: Traditional preparedness regime limits arose again during the COVID-19 pandemic. The “whole-of-society” approach was not fully deployed in COVID-19 responses. A “whole-of-organizations” approach could be designed, ensuring that countries consider local organizations’ potential to partake in containing infectious disease and counter undesirable side-effects of non-pharmaceutical measures.
Genetic Engineering of Immune Evasive Stem Cell-Derived Islets
Authors: Sackett Sara D. , Kaplan Samuel J. , Mitchell Samantha A. , Brown Matthew E. , Burrack Adam L. , Grey Shane , Huangfu Danwei , Odorico Jon
Published: December 2022

Genome editing has the potential to revolutionize many investigative and therapeutic strategies in biology and medicine. In the field of regenerative medicine, one of the leading applications of genome engineering technology is the generation of immune evasive pluripotent stem cell-derived somatic cells for transplantation. In particular, as more functional and therapeutically relevant human pluripotent stem cell-derived islets (SCDI) are produced in many labs and studied in clinical trials, there is keen interest in studying the immunogenicity of these cells and modulating allogeneic and autoimmune immune responses for therapeutic benefit. Significant experimental work has already suggested that elimination of Human Leukocytes Antigen (HLA) expression and overexpression of immunomodulatory genes can impact survival of a variety of pluripotent stem cell-derived somatic cell types. Limited work published to date focuses on stem cell-derived islets and work in a number of labs is ongoing. Rapid progress is occurring in the genome editing of human pluripotent stem cells and their progeny focused on evading destruction by the immune system in transplantation models, and while much research is still needed, there is no doubt the combined technologies of genome editing and stem cell therapy will profoundly impact transplantation medicine in the future.
Impact of Damping on Oscillation Patterns on the Plain Piano Soundboard
Authors: Bader Rolf , Plath Niko
Published: December 2022

The influence of internal damping on the vibration of a piano soundboard is investigated using a Finite-Difference Time Domain (FDTD) physical model and experimental measurements. The damping constant of the model is varied according to a range similar to those found with measurements on a real grand piano at different production stages. With strong damping, a clear driving-point dependency of the forced string oscillation on the oscillation pattern of the soundboard is found. When decreasing the damping, this driving-point dependency is decreasing, nevertheless, it is still present. High damping, therefore, decreases soundboard vibration when strings drive the soundboard at the soundboard’s eigenfrequencies. However, such large damping increases soundboard vibrations when strings drive the soundboard at frequencies which are not eigenfrequencies. Therefore, strong damping smooths out the frequency response spectrum of an instrument. Extreme damping without any presence of distinct eigenmodes leads to a radiation of the strings sound spectrum without soundboard filtering. Low damping leads to a strong influence of the soundboard on the string’s radiated sound. Therefore, the amount of soundboard characteristics can be designed to alter internal damping process by choice of materials, including wood or varnish, and geometry. Additionally, damping reduces the presence of ’dead spots’, notes which are considerably lower in volume compared to other notes.
A Multidimensional Elastic–Plastic Calculation Model of the Frame Structure with Magnetorheological Damper
Authors: Zhang Xiangcheng , Mou Changchi , Zhao Jun , Guo Yingqing , Song Youmin , You Jieyong
Published: December 2022

To analyze the multidimensional elastic–plastic response of the frame structure with magnetorheological (MR) dampers under strong seismic excitations, the test of the MRD was performed, the location matrix of the MRD in the frame structure was derived, and the multidimensional elastic–plastic calculation models of the frame structure with and without an MRD were established based on the three-segment variable stiffness beam. Taking a five-story reinforced concrete (RC) frame structure as an example, the multidimensional elastic–plastic calculation models were developed by MATLAB software and the dynamic time history analyses were performed under strong seismic excitations. The results show that under the seismic wave, after the MRD is installed in the structure, the maximum horizontal displacements of the top-story node of the structure in X and Y directions is reduced by 51.87% and 39.59%, respectively, and the maximum horizontal accelerations are reduced by 36.67% and 47.86%. The maximum displacements and the story drift ratios of each story of the structure are significantly reduced, and the reduction in the maximum accelerations of each story is small relatively. In the frame structure without an MRD, plastic hinges appear at the ends of most columns, and the structure is characterized by a column hinge yield mechanism. The maximum residual displacement angles of the column end in X and Y directions which reach 1.628 × 10−3 rad and 2.101 × 10−3 rad, respectively. After setting the MRD, the number of plastic hinges in X and Y directions at the column end are both reduced by 37.5%, and the residual displacement angle at some column ends are reduced to 0. The results show that the complied calculation model programs of the frame structure can effectively simulate the multi-dimensional seismic response of the structure with and without MRD.
A Safety-Focused System Architecting Framework for the Conceptual Design of Aircraft Systems
Authors: Jeyaraj Andrew K. , Liscouët-Hanke Susan
Published: December 2022

To reduce the environmental impact of aviation, aircraft manufacturers develop novel aircraft configurations and investigate advanced systems technologies. These new technologies are complex and characterized by electrical or hybrid-electric propulsion systems. Ensuring that these complex architectures are safe is paramount to enabling the certification and entry into service of new aircraft concepts. Emerging techniques in systems architecting, such as using model-based systems engineering (MBSE), help deal with such complexity. However, MBSE techniques are currently not integrated with the overall aircraft conceptual design, using automated multidisciplinary design analysis and optimization (MDAO) techniques. Current MDAO frameworks do not incorporate the various aspects of system safety assessment. The industry is increasingly interested in Model-Based Safety Assessment (MBSA) to improve the safety assessment process and give the safety engineer detailed insight into the failure characteristics of system components. This paper presents a comprehensive framework to introduce various aspects of safety assessment in conceptual design and MDAO, also considering downstream compatibility of the system architecting and safety assessment process. The presented methodology includes specific elements of the SAE ARP4761 safety assessment process and adapts them to the systems architecting process in conceptual design. The proposed framework also introduces a novel safety-based filtering approach for large system architecture design spaces. The framework’s effectiveness is illustrated with examples from applications in recent collaborative research projects with industry and academia. The work presented in this paper contributes to increasing maturity in conceptual design studies and enables more innovation by opening the design space while considering safety upfront.
Initial Tracking, Fast Identification in a Swarm and Combined SLR and GNSS Orbit Determination of the TUBIN Small Satellite
Authors: Jonglez Clément , Bartholomäus Julian , Werner Philipp , Stoll Enrico
Published: December 2022

Flight dynamics is a topic often overlooked by operators of small satellites without propulsion systems, as two-line elements (TLE) are easily accessible and accurate enough for most ground segment needs. However, the advent of cheap and miniaturized global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers and laser retroreflectors as well as modern, easy-to-use, open-source software tools have made it easier to accurately determine an orbit or to identify a spacecraft in a swarm, which helps with improving the space situational awareness in orbits that are more and more crowded. In this paper, we present tools for small satellite missions to generate orbit predictions for the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP), identify spacecraft in a swarm after a rideshare launch, and carry out routine orbit determination from multiple sources of tracking data. The TUBIN mission’s LEOP phase set a new standard at Technische Universität Berlin: the first global positioning system (GPS) data were downloaded less than four hours after separation, orbit predictions allowed successful tracking by the ground stations, and the spacecraft could be identified in the swarm as soon as the TLE were released by Space-Track. Routine orbit determination from GPS and satellite laser ranging (SLR) tracking data was carried out over several months, and the quality of the orbit predictions was analyzed. The range residuals and prediction errors were found to be larger than those of most SLR missions, which was due to the difficulty of modeling the atmospheric drag of a tumbling, non-spherical spacecraft at low orbital altitudes.
Whirl Flutter Suppression of Tiltrotor Aircraft Using Actively Controlled Aileron
Authors: Dong Linghua , Li Qiyu
Published: December 2022

Whirl flutter of a tiltrotor aircraft is a complex aeroelastic phenomenon and it can result in catastrophic consequences. The deflection of an aileron mounted on a wing has the potential to solve this fatal problem. Whirl flutter suppression using an actively controlled aileron is studied in this study. Firstly, a semi-span aeroelastic model is established for the whirl flutter problem using the Hamilton principle. This model is composed of three parts: a rigid rotor, a rigid nacelle and a flexible wing, and the effect of the aileron deflection on the aeroelastic responses is also taken into consideration through a quasi-steady aerodynamic model. In addition, the accuracy of this aeroelastic model is validated with the results of two different wind-tunnel tests. Then, an LQR controller is developed to control the dynamic deflection of the aileron, and a full-dimensional state observer is built to estimate the state of the time-invariant system of a tiltrotor aircraft. Finally, simulations are carried out using the aeroelastic model and the LQR controller at different flight conditions to study the influence of the aileron deflection on whirl flutter. The simulation results demonstrate that the flutter boundary speed can be improved by 18.1% with the active deflection of the aileron, compared with the uncontrolled condition.