bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wired to Connect: The Autonomic Socioemotional Reflex Arc
Authors: Ludwig Robert J. , Welch Martha G.
Published: June 2022

We have previously proposed that mothers and infants co-regulate one another’s autonomic state through an autonomic conditioning mechanism, which starts during gestation and results in the formation of autonomic socioemotional reflexes (ASRs) following birth. Theoretically, autonomic physiology associated with the ASR should correlate concomitantly with behaviors of mother and infant, although the neuronal pathway by which this phenomenon occurs has not been elucidated. In this paper, we consider the neuronal pathway by which sensory stimuli between a mother and her baby/child affect the physiology and emotional behavior of each. We divide our paper into two parts. In the first part, to gain perspective on current theories on the subject, we conduct a 500-year narrative history of scientific investigations into the human nervous system and theories that describe the neuronal pathway between sensory stimulus and emotional behavior. We then review inconsistencies between several currently accepted theories and recent data. In the second part, we lay out a new theory of emotions that describes how sensory stimuli between mother and baby unconsciously control the behavior and physiology of both. We present a theory of mother/infant emotion based on a set of assumptions fundamentally different from current theories. Briefly, we propose that mother/infant sensory stimuli trigger conditional autonomic socioemotional reflexes (ASRs), which drive cardiac function and behavior without the benefit of the thalamus, amygdala or cortex. We hold that the ASR is shaped by an evolutionarily conserved autonomic learning mechanism (i.e., functional Pavlovian conditioning) that forms between mother and fetus during gestation and continues following birth. We highlight our own and others research findings over the past 15 years that support our contention that mother/infant socioemotional behavior is driven by mutual autonomic state plasticity, as opposed to cortical trait plasticity. We review a novel assessment tool designed to measure the behaviors associated with the ASR phenomenon. Finally, we discuss the significance of our theory for the treatment of mothers and infants with socioemotional disorders.
Workplace Support for Mental Health Workers Who Are Parents: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Dunn Abby , Dixon Clare , Thomson Abi , Cartwright-Hatton Samantha
Published: June 2022

Background

Mental health workers are subject to high levels of occupational stress which is associated with poorer health and wellbeing and impaired patient outcomes. For individuals operating in high stress environments, reducing challenge at home, in particular around parenting, has been found to generalize into improvements in the professional domain. The present study sought to investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of brief targeted workplace intervention to support workers in terms of their parental role.

Design/Methodology

An uncontrolled evaluation of a series of three-session parenting-focused courses delivered to employees of a large Mental Health Trust. A pre-post-follow-up design was used to investigate effects on outcomes including parenting practice and experience, wellbeing, stress, and occupational self-efficacy. Intervention feasibility and acceptably was also evaluated.

Findings

Data from 15 participants who completed measures pre-post indicates the courses were associated with improved parenting practice and experience at a p < 0.005 level. Improvements were reported at 6-month follow up. Participant satisfaction and course acceptability was highly rated by 100% of participants.
Using Humor to Promote Social Distancing on Tiktok During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Xiao Yi , Yu Shubin
Published: June 2022

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many humorous videos on how to practice social distancing appeared on social media. However, the effect of using humor as a crisis communication strategy to persuade people to conform to social distancing rules is not known.

Objective

Drawing on the literature on humorous message framing and crisis communication, this research explores the effectiveness of a humorous message in communicating social distancing rules in two crisis severity phases (low vs. high severity) and also evaluates how humor affects individuals’ online and offline engagement intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A 2 (message framing: humorous vs. non-humorous) x 2 (crisis severity phase: low vs. high) between-subjects design experiment was conducted to test the research questions during the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in China from January 30 to February 2, 2020.

Results

The results showed that the severity of the phase of a health crisis can significantly affect stakeholders’ online and offline responses toward the disease. More specifically, in a low severity phase, humor led to increased source likability for the message, and more online and offline engagement intentions. However, no differences between a humorous and non-humorous message in perceived risk were observed. Whereas, in a high severity crisis phase, humor reduced individuals’ offline engagement intentions and a decrease in perceived risk, no significant difference was found between a humorous and non-humorous message on source likeability.

Conclusion

Humor can motivate both more online engagement and offline protective action intention when the crisis severity phase is low, while when crisis severity soars, a non-humorous message should be more desirable. More specifically, using humor in communicating information about an infectious disease can enhance the spokesperson’s likeability in a low severity phase, and also helps to spread health information to a larger audience. While, the negative side of using humor in communicating an infectious disease appears in severe crisis phases, as it then decreased the public’s perception of risk, and triggers less protective actions. Going beyond previous research, this study recognized that crisis severity changes in different phases of the spread of infectious disease, thereby providing actionable strategy selections for crisis practitioners in a dynamic communication environment.
School EFL Teachers’ Research Identity Construction in the Chinese University–School Community
Authors: Wang Xuemei , He Yanhua
Published: June 2022

Despite a relatively large number of studies on teachers’ identity development in the University-School community, few studies have explicitly focused on school EFL teachers’ research identity construction. This study adopts the Activity Theory and examines three English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers from three middle schools in a University–School community in China. It investigates how three teachers constructed their research identity and what factors influenced the construction of their identities within the University–School activity system from the dual perspectives of the school and university teachers. Data are collected through semi-structured narrative interviews, triangulated by documents such as meeting minutes, and then analyzed by NVivo 12. The findings of this study show that (1) the University–School collaborative program helps form a University–School community of both teaching and research; (2) in this community, school EFL teachers continuously construct their identities in a spiral process of “practitioner” and “researcher”; (3) it highlights the internal factors containing the research experience and the stage of career and the external factors including the curriculum reform context and the communication in the community. The findings carry important implications for school EFL teachers’ research identity construction and professional development in the University–School cooperation.
Beyond the Boundaries of Disease—Significant Post-traumatic Growth in Multiple Sclerosis Patients and Caregivers
Authors: Gil-González Irene , Pérez-San-Gregorio María Ángeles , Conrad Rupert , Martín-Rodríguez Agustín
Published: June 2022

Despite the negative repercussions of a chronic disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) might also lead to positive consequences. This longitudinal study explored post-traumatic growth in MS patients and attempted to identify possible determinants. Post-traumatic growth of 260 patients and their caregivers was compared. A subset of 209 patients and caregivers were evaluated at baseline. Patients filled in the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and General Health Questionnaire at three different times over a 36-month follow-up period. Patient post-traumatic growth significantly increased over the follow-up period (p < 0.001) with large effect sizes on almost every subscale. Higher score on the Expanded Disability Status Scale, higher pain severity, female gender, and higher anxiety were positive predictors of post-traumatic growth, while more interference of pain, higher level of education, and more social dysfunction were negative predictors. Post-traumatic growth did not differ significantly between patients and caregivers. Our results showed significant positive intrapsychic changes of MS patients over a 36-month follow-up period up to 12 years from diagnosis. The potential influence of clinical, demographic, and mental health variables underlines the need for a personalized approach to be able to understand and sustain these processes. Comparable post-traumatic growth levels in patient-caregiver dyads at baseline suggest interdependently driven cognitive processes stabilizing well-being. Future research is recommended for further insight into the underlying cognitive processes.
E-Commerce Brand Ranking Algorithm Based on User Evaluation and Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Chen Nie
Published: June 2022

Objective

Consumers often need to compare the same type of products from different merchants to determine their purchasing needs. Fully mining the product information on the website and applying it to e-commerce websites or product introduction websites can not only allow consumers to buy products that are more in line with their wishes, but also help merchants understand user needs and the advantages of each product. How to quantify the emotional tendency of evaluation information and how to recommend satisfactory products to consumers is the research purpose of this paper.

Method

According to the analysis of the research object, this paper uses the Python crawler library to efficiently crawl the data required for research. By writing a custom program for crawling, the resulting data is more in line with the actual situation. This paper uses the BeautifulSoup library in Python web crawler technology for data acquisition. Then, in order to ensure high-quality data sets, the acquired data needs to be cleaned and deduplicated. Finally, preprocessing such as sentence segmentation, word segmentation, and semantic analysis is performed on the cleaned data, and the data format required by the subsequent model is output. For weightless network, the concept of node similarity is proposed, which is used to measure the degree of mutual influence between nodes. Combined with the LeaderRank algorithm, and fully considering the differences between nodes in the interaction, the SRank algorithm is proposed. Different from the classical node importance ranking method, the SRank algorithm fully considers the local and global characteristics of nodes, which is more in line with the actual network.

Results/Discussion

This paper calculates the sentiment polarity of users’ comments, obtains the final user influence ranking, and identifies opinion leaders. The final ranking results were compared and analyzed with the traditional PageRank algorithm and SRank ranking algorithm, and it was found that the opinion leaders identified by the opinion leader identification model integrating user activity and comment sentiment were more reasonable and objective. The algorithm in this paper improves the efficiency of operation to a certain extent, and at the same time solves the problem that sentiment analysis cannot be effectively used in social network analysis, and increases the accuracy of e-commerce brand ranking.
Activity Workstations in High Schools: Decreasing Sedentary Behavior Without Negatively Impacting Schoolwork
Authors: Pilcher June J. , Hulett Timothy L. , Harrill Paige S. , Cashman Jessie M. , Hamilton G. Lawson , Diaz Eva
Published: June 2022

High school students are at risk for increased sedentary behavior due in part to a decrease in physical activity throughout adolescence and to required sedentary behavior during much of the school day. The purpose of the current study is to examine the impact of using activity workstations in a high school English class for struggling readers. Twenty high school students participated in the study. The participants completed a 16-week study where each participant used an activity workstation for 8 weeks and a traditional desk for 8 weeks in a crossover design for a 40-min period during normal class. They responded to a series of subjective questions about reading and schoolwork at the beginning and end of each 8-week session and followed the READ 180 program designed to help struggling readers during the study. The results indicated that academic performance increased in both desk conditions during the study and from the beginning to the end of the study. In addition, there was a significant improvement in items in the subjective survey related to reading, motivation, and schoolwork in both desk conditions across the study. The current results suggest that using an activity workstation in the classroom did not negatively affect academic performance or students’ perceptions of working on academic assignments compared to the traditional desk condition. These results indicate that activity workstations could be implemented in classrooms to provide students with a non-sedentary option during the school day thus increasing physical activity in students.
Prevalence and Determinants of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms in Residents of Fort McMurray 12 Months Following the 2020 Flooding
Authors: Owusu Ernest , Shalaby Reham , Eboreime Ejemai , Nkire Nnamdi , Lawal Mobolaji A. , Agyapong Belinda , Pazderka Hannah , Obuobi-Donkor Gloria , Adu Medard K. , Mao Wanying , Oluwasina Folajinmi , Agyapong Vincent I. O.
Published: June 2022

Background

The flood in Fort McMurray (FMM) which occurred between April 26 and May 2, 2020, is known to have displaced an estimated population of 1,500 people, and destroyed or damaged about 1,230 buildings. In all, it is estimated to have caused about $228 million in losses.

Objective

This study aims to identify the prevalence and determinants of likely Generalized Anxiety disorder (GAD) in among respondents 12-months after the 2020 flooding.

Methods

Data for the study were collected through a cross-sectional survey sent through REDCap and hosted online from the 24th of April to the 2nd of June 2021. The self-administered questionnaire was emailed to respondents using community, government, school, and occupational platforms. Demographic, flooding-related variables, and clinical data were collected. A validated instrument, the GAD-7 was used to collect information on likely GAD. Consent was implied by completing the survey forms, and the University of Alberta Health Research Ethics Committee approved the study.

Results

Of the 249 residents surveyed, 74.7% (186) respondents completed the online survey, 81.6% (80) were above 40 years, 71% (132) were in a relationship, 85.5% (159) were females, and 94.1% (175) were employed. The prevalence of likely GAD was 42.5% in our study. Predictors of likely GAD among respondents included positive employment status (OR = 30.70; 95% C.I. 2.183–423.093), prior diagnosis of depression (OR = 3.30; 95% C.I. 1.157–9.43), and the perceived need to have mental health counseling (OR = 6.28; 95% C.I. 2.553–15.45).

Conclusion

This study showed that there was an increased magnitude of moderate to high anxiety symptoms among respondents following the natural disaster particularly the flood in 2020. The predictors of likely GAD include positive employment status, history of depression diagnosis, and the need to have mental health counseling. Policymakers may mitigate the rise of anxiety after flooding in vulnerable areas by addressing these and other factors.
Does HIV-Related Stigma Depress Social Well-Being of Youths Affected by Parental HIV/AIDS?
Authors: Zhang Yafei , Wan Jiaojiao , Ji Lili , Liu Gaigai , Shi Yixin , Zhao Junfeng , Li Xiaoming
Published: June 2022

Parental illness or death due to HIV/AIDS has long-term impacts on children’s social well-being, potentially challenging the children’s basic developmental needs and future. Based on the theoretical model of social well-being, the present study tested a moderated mediation model that HIV-related stigma moderated the mediating role of social trust on the relationship between perceived social support (PSS) and social well-being. A sample of 297 youths aged 20–30 years affected by parental HIV/AIDS (57.2% male), including 129 (43.40%) AIDS orphans and 168 vulnerable youths (56.60%) completed questionnaires of perceived social support, social well-being, social trust, and HIV-related stigma. IBM SPSS 25.0 was used to conduct descriptive statistics and multiple regressions. Results showed that the mean score of PSS was 61.34 (SD = 13.99), social well-being was 57.33 (SD = 10.15), social trust was 56.21 (SD = 11.55), perceived stigma was 64.44 (SD = 16.72), and enacted stigma was 21.91 (SD = 9.73) among youths affected by parental HIV/AIDS and the PSS could predict increasing social well-being via increasing social trust. Moreover, the positive influence of PSS on social trust was moderated by the enacted stigma (p= 0.03), in which the positive influence was stronger among youths affected by parental HIV/AIDS who perceived or experienced low enacted stigma than those who perceived or experienced high enacted stigma. The positive impact of social trust on social well-being was moderated by perceived stigma (p= 0.04), in which the positive impact was more significant among youths affected by parental HIV/AIDS who perceived or experienced high perceived stigma than those who perceived or experienced low perceived stigma. These findings explained how and when the PSS affected social well-being and contributed toward an understanding of the experiences and perceptions of HIV-related stigma among youths affected by parental HIV/AIDS. This understanding may inform future research and policies toward improving the social well-being of youths affected by parental HIV/AIDS. The study also highlighted the importance of strengthening interventions on social relations and reducing HIV-related stigma for them.
Level of Adequate Knowledge of Non-communicable Diseases and Associated Factors Among Adult Residents of North Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia: A Mixed-Method Approach
Authors: Legesse Elsabeth , Nigussie Tadesse , Girma Derara , Geleta Leta Adugna , Dejene Hiwot , Deriba Berhanu Senbeta , Geleta Tinsae Abeya , Sahlu Degemu , Tesema Mengistu , Tilahun Ayele , Awol Mukemil , Teshome Firanbon , Midaksa Gachana , Bati Feyiso
Published: June 2022

Background

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are currently the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, posing significant challenges to global healthcare systems. Particularly, the prevalence of NCDs is rising in Ethiopia, resulting in a triple burden of diseases on the health system that disproportionately affects all age groups. Hence, this study aims to determine the level of adequate knowledge of NCDs and associated factors among adult residents of the North Shewa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study with a concurrent mixed-method approach was conducted from April 1, 2021 to May 30, 2021 among 846 residents using the multistage sampling technique. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data and a guiding checklist was used to collect qualitative data. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were fitted to compute the association between explanatory variables and knowledge of NCDs. Adjusted odds ratios at 95% confidence interval with a p-value < 0.05 were used to decree statistical significance in multivariable analysis. Also, a thematic framework analysis was used for qualitative data analysis.

Results

A total of 823 subjects have participated in this study making a response rate of 97.3%. The level of adequate knowledge was 33.9% (95%CI: 30.67, 37.13). Higher-income, receiving information from health professionals, owning a TV, having a family member with NCD(s), and marital status were factors significantly associated with adequate knowledge of NCDs.

Conclusion

This study reveals a high level of inadequate knowledge of NCDs despite its foundational ability in tackling the burden of NCDs. As a result, broadening a wider and more comprehensive health promotion strategy for the prevention of triple burden of NCDs would benefit the population. Additionally, special efforts are needed both at the practice and policy levels targeting the disadvantaged groups, such as low-income people, those who do not receive information from health professionals, those who do not own a television, and those who are widowed/divorced, who were found to have less knowledge of NCDs.
Study on Instant Delivery Service Riders' Safety and Health by the Effects of Labour Intensity in China: A Mediation Analysis
Authors: Chen Tianxue , Tian Dazhou , Deng Peihua , Zhou E. , Huang Jinjin
Published: June 2022

The Instant Delivery Service (IDS) riders' overwork by “self-pressurisation” will not only reduce the level of their physical and mental health but also lose their lives in safety accidents caused by their fatigue riding. The purpose of this article is to examine whether there is overwork among IDS riders in big and medium cities in China? What's going on with them? Based on the Cobb-Douglas production function in the input-output theory, this study characterised the factors on IDS riders' safety and health associated with labour intensity. A mediating model with moderating effect was adopted to describe the mediation path for the 2,742 IDS riders who were surveyed. The results of moderating regression demonstrated that (1) 0.4655 is the total effect of labour intensity on the safety and health of IDS riders. (2) 0.3124 is the moderating effect that working hours make a greater impact on labour intensity. (3) The mediating effect of work pressure is the principal means of mediation both upstream and downstream.
Optimizing Spatio-Temporal Allocation of the COVID-19 Vaccine Under Different Epidemiological Landscapes
Authors: Cao Wen , Zhu Jingwen , Wang Xinyi , Tong Xiaochong , Tian Yuzhen , Dai Haoran , Ma Zhigang
Published: June 2022

An efficient and safe vaccine is expected to allow people to return to normal life as soon as possible. However, vaccines for new diseases are likely to be in short supply during the initial deployment due to narrow production capacity and logistics. There is an urgent need to optimize the allocation of limited vaccines to improve the population effectiveness of vaccination. Existing studies mostly address a single epidemiological landscape. The robustness of the effectiveness of other proposed strategies is difficult to guarantee under other landscapes. In this study, a novel vaccination allocation model based on spatio-temporal heterogeneity of epidemiological landscapes is proposed. This model was combined with optimization algorithms to determine the near-optimal spatio-temporal allocation for vaccines with different effectiveness and coverage. We fully simulated the epidemiological landscapes during vaccination, and then minimized objective functions independently under various epidemiological landscapes and degrees of viral transmission. We find that if all subregions are in the middle or late stages of the pandemic, the difference between the effectiveness of the near-optimal and pro-rata strategies is very small in most cases. In contrast, under other epidemiological landscapes, when minimizing deaths, the optimizer tends to allocate the remaining doses to sub-regions with relatively higher risk and expected coverage after covering the elderly. While to minimize symptomatic infections, allocating vaccines first to the higher-risk sub-regions is near-optimal. This means that the pro-rata allocation is a good option when the subregions are all in the middle to late stages of the pandemic. Moreover, we suggest that if all subregions are in the period of rapid virus transmission, vaccines should be administered to older adults in all subregions simultaneously, while when the epidemiological dynamics of the subregions are significantly different, priority can be given to older adults in subregions that are still in the early stages of the pandemic. After covering the elderly in the region, high-risk sub-regions can be prioritized.
Understanding Illicit Drug Use Trends During the Carnival Holiday in the Brazilian Capital Through Wastewater Analysis
Authors: Sodré Fernando Fabriz , Freire Diogo de Jesus Soares , Alcântara Daniel Barbosa , Maldaner Adriano Otávio
Published: June 2022

Cocaine and cannabis consumption during and after the 2019 Carnival holiday were assessed using the wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) in the capital of Brazil, Brasília. The substances 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH), cocaine (COC), benzoylecgonine (BE), and cocaethylene (COE) were monitored in composite samples (24 h) collected in the entrance of North-Wing (NW) and South-Wing (SW) wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) for 15 consecutive days, including the Carnival holiday. Aliquots (100 ml) were enriched with isotope-labeled standards, solid-phase extracted and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results reveal higher cocaine consumption during the Carnival (average of 2.8 ± 0.7 g/1000inh/day) compared to the subsequent period (average of 1.7 ± 0.3 g/1000inh/day). Cannabis (THC) use was also higher during the holiday (14 ± 5 g/1000inh/day) but differences were not significative (unpaired t-test, 95%) compared to the following days (11 ± 3 g/1000inh/day), where consumption remained relatively constant corroborating that cannabis overall consumption is less affected by occasional abuse. Regarding cocaine, an unusual low consumption was noticed in the weekend immediately after the Carnival Holiday, indicating lower demand or supply issues. Higher cocaine and cannabis use was observed throughout the entire sampling period in the area covered by NW-WWTP, probably due to the higher proportion of young people. This investigation brings the first data on cannabis use in Brazil by WBE and confirms this strategy as a well consolidate tool for estimating illicit drug use and abuse.
Brain-Computer Interface Priming for Cervical Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy: An Exploratory Case Study
Authors: McGeady Ciarán , Vučković Aleksandra , Singh Tharu Niraj , Zheng Yong-Ping , Alam Monzurul
Published: June 2022

Loss of arm and hand function is one of the most devastating consequences of cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Although some residual functional neurons often pass the site of injury, recovery after SCI is extremely limited. Recent efforts have aimed to augment traditional rehabilitation by combining exercise-based training with techniques such as transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS), and movement priming. Such methods have been linked with elevated corticospinal excitability, and enhanced neuroplastic effects following activity-based therapy. In the present study, we investigated the potential for facilitating tSCS-based exercise-training with brain-computer interface (BCI) motor priming. An individual with chronic AIS A cervical SCI with both sensory and motor complete tetraplegia participated in a two-phase cross-over intervention whereby they engaged in 15 sessions of intensive tSCS-mediated hand training for 1 h, 3 times/week, followed by a two week washout period, and a further 15 sessions of tSCS training with bimanual BCI motor priming preceding each session. We found using the Graded Redefined Assessment for Strength, Sensibility, and Prehension that the participant's arm and hand function improved considerably across each phase of the study: from 96/232 points at baseline, to 117/232 after tSCS training alone, and to 131/232 points after BCI priming with tSCS training, reflecting improved strength, sensation, and gross and fine motor skills. Improved motor scores and heightened perception to sharp sensations improved the neurological level of injury from C4 to C5 following training and improvements were generally maintained four weeks after the final training session. Although functional improvements were similar regardless of the presence of BCI priming, there was a moderate improvement of bilateral strength only when priming preceded tSCS training, perhaps suggesting a benefit of motor priming for tSCS training.
Microwave Plasma Enhancing Mg-Based Hydrogen Storage: Thermodynamics Evaluation and Economic Analysis of Coupling SOFC for Heat and Power Generation
Authors: Wang Huan , Yan Hongli , Ren Jianwei , Li Bo , Nyallang Nyamsi Serge , Wu Zhen
Published: June 2022

Hydrogen, as a kind of green and efficient energy, plays an increasingly important role in current social development. Hydrogen storage technology is considered to be one of the main bottlenecks in limiting the large-scale application of hydrogen energy. The solid-state hydrogen storage technology based on Mg-based materials has received extensive attention due to its advantages of high hydrogen capacity, good reversibility, and low cost, but there are still shortcomings such as high reaction temperature, large energy consumption, and slow reaction kinetics. In order to solve these problems, this article proposes a new method of using microwave plasma to ionize hydrogen into H− ion. The possible activation mechanism of microwave plasma to improve the hydrogen storage properties is put forward. Based on the activation mechanism, the thermodynamic performance of Mg-based hydrogen storage is evaluated using density functional theory. It is concluded that the reaction temperature is significantly reduced from 339°C to 109°C with the help of microwave plasma. In addition, the comparison between the conventional heating hydrogen storage process based on MgH2 and microwave enhanced advanced hydrogen storage process based on MgH2 systems coupled with solid oxide fuel cells for heat and power generation is conducted to evaluate the economic feasibility. The results show that the energy consumption cost of the proposed microwave plasma enhancing hydrogen storage system is approximately 1.71 $/kgH2, which is about 50% of the energy consumption cost of the conventional system.
Effects of Dietary L-Theanine on Growth Performance, Antioxidation, Meat Quality, and Intestinal Microflora in White Feather Broilers With Acute Oxidative Stress
Authors: Wang Zixi , Tang Yanfang , Long Lina , Zhang Huihua
Published: June 2022

In order to reduce the negative effects caused by oxidative stress on broilers, it is particularly important to find ways to alleviate oxidative stress. As a natural plant extract, L-theanine has a variety of biological effects, such as improving antioxidant capacity, promoting growth, and enhancing immunity and antitumor. This trial evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation of L-theanine on growth performance, antioxidation, meat quality, and intestinal microflora in 817 White Feather Broilers. A total of 108 21-day-old 817 broilers with similar body weight (BW) were randomly divided into three groups with six replicates per group and six chickens within each replicate. The three groups were corn-soybean-based diet (NC group); basal diet plus drinking water with 30 mg hydrocortisone/kg (PC group); and basal diet supplemented with 400 mg L-theanine/kg plus drinking water with 30 mg hydrocortisone/kg (LT group). Compared with the NC group, from 21 to 24 days of age, the PC and LT groups had decreased BW, average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI), and increased feed to gain ratio (F/G; p < 0.05). At 24 days of age, the LT group had improved superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in serum as compared to the NC group (p < 0.05). The LT group broilers also had significantly higher concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and liver (p < 0.05). On the 42nd days, the PC group had lower PH45min (p < 0.05) than the NC and LT groups and higher cooking loss and shear force (p < 0.05). Moreover, the villi height of the PC group was significantly lower in jejunum than the NC group (p < 0.05). The LT group had a higher ZO-1 content in duodenum than the NC and PC groups (p < 0.05). The activity of GSH-Px in the liver of the LT group was increased than in the PC group (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Firmicutes in the LT group was significantly higher than in the NC and PC groups (p < 0.05). These results suggested that the effects of acute oxidative stress on growth performance and meat quality of broilers are continuous, and dietary supplementation of L-theanine could improve the growth performance and meat quality, enhance the intestinal mucosal barrier and antioxidant capacity, and improve the composition of the intestinal flora of broilers caused by acute oxidative stress.
Evolutionary Analysis of Four Recombinant Viruses of the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus From a Pig Farm in China
Authors: Liu Jiankui , Lai Liling , Xu Ye , Yang Yuan , Li Jiarui , Liu Chen , Hunag Cuiqin , Wei Chunhua
Published: June 2022

The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is one of the most important pathogens causing substantial economic losses to the Chinese swine industry. In this study, we analyzed the complete genome sequences of four PRRSV isolates (PRRSV2/CN/SS0/2020, PRRSV2/CN/SS1/2021, PRRSV2/CN/L3/2021, and PRRSV2/CN/L4/2020) isolated from a single pig farm from 2020 to 2021. The genomes of the four isolates were 14,962–15,023 nt long, excluding the poly (A) tails. Comparative analysis of the genome sequences showed that the four isolates shared 93.2–98.1% homology and they had no close PRRSV relatives registered in the GenBank (<92%). Furthermore, PRRSV2/CN/SS0/2020 and PRRSV2/CN/SS1/2021 had characteristic 150-aa deletions (aa481+aa537-566 +aa628–747) that were identical to the live attenuated virus vaccine strain TJM-F92 (derived from the HP-PRRSV TJ). Further analysis of the full-length sequences suggests that the four isolates were natural recombinant strains between lineages 1 (NADC30-like), 3 (QYYZ-like), and 8.7 (JXA1-like). Animal experiments revealed discrepancies in virulence between PRRSV2/CN/SS0/2020 and PRRSV2/CN/L3/2021. The strain with high homology to HP-PRRSV demonstrates higher pathogenicity for pigs than the other isolate with low homology to HP-PRRSV. Taken together, our findings suggest that PRRSVs have undergone genome evolution by recombination among field strains/MLV-like strains of different lineages.
Effects of Bacillus licheniformis on Growth Performance, Diarrhea Incidence, Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Function, and Fecal Microflora in Weaned Piglets
Authors: Yu Xiaorong , Cui Zhenchuan , Qin Songke , Zhang Ruiqiang , Wu Yanping , Liu Jinsong , Yang Caimei
Published: June 2022

Bacillus licheniformis (B. licheniformis) is a safe probiotic that can promote animal growth and inhibit pathogenic bacteria. This study aimed to assess the effects of B. licheniformis, one green feed additive, on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, immune function, fecal volatile fatty acids, and microflora structure in weaned piglets. Weaned piglets (n = 180) were randomly divided into three treatment groups and fed a basal diet and a basal diet supplemented with 500 mg B. licheniformis per kg and 1000 mg B. licheniformis per kg, respectively. The dietary 500 mg/kg B. licheniformis inclusion improved the average daily gain, reduced diarrhea incidence, and strengthened antioxidant capacity. Piglets supplemented with B. licheniformis presented increased serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM) compared to the CON group. Meanwhile, the expression of anti-inflammation factors was increased, and the levels of pro-inflammation factors were reduced after B. licheniformis administration. Moreover, the levels of volatile fatty acids, including acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, and isovaleric acid, in the BL500 and BL1000 groups were increased compared with the CON group, and the concentration of valeric acid was higher in the BL500 group. Furthermore, piglets in the 500 mg/kg B. licheniformis addition group significantly altered fecal microbiota by increasing Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and Oscillospira. In conclusion, dietary B. licheniformis relieved diarrhea, enhanced antioxidant capacity, immunity function, and fecal microflora structure in weaned pigs.
The Effect of Housing System on Disease Prevalence and Productive Lifespan of Dairy Herds—A Case Study
Authors: Witkowska Dorota , Ponieważ Aneta
Published: June 2022

Selected technological solutions can impact health status of animals. The aim of this case study was to determine the effect of different housing systems on disease prevalence and the productive lifespan of dairy cows. In total, 480 cows kept indoors on one farm in four buildings using four different housing systems (a free-stall barn with a slatted floor; a free-stall barn with a self-cleaning floor; an open-pack barn with deep litter; a tie-stall barn with shallow litter) were analyzed. The data from 6 years, based on veterinary reports, were processed statistically in Statistica 13.00. The study demonstrated that the average productive lifespan was longer (p ≤ 0.01), by up to more than 8 months, in the system with deep litter, which was also characterized by the lowest disease prevalence (p ≤ 0.01), especially foot and some reproductive disorders. This trend was maintained in each year of the study period (2015–2020). In the tie-stall barn, the prevalence of mastitis was reduced, but the risk of lameness, retained placenta, parturient paresis and displaced abomasum was higher in this system (p ≤ 0.01). Overall morbidity was highest in the free-stall barns. Lower morbidity was associated with an increase in productive herd life.
The Influence of Teleconnections on the Precipitation in Baluchistan
Authors: Aamir Erum , Khan Aamir , Abubakar Tariq Muhammad
Published: June 2022

Precipitation plays a vital role in the economies of agricultural countries, such as Pakistan. Baluchistan is the largest province in Pakistan (in terms of land) and it is facing reoccurring droughts due to changing precipitation patterns. The landscape of the province consists of rugged terrain, mountains, hills, and valleys. The torrential rains lead to devastating flash floods due to the topography of the province, which has proven to be more catastrophic in nature. It is quite intriguing to observe the changing precipitation patterns in Baluchistan. Precipitation has become less frequent but intense, resulting in flash floods and landslides, as well as damage to agriculture, infrastructure, trade, environment, and the ecosystem. Baluchistan is under a drought warning and is already facing a water crisis. This study was performed on monthly precipitation time series data obtained from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) for determining trends in precipitation from 41 years of data (1977 to 2017) over 13 selected stations in Baluchistan. Due to the non-linear nature of the precipitation data, a non-parametric Mann–Kendall (MK) test was used to determine the increasing or decreasing trends in precipitation on a monthly basis. Large-scale atmospheric circulation and climate indices that affected precipitation were considered to determine their influence on precipitation. Statistical techniques of the partial Mann–Kendall (PMK) and Pearson correlation were applied to each station to ascertain the influence on precipitation due to climatic indices.
Can Early Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Protocol Improve Disability after a Hemiparetic Stroke? A Pilot Study
Authors: Yazdani Mahdi , Chitsaz Ahmad , Zolaktaf Vahid , Saadatnia Mohammad , Ghasemi Majid , Nazari Fatemeh , Chitsaz Abbas , Suzuki Katsuhiko , Nobari Hadi
Published: June 2022

Background: The impairment of limb function and disability are among the most im portant consequences of stroke. To date, however, little research has been done on the early reha bilitation trial (ERT) after stroke in these patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of ERT neuromuscular protocol on motor function soon after hemiparetic stroke. The sample included twelve hemiparetic patients (54.3 ± 15.4 years old) with ischemic stroke (n = 7 control, n = 5 intervention patients). ERTwas started as early as possible after stroke and included passive range of motion exercises, resistance training, assisted standing up, and active exercises of the healthy side of the body, in addition to encouraging voluntary contraction of affected limbs as much as possible. The rehabilitation was progressive and took 3 months, 6 days per week, 2–3 h per session. Fu gle-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Box and Blocks test (BBT) and Timed up and go (TUG) assessments were conducted. There was a significantly greater improvement in the intervention group com pared to control: FMA lower limbs (p = 0.001), total motor function (p = 0.002), but no significant difference in FMA upper limb between groups (p = 0.51). The analysis of data related to BBT showed no significant differences between the experimental and control groups (p = 0.3). However, TUG test showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups (p = 0.004). The most important finding of this study was to spend enough time in training sessions and provide adequate rest time for each person. Our results showed that ERT was associated with improved motor function but not with the upper limbs. This provides a basis for a definitive trial.
New Direction of Sustainable Urbanization: The Impact of Digital Technologies and Policies on China’s In Situ Urbanization
Authors: Zhang Chuanxi , Zhou Wenzhang
Published: June 2022

As part of the process of sustainable urban planning in China, digital technologies have led to major practical and academic concerns. However, few scholars have focused on the impact of digital technologies on in situ urbanization from a policy–technology perspective. This interdisciplinary work aims to analyze how digital policies and their technologies contribute to the transformation of in situ urbanization patterns. This study follows the structure of law and policy research regarding the path of phenomenon presentation–institutional analysis–limitation interpretation. First, the legislation and policies for digitalization of the countryside has drastically changed the logic of how traditional in situ urbanization works. The concept of in situ urbanization 2.0 is used to describe this new phenomenon. Second, historical legitimacy, performance legitimacy, and socially sustainable reproduction are three reasons why rural digitalization reform has triggered in situ urbanization 2.0. Finally, the double dilemma of overreliance on technological change in the in situ urbanization 2.0 process is pointed out; these dilemmas need to be addressed through legislation and policy adjustments. Four recommendations for action are proposed to address these dilemmas. The findings of this research contribute to the literature on sustainable urban planning and rural digitalization reform.
Medi-Cinema: A Pilot Study on Cinematherapy and Cancer as A New Psychological Approach on 30 Gynecological Oncological Patients
Authors: Chieffo Daniela Pia Rosaria , Lafuenti Letizia , Mastrilli Ludovica , De Paola Rebecca , Vannuccini Sofia , Morra Marina , Salvi Fulvia , Boškoski Ivo , Salutari Vanda , Ferrandina Gabriella , Scambia Giovanni
Published: June 2022

Background: Several subjects affected by cancer experience a significant level of multidimensional disease. This longitudinal study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of psycho-oncological support using Cinema as an emotional mediator and to promote perceived well-being by personalized psychological treatment. Methods: Thirty women diagnosed with gynecological cancer watched 12 movies and participated in a psychotherapy group co-conducted by two psychotherapists. Patients completed nine questionnaires at T0 (baseline), T1 (3 months) and T2 (6 months). Results: Patients observed significant improvements (CORE-OM: p < 0.001) in psychological well-being. The results showed statistically significant differences, even in several other dimensions, such as Anxiety (STAY-Y1-2: p < 0.001), Empathy (BEES, p < 0.001), Coping (COPE: p < 0.001), QoL (QLQ-C30, p: 0.026), couple relationship (DAS, Satisfaction: p: 0.013; Cohesion: p: 0.004) and alexithymia (TAS-20, Difficulty Identifying Feeling: p: 0.002; Externally-Oriented Thinking: p: 0.003). Conclusions: The data show that cinema, as an innovative psychological approach, could be a valid instrument to support patients in oncological pathways as well as facilitating the process of recognizing themselves in other patients and communicating about their own feelings.
Aged Lens Epithelial Cells Suppress Proliferation and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition-Relevance for Posterior Capsule Opacification
Authors: Wei Zongbo , Gordon Pasley , Hao Caili , Huangfu Jingru , Fan Emily , Zhang Xiang , Yan Hong , Fan Xingjun
Published: June 2022

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is a frequent complication after cataract surgery, and advanced PCO requires YAG laser (Nd: YAG) capsulotomy, which often gives rise to more complications. Lens epithelial cell (LEC) proliferation and transformation (i.e., epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)) are two critical elements in PCO initiation and progression pathogenesis. While PCO marginally impacts aged cataract surgery patients, PCO incidences are exceptionally high in infants and children undergoing cataract surgery. The gene expression of lens epithelial cell aging and its role in the discrepancy of PCO prevalence between young and older people have not been fully studied. Here, we conducted a comprehensive differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis of a cell aging model by comparing the early and late passage FHL124 lens epithelial cells (LECs). In vitro, TGFβ2, cell treatment, and in vivo mouse cataract surgical models were used to validate our findings. We found that aged LECs decelerated rates of cell proliferation accompanied by dysregulation of cellular immune response and cell stress response. Surprisingly, we found that LECs systematically downregulated epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-promoting genes. The protein expression of several EMT hallmark genes, e.g., fibronectin, αSMA, and cadherin 11, were gradually decreased during LECs aging. We then confirmed these findings in vitro and found that aged LECs markedly alleviated TGFβ2-mediated EMT. Importantly, we explicitly confirmed the in vitro findings from the in vivo mouse cataract surgery studies. We propose that both the high proliferation rate and EMT-enriched young LECs phenotypic characteristics contribute to unusually high PCO incidence in infants and children.