bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Safety Management Assessment of Coal Mine Roofs Based on the DEMATEL-ANP Method
Authors: Li Lei , Ouyang Youpeng
Published: May 2022

Coal mine roof accidents are one of the main single risks faced by coal miners. According to the statistical data of coal mine accidents in China, there were 40 roof accidents and 55 deaths in 2020 alone, accounting for 32.8 and 24.4% of the total, respectively. Therefore, we can see its danger. To realize the comprehensive scientific assessment of coal mine roof accidents, first, through the collation and analysis of relevant literature reviews and accident investigation reports, combined with the expert investigation method, an assessment index system of coal mine roof accidents is constructed. Then, based on the analysis of the characteristics of the influencing factors of coal mine roof accidents, the assessment model of coal mine roof accidents is established by using the DEMATEL-ANP method. Finally, the established assessment model is applied to a coal mine to verify the rationality of the model.
Decision-Support Groundwater Modelling of Managed Aquifer Recharge in a Coastal Aquifer in South Portugal
Authors: Standen Kath , Hugman Rui , Monteiro José Paulo
Published: May 2022

The Vale do Lobo sector of the Campina de Faro aquifer system in the Algarve (Portugal) is at risk of seawater intrusion. Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is being considered to avoid groundwater quality deterioration. Numerical modelling was undertaken to assess the feasibility of several proposed MAR schemes. Although some data is available, many aspects of system behaviour are not well understood or measured. We demonstrate the use of a structurally simple but parametrically complex model for decision-making in a coastal aquifer. Modelling was designed to facilitate uncertainty reduction through data assimilation where possible, whilst acknowledging that which remains unknown elsewhere. Open-source software was employed throughout, and the workflow was scripted (reproducible). The model was designed to be fast-running (rapid) and numerically stable to facilitate data assimilation and represent prediction-pertinent uncertainty (robust). Omitting physical processes and structural detail constrains the type of predictions that can be made. This was addressed by assessing the effectiveness of MAR at maintaining the fresh-seawater interface (approximated using the Ghyben-Herzberg relationship) below specified thresholds. This enabled the use of a constant-density model, rather than attempting to explicitly simulating the interaction between fresh and seawater. Although predictive uncertainty may be increased, it is outweighed by the ability to extract information from the available data. Results show that, due to the limit on water availability and the continued groundwater extraction at unsustainable rates, only limited improvements in hydraulic heads can be achieved with the proposed MAR schemes. This is an important finding for decision-makers, as it indicates that a considerable reduction in extraction in addition to MAR will be required. Our approach identified these limitations, avoiding the need for further data collection, and demonstrating the value of purposeful model design.
Modeling Mesoscale Eddies Generated Over the Continental Slope, East Antarctica
Authors: Zhang Li , Liu Chengyan , Sun Wenjin , Wang Zhaomin , Liang Xi , Li Xiang , Cheng Chen
Published: May 2022

Mesoscale eddies are abundant over the Antarctic continental slope, with the potential to regulate the water masses transport, mixing, and energy transfer. Over the relatively cold and fresh shelf regions around the Antarctic margins, in the absence of dense overflows, the baroclinic instability of the Antarctic Slope Current is still favorable in the generation of mesoscale eddies. However, mesoscale eddies are barely observed over the fresh shelf regions due to the sparsity of in situ hydrographic observations. Based on an idealized eddy-resolving coupled ocean-ice shelf model, this study investigates the characteristics of mesoscale eddies and corresponding influences on the local hydrographic properties over the continental slope, East Antarctica. With the aid of an automated eddy detection algorithm, bowl-shaped eddies are identified from the simulated velocity vector geometry. The Cyclonic Eddies (CE) has a barotropic vertical structure extending to more than 2,500 m depth, while the vertical shear of the Anticyclonic Eddies (AE) velocity is strong at the upper 200 m layer. Mesoscale eddies can trap the cold and fresh water in the southern flank of the Antarctic slope front and flow offshore to the relatively warm and saline region. Therefore, the influences of eddies on the hydrographic properties are not only governed by the eddy polarities but also the eddy-induced heat and salt transport.
Cooperated Online Learning and Optimization Operation of the Low Voltage Distribution System Considering User Electrical Characteristics
Authors: Zhang Jianhua , Liu Jun , Jia Xingnan , Xu Xiaoqing , Du Zhewei , Shen Kaiwei
Published: May 2022

With the acceleration of energy reform, photovoltaic, energy storage, electric vehicles, and other new loads in low-voltage distribution networks have been rapidly developed. However, the distribution network with distributed power supply has some problems, such as imprecise power flow modeling and difficult coordination between various energy sources and loads, which bring challenges to the online optimization of the distribution network load curve. In this study, a multi-time scale online load optimal operation scheme of the distribution network is proposed by using the Bayesian online learning method. This scheme transforms the online power optimization of the distribution network into a Markov decision process. The output time of different energy sources is different, and the load with different user load characteristics is optimized. The scheme can track the state of the distribution network in real time and make the optimization scheme of multi-energy output online. Finally, an example is given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, which has theoretical significance for promoting the diversified development of low-voltage user-side load.
Does Environmental Regulation Promote the Volatility of Technological Progress? —Analysis Based on the Law of Entropy Generation
Authors: Cao Jianhong , Law Siong Hook , Wu Desheng , Tang Xianghua , Fan Yaojun , Yang Xiaodong
Published: May 2022

The existing literature show that there are uncertainty about the impact of environmental regulation on technological progress, and the digital financial inclusion is closely related to environmental regulation and technological progress. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to study the effect of environmental regulation on the volatility of technological progress with digital financial inclusion as the threshold variable by using the System GMM method and the dynamic threshold model. The sample employed in this paper is collected from 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2018. The findings show that: first, environmental regulation insignificantly promotes the volatility of technological progress; second, the interaction term between environmental regulation and digital financial inclusion significantly inhibits the volatility of technological progress; third, taking digital financial inclusion as the threshold variable, there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between environmental regulation and the volatility of technological progress. In addition, this paper uses the law of entropy generation to explain the theoretical mechanism of this study. The empirical results of this paper emphasize that digital financial inclusion is of great significance to improve the efficiency of China’s environmental regulation and maintain the stability of technological progress, which is conducive to accelerating the green transformation of China’s economy. Therefore, the state should introduce relevant policies to support and promote the digitalization and inclusion of finance, so as to help improve China’s environmental quality.
Effect of Hydrothermal Pretreatment on Anaerobic Digestion of Erythromycin Fermentation Dregs: Biogas Production, Antibiotic Resistance Gene Evolution, and Microbial Community Dynamics
Authors: Wang Yafei , Kuang Shaoping , Wang Mengmeng
Published: May 2022

The utilization of erythromycin fermentation dregs (EFD), one kind of solid biowaste, is limited due to the high-level residue of antibiotics. Hydrothermal pretreatment (HT) has great potential to remove residual antibiotics. However, its harmless performance and influence on the EFD anerobic digestion (AD) process remains unclear. In this study, HT was conducted for erythromycin removal before EFD AD with the temperature ranging from 80 to 180°C. Moreover, changes in biogas yield, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and microbial communities in the EFD AD process were compared among different treatments. The results showed that under the optimal hydrothermal temperature of 160°C, more than 85% of erythromycin was eliminated. In addition, HT significantly reduced the ARGs in the EFD AD process and ermT and mefA relative abundance decreased by one order of magnitude. Mobile genetic elements (IntI1 and Tn916/1545) also showed decreased tendency with the hydrothermal temperature elevation. The maximum methane production of 428.3 ml g−1 VS was obtained in the AD system of EFD with hydrothermal treatment at 160°C. It is attributed to the cooperation of hydrolysis and acidogenesis bacteria (e.g., Aminicenantales and Sedimentibacter) and methylotrophic methanogens (Candidatus_Methanofastidiosum and Methanosarcina), and they presented the highest relative abundance in this group. The results indicated that methylated substance reduction was the major methanogenesis route. Hydrothermal technology was of great potential to realize the harmless treatment of EFD and for recycling EFD via AD.
Can Environmental Risk Management Improve the Adaptability of Farmer Households’ Livelihood Strategies? ——Evidence From Hubei Province, China
Authors: Zhang Chongmei , Luo Xin , Song Jiahao , Fu Zhuoying , Huang Zeng , Wang Wei
Published: May 2022

With the rising temperature, uneven precipitation and frequent occurrence of extreme weather caused by global climate change, agricultural production is facing more severe challenges. Based on the sustainable livelihoods framework, this paper measures the index of farmer households’ livelihood strategy adaptability and analyzes the benefits of farmer households’ environmental risk management on livelihood strategy adaptability by using microscopic research data of 970 farmer households’ livelihoods in Hubei Province, China, in 2020. This paper found that the farmer households’ environmental risk management variables have a significant impact on the adaptability of farmer households’ livelihood strategies, with the stronger the farmer households’ environmental risk management capacity, the more adaptable its livelihood strategy. The impact of farmer households’ environmental risk management variables on livelihood strategies varies for farmer households with different income levels. Therefore, this paper proposes that we should improve farmers’ perception of climate change, promote the diffusion of adaptive technologies, improve agricultural insurance policies, give full play to the collective role of village collectives, companies and cooperatives, and promote the transformation and upgrading of livelihood approaches to further improve the adaptability of livelihood strategies.
Understanding Tricky Cellular and Molecular Interactions in Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment: New Food for Thought
Authors: Agostini Antonio , Orlacchio Arturo , Carbone Carmine , Guerriero Ilaria
Published: May 2022

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents 90% of all pancreatic cancer cases and shows a high mortality rate among all solid tumors. PDAC is often associated with poor prognosis, due to the late diagnosis that leads to metastasis development, and limited efficacy of available treatments. The tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a reliable source of novel targets for therapy, and even if many of the biological interactions among stromal, immune, and cancer cells that populate the TME have been studied, much more needs to be clarified. The great limitation in the efficacy of current standard chemoterapy is due to both the dense fibrotic inaccessible TME barrier surrounding cancer cells and the immunological evolution from a tumor-suppressor to an immunosuppressive environment. Nevertheless, combinatorial therapies may prove more effective at overcoming resistance mechanisms and achieving tumor cell killing. To achieve this result, a deeper understanding of the pathological mechanisms driving tumor progression and immune escape is required in order to design rationale-based therapeutic strategies. This review aims to summarize the present knowledge about cellular interactions in the TME, with much attention on immunosuppressive functioning and a specific focus on extracellular matrix (ECM) contribution.
Roles of Atmosphere Thermodynamic and Ocean Dynamic Processes on the Upward Trend of Summer Marine Heatwaves Occurrence in East Asian Marginal Seas
Authors: Lee Sang-Bin , Yeh Sang-Wook , Lee Jeong-Seo , Park Young-Gyu , Kwon Minho , Jun Sang-Yoon , Jo Hyun-Su
Published: May 2022

By analyzing the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reanalysis version 5 (ERA5) dataset, we found increased frequency of marine heatwaves (MHWs) in East Asian marginal seas (EAMS) during the boreal summer (June-July-August) in the recent past. To examine which processes are responsible for the upward trend of MHW occurrence, we performed three numerical simulations using Modular Ocean Model version 5 (MOM5) forced by ERA5 dataset. The first experiment used historical atmospheric variables to force the MOM5 for 1982 to 2020, which reasonably simulated the upward trend of MHWs as well as its dominant variability in terms of temporal and spatial structure in EAMS. The second (third) experiment is the same as in the first except that the atmosphere variables used to force the MOM5 consisted of thermodynamic (dynamic) variables only. The upward trend of MHW occurrence in EAMS is simulated in the first and the second experiment only. We argue that the atmosphere thermodynamic processes, in particular, the shortwave radiative forcing, play a key role in inducing the upward trend of MHW occurrence in EAMS during the boreal summer compared to the ocean dynamic processes.
Assessing the Resilience of the Marine Economy: A Case Study of Southern China’s Marine Economy Circle
Authors: Hu Yue , Zhou Han Qian , Jin Xiao Mei , Shen Ya Fang , Yan Yong Zhe
Published: May 2022

As an important part of the national economy, the marine economy will be subject to various internal and external disturbances in the process of development. Different regions will show different resilience. Based on four dimensions of “resistance–recovery–reorientation–renewal,” this paper measures the marine economic resilience of the four provinces covered within the China’s Southern Marine Economy Circle from 2008 to 2018 by establishing an evaluation index system. The results show that 1) the overall resilience of economy in the Southern Marine Economy Circle showed a fluctuating upward trend from 2008 to 2018. Although there was a decline in 2011–2012 due to natural disasters, the value quickly resumed its increasing trend. 2) At present, there are obvious relative differences in the resilience of marine economy in each region of China’s Southern Marine Economy Circle, and the polarization phenomenon is serious. Among them, Guangdong belongs to the high-value region and Fujian is in the middle, while Hainan and Guangxi are temporarily in the low-value area.
Metal Ion Binding in Wild-Type and Mutated Frataxin: A Stability Study
Authors: Morante S. , Botticelli S. , Chiaraluce R. , Consalvi V. , La Penna G. , Novak L. , Pasquo A. , Petrosino M. , Proux O. , Rossi G. , Salina G. , Stellato F.
Published: May 2022

This work studies the stability of wild-type frataxin and some of its variants found in cancer tissues upon Co2+ binding. Although the physiologically involved metal ion in the frataxin enzymatic activity is Fe2+, as it is customarily done, Co2+ is most often used in experiments because Fe2+ is extremely unstable owing to the fast oxidation reaction Fe2+ → Fe3+. Protein stability is monitored following the conformational changes induced by Co2+ binding as measured by circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, and melting temperature measurements. The stability ranking among the wild-type frataxin and its variants obtained in this way is confirmed by a detailed comparative analysis of the XAS spectra of the metal-protein complex at the Co K-edge. In particular, a fit to the EXAFS region of the spectrum allows positively identifying the frataxin acidic ridge as the most likely location of the metal-binding sites. Furthermore, we can explain the surprising feature emerging from a detailed analysis of the XANES region of the spectrum, showing that the longer 81-210 frataxin fragment has a smaller propensity for Co2+ binding than the shorter 90-210 one. This fact is explained by the peculiar role of the N-terminal disordered tail in modulating the protein ability to interact with the metal.
Construction of the miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Networks and Explore Their Role in the Development of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Fan Xingchen , Zou Xuan , Liu Cheng , Liu Jiawen , Peng Shuang , Zhang Shiyu , Zhou Xin , Wang Tongshan , Geng Xiangnan , Song Guoxin , Zhu Wei
Published: May 2022

Purpose: MicroRNA (miRNA) binds to target mRNA and inhibit post-transcriptional gene expression. It plays an essential role in regulating gene expression, cell cycle, and biological development. This study aims to identify potential miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks that contribute to the pathogenesis of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC).

Patients and Methods: MiRNA microarray and RNA-Seq datasets were obtained from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) databases, the cancer genome atlas (TCGA), miRcancer, and dbDEMC. The GEO2R tool, “limma” and “DEseq” R packages were used to perform differential expression analysis. Gene enrichment analysis was conducted using the DAVID, DIANA, and Hiplot tools. The miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks were screened from the experimentally validated miRNA-target interactions databases (miRTarBase and TarBase). External validation was carried out in 30 pairs of LUSC tissues by Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and decision curve analysis (DCA) were conducted to evaluate the diagnostic value. Clinical, survival and phenotypic analysis of miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks were further explored.

Results: We screened 5 miRNA and 10 mRNA expression datasets from GEO and identified 7 DE-miRNAs and 270 DE-mRNAs. After databases screening and correlation analysis, four pairs of miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks were screened out. The miRNA-mRNA network of miR-205-5p (up) and PTPRM (down) was validated in 30 pairs of LUSC tissues. MiR-205-5p and PTPRM have good diagnostic efficacy and are expressed differently in different clinical features and are related to tumor immunity.

Conclusion: The research identified a potential miRNA-mRNA regulatory network, providing a new way to explore the genesis and development of LUSC.
Basal Forebrain Impairment: Understanding the Mnemonic Function of the Septal Region Translates in Therapeutic Advances
Authors: Tsanov Marian
Published: May 2022

The basal forebrain is one of the three major brain circuits involved in episodic memory formation together with the hippocampus and the diencephalon. The dysfunction of each of these regions is known to cause anterograde amnesia. While the hippocampal pyramidal neurons are known to encode episodic information and the diencephalic structures are known to provide idiothetic information, the contribution of the basal forebrain to memory formation has been exclusively associated with septo-hippocampal cholinergic signaling. Research data from the last decade broadened our understanding about the role of septal region in memory formation. Animal studies revealed that septal neurons process locomotor, rewarding and attentional stimuli. The integration of these signals results in a systems model for the mnemonic function of the medial septum that could guide new therapeutic strategies for basal forebrain impairment (BFI). BFI includes the disorders characterized with basal forebrain amnesia and neurodegenerative disorders that affect the basal forebrain. Here, we demonstrate how the updated model of septal mnemonic function can lead to innovative translational treatment approaches that include pharmacological, instrumental and behavioral techniques.
Gaps and Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence Applications for Pediatric Oncology in European Research: A Systematic Review of Reviews and a Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Tozzi Alberto Eugenio , Fabozzi Francesco , Eckley Megan , Croci Ileana , Dell’Anna Vito Andrea , Colantonio Erica , Mastronuzzi Angela
Published: May 2022

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) systems is emerging in many fields in recent years, due to the increased computing power available at lower cost. Although its applications in various branches of medicine, such as pediatric oncology, are many and promising, its use is still in an embryonic stage. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the state of the art regarding the AI application in pediatric oncology, through a systematic review of systematic reviews, and to analyze current trends in Europe, through a bibliometric analysis of publications written by European authors. Among 330 records found, 25 were included in the systematic review. All papers have been published since 2017, demonstrating only recent attention to this field. The total number of studies included in the selected reviews was 674, with a third including an author with a European affiliation. In bibliometric analysis, 304 out of the 978 records found were included. Similarly, the number of publications began to dramatically increase from 2017. Most explored AI applications regard the use of diagnostic images, particularly radiomics, as well as the group of neoplasms most involved are the central nervous system tumors. No evidence was found regarding the use of AI for process mining, clinical pathway modeling, or computer interpreted guidelines to improve the healthcare process. No robust evidence is yet available in any of the domains investigated by systematic reviews. However, the scientific production in Europe is significant and consistent with the topics covered in systematic reviews at the global level. The use of AI in pediatric oncology is developing rapidly with promising results, but numerous gaps and challenges persist to validate its utilization in clinical practice. An important limitation is the need for large datasets for training algorithms, calling for international collaborative studies.
Exercise Prescription Improve the Rehabilitation of a Child With Viral Encephalitis Sequelae: A Case Report
Authors: Wang Yang , Kang Xiaodong , Jiao Jiao , Zhou Jihe , Chow Bik-Chu , Baker Julien S. , Zhao Li , Liu Siyu
Published: May 2022

This study conducted a personalized exercise prescription intervention on a child with viral encephalitis sequelae (VES). The purpose was to observe the rehabilitation process from the aspects of brain activation, and the curative effects on balance function and gait. A further aim was to explore the possible nerve biomechanical mechanisms between the extent of brain activation and the improvement in balance function and gait. A 12-week exercise prescription was used as the treatment method, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), balance function test system, plantar pressure distribution system, and 3D gait system were used to assess the effects of the rehabilitation process pre and post the intervention. Following the exercise prescription intervention: (1) fNIRS showed that brain activation in the S1–D1, S1–D2, S1–D3, S2–D1, S3–D2, S3–D3, S4–D3, S5–D5, S5–D6, S5–D7, S7–D6, S7–D7, S8–D7, and S8–D8 increased significantly (P < 0.05). (2) The balance test showed that the area of motion ellipse and movement length of the child with eyes open decreased significantly and area of motion ellipse, back and forth swing, left and right swing and movement length of the child with eyes closed all decreased significantly (P < 0.05). (3) The static plantar pressure distribution demonstrated that the pressure center of the left and right foot decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 5.3° dislocation in a straight line in the sagittal plane to 1°; an increment of the pressure loading was found on the forefoot of both feet compared with what was recorded in the pre-test. (4) The testing results of the 3D gait system showed that she had a shortened time of unilateral support phase and prolonged swing phase on the affected leg (P < 0.05), compared to that of the non-affected leg. Furthermore, the dual support phase had also been prolonged (P < 0.05). Conclusion: 12 weeks’ individualized exercise training can enhance the activation in the motor areas and improve balance function and gait in a child with VES.
Hepatoprotective Effects of Glycyrrhetinic Acid on Lithocholic Acid-Induced Cholestatic Liver Injury Through Choleretic and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms
Authors: Wang Qian , Song Guo-Chao , Weng Feng-Yi , Zou Bin , Jin Jing-Yi , Yan Dong-Ming , Tan Bo , Zhao Jing , Li Yue , Qiu Fu-Rong
Published: May 2022

Cholestasis is a clinical syndrome triggered by the accumulation and aggregation of bile acids by subsequent inflammatory responses. The present study investigated the protective effect of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) on the cholestatic liver injury induced by lithocholic acid (LCA) from both anti-inflammatory and choleretic mechanistic standpoints. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with LCA twice daily for 4 days to induce intrahepatic cholestasis. GA (50 mg/kg) and pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile (PCN, 45 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally injected 3 days before and throughout the administration of LCA, respectively. Plasma biochemical indexes were determined by assay kits, and hepatic bile acids were quantified by LC-MS/MS. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of liver sections was performed for pathological examination. Protein expression of the TLRs/NF-κB pathway and the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were examined by Western blotting and PCR, respectively. Finally, the hepatic expression of pregnane X receptor (PXR) and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and their target genes encoding metabolic enzymes and transporters was evaluated. GA significantly reversed liver necrosis and decreased plasma ALT and ALP activity. Plasma total bile acids, total bilirubin, and hepatic bile acids were also remarkably preserved. More importantly, the recruitment of inflammatory cells to hepatic sinusoids was alleviated. Additionally, the protein expression of TLR2, TLR4, and p-NF-κBp65 and the mRNA expression of CCL2, CXCL2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly decreased. Moreover, GA significantly increased the expression of hepatic FXR and its target genes, including BSEP, MRP3, and MRP4. In conclusion, GA protects against LCA-induced cholestatic liver injury by inhibiting the TLR2/NF-κB pathway and upregulating hepatic FXR expression.
A Recognition Method of Soybean Leaf Diseases Based on an Improved Deep Learning Model
Authors: Yu Miao , Ma Xiaodan , Guan Haiou , Liu Meng , Zhang Tao
Published: May 2022

Soybean is an important oil crop and plant protein source, and phenotypic traits' detection for soybean diseases, which seriously restrict yield and quality, is of great significance for soybean breeding, cultivation, and fine management. The recognition accuracy of traditional deep learning models is not high, and the chemical analysis operation process of soybean diseases is time-consuming. In addition, artificial observation and experience judgment are easily affected by subjective factors and difficult to guarantee the accuracy of the objective. Thus, a rapid identification method of soybean diseases was proposed based on a new residual attention network (RANet) model. First, soybean brown leaf spot, soybean frogeye leaf spot, and soybean phyllosticta leaf spot were used as research objects, the OTSU algorithm was adopted to remove the background from the original image. Then, the sample dataset of soybean disease images was expanded by image enhancement technology based on a single leaf image of soybean disease. In addition, a residual attention layer (RAL) was constructed using attention mechanisms and shortcut connections, which further embedded into the residual neural network 18 (ResNet18) model. Finally, a new model of RANet for recognition of soybean diseases was established based on attention mechanism and idea of residuals. The result showed that the average recognition accuracy of soybean leaf diseases was 98.49%, and the F1-value was 98.52 with recognition time of 0.0514 s, which realized an accurate, fast, and efficient recognition model for soybean leaf diseases.
Contrasting Phaseolus Crop Water Use Patterns and Stomatal Dynamics in Response to Terminal Drought
Authors: Polania Jose A. , Salazar-Chavarría Violeta , Gonzalez-Lemes Ingrid , Acosta-Maspons Alexis , Chater Caspar C. C. , Covarrubias Alejandra A.
Published: May 2022

Terminal drought stress affects more than half of the areas planted with common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), the main food legume globally, generating severe yield losses. Phenotyping water deficit responses and water use are central strategies to develop improved terminal drought resilience. The exploration and exploitation of genetic diversity in breeding programs are gaining importance, with a particular interest in related species with great adaptation to biotic and abiotic factors. This is the case with tepary beans (Phaseolus acutifolius), a bean that evolved and was domesticated in arid conditions and is considered well adapted to drought and heat stress. Under greenhouse conditions, using one genotype of tepary beans (resistant to drought) and two of common beans (one resistant and one susceptible to terminal drought), we evaluated phenotypic differences in traits such as water use efficiency (WUE), transpiration efficiency, rate of photosynthesis, photosynthetic efficiency, stomatal density, stomatal index, stomatal size, and the threshold for transpiration decline under well-watered and terminal drought conditions. Our results indicate two different water use strategies in drought-resistant genotypes: one observed in common bean aimed at conserving soil water by closing stomata early, inhibiting stomatal development, and limiting growth; and the other observed in tepary bean, where prolonged stomatal opening and higher carbon fixation, combined with no changes in stomata distribution, lead to higher biomass accumulation. Strategies that contribute to drought adaptation combined with other traits, such as greater mobilization of photoassimilates to the formation of reproductive structures, confer bean drought resistance and are useful targets in breeding programs.
Water Stress Inhibits Germination While Maintaining Embryo Viability of Subtropical Wetland Seeds: A Functional Approach With Phylogenetic Contrasts
Authors: Bhatt Arvind , Daibes L. Felipe , Gallacher David J. , Jarma-Orozco Alfredo , Pompelli Marcelo F.
Published: May 2022

Wetland species commonly exhibit a range of strategies to cope with water stress, either through drought tolerance or through avoidance of the period of limited water availability. Natural populations provide a genetic resource for ecological remediation and may also have direct economic value. We investigated the effects of drought stress on the seed germination of wetland species. Nineteen species were germinated in four concentrations of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) and were evaluated daily (12-h light photoperiod) or after 35 days (continuous darkness) to determine seed germination under water stress. Germination percentage decreased with an increase in polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) concentration, but species’ germination response to PEG concentration varied significantly. Seeds recovered their germinability after the alleviation of water stress, but the extent of recovery was species-dependent.
“Can You Deny Her That?” Processes of Governmentality and Socialization of Parents in Elite Women’s Gymnastics
Authors: Smits Froukje , Jacobs Frank , Knoppers Annelies
Published: May 2022

Abusive practices in elite women’s artistic gymnastics (WAG) have been the focus of discussions about how to eliminate or reduce them. Both coaches and parents have been named as key actors in bringing about change. Our focus is on parents and their ability to safeguard their daughters in WAG. Parents are not independent actors, however, but are part of a larger web consisting of an entanglement of emotions and technologies and rationalities used by staff, other parents, and athletes, bounded by skill development plans and by coaching expertise and authority. This entanglement may limit the ability of parents to bring about change. We draw on a Deleuzian notion of assemblage, Foucauldian concepts of discourse and governmentality and Ahmed’s assertion about the entanglement of discourses and emotions to explore how parents are disciplined into accepting dominant discursive practices of sport clubs for elite athletes. The data were drawn from a project called the Parental Awareness Program (PAP) that was designed to make parents aware of practices in competitive WAG that may not be in their child’s best interest. Participants were parents of young gymnasts who had been identified as “talented” and who were members of an elite gymnastics club. The data analysis was based on focus group discussions with a total of 22 parents and semi-structured interviews with 8 parents. The results suggested that although parents problematized many practices during PAP, processes of governmentality involving an assemblage of discourses about coaching expertise, families, talent, enjoyment, long term skill development plans and its associated time demands, together ensured parental consent for dominant practices. The data suggested that a reduction of abusive practices lies in part in critical examinations of skill development plans that are presented as regimes of truth and are kept in place by emotions and the authority accorded to coaching expertise. These processes curtail parents in their ability to safeguard what is in the best pedagogical interest of their daughter.
Coaching as a Buffer for Organisational Change
Authors: Huflejt-Łukasik Mirosława , Jędrzejczyk Jan , Podlaś Piotr
Published: May 2022

When introducing changes to an organisation, it is crucial to know how a given change will affect the company’s success. It is easy to forget or, more frequently, fail to appreciate the importance of the feelings and thoughts of the people who experience such changes. The distinction between objective change and subjective change is helpful in understanding the psychological consequences of changes and how they may affect the effectiveness of introducing changes in organisations. Results of studies on the psychological costs of changes for an individual indicate that there are differences in the way people experience objective and subjective changes, and that the way a change is perceived by an individual (i.e., subjective change) is crucial for the consequences of change. Studies have also identified factors which can buffer the negative consequences that changes may have on an individual. For changes in an organisation, coaching is one method to nurture these buffering factors in affected individuals, and, most of all, in those who are responsible for planning and introducing the changes, so that the employees of a company can experience the change in the most constructive way possible.
Developing EFL Teachers' Technological Pedagogical Knowledge Through Practices in Virtual Platform
Authors: Zhang Yu
Published: May 2022

Currently, advancements in information and communication technology (ICT) and an increased interest in using the Internet for educational purposes have led educators to work in new virtual settings. However, using technology in teaching requires the understanding and information of English educators. Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) is an educator's knowledge concept regarding integrating technology into education. Also, how educators integrate technology effectively into their classes is a significant issue, as learning environments are influenced by rapid advances in instructional technology. Consistent with this issue, it is critical for teacher development to integrate ICT into educational tasks in the design, application, and assessment of practices in a virtual setting. To this end, the objective of the present review is to consider the role of practice in the virtual platform in developing EFL teachers' TPACK. Ultimately, some implications are presented for the EFL educational stakeholders.
Research on China's Monetary Policy Orientation and Regulation in COVID-19
Authors: Zhou Baicheng , Huang Zilun , Wang Shu
Published: May 2022

The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019 has caused a huge impact on the global economy. In this context, it is of great significance to study the orientation and regulation of China's monetary policy, which aims to mitigate the external impact brought by COVID-19. Therefore, this paper uses the SV-TVP-FAVAR model to analyze the dynamic relationships among interest rate, inflation gap and output gap. The main conclusions are as follows. First, the output gap has a significant impact on the adjustment of the interest rate and inflation gap. In the COVID-19 era, the former response is positive and the latter response is negative. Second, the impact of the inflation gap on the interest rate fluctuates frequently, but the impact has gradually weakened in recent years. In addition, the inflation gap shows a significant positive response to the impact of the output gap. Third, interest rate is characterized by targeting the output gap and the inflation gap in the short term. However, in the period of COVID-19, the regulation effect of China's monetary policy on the inflation gap and the output gap has weakened. Meanwhile, compared with targeting the output gap, monetary policy has a more obvious orientation to control inflation.
Effect of the COVID-19 Mitigation Measure on Dental Care Needs in 17 Countries: A Regression Discontinuity Analysis
Authors: Qu Xing , Yu Chenxi , He Qingyue , Li Ziran , Houser Shannon H. , Zhang Wei , Li Ding
Published: May 2022

Objectives

The effect of COVID-19 mitigation measures on different oral health care needs is unclear. This study aimed to estimate the effect of COVID-19 mitigation measures on different types of oral health care utilization needs and explore the heterogeneity of such effects in different countries by using real-time Internet search data.

Methods

Data were obtained from Google Trends and other public databases. The monthly relative search volume (RSV) of the search topics “toothache,” “gingivitis,” “dentures,” “orthodontics,” and “mouth ulcer” from January 2004 to June 2021 was collected for analysis. The RSV value of each topics before and after COVID-19 was the primary outcome, which was estimated by regression discontinuity analysis (RD). The effect bandwidth time after the COVID-19 outbreak was estimated by the data-driven optimal mean square error bandwidth method. Effect heterogeneity of COVID-19 on dental care was also evaluated in different dental care categories and in countries with different human development index (HDI) rankings, dentist densities, and population age structures.

Results

A total of 17,850 monthly RSV from 17 countries were used for analysis. The RD results indicated that advanced dental care was significantly decreased (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.47–0.85) after the COVID-19 outbreak, while emergency dental care toothache was significantly increased (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 0.99–2.37) 4 months after the COVID-19 outbreak. Compared to the countries with low HDI and low dentist density, the effect was much more evident in countries with high HDI and high dentist density.

Conclusions

COVID-19 mitigation measures have different effects on people with various dental care needs worldwide. Dental care services should be defined into essential care and advanced care according to specific socioeconomic status in different countries. Targeted health strategies should be conducted to satisfy different dental care needs in countries.
Maternal Levels of Cytokines in Early Pregnancy and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring
Authors: Brynge Martin , Gardner Renee M. , Sjöqvist Hugo , Lee Brian K. , Dalman Christina , Karlsson Håkan
Published: May 2022

Previous studies indicate a role of immune disturbances during early development in the etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Any potential disturbances during fetal development are best addressed by prospective evaluation of maternal markers of inflammation. Previous studies have investigated maternal cytokines, a group of powerful effectors of the immune system, with inconsistent results. In this study, we aimed to clarify the relationship between maternal cytokines and ASD by evaluating levels of 17 cytokines in first trimester maternal serum samples, from 318 mothers to ASD-cases and 429 mothers to ASD-unaffected controls, nested within the register-based Stockholm Youth Cohort. Overall, we observed no consistent associations between levels of maternal cytokines and ASD. While we observed a number of individual associations, the patterns varied across the diagnostic sub-groups. Levels above the 90th percentile of IL-1β (OR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.16–4.60), IL-7 (OR = 2.28, 95% CI 1.20–4.33), IL-13 (OR = 2.42, 95% CI 1.29–4.55), and MCP-1 (OR = 2.09, 95% CI 1.03–4.24) were associated with increased odds of ASD with co-occurring intellectual disability (ID), whereas GMCSF (OR = 2.06, 95% CI 1.03–4.11) and TNF-α (OR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.18–4.50) were associated with increased odds of ASD with ADHD but none survived correction for multiple comparisons. Also, none of the measured maternal cytokines were associated with ASD without co-occurring ID or ADHD. Implementing a data-driven approach using machine learning (Random Forest's Variable Importance measurement), we found no evidence to suggest that adding these cytokines and other markers of maternal immunity, to register-based maternal factors (e.g., psychiatric history) improves prediction of ASD. In summary, we found no robust evidence of an association between maternal immune markers during early pregnancy and ASD.
IVIM Imaging of Paraspinal Muscles Following Moderate and High-Intensity Exercise in Healthy Individuals
Authors: Englund Erin K. , Berry David B. , Behun John J. , Ward Samuel R. , Frank Lawrence R. , Shahidi Bahar
Published: May 2022

Background

Quantification of the magnitude and spatial distribution of muscle blood flow changes following exercise may improve our understanding of the effectiveness of various exercise prescriptions. Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique that quantifies molecular diffusion and microvascular blood flow, and has recently gained momentum as a method to evaluate a muscle's response to exercise. It has also been shown to predict responses to exercise-based physical therapy in individuals with low back pain. However, no study has evaluated the sensitivity of IVIM-MRI to exercise of varying intensity in humans. Here, we aimed to evaluate IVIM signal changes of the paraspinal muscles in response to moderate and high intensity lumbar extension exercise in healthy individuals.

Methods

IVIM data were collected in 11 healthy volunteers before and immediately after a 3-min bout of moderate and high-intensity resisted lumbar extension. IVIM data were analyzed to determine the average perfusion fraction (f), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*), and diffusion coefficient (D) in the bilateral paraspinal muscles. Changes in IVIM parameters were compared between the moderate and high intensity exercise bouts.

Results

Exercise increased all IVIM parameters, regardless of intensity (p < 0.003). Moderate intensity exercise resulted in a 11.2, 19.6, and 3.5% increase in f, D* and D, respectively. High intensity exercise led to a similar increase in f (12.2%), but much greater changes in D* (48.6%) and D (7.9%).

Conclusion

IVIM parameter increases suggest that both the moderate and high-intensity exercise conditions elicited measurable changes in blood flow (increased f and D*) and extravascular molecular diffusion rates (increased D), and that there was a dose-dependence of exercise intensity on D* and D.
Integrating Angular Backscatter Response Analysis Derivatives Into a Hierarchical Classification for Habitat Mapping
Authors: Porskamp Peter , Young Mary , Rattray Alex , Brown Craig J. , Hasan Rozaimi Che , Ierodiaconou Daniel
Published: May 2022

Accurate maps of biological communities are essential for monitoring and managing marine protected areas but more information on the most effective methods for developing these maps is needed. In this study, we use Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park in southeast Australia as a case study to determine the best combination of variables and scales for producing accurate habitat maps across the site. Wilsons Promontory has full multibeam echosounder (MBES) coverage coupled with towed video, remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) and drop video observations. Our study used an image segmentation approach incorporating MBES backscatter angular response curve and bathymetry derivatives to identify benthic community types using a hierarchical habitat classification scheme. The angular response curve data were extracted from MBES data using two different methods: 1) angular range analysis (ARA) and 2) backscatter angular response (AR). Habitat distributions were predicted using a supervised Random Forest approach combining bathymetry, ARA, and AR derivatives. Variable importance metrics indicated that ARA derivatives, such as grain size, impedance and volume heterogeneity were more important to model performance than AR derivatives mean, skewness, and kurtosis. Additionally, this study investigated the impact of segmentation software settings when creating segmented surfaces and their impact on overall model accuracy. We found using fine scale segmentation resulted in the best model performance. These results indicate the importance of incorporating backscatter derivatives into biological habitat maps and the need to consider scale to increase the accuracy of the outputs to help improve the spatial management of marine environments.