bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discovery of physalin biosynthesis and structure modification of physalins in Physalis alkekengi L. var. Franchetii
Authors: Qu Liyuan , Gan Chunli , Cheng Xiaoling , Lin Congcong , Wang Yanli , Wang Libo , Huang Jian , Wang Jinhui
Published: October 2022

Physalins, active ingredients from the Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (P. alkekengi) plant, have shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer activities. Whereas the bioactivity of physalins have been confirmed, their biosynthetic pathways, and those of quite a few derivatives, remain unknown. In this paper, biosynthesis and structure modification-related genes of physalins were mined through transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling. Firstly, we rapidly and conveniently analyzed physalins by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS utilizing mass accuracy, diagnostic fragment ions, and common neutral losses. In all, 58 different physalin metabolites were isolated from P. alkekengi calyxes and berries. In an analysis of the physalin biosynthesis pathway, we determined that withanolides and withaphysalins may represent a crucial intermediate between lanosterol and physalins. and those steps were decanted according to previous reports. Our results provide valuable information on the physalin metabolites and the candidate enzymes involved in the physalins biosynthesis pathways of P. alkekengi. In addition, we further analyzed differential metabolites collected from calyxes in the Jilin (Daodi of P. alkekengi) and others. Among them, 20 physalin metabolites may represent herb quality biomarkers for Daodi P. alkekengi, providing an essential role in directing the quality control index of P. alkekengi.
Short-term but not long-term perennial mugwort cropping increases soil organic carbon in Northern China Plain
Authors: Zhou Zhenxing , Tian Furong , Zhao Xiang , Zhang Kunpeng , Han Shijie
Published: October 2022

Perennial cropping has been an alternative land use type due to its widely accepted role in increasing soil carbon sequestration. However, how soil organic carbon (SOC) changes and its underlying mechanisms under different cropping years are still elusive. A chronosequence (0-, 3-, 6-, 20-year) of perennial mugwort cropping was chosen to explore the SOC dynamics and the underlying mechanisms in agricultural soils of Northern China Plain. The results revealed that SOC first increased and then decreased along the 20-year chronosequence. The similar patterns were also found in soil properties (including soil ammonium nitrogen, total nitrogen and phosphorus) and two C-degrading hydrolytic enzyme activities (i.e., α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase). The path analysis demonstrated that soil ammonium nitrogen, total nitrogen, and plant biomass affected SOC primarily through the indirect impacts on soil pH, total phosphorus availability, and C-degrading hydrolytic enzyme activities. In addition, the contributions of soil properties are greater than those of biotic factors (plant biomass) to changes in SOC across the four mugwort cropping years. Nevertheless, the biotic factors may play more important roles in regulating SOC than abiotic factors in the long run. Moreover, SOC reached its maximum and was equaled to that under the conventional rotation when cropping mugwort for 7.44 and 14.88 years, respectively, which has critical implications for sustainable C sequestration of agricultural soils in Northern China Plain. Our observations suggest that short-term but not long-term perennial mugwort cropping is an alternative practice benefiting soil C sequestration and achieving the Carbon Neutrality goal in China.
The relationship between empowering leadership and radical creativity
Authors: Yin Wenjun , Liu Su
Published: October 2022

Drawing on the conservation of resource theory, we theorized and tested a serial mediation model linking empowering leadership with employee radical creativity through job control and willingness to take risks. We tested our hypotheses using data collected from a time-lagged and multisource survey of 385 employees in 84 research and development teams from 20 different companies. The results demonstrated that empowering leadership had a positive indirect effect on employee radical creativity via job control and willingness to take risks, and the error management climate was found to strengthen this indirect effect. Theoretical and practical implications are also provided in the discussion section.
The intergenerational succession and financialization of Chinese family enterprises: Considering the influence of heirs’ growing experience
Authors: Ye Shengchao , Wang Wei , Li Yidong , Wang Haohan , Zhou Xinmiao
Published: October 2022

As a mixed-methods research in economics and psychology, this study aimed to analyze the influence from the intergenerational succession on the financialization level including asset financialization and revenue financialization, and further test the moderating effect of the heirs’ typical growing experience according to The Imprinting Theory, based on the 2009–2020 annual data of listed family enterprises of China. There were two key findings. First, the effect of Chinese family enterprises’ intergenerational succession on asset financialization was positively significant while the effect on revenue financialization was not significant, indicating that the financialization behavior has not brought about effective financial profits. Second, among the heirs’ typical growing experiences, their parents’ entrepreneurial experience during their childhood, oversea study experience, and MBA education experience had the significantly positive moderating effects on the influence from intergeneration succession to asset financialization level of Chinese family enterprises, which was an important internal mechanism for the heirs to promote the financialization process of family enterprises.
Inhibitory Control Development: A Network Neuroscience Perspective
Authors: Kang Weixi , Hernández Sònia Pineda , Rahman Md. Shahinoor , Voigt Katharina , Malvaso Antonio
Published: October 2022

As one of the core executive functions, inhibition plays an important role in human life through development. Inhibitory control is defined as the ability to suppress actions when they are unlikely to accomplish valuable results. Contemporary neuroscience has investigated the underlying neural mechanisms of inhibitory control. The controversy started to arise, which resulted in two schools of thought: a modulatory and a network account of inhibitory control. In this systematic review, we survey developmental mechanisms in inhibitory control as well as neurodevelopmental diseases related to inhibitory dysfunctions. This evidence stands against the modulatory perspective of inhibitory control: the development of inhibitory control does not depend on a dedicated region such as the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) but relies on a more broadly distributed network.
Exploring student satisfaction and acceptance of e-learning technologies in Saudi higher education
Authors: Alqahtani Mohammed Ayid , Alamri Mahdi Mohammed , Sayaf Amer Mutrik , Al-Rahmi Waleed Mugahed
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has rekindled interest in online learning as a desirable substitute. In Saudi Arabia’s educational system, technology and online learning are becoming more and more significant. In order to prepare students for the digital age and Saudi Vision 2030, there is an increasing desire for educational institutions to use e-learning. Students and faculty at Saudi institutions now have more opportunities to better grasp the globalized digital age thanks to the integration and acceptance of digital technology into learning and teaching. Therefore, this study aims to analyze and investigate the educational quality, social influence, and TAM Model factors that increase the students’ attitude toward using e-learning; thus, it affects students’ satisfaction and academic performance. The study was conducted at two universities in Saudi Arabia. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and route analysis were used to evaluate the research model and analyze data from e-learning users through a questionnaire. The findings revealed that perceived ease of use (PEU) and perceived usefulness (PU) mediate the effects of educational quality (EDQ), social influence (SOI), and perceived enjoyment (PE), which in turn affect students’ attitude toward use (ATU), and students’ satisfaction with using e-learning systems (SSE). Additionally, the results demonstrated that the mediator factors had favorable “R square (R2)” values for adopting e-learning systems in higher education, with PEU = 0.562, PU = 0.712, ATU = 0.608, and SSE = 0.636. The hypotheses’ findings led to the development of a validated instrument to measure students’ online learning in Saudi Arabia’s higher education.
Ecological recognition of self-esteem leveraged by video-based gait
Authors: Liu Xingyun , Wen Yeye , Zhu Tingshao
Published: October 2022

Self-esteem is a significant kind of psychological resource, and behavioral self-esteem assessments are rare currently. Using ordinary cameras to capture one’s gait pattern to reveal people’s self-esteem meets the requirement for real-time population-based assessment. A total of 152 healthy students who had no walking issues were recruited as participants. The self-esteem scores and gait data were obtained using a standard 2D camera and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). After data preprocessing, dynamic gait features were extracted for training machine learning models that predicted self-esteem scores based on the data. For self-esteem prediction, the best results were achieved by Gaussian processes and linear regression, with a correlation of 0.51 (p< 0.001), 0.52 (p< 0.001), 0.46 (p< 0.001) for all participants, males, and females, respectively. Moreover, the highest reliability was 0.92 which was achieved by RBF-support vector regression. Gait acquired by a 2D camera can predict one’s self-esteem quite well. This innovative approach is a good supplement to the existing methods in ecological recognition of self-esteem leveraged by video-based gait.
Effect and mechanism of reading habits on physical and mental health among the elderly: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Wang , Zhang Yu , Wang Jie
Published: October 2022

Responding to an aging society worldwide and ensuring the physical and mental health of the elderly are important problems that need to be addressed. Thus, this study aimed to improve the quality of providing the spiritual and cultural needs of the elderly and study the internal transmission of reading habits and its effect on the physical and mental health of the elderly. Using the data from China's comprehensive social survey in 2018, this study applied the Probit model and ordinary least squares method to comprehensively estimate the influence of reading habits of the elderly on their physical and mental health. Stepwise regression and bootstrap method were combined to explore the influencing mechanism, and an instrumental variable method was used to solve endogeneity problems. Results indicate that the reading habits of the elderly have a significantly positive effect on their own physical and mental health. Social activity is the positive conduction path, whereas social justice perception and learning willingness are the negative conduction path. Among low-income families, agricultural workers, and the elderly whose household registration is in rural areas, the benefits of reading to the body and mind are more significant. After dealing with endogeneity problems and a series of robustness tests, the conclusion of this paper still holds. Finally, reference policy suggestions are proposed for the follow-up active aging policy, such as promoting reading for all, organizing various social activities, formulating active pension policies for the elderly, and allocating more public resources for vulnerable elderly groups.
Hospital value-based payment programs and disparity in the United States: A review of current evidence and future perspectives
Authors: Kim Hyunmin , Mahmood Asos , Hammarlund Noah E. , Chang Cyril F.
Published: October 2022

Beginning in the early 2010s, an array of Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) programs has been developed in the United States (U.S.) to contain costs and improve health care quality. Despite documented successes in these efforts in some instances, there have been growing concerns about the programs' unintended consequences for health care disparities due to their built-in biases against health care organizations that serve a disproportionate share of disadvantaged patient populations. We explore the effects of three Medicare hospital VBP programs on health and health care disparities in the U.S. by reviewing their designs, implementation history, and evidence on health care disparities. The available empirical evidence thus far suggests varied impacts of hospital VBP programs on health care disparities. Most of the reviewed studies in this paper demonstrate that hospital VBP programs have the tendency to exacerbate health care disparities, while a few others found evidence of little or no worsening impacts on disparities. We discuss several policy options and recommendations which include various reform approaches and specific programs ranging from those addressing upstream structural barriers to health care access, to health care delivery strategies that target service utilization and health outcomes of vulnerable populations under the VBP programs. Future studies are needed to produce more explicit, conclusive, and consistent evidence on the impacts of hospital VBP programs on disparities.
Bidirectional associations between maternal controlling feeding and food responsiveness during infancy
Authors: Eagleton Sally G. , Shriver Lenka H. , Buehler Cheryl , Wideman Laurie , Leerkes Esther M.
Published: October 2022

Parental controlling feeding styles and practices have been associated with greater food-approaching appetitive behaviors (i.e., food responsiveness) linked to childhood obesity. Recent longitudinal research suggests that this relationship may be reciprocal such that controlling feeding predicts child appetite and vice versa. However, to date no studies have considered these associations during infancy. The current study investigates prospective bidirectional associations between controlling feeding (restriction, pressure, and food to soothe) and infant food responsiveness. Mothers (N = 176) reported their controlling feeding and their infant's food responsiveness at infant age 2, 6, and 14 months. A 3-wave cross-lagged panel model was used to test the effect of controlling feeding at an earlier time point on infant food responsiveness at a later time point, and vice versa. Maternal controlling feeding and infant food responsiveness showed moderate stability across infancy. Net of covariates, we observed parent-driven prospective relations between pressuring feeding styles and food to soothe with infant food responsiveness. Pressuring to finish was a significant predictor of increases in food responsiveness from 2 to 6 months (p = 0.004) and pressuring with cereal was a significant predictor of increases in food responsiveness from 6 to 14 months (p = 0.02). Greater use of situational food to soothe was marginally associated with higher food responsiveness from 2 to 6 months (p = 0.07) and 6 to 14 months (p = 0.06). Prospective associations between restrictive feeding styles and infant food responsiveness were not observed. Findings point to pressuring feeding styles and food to soothe as potential early life intervention targets to prevent increases in food responsiveness in infancy. Longitudinal research with follow-up in the toddler and preschool years are needed to understand how these associations unfold over time and whether child-driven effects of food responsiveness become apparent as children get older.
Association between aldehyde exposure and kidney stones in adults
Authors: Chen Yang , Shen Xudong , Li Guoxiang , Yue Shaoyu , Liang Chaozhao , Hao Zongyao
Published: October 2022

Environmental pollution sources may play a key role in the pathogenesis of nephrolithiasis, although the link between environmental aldehyde exposure and the incidence of nephrolithiasis is unclear. The researchers in this study set out to see whether adult kidney stone formation was linked to environmental aldehydes. We examined data from 10,175 adult participants over the age of 20 who took part in the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which was a cross-sectional research. A logistic regression model was employed in this work to examine the relationship between aldehyde exposure and kidney stones, machine learning was utilized to predict the connection of different parameters with the development of kidney stones, and a subgroup analysis was performed to identify sensitive groups. After controlling for all confounding variables, the results revealed that isopentanaldehyde, benzaldehyde, and hexanaldehyde were risk factors for kidney stone formation, with odds ratio (OR) of 2.47, 1.12, and 1.17, respectively, and 95 percent confidence intervals (95% CI) of 1.15–5.34, 1.02–1.22, and 1.00–1.36. Kidney stones may be a result of long-term exposure to aldehydes, which may cause them to form. Environmental pollution-related aldehyde exposure might give a novel notion and direction for future study into the process of kidney stone production, even if the cause is yet unknown.
Associations of emotional/behavioral problems with accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior, physical activity and step counts in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Li Hailin , Shi Bijun , Wang Xin , Cao Muqing , Chen Jiajie , Liu Siyu , Zhan Xiaoling , Jin Chengkai , Gui Zhaohuan , Jing Jin , Zhu Yanna
Published: October 2022

Background

The evidence for associations of emotional/behavioral status with sedentary behavior (SB), physical activity (PA) and step counts is scarce in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Also, ASD-related deficiencies may affect actual levels of PA. We aimed to describe accelerometer-measured SB, PA and step counts in children with ASD, and to examine the associations of emotional/behavioral problems with SB, PA and step counts after assessing associations between accelerometer-measured SB, PA and step counts and ASD-related deficiencies.

Methods

A total of 93 ASD children, aged 6–9 years, were recruited from the Center for Child and Adolescent Psychology and Behavioral Development of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China. Participants wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days. Of the original 93, 78 participants' accelerometer-measured valid PA were obtained, and the data were shown as time spent in SB, light, moderate, moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous PA, and step counts. Participants' emotional/behavioral problems were assessed via the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and anxiety symptoms were evaluated by the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). ASD-associated deficiencies include restricted repetitive behaviors (Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised), poor social competence (Social Responsiveness Scale Second Edition) and motor development restrictions (Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire).

Results

Of the 78 participants, daily vigorous PA (VPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) averaged 15.62 and 51.95 min, respectively. After adjustment for covariates, SDQ emotional symptoms (β = −0.060, p = 0.028) were inversely associated with the average daily minutes in VPA. Meanwhile, SDQ emotional symptoms (β = −0.033, p = 0.016) were inversely associated with the average daily MVPA minutes in the crude model. After adjustment for covariates, SCARED somatic/panic (β = −0.007, p = 0.040) and generalized anxiety (β = −0.025, p = 0.014) were negatively associated with the average daily VPA minutes; SCARED total anxiety (β = −0.006, p = 0.029) was conversely associated with daily MVPA duration. After adjustment for covariates, no significant associations between accelerometer-measured SB, PA and step counts and ASD-related deficiencies were found (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Accelerometer-measured SB, PA and step counts showed no associations with ASD-related deficiencies. On this basis, we further found that the emotional symptoms were inversely associated with VPA and MVPA. These results emphasize the importance of VPA and MVPA in children with ASD. The longitudinally investigations on the directionality of these associations between emotional symptoms with VPA and MVPA are needed in the future.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: A narrative review of four South Asian countries
Authors: Ennab Farah , Qasba Rakhtan K. , Uday Utkarsha , Priya Priya , Qamar Khulud , Nawaz Faisal A. , Islam Zarmina , Zary Nabil
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Vaccine hesitancy remains a global issue, especially within poverty-stricken countries where there's an interplay of financial and non-financial barriers. This narrative review aims to understand attitudes and behaviors toward COVID-19 vaccination in four South Asian countries and make context-specific recommendations to vaccine program drivers and decision-makers.

Methods

A search was conducted using PubMed and Science Direct, and CINHAL from January 2020 up to May 2022 restricted to the English language for terms: “Afghanistan” OR “Pakistan” OR “India” OR “Bangladesh” in combination with “COVID-19 vaccine” and other related terms. All articles were initially included, and those with relevance were included in the synthesis of this paper.

Results

A narrative review was performed for this study. Our narrative review included a total of eighteen studies with a sample size (n = 223–5,237) averaging about 1,325 participants per study conducted. The studies included revealed public hesitancy to receive the COVID-19 vaccine ranging from 6.3 to 56.2% with an average of 31.63% across all eighteen studies. Several reasons were linked to this observation in these four South Asian countries, and the predominant ones included: Insufficient information provided to the general public about the side effects of the vaccines, concerns regarding vaccine safety, and skepticism of vaccine efficacy.

Conclusion

Vaccine hesitancy is a global problem within the context of COVID-19, and issues regarding equity, misinformation, and poverty in South Asian countries makes it difficult to meet goals for herd immunity. Policymakers and governments should aim toward financial and non-financial incentives to drive the public toward vaccination.
Effect of availability and COVID-19 vaccination on food shopping and consumption behaviors among Jordan universities students
Authors: Taybeh Asma' O. , Osaili Tareq M. , Al-Nabulsi Anas A. , Ben Hassen Tarek , Faour-Klingbeil Dima , Cheikh Ismail Leila , Olaimat Amin N.
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the lives of university students all across the globe. Indeed, the pandemic has impacted many aspects of their daily routine, changing their social and health habits and food-related behaviors. There is now no approved therapy, and vaccination is the only clinical preventative measure that provides the highest protection against the virus. While these vaccines have been beneficial in curbing the pandemic's effect, they may also influence food-related behaviors. Accordingly, this paper aims to investigate the impact of vaccination availability on university students' food shopping and consumption habits, vaccine-related opinions, and back on-campus behaviors in Jordan. The research is based on an online survey conducted in Jordan using a structured questionnaire and distributed through Google Forms between January 1 and March 20, 2022. A total of 624 valid answers were collected. The findings revealed no significant changes in the way students consumed, shopped, and handled food compared to the pre-vaccine period. However, there is a slight post-vaccine trend toward shopping more groceries online and ordering more meals via delivery apps and takeout services. Regarding health-related food choices, there was an increase in the consumption of healthy food, water, and fruits and vegetables. Further, following the availability of the vaccination, students' adoption of COVID-19 food-related habits was maintained. Gender, engagement in food preparation activities, and living status (e.g., whether or not living with parents) substantially affected several food-related behaviors. The findings are expected to guide both current emergency preparations and long-term food-related policies in Jordan. This information may also be helpful to researchers interested in the effects of COVID-19 vaccination on student nutrition and related food behaviors.
Comparing mini-sternotomy to full median sternotomy for aortic valve replacement with propensity-matching methods
Authors: Liu Rui , Song Jiangping , Chu Junmin , Hu Shengshou , Wang Xian-qiang
Published: October 2022

Objective

This study aims to compare clinical outcomes between mini-sternotomy and full median sternotomy for aortic valve replacement using propensity-matching methods.

Methods

From August 2014 to July 2021, a total of 1,445 patients underwent isolated aortic valve surgery, 1,247 via full median sternotomy and 198 via mini-sternotomy. To reduce the impact of potential confounding factors, a propensity score based on 18 variables is used to obtain 198 well-matched case pairs, which include 231 aortic valve regurgitations and 165 aortic stenosis cases.

Result

Occurrences of in-hospital mortality (P = 0.499), stroke (P > 0.999), renal failure (P = 0.760), and paravalvular leakage (P = 0.224) are similar between the two groups. No significant difference in operation, cardiopulmonary bypass, and aortic cross-clamp times are found between the two groups. However, compared with the full sternotomy group, the mini-sternotomy group has less postoperative 24-hour drainage (131.7 ± 82.8 ml, P < 0.001) and total drainage (459.3 ± 306.3 ml, P < 0.001). The median mechanical ventilation times are 9.4 [interquartile range (IQR) 5.4–15.6] and 9.8 (IQR 6.1–14.4) in mini-sternotomy and full sternotomy groups (P = 0.284), respectively. There are no significant differences in intensive care unit stay and postoperative stay between the two groups. For either aortic valve regurgitations or aortic stenosis patients, significantly less postoperative 24-h and total drainage are still found in the mini-sternotomy group compared with the full sternotomy group.

Conclusions

Mini-sternotomy for aortic valve replacement is a safe procedure, with not only cosmetic advantages but less postoperative drainage compared with full sternotomy. Mini-sternotomy should be considered for most aortic valve operations.
Radiographic prevalence of juvenile osteochondral conditions of the proximal interphalangeal joint of Australian Thoroughbred racehorse yearlings and associations with sales results and race performance
Authors: Faulkner Josephine , Vanderperren Katrien , Duchateau Luc , O'Sullivan Chris
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Ascertain the radiographic prevalence and variation in characteristics of juvenile osteochondral conditions (JOC) in the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) of Australian Thoroughbred racehorse yearlings. Establish whether there are any significant associations with public auction sale results and racing performance.

Methods

Retrospective evaluation of 1,098 yearling repository radiograph sets. Comparison of sales results and whole career racing performance of the case group with two control groups: maternal siblings (N= 397) and yearlings without PIP JOC (N= 391).

Results

6.3% of yearlings had at least one PIPJ JOC lesion with 4.8% having subchondral lucencies of the proximal phalanx (P1SC), 0.6% with subchondral lucencies of the middle phalanx (P2SC) and 0.8% with osteochondral fragmentation (OCF). P1SC were more prevalent in forelimbs and P2SC and OCF were more commonly located in the hindlimbs. 51% of PIPJ JOC were not identified on a lateromedial projection (LM). A significantly lower proportion of horses with OCF were successfully sold at public auction (p≤ 0.05) but there was no significant difference in sales price between the case group and controls. A lower proportion of horses with PIPJ JOC made it to the racetrack to race, although this was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in racing performance between the case group and controls, although there was a trend toward case horses earning lower career prize money and lower prize money per race (p≤ 0.1). Lesions located in a dorsal or palmar/plantar location on the LM projection earned a lower average prize money per race (p≤ 0.05) than those in a central location, and showed a trend toward earning lower total prize money (p≤ 0.1) and number of places (p≤ 0.1). There was no significant difference in performance for horses with lesions at the medial, axial or lateral aspects of the articular surface.

Clinical importance

Overall, the findings of this study indicate that the presence of PIPJ JOC in radiographs of Thoroughbred yearlings should be attributed a low to moderate risk to future racing performance, however certain lesion characteristics may be associated with decreased performance.
Investigating the Association Between Adolescent Internet Addiction and Parental Attitudes
Authors: Bilge Mehmet , Uçan Gülten , Baydur Hakan
Published: October 2022

Objectives:In this study, the association between parents’ attitudes and internet addiction among adolescent high school students was investigated through some sociodemographic variables.

Methods:The research was carried out with 385 students studying in four high schools in western Turkey. Sociodemographic characteristics, parental attitude scale and internet addiction scale were used in the study. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression analysis and structural equation modeling analysis were applied.

Results:The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that there was a significant relationship between the combined mean score obtained from the Parental Attitude Scale and the mean score obtained from the Internet Addiction Scale, and that authoritarian parenting attitude increases the risk of internet addiction [OR = 1.70 (95% CI: 1.33–2.18)]. In the structural equation modeling analysis, the model summary fit values were determined to be at a good level (χ2/df = 2.86, GFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.073) regarding the relationship between parental attitude and internet addiction.

Conclusion:Adolescents’ internet addiction levels changes related to their parents’ democratic attitude evolve.
Choosing Optimal Omnichannel Coupon Redeeming Options in Multiple Channel Settings
Authors: Vrechopoulos Adam , Lazaris Chris , Theodoratos Stavros
Published: October 2022

This article examines omnichannel redemption options when issuing digital coupons over social media. It investigates which channels or combinations of them provide optimal performance in terms of service-quality perception, customer satisfaction, and revenue. For that purpose, it compares three omnichannel redeeming options employing a between-participant quasi-experimental design that utilizes the primary data of a sporting goods retailer in Greece and a questionnaire as a data-collection instrument to investigate cause and effect relationships. Those three omnichannel redeeming options are analyzed in two pairwise comparisons: (a) multichannel (both online and offline) vs. offline-only (physical store), and (b) multichannel (both online and offline) vs. online-only (online store). Results reveal that while perceived service quality is essential to improve customer satisfaction, especially if satisfying the need for interaction with service employees, revenue performance depends only on the availability of multiple redemption options. Theoretical, practical, and research implications are thoroughly discussed at the end.
Numerical Investigation on Hybrid Rocket Motors with Star-Segmented Rotation Grain
Authors: Tian Hui , Jiang Xianzhu , Lu Yudong , Liang Yu , Zhu Hao , Cai Guobiao
Published: October 2022

A novel fuel grain configuration comprising two star-segmented grains is proposed. The effect of the rotation, mid-chamber length, and segmented position on the fuel regression rate and the combustion efficiency in hybrid rocket motors with star-segmented grains is investigated in this paper. To this end, 90% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) are selected as the propellant combination in this research. Three-dimensional numerical simulations of the star-segmented grain configuration are conducted. A firing test of a lab-scale hybrid rocket motor was conducted to verify the accuracy of the numerical model, and the errors between simulation data and experimental results are no more than 4.5%. The case without segmented grain configuration is regarded as the base case. The simulation results demonstrate that the combustion flow field structure of the motor could be ameliorated by the segmented rotation grain configuration. Compared with the base case, the rotation of aft-section grain has little effect on the regression rate in the fore-section grain, while the average regression rate in aft-section grain increases, with a maximum increase of 25.04%. The combustion efficiency of the motor with the segmented rotation grain configuration is higher than the base case. Compared with the base case, the combustion efficiency of segmented rotation grain case with mid-chamber length 40 mm and segmented position of 1/2 is raised by 4.06%. The average fuel regression rate and the combustion efficiency of hybrid rocket motors with segmented rotation grains are higher than those in the base case during the entire period of operation, and the combustion efficiency is increased by 1.40–4.21% during the motor operation. The research findings of this paper can provide valuable guidance for the performance improvement of hybrid rocket motors with star grain.
Exogenous Application of Aloe vera Leaf Extract Improves Silybin Content in Silybum marianum L. by Up-Regulating Chalcone Synthase Gene
Authors: Alkuwayti Mayyadah Abdullah , Aldayel Munirah Fahad , Yap Yun-Kiam , El Sherif Fadia
Published: October 2022

Biotic elicitors such as Aloe vera extract (ALE) have been shown to stimulate growth and modify the bioactive composition of various plant species. ALE has a unique mixture of nutrients that support plant production and growth. In this study, the bio-stimulative effects of ALE foliar spray on plant production and growth, silybin levels, and chalcone synthase gene expression in Silybum marianum were examined. The findings indicated that foliar spray of all the ALE concentrations under study increased plant growth and yield. Additionally, by raising the silybin level of the plant extract, ALE increased the therapeutic value of S. marianum. Further, the activation of the chalcone synthase gene by ALE was analyzed by gene expression research. S. marianum’s growth and production were improved by the application of 60 mL/L ALE, while the silybin level and the chalcone synthase gene expression levels were improved by the application of 40 mL/L ALE. In addition, methanolic fruit extract that contained a higher silybin content also demonstrated a higher anti-microbial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
A Deep-Learning Extraction Method for Orchard Visual Navigation Lines
Authors: Zhou Jianjun , Geng Siyuan , Qiu Quan , Shao Yang , Zhang Man
Published: October 2022

Orchard machinery autonomous navigation is helpful for improving the efficiency of fruit production and reducing labor costs. Path planning is one of the core technologies of autonomous navigation for orchard machinery. As normally planted in straight and parallel rows, fruit trees are natural landmarks that can provide suitable cues for orchard intelligent machinery. This paper presents a novel method to realize path planning based on computer vision technologies. We combine deep learning and the least-square (DL-LS) algorithm to carry out a new navigation line extraction algorithm for orchard scenarios. First, a large number of actual orchard images are collected and processed for training the YOLO V3 model. After the training, the mean average precision (MAP) of the model for trunk and tree detection can reach 92.11%. Secondly, the reference point coordinates of the fruit trees are calculated with the coordinates of the bounding box of trunks. Thirdly, the reference lines of fruit trees growing on both sides are fitted by the least-square method and the navigation line for the orchard machinery is determined by the two reference lines. Experimental results show that the trained YOLO V3 network can identify the tree trunk and the fruit tree accurately and that the new navigation line of fruit tree rows can be extracted effectively. The accuracy of orchard centerline extraction is 90.00%.
The Use of Fluorescence Spectroscopic Data and Machine-Learning Algorithms to Discriminate Red Onion Cultivar and Breeding Line
Authors: Sabanci Kadir , Aslan Muhammet Fatih , Slavova Vanya , Genova Stefka
Published: October 2022

The objective of this study was to evaluate differences between the red onion cultivar and breeding line using models based on selected fluorescence spectroscopic data built using machine-learning algorithms from different groups of Trees, Functions, Bayes, Meta, Rules, and Lazy. The combination of fluorescence spectroscopy and machine learning is an original approach to the non-destructive and objective discrimination of red onion samples. The selected fluorescence spectroscopic data were used to build models using algorithms from the groups of Trees, Functions, Bayes, Meta, Rules, and Lazy. The most satisfactory results were obtained using J48 and LMT (Logistic Model Tree) from the group of Trees, Multilayer Perceptron, and QDA (Quadratic Discriminant Analysis) from Functions, Naive Bayes from Bayes, Logit Boost from Meta, JRip from Rules, and LWL (Locally Weighted Learning) from Lazy. The average accuracy of discrimination of onion bulbs belonging to ‘Asenovgradska kaba’ and a red breeding line equal to 100% was found in the case of models developed using the LMT, Multilayer Perceptron, Naive Bayes, Logit Boost, and LWL algorithms. The TPR (True Positive Rate), Precision, and F-Measure of 1.000 and FPR (False Positive Rate) of 0.000, as well as the Kappa statistic of 1.0, were determined. The results revealed the usefulness of the approach combining fluorescence spectroscopy and machine learning to distinguish red onion cultivars and breeding lines.
Electrostatic Spore-Trapping Techniques for Managing Airborne Conidia Dispersed by the Powdery Mildew Pathogen
Authors: Nonomura Teruo , Toyoda Hideyoshi
Published: October 2022

This review examines the progress of electrostatic spore-trapping research and the potential for the practical application of electrostatic apparatuses in powdery mildew control. These apparatuses produce an electric field by charging an insulated conductor wire (ICW). Airborne pathogen spores are subjected to an attractive force in the electric field and are drawn to the charged ICW as a result of dielectrophoretic movement. The strength of the attractive force is commensurate with the field strength (determined by the magnitude of the voltage applied to the ICW). Single-charged monopolar electric field screens (SM screens) are constructed by arraying negatively charged cylindrical ICWs in parallel at a specific interval. The connected electric fields of these ICWs form a gap-free air-shielding barrier. Wind-dispersed spores are precipitated by this barrier to create spore-free air. Oppositely charged SM screens have been combined to develop double-charged dipolar electric field screens, which generate a stronger spore attraction force under lower voltage application. Thus, electric field screens represent a promising physical method for creating spore-free spaces in cropping facilities, where plants can be cultivated without risk of infection by airborne fungal pathogens.
Ultrasonic Treatment Enhances Germination and Affects Antioxidant Gene Expression in Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr)
Authors: Alfalahi Ayoob Obaid , Alobaidy Bushra Shaker , Almarie Ahmed Abdulwahid , Dhanoon Omar Mahmood , Qasem Jamal Ragheb , Almehemdi Ali Fadaam , Najda Agnieszka
Published: October 2022

Ultrasound technology has been recently used to enhance and increase seed germination with no negative effect on seedling development. This study investigated the effects of ultrasound exposure for 10, 20, and 30 min on seed germination, seedling growth, and gene expression of three soybean varieties grown under glasshouse conditions. Ultrasonic treatments showed different effects on most of the studied traits compared with the untreated controls. Ultrasonic exposure increased germination percentage, root and shoot lengths, seedling dry matter, and vigor index of the three soybean varieties. Antioxidant gene expression was examined in the seedling tissues and indicated a significant stimulatory effect of ultrasonication on catalase and superoxide dismutase antioxidant gene expression. Scanning electron microscopy results showed multiple changes in soybean varieties. Seed coat rupturing appeared as pores and cracks on the waved seed coat and possibly increased seed germination. Soybean varieties revealed different abilities to germinate, grow, and develop, as well as different antioxidant gene expression in response to ultrasound treatments. In light of the results obtained, ultrasonication can be widely used to include other crops that face serious challenges in germination.
Evaluation of the Composition and Accumulation Pattern of Fatty Acids in Tartary Buckwheat Seed at the Germplasm Level
Authors: Lv Qiuyu , Wang Jiarui , Sun Peiyuan , Cai Fang , Ran Bin , Deng Jiao , Shi Taoxiong , Chen Qingfu , Li Hongyou
Published: October 2022

Tartary buckwheat seeds not only contain higher contents of bioactive flavonoids, but also are rich in fatty acids. However, the composition, accumulation patterns, and biosynthesis genes of fatty acids in Tartary buckwheat seeds remain largely unclear. Here, we investigated the total lipid content, total flavonoid content, and ten fatty acids in the seeds of 31 different Tartary buckwheat accessions, analyzed the accumulation patterns of ten fatty acids during seed development, and identified the biosynthesis genes of fatty acids. The results indicated that there were significant differences in the total lipid content, total flavonoid content, and ten fatty acids among different Tartary buckwheat accessions. Among these ten fatty acids, the palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid were the most abundant fatty acids in Tartary buckwheat seeds. A total of ten fatty acids displayed five kinds of different accumulation patterns during the development of seeds. A total of 14 genes involved in the biosynthesis of main fatty acid were identified and it was found that FAD5 may play a crucial role in fatty acid biosynthesis in Tartary buckwheat seed. These results not only indicate that Tartary buckwheat is an excellent food source, but also provide helpful information for new cultivar breeding with high health-promotion value.
Analysis of the Expansion Characteristics and Carrying Capacity of Oasis Farmland in Northwestern China in Recent 40 Years
Authors: Li Bofei , Gui Dongwei , Xue Dongping , Liu Yunfei , Ahmed Zeeshan , Lei Jiaqiang
Published: October 2022

An oasis is a unique landscape that fuels human subsistence and socioeconomic development in the desert ecosystem. However, the overexpansion of oases, especially farmlands, poses severe threats to available land and water resources. This study aims to assess the expansion levels, carrying capacity dynamics, and planting structure optimization to maximize economic returns in northwest China’s five Typical Oasis Groups (5TOGs) using uniform data sources, time scales, and methods. Satellite products and a water-heat balance model were used to evaluate the changes in the area and carrying capacity dynamics of the 5TOGs. A linear programming approach was used to optimize each oasis’s cropping structure for the carrying level scenario. The results showed that the area of 5TOGs has expanded from 1980–2020, and the increment of oasis farmland is the main driver of oasis expansion. The most dramatic expansion of oases and their farmlands occurred during 2010–2020. As a consequence, the carrying capacity of each oasis is deteriorating with this expansion. The additional water resources to support this expansion of the oases and their farmlands come from groundwater, which is declining rapidly. Based on the optimized planting structure, cotton remains the main crop in Xinjiang oases with more than 60% area, the cotton area should be reduced in the Hotan River Oases, and the planting structure of the Heihe River Oasis will remain unchanged. The findings of this study have provided a quantitative analysis of oasis expansion and planting structure optimization, which have practical implications for water resource management and sustainable development of agriculture to maintain the stability of the oasis ecosystem.
Micronutrients Foliar and Drench Application Mitigate Mango Sudden Decline Disorder and Impact Fruit Yield
Authors: Umar Ummadud din , Ahmed Niaz , Zafar Muhammad Zeshan , Rehman Ateequr , Naqvi Syed Atif Hasan , Zulfiqar Muhammad Asif , Malik Muhammad Tariq , Ali Baber , Saleem Muhammad Hamzah , Marc Romina Alina
Published: October 2022

Mango sudden death (MSD) or quick decline (QD) is the most destructive disease found in mango orchards of Pakistan and is characterized by collapse of the vascular system by Ceratocystis fimbriata and Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Cultural practices, chemicals, and biological control are the most valuable tools for the management of MSD, but the role of micronutrient deficiencies has remained an area that is heavily ignored by the farming community. To study the impact of micronutrients, four mango orchards were selected at different locations where different combinations of micronutrients, i.e., Zinc (Zn), Boran (B), and Copper (Cu) in the form of Zinc sulphate (ZnSO4), Borax/Boric acid (H3BO3), and Copper Sulphate (CuSO4), were applied both foliar and in drench along with the recommended doses of Nitrogen: Phosphorous: Potassium (NPK), and Farmyard manure (FYM), respectively. The quantities of micronutrients were determined from the soil and leaves before and after application of the treatments. The impact of micronutrients was measured in terms of reduction in disease severity and increase in fruit yield. The results revealed that the application of all three micronutrients both in soil drench and in foliar form significantly decreased the disease severity at three locations and increased the yield in all four mango orchards. Application of ZnSO4 (0.8%), +H3BO3 (0.8%), +CuSO4 (0.5%) and as soil drench ZnSO4 (400 g) + Borax (200 g) + CuSO4 200 g plant−1 proved to be the best treatments, with an average of 12.88 and 14.03% reduction in disease severity and with an average yield of 128 and 119 kg, respectively. The application of micronutrients would be a promising solution in an integrated disease management program used to tackle MSD.