bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Collapse of a Collective Society: Teuchitlán in the Tequila Region of Jalisco, Mexico
Authors: Heredia Espinoza Verenice Y.
Published: April 2022

Cross-cultural research on ancient societies demonstrates that collective social formations tend to experience a more sudden collapse with relatively catastrophic effects compared to formations low in collectivity. The demise of collective formations often involves more pronounced social unrest and a more complete disintegration of the agrarian and sociopolitical systems. This article further probes this general finding using the case of Teuchitlán, in the Tequila region of Jalisco, Mexico, which lasted for ~700 years, from 350 B.C.E. to about 450/500 C.E., when it suddenly disappeared. It was characterized by power-sharing among multiple groups whose leaders employed varied political strategies. Structurally, Teuchitlán aligns with some of the precepts of collective action and good government, as it was inwardly focused and placed great emphasis on the joint production of the polity's resources, especially agriculture, as well as the equitable distribution of benefits, such as community feasting and ritual, and some form of political participation or voice (e.g., power-sharing). Scholars working in the area have invoked various environmental factors, demographic movements, natural disasters, the collapse of central places, and a breakdown in trade connections, among others, as causes of Teuchitlán's disintegration—and the answer may indeed lie in a combination of these phenomena. This article explores the major shifts in the institutions that comprised Teuchitlán, thereby presenting an alternative view of its nature and disappearance. Settlement patterns, architectural differences, ceramic decoration and vessel forms, and lithic technology from the period following Teuchitlán's collapse suggest major changes in ideology, economy, and politics. The placement of large centers along trade routes, coupled with increased control of interregional exchange, indicates a shift toward direct, discretionary control of polity revenues by political leaders with little benefit for the populace. As part of these changes, the human landscape became more ruralized. Teuchitlán is comparable to other well-known cases in the world where more collective forms of political organization met a similar fate, such as Chaco Canyon (Southwest USA), Jenne-jeno (Mali), and the Indus Civilization.
Humble Leadership and Team Innovation: The Mediating Role of Team Reflexivity and the Moderating Role of Expertise Diversity in Teams
Authors: Lei Xinghui , Liu Wei , Su Taoyong , Shan Zhiwen
Published: April 2022

The current study proposes a moderated mediation model to explain the relationship between humble leadership and team innovation. Our hypothesis integrates social information processing (SIP) theory with the existing literature on humble leadership. As a result, we theorize that when a humble individual leads a team, the team members are more likely to reconsider strategies, review events with self-awareness, share diverse information, and adapt to new ideas, which in turn promotes innovative team activities. Moreover, consistent with the research that emphasizes the inclusion of team culture in exploring leader–innovation relationships, we investigate the moderating role of a team’s expertise diversity in the above positive, indirect relationship. We test our model by using both archival and survey data collected from 135 teams within 18 medium-to-large internet technology firms in China. The findings largely support our theoretical assertions, suggesting that humble leadership has important implications for team processes and innovation.
The Moral Foundations of Desired Cultural Tightness
Authors: Di Santo Daniela , Gelfand Michele J. , Baldner Conrad , Pierro Antonio
Published: April 2022

People vary on their desire for strict norms, and the moral underpinnings of these differences have yet to be explored. The current research examined whether and how moral beliefs held by individuals would affect the extent to which they want their country to be tight (i.e., having strict social norms) or loose (i.e., having more permissive social norms). In particular, the effects of the “binding” and “individualizing” foundations, which are moral beliefs focused on the importance of groups and individuals, respectively, were examined. We hypothesized that the binding foundations could predict people’s desire for cultural tightness. We also hypothesized that the perception that one’s society is threatened may drive this effect. Three studies were conducted using both cross-sectional (Studies 1 and 3) and two-wave (Study 2) designs. Demographic variables and participants’ political orientation effects were controlled. In Study 1, only the binding foundations significantly predicted higher desired tightness. In Study 2, binding foundations predicted desired tightness measured at follow-up. In Study 3, the positive effect of perceived threat on desired tightness via the binding foundations was confirmed. From additional within-paper analyses we also have some evidence of significant relationships, albeit unstable across studies, between desired tightness and individualizing foundations.
Temperament in Infancy Predicts Internalizing and Externalizing Problem Behavior at Age 5 in Children With an Increased Likelihood of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Sacrey Lori-Ann R. , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Bryson Susan E. , Brian Jessica A. , Smith Isabel M. , Garon Nancy , Vaillancourt Tracy , Roncadin Caroline
Published: April 2022

Differences in temperament have been linked to later mental health. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have an increased likelihood of experiencing such problems, including anxiety, depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder; yet, relations between early temperament and later mental health are not well understood. In this paper, we assess the relationship between temperament in infancy and internalizing and externalizing behavior at age 5, in 178 children at an increased likelihood of being diagnosed with ASD (i.e., younger siblings of children with ASD). Temperament was assessed using the parent-reported Infant Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ) at 6 and 12 months of age and the Toddler Behavior Assessment Questionnaire-Revised (TBAQ-R) at 24 months of age. Mental health problems were assessed using the parent-reported Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) at age 5. The data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regressions, with individual temperament subscale scores as single predictor variables (Subscale Score) or temperament profiles using confirmatory factor analyses (Person-Centered Profile) in the first block, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule total severity scores at age 3 in the second block, and expressive and receptive language scores (from Mullen Scales of Early Learning) at age 3 in the third block for each model. Three main findings were: (1) 4 of 6 IBQ subscales at both 6 and 12 months significantly predicted internalizing and externalizing problems at age 5; (2) 9 and 8 of 13 TBAQ-R subscales at 24 months significantly predicted internalizing and externalizing problems, respectively, at age 5; and (3) a “sticky attention” temperament profile significantly predicted internalizing problems, whereas a “low-focused” profile significantly predicted externalizing problems, both at age 5. The results of this study support the supposition that temperament is a trans-diagnostic risk factor for later mental health conditions. Exploring temperament profiles and trajectories may illuminate early avenues for prevention in siblings of children with ASD who are at an increased likelihood of experiencing mental health problems, regardless of ASD diagnostic status.
How Students’ Motivation and Learning Experience Affect Their Service-Learning Outcomes: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis
Authors: Lo Kenneth W. K. , Ngai Grace , Chan Stephen C. F. , Kwan Kam-por
Published: April 2022

Guided by the expectancy-value theory of motivation in learning, we explored the causal relationship between students’ learning experiences, motivation, and cognitive learning outcome in academic service-learning. Based on a sample of 2,056 college students from a university in Hong Kong, the findings affirm that learning experiences and motivation are key factors determining cognitive learning outcome, affording a better understanding of student learning behavior and the impact in service-learning. This research provides an insight into the impact of motivation and learning experiences on students’ cognitive learning outcome while engaging in academic service-learning. This not only can discover the intermediate factors of the learning process but also provides insights to educators on how to enhance their teaching pedagogy.
Is It Necessary to Launch a School-Based Financial Literacy Curriculum? Evidence From China
Authors: Tan Xiawei , Li Xiaoping , Hu Zhineng , Niu Yongge , Ying Qianwei , Lu Yi , Xu Jiuping
Published: April 2022

As starting university is a critical independence milestone for many young people, it would also be the best time to provide them with some financial education (FE). Although there have been many initiatives aimed at enhancing individual financial literacy (FL) and/or financial decision-making, meta-analyses have shown that the effectiveness of FE has been mixed. This study examined the driving forces behind the decision by college students to enroll in a targeted financial literacy curriculum (FLC) and the impact of this attendance on their FL. An endogenous switching model (ESM) was employed to account for the heterogeneity in the decision to attend or not attend the FLC and to counteract any unobservable characteristics. It was found that students with higher self-perceived FL did not prefer to attend the FLC; however, for others, FLC attendance was found to significantly boost their FL in areas such as financial knowledge (FK), financial attitude (FA), and financial behavior (FB), especially for the non-attendees under the counterfactual framework. These “non-attendees” were observed to have some characteristics (e.g., prior knowledge) that made them more financially literate regardless of attendance; however, if they had attended the FLC, they would have gained a greater FL than the attendees. As the FL of the attendees would have been much lower if they had not attended, the FLC appeared to be particularly important for the attendees, which strengthened the case for making the FLC a compulsory part of a general college education.
Anorexia and Young Womens’ Personal Networks: Size, Structure, and Kinship
Authors: Mikhaylova Oxana , Dokuka Sofia
Published: April 2022

Anorexia is a serious threat to young women’s wellbeing worldwide. The effectiveness of mental health intervention and treatment is often evaluated on the basis of changes in the personal networks; however, the development of such measures for young women with anorexia is constrained due to the lack of quantitative descriptions of their social networks. We aim to fill this substantial gap. In this paper, we identify the basic properties of these women’s personal networks such as size, structure, and proportion of kin connections. The empirical analysis, using a concentric circles methodology, is based on 50 ego networks constructed on data drawn from interviews with Russian-speaking bloggers who have been diagnosed with anorexia and write about this condition. We conclude that young women with anorexia tend to support a limited number of social ties; they are prone to select women as alters, but do not have a preference to connect to their relatives. Further research is needed to elucidate whether these personal network characteristics are similar among women with anorexia who belong to different age, ethnic, cultural, and income groups.
A Planck Radiation and Quantization Scheme for Human Cognition and Language
Authors: Aerts Diederik , Beltran Lester
Published: April 2022

As a result of the identification of “identity” and “indistinguishability” and strong experimental evidence for the presence of the associated Bose-Einstein statistics in human cognition and language, we argued in previous work for an extension of the research domain of quantum cognition. In addition to quantum complex vector spaces and quantum probability models, we showed that quantization itself, with words as quanta, is relevant and potentially important to human cognition. In the present work, we build on this result, and introduce a powerful radiation quantization scheme for human cognition. We show that the lack of independence of the Bose-Einstein statistics compared to the Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics can be explained by the presence of a ‘meaning dynamics,” which causes words to be attracted to the same words. And so words clump together in the same states, a phenomenon well known for photons in the early years of quantum mechanics, leading to fierce disagreements between Planck and Einstein. Using a simple example, we introduce all the elements to get a better and detailed view of this “meaning dynamics,” such as micro and macro states, and Maxwell-Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac numbers and weights, and compare this example and its graphs, with the radiation quantization scheme of a Winnie the Pooh story, also with its graphs. By connecting a concept directly to human experience, we show that entanglement is a necessity for preserving the “meaning dynamics” we identified, and it becomes clear in what way Fermi-Dirac addresses human memory. Within the human mind, as a crucial aspect of memory, in spaces with internal parameters, identical words can nevertheless be assigned different states and hence realize locally and contextually the necessary distinctiveness, structured by a Pauli exclusion principle, for human thought to thrive.
Mediational Effect of Fairburn’s Transdiagnostic Mechanisms Between Attachment to the Mother and Eating Disorder Symptoms in a Clinical Sample
Authors: Cortés-García Laura , Martínez Calvo Carmen , Senra Carmen
Published: April 2022

Objective

Research has supported a link between insecure attachment and eating disorders (EDs); however, little is known about how this influence is exerted in young female EDs patients. This study tested, for the first time, a multiple mediational model, wherein the four Fairburn’s transdiagnostic mechanisms mediated the relationship between attachment to the mother and ED symptoms.

Methods

A total of 101 female young EDs patients aged 15–24 were administered the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, Eating Disorder Inventory-3 and Eating Attitudes Test-26 to assess attachment, the four transdiagnostic maintaining mechanisms and ED symptoms, respectively.

Results

Comparison analyses showed that there were no significant differences between the diagnostic groups in terms of attachment and the transdiagnostic variables. Multiple mediational analyses indicated that low self-esteem and clinical perfectionism were significant mediators between insecure attachment to the mother and ED symptoms, while controlling for depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the distal risk influence of insecure attachment to the mother in the development of ED symptoms might be explained by low self-esteem and high clinical perfectionism, controlling for depressive symptoms. Further investigation into the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral treatments targeting insecure attachment representations for young EDs patients is recommended.
Training and Transfer Effects of Combining Inhibitory Control Training With Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Healthy Adults
Authors: Wang Chunchen , Cao Xinsheng , Gao Zhijun , Liu Yang , Wen Zhihong
Published: April 2022

Inhibitory control training (ICT) is a promising method to improve individual performance of inhibitory control (IC). Recent studies have suggested transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) as a novel approach to affect cognitive function owing to its ability to modulate the locus coeruleus-noradrenaline system. To examine the synergistic effects of combining ICT with tVNS, 58 young males in college were randomly assigned to four groups: ICT + tVNS, ICT + sham tVNS, sham ICT + tVNS, and sham ICT + sham tVNS. Participants were instructed to complete three sessions that comprised pre-training tests, a training session, and post-training tests sequentially. Results showed that the ICT + tVNS group significantly improved training and near-transfer effects on the stop-signal and Go/No-go tasks, and these effects were larger than those of the other groups. However, none of the groups exhibited the far-transfer effect on the color-word Stroop task. These results suggest that tVNS augments the intervention effects of training and similar inhibition tasks to achieve the synergistic effect; however, it does not modulate the effects of non-training tasks and obtain the far-transfer effect. ICT combined with tVNS may be a valuable intervention for improving IC in healthy individuals in certain industries and offers novel research ideas for using tVNS for cognitive improvement.
Psychometric Qualities of the Educational Identity Processes Scale (EIPS)
Authors: Christiaens Annabelle H. T. , Nelemans Stefanie A. , de Moor Elisabeth L. , Erentaitė Rasa , Vosylis Rimantas , Branje Susan
Published: April 2022

In the educational domain, the development of identity becomes especially salient during school transition phases. To assess the specific identity processes that match the adolescents' experiences before and after the school transition, the Educational Identity Processes Scale (EIPS) was developed. The present study aimed to test the psychometric qualities of the EIPS by examining its factor structure, the internal and convergent validity of the identity dimensions, and whether the questionnaire was measurement invariant over time. The pre-transition version was tested in a Dutch sample (N = 242 early adolescents) and the post-transition version was tested in a Lithuanian sample (N = 1,268 mid-adolescents). Findings indicated good psychometric qualities for both the pre- and post-transition versions of the EIPS. Additionally, context dependencies were observed, as distance to the transition influenced the meaning of specific identity processes and determined whether specific processes could be considered as part of normative development.
Does the “Tian-Ren-He-Yi” Belief System Promote Corporate Environmental Performance?
Authors: Lai Jieji , Liu Bin , Wang Hong
Published: April 2022

Buddhism and Taoism are among two of the major religions in China. Their “Tian-ren-he-yi” belief system promotes a conception of harmony between man and nature, which is an important guide for the construction of ecological civilization in China. Using data from Chinese listed manufacturing companies, this paper explores the impact and mechanism of Chinese local religious beliefs on corporate environmental governance. The results indicate that this belief system can improve corporate environmental performance. Furthermore, mechanism tests show that the “Tian-ren-he-yi” belief system promotes corporate environmental practices by reducing the pressure on management to achieve economic performance goals and increasing investment in environmental protection. Finally, the impact of the belief system on corporate environmental performance is more efficacious when the enterprises are under weak external supervision. Our results imply that the traditional religious culture is an important factor that influences corporate environmental performance in Chinese business practices.
Epidemiological Evidence for Fecal-Oral Transmission of Murine Kobuvirus
Authors: Gao Yuhan , He Wenqiao , Fu Jiaqi , Li Yongzhi , He Huan , Chen Qing
Published: April 2022

Background

Murine Kobuvirus (MuKV) is a novel picornavirus of the genus Kobuvirus, and was first identified in the feces of murine rodents in the USA in 2011. There is limited information on the transmission route of MuKV. Thus, we conducted a study to investigate virus detection rates in fecal, serum, throat, and lung tissue samples from murine rodents.

Results

A total of 413 fecal samples, 385 lung samples, 269 throat swab samples, and 183 serum samples were collected from 413 murine rodents (Rattus norvegicus, Rattus tanezumi, and Rattus rattus) captured in urban Shenzhen. Kobuviruses were detected via RT-PCR. Only fecal samples were positive, with prevalence rates of 34.9% in Rattus norvegicus and 29.4% in Rattus tanezumi. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial 3D and complete VP1 sequence regions indicated that all of the MuKV sequences obtained belonged to Aichivirus A, and were genetically closely related to other MuKVs reported in China, Hungary, and the USA. Twenty-eight full-length MuKV sequences were acquired. Phylogenetic analysis of two sequences randomly selected from the two species (SZ59 and SZ171) indicated that they shared very high nucleotide and amino acid identity with one another (94.0 and 99.3%, respectively), and comparison with human Kobuvirus revealed amino acid identity values of ~80%. Additionally, a sewage-derived sequence shared high similarity with the rat-derived sequences identified in this study, with respective nucleotide and amino acid identity values from 86.5 and 90.7% to 87.2 and 91.1%.

Conclusion

The results of the current study provide evidence that murine Kobuvirus is transmitted via the fecal-oral route.
Computational Modeling of Stereotype Content in Text
Authors: Fraser Kathleen C. , Kiritchenko Svetlana , Nejadgholi Isar
Published: April 2022

Stereotypes are encountered every day, in interpersonal communication as well as in entertainment, news stories, and on social media. In this study, we present a computational method to mine large, naturally occurring datasets of text for sentences that express perceptions of a social group of interest, and then map these sentences to the two-dimensional plane of perceivedwarmthandcompetencefor comparison and interpretation. This framework is grounded in established social psychological theory, and validated against both expert annotation and crowd-sourced stereotype data. Additionally, we present two case studies of how the model might be used to answer questions using data “in-the-wild,” by collecting Twitter data about women and older adults. Using the data about women, we are able to observe how sub-categories of women (e.g., Black women and white women) are described similarly and differently from each other, and from the superordinate group of women in general. Using the data about older adults, we show evidence that the terms people use to label a group (e.g., old people vs. senior citizens) are associated with different stereotype content. We propose that this model can be used by other researchers to explore questions of how stereotypes are expressed in various large text corpora.
Knowledge Practices Within and Beyond Sharing and Commoning Urban Initiatives
Authors: Cermeño Helena , Bretfeld Nada , Bernhardt Floris
Published: April 2022

In the context of neoliberal cities, with growing levels of housing commodification and space competition, sharing and commoning urban initiatives within the larger framework of urban social movements are shaping tactics of contestation. To what extent they represent sustainable efforts to urban commons governance remains largely unexplored. This article aims therefore to contribute to better understand how practices of solidarity can be maintained beyond their first productive phase and to explore the engagement of social movement and initiatives actors in the production and maintenance of shared spatial resources. To do that, we focus on knowledge practices as a key factor to ensure sustainability of actions within and beyond urban initiatives that engage with and practice sharing and space-commoning. Drawing on figurational sociology, we consider individuals involved in these urban initiatives as embedded in multiple social settings and networks of collaboration and interdependence, in which transactions such as resources, ideas and information take place giving way to collective action, new modes of participation and urban transformation. Within this conceptual framework, we explore how urban initiatives networks produce and transfer their knowledge (1) within their own internal set-up, (2) to private and public institutions (e.g., administration and political actors) and (3) to other civil society organizations. To do so, we draw on qualitative research conducted in three German cities, Kassel, Stuttgart, and Berlin on the topics of sharing and commoning practices in the field of housing and public space. By looking at the practices by which knowledge—required for action and networking—is co-/re-produced and exchanged, we identify those that constrain or enable sharing and commoning strategies on the long-term and have therefore a larger potential for sustaining efforts of urban commons governance.
Sustainable High-Rise Buildings: Toward Resilient Built Environment
Authors: Al-Kodmany Kheir
Published: April 2022

This article examines outstanding “sustainable” skyscrapers that received international recognition, including LEED certification. It identifies vital green features in each building and summarizes the prominent elements for informing future projects. Overall, this research is significant because, given the mega-scale of skyscrapers, any improvement in their design, engineering, and construction will have mega impacts and major savings (e.g., structural materials, potable water, energy, etc.). Therefore, the extracted design elements, principles, and recommendations from the reviewed case studies are substantial. Further, the article debates controversial design elements such as wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, glass skin, green roofs, aerodynamic forms, and mixed-use schemes. Finally, it discusses greenwashing and the impact of COVID-19 on sustainable design.
Social Capital as Protection Against the Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Snel Erik , Engbersen Godfried , de Boom Jan , van Bochove Marianne
Published: April 2022

The corona pandemic has a huge impact on the mental wellbeing of the Dutch population. Based on a large-scale panel survey (N= 22,696) on the social impact of COVID-19, this article firstly examines which social groups are most susceptible to the mental health consequences of the pandemic. Secondly, we examine whether social capital provides protection against this impact. We find that the mental health impact of COVID-19 is considerable and that it increased over the course of 2020. Women, young people, respondents with low incomes and/or poor self-perceived health, experience relatively more fear and stress due to the pandemic. We do not find a difference between respondents with or without a migration background. Social capital (received support, trust in people and in institutions) has the expected effect: the more support and trust, the less fear and stress. There is a mediation effect. Older people, respondents with high incomes and/or good health experience less fear and stress, partly because they have more social capital. This is different for females. They would experience even more fear and stress, compared to men, were it not for the fact that they have more social capital. Hence we conclude that social capital indeed provides some protection against the negative mental health consequences of COVID-19.
When I Encountered Difficult Problems
Authors: Akasofu Syun-Ichi
Published: April 2022

All of us encounter our unique difficulties as scientists. Although the kind of difficulty varies by scientist, I describe my own in this program, and explain how I responded, together with a sort of moral. They are: (a) When theorists seemed to encounter a deadlock, (b) When a well-accepted theory is confronted with a seriously contradictory observational fact, (c) When there is a generally believed morphology of a phenomenon that does not agree with my observations, (d) When a single approach or theory prevails, but I have a different idea. Obviously, my responses are just an attempt, which will be judged by future developments in space physics.
Resumption of Elective Orthopaedic Surgery in the US Epicenter of COVID-19: Overcoming the Continuous Challenges
Authors: Krauss Eugene S. , Cronin MaryAnne , Dengler Nancy , Schulman Debra , Marzano Marie , Segal Ayal
Published: April 2022

On 1 March 2020, New York State confirmed its first case of COVID-19. An explosive progression of hospitalizations ensued, and all elective surgeries were cancelled between 23 March and 13 May 2020 per federal and state mandate. Upon return to elective surgery in May, 2020, the hospital found itself navigating uncharted territory. The unpredictability of the post-pandemic environment has required the healthcare team to constantly reassess and revise processes to ensure optimal patient outcomes, as well as safe practices for staff providing perioperative care. Health care professionals must continue to remain adaptable and amenable to constant change.
Retrospective Analysis of the Effect of Lidocaine Combined with Methylprednisolone on Pain Control After Uterine Artery Embolization
Authors: Tang Yi , Lin Bin , Zhang Yan-ping , Hu Ya-nan , Zhang Jian-hui , Wu Shao-jie , Zhou Yan-feng , Cai Sen-lin , Luo Jie-wei , Chi Wu , Fang Zhu-ting
Published: April 2022

Background

The analgesic effect produced by the intra-arterial injection of lidocaine in patients undergoing uterine artery embolization has been proven to be safe and effective. Nevertheless, a significant degree of pain is typically experienced after the operation, and pain management is crucial. Methylprednisolone, which provides an anti-inflammatory effect, is widely used in the treatment of several diseases. To date, methylprednisolone has not been used after uterine artery embolization.

Methods

A total of 131 patients with uterine leiomyoma were retrospectively enrolled. Forty-five patients (control group) were treated with embolized microspheres for bilateral uterine artery embolization. Fifty (study group) and 36 (lidocaine group) patients were administered lidocaine mixed with embolized microspheres during embolization, and in addition, the study group was administered methylprednisolone. Completed pain scales at different time points during surgery were obtained from patients undergoing uterine artery embolization. Efficacy against pain was evaluated by comparing the pain score, inflammatory index, and use of sufentanil within 24 h followed by a Kruskal-Wallis Test and a least significant difference post-hoc analysis.

Results

The postoperative pain scores at 1, 4, and 7 h after uterine artery embolization in the study group (3.08 ± 2.09, 2.46 ± 1.93, and 2.38 ± 1.85, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the control group (4.84 ± 2.36, 4.16 ± 1.87, and 3.56 ± 1.93, respectively) and the lidocaine group (3.50 ± 2.10, 3.30 ± 1.88, and 3.28 ± 1.89, respectively). At the first 24 h after embolization, the total usage of sufentanil in the study group (31.4 ± 4.16) was significantly lower than those in the control group (45.7 ± 6.51) and the lidocaine group (38.3 ± 6.25). At 1 and 4 h, the pain scores of the lidocaine group were significantly lower than those of the control group. In addition, at the first 24 h after embolization, the total usage of sufentanil in the lidocaine group was significantly lower than that in the control group.

Conclusion

Lidocaine in combination with methylprednisolone can significantly alleviate pain and reduce the usage of sufentanil after bilateral uterine artery embolization. Thus, methylprednisolone is a recommended addition to the therapeutic regimen after embolization.
Expression Profile Analysis to Identify Circular RNA Expression Signatures in Muscle Development of Wu'an Goat Longissimus Dorsi Tissues
Authors: Zhou Zuyang , Li Kunyu , Liu Jiannan , Zhang Hui , Fan Yekai , Chen Yulin , Han Haiyin , Yang Junqi , Liu Yufang
Published: April 2022

The growth and development of skeletal muscle is a physiological process regulated by a variety of genes and signaling pathways. As a posttranscriptional regulatory factor, circRNA plays a certain regulatory role in the development of animal skeletal muscle in the form of a miRNA sponge. However, the role of circRNAs in muscle development and growth in goats is still unclear. In our study, apparent differences in muscle fibers in Wu'an goats of different ages was firstly detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, the circRNA expression profiles of longissimus dorsi muscles from 1-month-old (mon1) and 9-month-old (mon9) goats were screened by RNA-seq and verified by RT–qPCR. The host genes of differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs were predicted, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses (KEGG) of host genes with DE circRNAs were performed to explore the functions of circRNAs. The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks were then constructed using Cytoscape software. Ten significantly differentially expressed circRNAs were also verified in the mon1 and mon9 groups by RT–qPCR. Luciferase Reporter Assay was used to verify the binding site between circRNA and its targeted miRNA. The results showed that a total of 686 DE circRNAs were identified between the mon9 and mon1 groups, of which 357 were upregulated and 329 were downregulated. Subsequently, the 467 host genes of DE circRNAs were predicted using Find_circ and CIRI software. The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network contained 201 circRNAs, 85 miRNAs, and 581 mRNAs; the host mRNAs were associated with “muscle fiber development” and “AMPK signaling pathway” and were enriched in the FoxO signaling pathway. Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network analysis showed that novel_circ_0005314, novel_circ_0005319, novel_circ_0009256, novel_circ_0009845, novel_circ_0005934 and novel_circ_0000134 may play important roles in skeletal muscle growth and development between the mon9 and mon1 groups. Luciferase Reporter Assay confirmed the combination between novel_circ_0005319 and chi-miR-199a-5p, novel_circ_0005934 and chi-miR-450-3p and novel_circ_0000134 and chi-miR-655. Our results provide specific information related to goat muscle development and a reference for the goat circRNA profile.
Fur Protein Regulates the Motility of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli AE17 Through Promoter Regions of the Flagella Key Genes flhD
Authors: Niu Lulu , Cai Weizhen , Cheng Xi , Li Zhe , Ruan Jianming , Li Fangguo , Qi Kezong , Tu Jian
Published: April 2022

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is an important pathogen causing several diseases in birds. It is responsible for local and systemic infections in poultry, seriously impeding the development of the poultry industry, and poses a potential risk to public health. The iron absorption regulatory protein Fur and the noncoding RNA, RyhB, that it negatively regulates are important factors in bacterial iron uptake, but the regulation of bacterial virulence genes varies greatly among different bacteria. We found that Fur is very important for the mobility of APEC. The expression of fur and RyhB is extensively regulated in APEC, and RyhB expression is also negatively regulated by Fur. A transcriptomic analysis showed that the genes significantly differentially regulated by Fur are related to cell movement, including pilus- or flagellum-dependent cell motility. To verify these results, we examined the effects of fur knockdown on cell movement by measuring the diameter of the bacteria colonies. Consistent with the RNA sequencing results, the mobility of AE17Δfur was significantly reduced compared with that of the wild type, and it had almost lost its ability to move. Using an electrophoretic mobility assay, we confirmed that the Fur protein directly binds to the promoter region of the key flagellum-related gene flhD, thereby affecting the assembly and synthesis of the APEC flagellum. This study extends our understanding of gene regulation in APEC.
Study of the Algorithm for Wind Shear Detection with Lidar Based on Shear Intensity Factor
Authors: Zhao Shijun , Shan Yulong
Published: April 2022

Low-level wind shear is a vital weather process affecting aircraft safety while taking off and landing and is known as the “aircraft killer” in the aviation industry. As a result, effective monitoring and warning are required. Several ramps detection algorithms for low-level wind shear based on glide path scanning of lidar have been developed, including double and simple ramp detection, with the ramp length extension and contraction strategies corresponding to the algorithm. However, current algorithms must be improved to determine the maximum shear value and location. In this paper, a new efficient algorithm based on the shear intensity factor value is presented, in which wind speed changes and distance are both considered when calculating wind shear. Simultaneously, the effectiveness of the improved algorithm has been validated through numerical simulation experiments. Results reveal that the improved algorithm can determine the maximum intensity value and wind shear location more accurately than the traditional algorithm. In addition, the new algorithm improved the detection ability of lidar for weak wind shear.
Experimental Confirmation of a Controllable Transmission/Braking Element Consisting of a Functional Elastomer Pasted on a Winding Surface
Authors: Koyanagi Ken’ichi , Kakinuma Yasuhiro , Anzai Hidenobu , Sakurai Koji , Oshima Toru
Published: April 2022

Electoadhesive (EA) gel can be applied to various mechatronics devices because it provides more degrees of freedom in mechanical design than other functional materials. While case studies have revealed much about these devices, the knowledge attained is still not integrated. We assembled new structured and controllable transmission and braking elements by fixing EA gel on plain and/or winding surfaces. This paper summarizes the characteristics of these devices from experimental findings on the initial pressure on the EA gel surface. The results showed that it is important for the initial pressure to be stable at approximately 0.5–1 kPa.
Impact of Farming System on Potato Yield and Tuber Quality in Northern Baltic Sea Climate Conditions
Authors: Margus Kalle , Eremeev Viacheslav , Loit Evelin , Runno-Paurson Eve , Mäeorg Erkki , Luik Anne , Talgre Liina
Published: April 2022

For finding more sustainable cropping systems, this study on how the farming system influences the yield and quality of potato tubers was carried out with long-term crop rotation experiment. The long-term five-field crop rotation field trial was established with the following farming system treatments: organic farming system treatments: Org I (organic control), Org II (organic crop rotation with winter cover crops) and Org III (organic crop rotation with winter cover crops and the addition of composted cattle manure); conventional farming system treatments: N0 (conventional system without fertilizers), N50 (conventional system with fertilization, N50P25K95), N100 (conventional system, N100P25K95) and N150 (conventional system, N150P25K95). The average yield (based on 3 trial years) of conventional systems was 25% higher, compared to organic systems. However, in organic systems, the yield was the most stable. The most fluctuating cropping system was the most intensively managed N150. In each trial year, the yield differed statistically and it varied from 4.7 t ha−1 up to 10.9 t ha−1. Org I had the same dry matter yield as the N0 system, where chemicals were used, meaning that using chemicals for plant protection but no fertilizer for growth improvement had no positive effect. In each year, the yield in Org III system was similar to N50 system. Regarding the tubers per plant, there were no differences between farming systems but there was a significant difference between the trial years. The tubers in conventional systems had a lower starch content than the organic systems. It is possible to conclude that if cover crops and manure are used, organic farming practices provide just as good results as the conventional farming with low nitrogen level.
Regional Business Environment, Agricultural Opening-Up and High-Quality Development: Dynamic Empirical Analysis from China’s Agriculture
Authors: Wang Dezhen , Abula Buwajian , Lu Quan , Liu Yang , Zhou Yujiao
Published: April 2022

Agriculture is the foundation of every country’s survival and development. This paper analyzes the interaction between the business environment, agricultural opening-up and high-quality agricultural economy from the perspective of China’s provinces. According to the panel data of 31 provinces and municipalities in China from 2009 to 2019, the empirical analysis was carried out based on the panel vector autoregression (PVAR) model. The results show that there is a quantitative interaction between China’s business environment, agricultural opening-up and high-quality agricultural development, and the long-term time effect is very obvious. Specifically, (1) the impact of the business environment and the high-quality development of agriculture on itself is decreasing year by year. The agriculture opening-up itself has a strong impact and has always maintained strong stability. (2) The high-quality development of the agricultural economy has little impact on the business environment and the opening of agriculture to the outside world, but it has a certain stable and continuous effect. It is particularly important that the agricultural opening-up has an increasingly strong effect on the business environment and the high-quality development of the agricultural economy as time progresses. Therefore, we must always adhere to the agriculture opening-up. The regional business environment and the agriculture opening-up can jointly promote the high-quality development of the agricultural economy. The research results can provide a basis and reference for the central and local governments to formulate relevant agricultural development policies and provide a reference for relevant agricultural economic entities and enterprises.
Screening Direct Seeding-Related Traits by Using an Improved Mesocotyl Elongation Assay and Association between Seedling and Maturity Traits in Rice
Authors: Uzair Muhammad , Patil Suyash B. , Zhang Hongrui , Kumar Ashmit , Mkumbwa Humphrey , Zafar Syed Adeel , Chun Yan , Fang Jingjing , Zhao Jinfeng , Khan Muhammad Ramzan , Yuan Shoujiang , Li Xueyong
Published: April 2022

Direct seeding (DS) of rice gained much attention due to labor scarcity and unavailability of water. However, reduced emergence and poor seedling establishment are the main problems of DS which causes significant yield losses. Herein, DS-associated seedling traits of three major rice groups, i.e., Indica (Ind), Japonica (Jap), and aus-type (Aus), were evaluated by using an improved mesocotyl elongation assay. The associations among different traits at the seedling and maturity stage were also studied. Significant variation was observed among the cultivars of different rice groups. The Aus group cultivars showed higher mean values for coleoptile (C, 3.85 cm), mesocotyl (MC, 4.17 cm), shoot length (SL, 13.64 cm), panicle length (PL, 23.44 cm), tillers number (T, 15.95), culm length (CL, 105.29 cm), and plant height (PH, 128.73 cm), while the Indica and Japonica groups showed higher mean values of grain length (GL, 8.69 mm), grain length/width ratio (GL/WR, 3.07), and grain width (GW, 3.31 mm), with 1000 grain weight (TGWt, 25.53 g), respectively. Pairwise correlation analysis showed that MC, C, and SL were positively correlated among themselves and with PL, CL, and PH. Moreover, based on principal component analysis (PCA), C, MC, SL, CL, and PH were identified as the major discriminative factors in the rice cultivars. This study describes the development of desired DS rice variety with long MC and semidwarf in height and suggests that Aus group cultivars can be used as the donor parents of favorable DS-associated traits in rice breeding programs.
Detection in Adverse Weather Conditions for Autonomous Vehicles via Deep Learning
Authors: Al-Haija Qasem Abu , Gharaibeh Manaf , Odeh Ammar
Published: April 2022

Weather detection systems (WDS) have an indispensable role in supporting the decisions of autonomous vehicles, especially in severe and adverse circumstances. With deep learning techniques, autonomous vehicles can effectively identify outdoor weather conditions and thus make appropriate decisions to easily adapt to new conditions and environments. This paper proposes a deep learning (DL)-based detection framework to categorize weather conditions for autonomous vehicles in adverse or normal situations. The proposed framework leverages the power of transfer learning techniques along with the powerful Nvidia GPU to characterize the performance of three deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs): SqueezeNet, ResNet-50, and EfficientNet. The developed models have been evaluated on two up-to-date weather imaging datasets, namely, DAWN2020 and MCWRD2018. The combined dataset has been used to provide six weather classes: cloudy, rainy, snowy, sandy, shine, and sunrise. Experimentally, all models demonstrated superior classification capacity, with the best experimental performance metrics recorded for the weather-detection-based ResNet-50 CNN model scoring 98.48%, 98.51%, and 98.41% for detection accuracy, precision, and sensitivity. In addition to this, a short detection time has been noted for the weather-detection-based ResNet-50 CNN model, involving an average of 5 (ms) for the time-per-inference step using the GPU component. Finally, comparison with other related state-of-art models showed the superiority of our model which improved the classification accuracy for the six weather conditions classifiers by a factor of 0.5–21%. Consequently, the proposed framework can be effectively implemented in real-time environments to provide decisions on demand for autonomous vehicles with quick, precise detection capacity.
Performance Evaluation of Deep Neural Network Model for Coherent X-ray Imaging
Authors: Kim Jong Woo , Messerschmidt Marc , Graves William S.
Published: April 2022

We present a supervised deep neural network model for phase retrieval of coherent X-ray imaging and evaluate the performance. A supervised deep-learning-based approach requires a large amount of pre-training datasets. In most proposed models, the various experimental uncertainties are not considered when the input dataset, corresponding to the diffraction image in reciprocal space, is generated. We explore the performance of the deep neural network model, which is trained with an ideal quality of dataset, when it faces real-like corrupted diffraction images. We focus on three aspects of data qualities such as a detection dynamic range, a degree of coherence and noise level. The investigation shows that the deep neural network model is robust to a limited dynamic range and partially coherent X-ray illumination in comparison to the traditional phase retrieval, although it is more sensitive to the noise than the iteration-based method. This study suggests a baseline capability of the supervised deep neural network model for coherent X-ray imaging in preparation for the deployment to the laboratory where diffraction images are acquired.