bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atitude de universitárias frente ao uso do preservativo feminino
Authors: Martins Hafra Kelly Pessoas , Oliveira Ingred Mellyne Lima , Oliveira Cristiana Pacífico , Torres Kelúria Brito Honório , Martins José Victor da Costa , Costa Conceição de Maria
Published: November 2023

Esta pesquisa buscou avaliar o conhecimento, as perspectivas e as práticas sobre o uso do preservativo feminino por universitárias em uma instituição pública. Também buscou caracterizar as variáveis sociodemográficas e econômicas da população estudada, identificando as barreiras e an acessibilidade ao uso do preservativo feminino. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, descritivo e transversal que será realizado em uma instituição de ensino superior pública com 133 acadêmicas. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um formulário estruturado e adaptado. O Microsoft Office Excel 2010 versão 14.0 para Windows e o número de parecer 93114218.3.0000.5660 do CEP foram usados para estratificar os dados. Estudou-se que as acadêmicas estavam em grande parte na faixa etária de 18 a 28 anos, ou 90,22% da amostra, solteiras 75,2%, quarto ano de curso 53,4%, convivem com sua família, em residência própria, não trabalham e possuem uma renda de hum salário mínimo. As descobertas do estudo mostram que existem acessibilidades e barreiras, e a curiosidade leva os alunos a comprar preservativos nas unidades de saúde. A maior barreira foi a dificuldade de inserção.
Radioembolization: technical and clinical analysis of safety
Authors:   , Braat Maria Nicole Gerardine Johanna Aleida
Published: November 2023

Radioembolization is an established antitumoral treatment for both primary liver tumors and liver metastases. Contrary to normal liver tissue, hepatic tumors are almost solely fed by branches of the hepatic artery, allowing for a selective treatment of these tumors by intra-arterial therapies, such as radioembolization. Nonetheless, some of the injected radio-active microspheres will also accumulate in the normal liver parenchyma, inducing local radiation damage.
In the first part of this thesis the clinical aspects of radiation-induced liver toxicity and radioembolization-induced liver disease (REILD) are explored, including the commonly used definitions, reporting and incidence of REILD. Also, the differences in the toxicity profile of the commercially available yttrium-90 microspheres are investigated and the use of prophylactic medication. The most important risk factor for REILD seems to be the absorbed radiation dose in the normal liver tissue. And the value of prophylactic medication in radioembolization is questionable.
In the second and third part of this thesis the potential added value of different imaging techniques, including hepatobiliary scintigraphy, FDG PET/CT and CT, in the work-up for radioembolization and the response evaluation are investigated. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy is a nuclear imaging technique, allowing for liver function quantification and visualization. After radioembolization there is a decrease in liver function in the treated part of the liver, as well as an increase in liver function of the non-treated liver part(s). FDG PET/CT is widely used for response evaluation after therapy and the FDG activity concentration in the liver is commonly adopted as a reference-tool. However, after radioembolization the FDG activity concentration of the non-tumorous liver parenchyma changes mildly, yet significantly. Knowledge of these changes can help avoid occasional misinterpretation of therapy-response.
Besides a clinical and biochemical work-up, each patient undergoes a CT as part of the patient selection. Two CT protocols in the patient workup were compared for the detection of small arterial branches. No significant differences with regard to arterial detection were observed. Also, lesions with more avid enhancement had a better treatment response, regardless of the contrast phase on which the enhancement was measured.
Macroeconomics Linkages on Indonesian Economic Growth: A Granger Causality Analysis
Authors: Yusuf Mochammad
Published: November 2023

Macroeconomic indicators and trade performance are essential components of developing countries' development as a whole. The upheaval caused by government policies, the economic crisis, and the pandemic that facilitated economic mobility became a major challenge for countries around the world. The aim of this research is to examine the linkages between macroeconomic variables and trade growth in Indonesia using the Error Correction Model and Granger Causality approaches. According to this study, inflation and exchange rates have a significant negative impact on economic growth in the long run. Meanwhile, trade and foreign investment have a significant positive impact on economic growth, both short and long-term. Furthermore, evidence found a bidirectional relationship between inflation and economic growth. Foreign investment and the exchange rate, on the other hand, have a one-way relationship with Indonesian economic growth. Based on the study's findings, it is recommended that the governments of these countries implement measures and policies to manage the real exchange rate, stabilize inflation, and protect economic growth
‘Most useful labor in time of peace’: Early Crofting Schemes in the Annexed Estates, 1763–1784
Authors: Desportes Juliette
Published: November 2023

This article focuses on the introduction of crofting tenure in the Annexed Estates (1752–1784). In 1763, the Board of Commissioners in charge of managing the estates on behalf of the British Crown launched its most ambitious ‘improvement’ scheme. Parcels of three acres, usually detached from principal farms, were turned into new settlements for disbanded soldiers and sailors from the Seven Years War. The scheme, this article argues, was one of the earliest crofting schemes ever implemented in the Scottish Highlands. The plan hoped to put the Highlands' natural and human resources to the service of the state by ensuring that the Crown could tap into a future recruiting pool and that the Board would benefit from a cheap workforce to reclaim unproductive grounds and develop the linen manufacture in the estates. The settlements were also a way to solve ‘improvement’s contradictions via spatial planning by preventing depopulation caused by the creation of contiguous farmsteads. The failure of the experiment ultimately highlighted the entrenched contractions of ‘improvement’ ideology and led to the emergence of an alternative geography of ‘improvement’ by the turn of the century.
COVID Pneumonia, Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction, QRS Fragmentation, and Electrocardiographic Wavy Triple or Yasser's Sign in Hodgkin Lymphoma-Prognostic Influence and Serious Outcome
Authors: Elsayed Yasser Mohammed Hassanain
Published: November 2023

Rationale: The COVID-19 virus with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has a remarkable effect on morbidity and mortality. Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is a category of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) that may represent a primary cardiac manifestation of COVID-19 disease. The QRS-complex fragmentation had been considered a hallmark of structural heart disease. Wavy triple, an electrocardiographic sign (Yasser’s sign) is a new specific diagnostic sign and therapeutic guide for hypocalcemia. Immunosuppression is a shared criterion for both cancers such as lymphomas and COVID-19 virus infection. Objectives: This case study aimed to clarify the role of COVID-19 viral pneumonia, chemotherapy, and Hodgkin lymphoma in the probability of the current case deterioration. Patient concerns: A 70-year-old, housewife, widow female, Egyptian patient was presented to the emergency department with COVID-19 pneumonia with Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction recently diagnosed as Hodgkin lymphoma. Methods: This is a retrospective-observational case study. Diagnosis: COVID pneumonia with Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, QRS-complex fragmentation, and Wavy triple electrocardiographic sign (Yasser’s sign) in Hodgkin lymphoma disease. Interventions: CT pulmonary angiography, electrocardiography, and oxygenation. Outcomes: Bad response and poor outcomes in the presence of numerous remarkable serious risk factors were the results. Lessons: Hypocalcemia with Wavy triple electrocardiographic sign (Yasser’s sign) and not hypercalcemia is a new description association that may be present in a malignancy. The association of COVID pneumonia with the recent use of chemotherapy in Hodgkin lymphoma is highly interesting in case of deterioration and away to death. An elderly age, female sex, COVID-19 pneumonia, Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, sinus tachycardia, QRS-complex fragmentation, Wavy triple electrocardiographic signs (Yasser’s sign), and Hodgkin lymphoma disease are constellation serious risk factors.
Effectiveness of a complex microbial preparation for oats and spring barley growing
Authors: Levishko A. , Gumeniuk I. , Tkach Ye. , Ternovyi Yu. , Kravchuk Yu.
Published: November 2023

Today, one of the main challenges for agriculture is to increase grain production and its profitability while reducing the use of chemicals. Addressing this issue is a key to meeting the human need for quality and affordable food. One of the ways to improve the efficiency of grain industry is to use effective microbial-based biological products. They will help to reduce the chemical burden on the environment and produce high quality crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and the growing season of spring oats and barley with a complex microbial preparation based on promising strains of Azotobacter vinelandii 7 AI, Azotobacter chroococcum 8 AI and Bacillus megaterium 39 AI isolated by us earlier. Field trials were carried out on the experimental fields of the Skvyra Experimental Station of Organic Production of the Institute of Agroecology and Nature Management of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (Ukraine, Kyiv region, Skvyra) in 2022. For the treatment of plants during the growing season, strains of microorganisms and their compositions were used in critical phases of crop development. After 6–7 days, the effect of these compositions on some plant growth parameters was studied. To confirm the hypothesis about the effect of treatment with promising microorganisms on the ability of plants to increase the amount of photosynthetic pigments, a quantitative analysis of plants for their content was performed. The positive effect of plant treatment was found not only on the quantity of the harvest, but also on its quality. The results of the research indicate the effectiveness of the use of a complex microbial preparation based on the proposed strains of microorganisms for such cereals as oats and spring barley. Treatment with a biopreparation based on effective, environmentally friendly and agronomically useful strains of microorganisms improves both growth and photosynthetic processes, which in turn activates their development and enhances the productivity of these crops, while significantly improving the quality of grain.
Influence of humic and fulvic acids on living organisms and prospects for their application
Authors: Rylskyi O. , Petrusha Yu. , Dombrovskyi K. , Okhrimenko S.
Published: November 2023

An analysis of current and previous literature on the impact of humic and fulvic acids on organisms of different taxonomic levels (e.g. plants, animals, microorganisms) shows that these substances have an impact both at the molecular and structural level and at the organismal level. A great amount of work has been devoted to the study of the impact on plants and animals, with a much smaller number of studies on the effect of humic substances on human health. Humic and fulvic acids along with preparations based on them are widely used in crop production in order to increase plant resistance to adverse environmental factors, enhance crop yields, restore soil fertility, improve the nutritional value of products and their environmental friendliness. In livestock farming, the use of biologically active humic and fulvic preparations helps to accelerate animal growth, improve resistance to toxins in feed and stressful environmental conditions, reduce disease, and increase animal productivity. It is obvious that in the future, most of the work should be devoted to the study of the mechanisms of influence of humic and fulvic acids on human health as the most important section of human ecology. A significant confirmation of this conclusion can be the fact that among the inhabitants of Polissya (Volyn, Zhytomyr, Kyiv and Rivne regions) there is the largest number of long-livers (over 100 years old), and it is known that the inhabitants of this region of Ukraine drink borehole and river water with a high concentration of humic substances. In addition, humic and fulvic acids exhibit pronounced antioxidant, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, fungicidal, antitoxic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimutagenic and other types of biological activity, which makes them a unique synthesis for the creation of effective ecologically safe drugs with complex biological effects.
Contribution of inter-trial phase coherence at theta, alpha, and beta frequencies in auditory change detection
Authors: Xia Caifeng , Li Jinhong , Yan Rong , Su Wenwen , Liu Yuhe
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Auditory change detection is a pre-attentive cortical auditory processing ability. Many neurological and psychological disorders can lead to defects in this process. Some studies have shown that phase synchronization may be related to auditory discrimination. However, the specific contributions of phase synchronization at different frequencies remain unclear.

Methods

We analyzed the electroencephalogram (EEG) data of 29 healthy adults using an oddball paradigm consisting of a standard stimulus and five deviant stimuli with varying frequency modulation patterns, including midpoint frequency transitions and linear frequency modulation. We then compared the peak amplitude and latency of inter-trial phase coherence (ITC) at the theta(θ), alpha(α), and beta(β) frequencies, as well as the N1 component, and their relationships with stimulus changes. At the same time, the characteristics of inter-trial phase coherence in response to the pure tone stimulation and chirp sound with a fine time-frequency structure were also assessed.

Result

When the stimulus frequency did not change relative to the standard stimulus, the peak latency of phase coherence at β and α frequencies was consistent with that of the N1 component. The inter-trial phase coherence at β frequency (β-ITC)served as a faster indicator for detecting frequency transition when the stimulus frequency was changed relative to the standard stimulus. β-ITC demonstrates temporal stability when detecting pure sinusoidal tones and their frequency changes, and is less susceptible to interference from other neural activities. The phase coherence at θ frequency could integrate the frequency and temporal characteristics of deviant into a single representation, which can be compared with the memory trace formed by the standard stimulus, thus effectively identifying auditory changes. Pure sinusoidal tone stimulation could induce higher inter-trial phase coherence in a smaller time window, but chirp sounds with a fine time-frequency structure required longer latencies to achieve phase coherence.

Conclusion

Phase coherence at theta, alpha, and beta frequencies are all involved in auditory change detection, but play different roles in this automatic process. Complex time-frequency modulated stimuli require longer processing time for effective change detection.
Semen proteomics reveals alterations in fertility-related proteins post-recovery from COVID-19
Authors: Dash Ankita , Salkar Akanksha , Nissa Mehar Un , Makwana Prashant , Athalye Arundhati , Parikh Swapneil , Srivastava Sanjeeva , Parikh Firuza
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Changes to sperm quality and decline in reproductive function have been reported in COVID-19-recovered males. Further, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has caused the resurgences of COVID-19 cases globally during the last 2 years. These variants show increased infectivity and transmission along with immune escape mechanisms, which threaten the already burdened healthcare system. However, whether COVID-19 variants induce an effect on the male reproductive system even after recovery remains elusive.

Methods: We used mass-spectrometry-based proteomics approaches to understand the post-COVID-19 effect on reproductive health in men using semen samples post-recovery from COVID-19. The samples were collected between late 2020 (1st wave, n = 20), and early-to-mid 2021 (2nd wave, n = 21); control samples were included (n = 10). During the 1st wave alpha variant was prevalent in India, whereas the delta variant dominated the second wave.

Results: On comparing the COVID-19-recovered patients from the two waves with control samples, using one-way ANOVA, we identified 69 significantly dysregulated proteins among the three groups. Indeed, this was also reflected by the changes in sperm count, morphology, and motility of the COVID-19- recovered patients. In addition, the pathway enrichment analysis showed that the regulated exocytosis, neutrophil degranulation, antibacterial immune response, spermatogenesis, spermatid development, regulation of extracellular matrix organization, regulation of peptidase activity, and regulations of calcium ion transport were significantly dysregulated. These pathways directly or indirectly affect sperm parameters and function. Our study provides a comprehensive landscape of expression trends of semen proteins related to male fertility in men recovering from COVID-19.

Discussion: Our study suggests that the effect of COVID-19 on the male reproductive system persists even after recovery from COVID-19. In addition, these post-COVID-19 complications persist irrespective of the prevalent variants or vaccination status.
Optimization Study of Driver Crash Injuries Considering the Body NVH Performance
Authors: Li Min , Zhang Shunan , Zhang Xilong , Qiu Mingjun , Liu Zhen , He Siyu
Published: November 2023

Optimal body structure design is a central focus in the field of passive automotive safety. A well-designed body structure enhances the lower threshold for crash safety, serving as a basis for the deployment of other safety systems. Frontal crashes, particularly those with an overlap rate below 25%, are the most frequent types of vehicular accidents and pose elevated risks to occupants due to variable energy absorption and force transmission mechanisms. This study aims to identify an optimized, cost-effective, and lightweight solution that minimizes occupant injuries. Using a micro-vehicle as a case study and accounting for noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) performance, this paper employs Elman neural networks to predict key variables such as the first-order modes of the body, the body’s mass, and the head injury values for the driver. Guided by these predictions and constrained by the first-order modes and body mass, a genetic algorithm was applied to explore optimal solutions within the solution space defined by the body panel thickness. The optimized design yielded a reduction of approximately 173.43 in the driver’s head injury value while also enhancing the noise, vibration, and harshness performance of the vehicle body. This approach offers a methodological framework for future research into the multidisciplinary optimization of automotive body structures.
The Use of Wearable Monitoring Devices in Sports Sciences in COVID Years (2020–2022): A Systematic Review
Authors: Pekas Damir , Radaš Josipa , Baić Mario , Barković Iva , Čolakovac Ivan
Published: November 2023

Purpose: Given the growth in the use of wearable measuring technology, this study aimed to investigate the frequency of writing about wearable monitoring devices in the field of sports sciences and sports-related health professions during the years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 to 2022). The goal was to observe the number of studies right before the quarantine and during the first years of pandemic. Methodology: A systematic literature analysis was performed in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoS CC) and Scopus databases in March 2023. The filters used in the search were the following: original scientific papers in the English language and open access. The research field was sports sciences in the past three years (2020–2022) in the Wos CC, and health professions and medicine in Scopus. Results: The initial search resulted in 54 studies in the WoS, 16 of which were included in a detailed qualitative analysis, and 297 studies in Scopus with 19 of them analyzed (35 altogether). The keywords used were “fitness watch” (sport watch, smartwatch), “smart shoes”, “smart clothing”, “smart ring”, “smart belt”, and “smart glasses”. In the past three years, there has been a steady increase in the number of studies using smart monitoring devices to measure their data (nine in 2020, nine in 2021, and seventeen in 2022). Results showed that the most used device is a smartwatch, while the most carried out studies were about physical activity and daily activities of living. Furthermore, there are more studies about measuring devices being used as testing equipment than about device performance in general. Conclusions: This study summarizes various research conducted in the field of sports with the use of wearable measuring devices to determine the frequency of use of such devices in sport studies.
Remote Sensing Imagery Data Analysis Using Marine Predators Algorithm with Deep Learning for Food Crop Classification
Authors: Almasoud Ahmed S. , Mengash Hanan Abdullah , Saeed Muhammad Kashif , Alotaibi Faiz Abdullah , Othman Kamal M. , Mahmud Ahmed
Published: November 2023

Recently, the usage of remote sensing (RS) data attained from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or satellite imagery has become increasingly popular for crop classification processes, namely soil classification, crop mapping, or yield prediction. Food crop classification using RS images (RSI) is a significant application of RS technology in agriculture. It involves the use of satellite or aerial imagery to identify and classify different types of food crops grown in a specific area. This information can be valuable for crop monitoring, yield estimation, and land management. Meeting the criteria for analyzing these data requires increasingly sophisticated methods and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies provide the necessary support. Due to the heterogeneity and fragmentation of crop planting, typical classification approaches have a lower classification performance. However, the DL technique can detect and categorize crop types effectively and has a stronger feature extraction capability. In this aspect, this study designed a new remote sensing imagery data analysis using the marine predators algorithm with deep learning for food crop classification (RSMPA-DLFCC) technique. The RSMPA-DLFCC technique mainly investigates the RS data and determines the variety of food crops. In the RSMPA-DLFCC technique, the SimAM-EfficientNet model is utilized for the feature extraction process. The MPA is applied for the optimal hyperparameter selection process in order to optimize the accuracy of SimAM-EfficientNet architecture. MPA, inspired by the foraging behaviors of marine predators, perceptively explores hyperparameter configurations to optimize the hyperparameters, thereby improving the classification accuracy and generalization capabilities. For crop type detection and classification, an extreme learning machine (ELM) model can be used. The simulation analysis of the RSMPA-DLFCC technique is performed on two benchmark datasets. The extensive analysis of the results portrayed the higher performance of the RSMPA-DLFCC approach over existing DL techniques.
The Prognostic Role of Body Mass Index on Oncological Outcomes of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Kang , Zhao Hongda , Ng Chi-Fai , Teoh Jeremy Yuen-Chun , Laguna Pilar , Gontero Paolo , Saltirov Iliya , de la Rosette Jean
Published: November 2023

(1) Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether overweight and obese upper urinary tract carcinoma (UTUC) patients have better or worse survival outcomes. (2) Methods: The Clinical Research Office of the Endourology Society Urothelial Carcinomas of the Upper Tract (CROES-UTUC) Registry was used to extract the data of normal-weight or overweight/obese UTUC patients between 2014 and 2019. Patients with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2 were defined as normal weight, while those with a BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2 were considered as overweight/obese group. We compared baseline characteristics among groups categorized by different BMIs. The Kaplan–Meier plots with the log-rank test were used to explore the overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Propensity score matching was performed to eliminate the differences in clinicopathologic features. The Declaration of Helsinki was followed during this study. (3) Results: Of 1196 UTUC patients, 486 patients (40.6%) were normal weight, while 710 patients (59.4%) presented with a BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2. After propensity score matching, all baseline characteristics were balanced. For normal weight and overweight/obese patients, 2-year overall survival rates were 77.8% and 87.2%, 2-year cancer-specific survival rates were 85.2% and 92.7%, and 2-year recurrence rates were 50.6% and 73.0%, respectively. The overweight patients obtained a better RFS (p = 0.003, HR 0.548, 95% CI 0.368–0.916) while their OS (p = 0.373, HR 0.761, 95% CI 0.416–1.390) and CSS (p = 0.272, HR 0.640, 95% CI 0.287–1.427) were similar to normal weight patients. (4) Conclusions: Being overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2) was associated with a decreased risk of recurrence in UTUC patients but not overall survival or cancer-specific survival.
Assessing the Presence of IgG Antibodies against Influenza Viruses in Neonates after Maternal Vaccination and Factors That May Affect the Transplacental Transfer
Authors: Taskou Chrysoula , Sarantaki Antigoni , Georgakopoulou Vasiliki , Spyratos Gerasimos , Drossos Panagiotis , Daskalakis Georgios , Beloukas Apostolos , Lykeridou Aikaterini
Published: November 2023

Special populations, particularly pregnant women, are uniquely susceptible to infectious diseases due to alterations in their immunological, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems during gestation. Influenza infections during the perinatal period have been associated with more severe maternal and perinatal outcomes, underscoring the critical importance of vaccination data for pregnant women. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), all pregnant women and those of childbearing age should receive the inactivated influenza vaccine, irrespective of their pregnancy stage. This study aimed to elucidate factors influencing neonatal antibody presence following maternal influenza vaccination. Conducted through convenience sampling in Athens, Greece, this study involved 78 pregnant women who received flu vaccinations. The participants completed questionnaires covering demographics, obstetric history, attitudes toward influenza vaccination, and knowledge about the influenza virus and pregnancy vaccination. Blood samples were collected from 83 neonates to assess IgG antibody presence. Five of the surveyed women had twin pregnancies. The statistical analysis employed IBM SPSS-Statistics version 26.0. This study revealed the presence of positive influenza A and B antibodies in neonates following maternal immunization. Furthermore, it identified factors such as the gestational week and timing of vaccination during pregnancy that influenced the transfer of antibodies from mother to fetus. These findings offer valuable insights for healthcare professionals to provide informed recommendations on influenza vaccination during pregnancy and empower expectant mothers to make informed decisions about the benefits of immunization.
Random Walks on Comb-like Structures under Stochastic Resetting
Authors: Masó-Puigdellosas Axel , Sandev Trifce , Méndez Vicenç
Published: November 2023

We study the long-time dynamics of the mean squared displacement of a random walker moving on a comb structure under the effect of stochastic resetting. We consider that the walker’s motion along the backbone is diffusive and it performs short jumps separated by random resting periods along fingers. We take into account two different types of resetting acting separately: global resetting from any point in the comb to the initial position and resetting from a finger to the corresponding backbone. We analyze the interplay between the waiting process and Markovian and non-Markovian resetting processes on the overall mean squared displacement. The Markovian resetting from the fingers is found to induce normal diffusion, thereby minimizing the trapping effect of fingers. In contrast, for non-Markovian local resetting, an interesting crossover with three different regimes emerges, with two of them subdiffusive and one of them diffusive. Thus, an interesting interplay between the exponents characterizing the waiting time distributions of the subdiffusive random walk and resetting takes place. As for global resetting, its effect is even more drastic as it precludes normal diffusion. Specifically, such a resetting can induce a constant asymptotic mean squared displacement in the Markovian case or two distinct regimes of subdiffusive motion in the non-Markovian case.
Informing Sustainable Forest Management: Remote Sensing Strategies for Assessing Soil Disturbance after Wildfire and Salvage Logging
Authors: Lewis Sarah A. , Robichaud Peter R. , Archer Vince A. , Hudak Andrew T. , Eitel Jan U. H. , Strand Eva K.
Published: November 2023

Wildfires have nearly become a guaranteed annual event in most western National Forests. Severe fire effects can be mitigated with a goal of minimizing the hydrologic response and promoting soil and vegetation recovery towards the pre-disturbance condition. Sometimes, post-fire actions include salvage logging to recover timber value and to remove excess fuels. Salvage logging was conducted after three large wildfires on the Lolo National Forest in Montana, USA, between 2017 and 2019. We evaluated detrimental soil disturbance (DSD) on seven units that were burned at low, moderate, and high soil burn severity in 2022, three to five years after the logging occurred. We found a range of exposed soil of 5%–25% and DSD from 3% to 20%, and these values were significantly correlated at r = 0.88. Very-high-resolution WorldView-2 imagery that coincided with the field campaign was used to calculate Normal Differenced Vegetation Index (NDVI) across the salvaged areas; we found that NDVI values were significantly correlated to DSD at r = 0.87. We were able to further examine this relationship and determined NDVI threshold values that corresponded to high-DSD areas, as well as develop a model to estimate the contributions of equipment type, seasonality, topography, and burn severity to DSD. A decision-making tool which combines these factors and NDVI is presented to support land managers in planning, evaluating, and monitoring disturbance from post-fire salvage logging.
Advancements in Research on Prevention and Control Strategies for Maize White Spot Disease
Authors: Xing Enyun , Fan Xingming , Jiang Fuyan , Zhang Yudong
Published: November 2023

Maize white spot (MWS), caused by the bacterium Pantoea ananatis, is a serious disease that significantly impacts maize production and productivity. In recent years, outbreaks of white spot disease have resulted in substantial maize yield losses in southwest China. Researchers from various countries worldwide have conducted extensive research on this pathogen, including its isolation and identification, the localization of resistance genes, transmission pathways, as well as potential control measures. However, the information related to this disease remains fragmented, and standardized preventive and control strategies have not yet been established. In light of this, this review aims to comprehensively summarize the research findings on MWS, providing valuable insights into understanding its occurrence, prevention, and control measures in the southwestern and southern regions of China while also mitigating the detrimental impact and losses caused by MWS on maize production in China and across the world.
A Sporadic Case of COL1A1 Osteogenesis Imperfecta: From Prenatal Diagnosis to Outcomes in Infancy—Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Vankevičienė Karolina , Matulevičienė Aušra , Mazgelytė Eglė , Paliulytė Virginija , Vankevičienė Ramunė , Ramašauskaitė Diana
Published: November 2023

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), also known as brittle bone disease, belongs to a rare heterogeneous group of inherited connective tissue disorders. In experienced prenatal centers, severe cases of OI can be suspected before birth from the first trimester prenatal ultrasound screening. In this article, we describe a case report of OI suspected at the 26th week of gestation and the patient’s outcomes in infancy one year after birth, as well as compare our case to other prenatally or soon-after-birth suspected and/or diagnosed OI clinical case reports in the literature. This case was managed by a multidisciplinary team. In this clinical case, OI was first suspected when prenatal ultrasound revealed asymmetric intrauterine growth restriction and skeletal dysplasia features. The diagnosis was confirmed after birth using COL1A1 gene variant detection via exome sequencing; the COL1A1 gene variant causes OI types I–IV. The familial history was negative for both pregnancy-related risk factors and genetic diseases. At one year old, the patient’s condition remains severe with bisphosphonate therapy.
Genome Assembly and Microsatellite Marker Development Using Illumina and PacBio Sequencing in the Carex pumila (Cyperaceae) from Korea
Authors: Kim Kang-Rae , Yu Jeong-Nam , Hong Jeong Min , Kim Sun-Yu , Park So Young
Published: November 2023

This study is the first to report the characterization of Carex pumila genomic information. Assembly of the genome generated a draft of C. pumila based on PacBio Sequel II and Illumina paired-end sequencing, which was assembled from 2941 contigs with an estimated genome size of 0.346 Gb. The estimate of repeats in the genome was 31.0%, and heterozygosity ranged from 0.426 to 0.441%. The integrity evaluation of the assembly revealed 1481 complete benchmarked universal single-copy orthologs (BUSCO) (91.76%), indicating the high quality of the draft assembly. A total of 23,402 protein-coding genes were successfully predicted and annotated in the protein database. UpsetR plots showed that 7481 orthogroups were shared by all species. The phylogenetic tree showed that C. pumila is a close but distant relative of Ananas comosus. C. pumila had greater contraction (3154) than expansion (392). Among the extended gene families, aquaporins have been found to be enriched. Primers for microsatellite markers determined 30 polymorphic markers out of 100. The average number of alleles amplified by these 30 polymorphic markers was 4 to 12, with an average polymorphism information content (PIC) value of 0.660. In conclusion, our study provides a useful resource for comparative genomics, phylogeny, and future population studies of C. pumila.
The Phytonutrient Content and Yield of Brassica Microgreens Grown in Soilless Media with Different Seed Densities
Authors: L. L. Ntsoane Manyasha , E. Manhivi Vimbainashe , Shoko Tinotenda , Seke Faith , M. Maboko Martin , Sivakumar Dharini
Published: November 2023

Microgreens are increasingly valued by consumers for their phytonutritional benefits. There is limited information to growers on the influence of growth media and seed density on antioxidant properties of Brassica microgreens. Therefore, the study was conducted to determine the effect of seedling media (Hygromix, Promix, and TS1) and seed density (4, 8, and 12 seeds per seed cavity) on morphological parameters, yield, color, antioxidant components, and their activities in radish (Raphanus sativus), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), and rocket (Eruca sativa) microgreens. Fourteen days after seeding, Promix at a seed density of 12 per cavity improved yield of radish, cabbage, and rocket microgreens. Irrespective of the seed density, all three Brassica microgreens grown in TS1 had higher leaf nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium content. Interaction effects of Hygromix x seed densities were more pronounced on the antioxidant properties (DPPH and FRAP). These differences could be due to the physical properties of growth medium. Vitamin C and total glucosinolate were improved on Brassica microgreens grown in Hygromix at a seed density of 4 per cavity. Twelve seeds per cavity in Promix growth medium improved Brassica microgreens yield, whereas phytochemicals were most likely improved by growing media, Hygromix followed by TS1 and mineral content improved in TS1 followed by Hygromix at low seed density of 4 per cavity.
Exploration of Cyberethics in Health Professions Education: A Scoping Review
Authors: De Gagne Jennie C. , Cho Eunji , Randall Paige S. , Hwang Hyeyoung , Wang Emily , Yoo Leeho , Yamane Sandy , Ledbetter Leila S. , Jung Dukyoo
Published: November 2023

As digital technologies rapidly integrate into Health Professions Education (HPE), understanding cyberethics is increasingly crucial. This scoping review explores the pedagogy of cyberethics in HPE, highlighting a significant gap in explicit definitions and conceptualizations. Additionally, the absence of specific theoretical frameworks in most documents raises concerns about research progression. Only four articles introduce educational interventions in cyberethics, indicating a promising avenue for future research. While comprehensive search methods are employed, limitations, including language biases, exist. Future investigations should broaden the discourse to encompass ethical implications of emerging technologies within HPE. Cultivating comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and inclusive guidelines is vital for ethical digital practices in the health care community.
Inactivation of Group 1B Phospholipase A2 Enhances Disease Recovery and Reduces Experimental Colitis in Mice
Authors: Haller April M. , Wolfkiel Patrick R. , Jaeschke Anja , Hui David Y.
Published: November 2023

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzymes influence inflammatory bowel disease in both positive and negative manners depending on the type of PLA2 that is expressed. This study explored the influence of the abundantly expressed Group 1B PLA2 (PLA2G1B) on ulcerative colitis. Wild-type C57BL/6J mice and Pla2g1b−/− mice were treated with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 5 days to induce epithelial injury, followed by another 5 days without DSS for recovery. The Pla2g1b−/− mice displayed significantly less body weight loss, colitis pathology, and disease activity indexes compared to the wild-type mice. The differences in colitis were not due to differences in the colonic lysophospholipid levels, but higher numbers of stem and progenitor cells were found in the intestines of Pla2g1b−/− mice compared to the wild-type mice. The DSS-treated Pla2g1b−/− mice also showed higher expressions of genes that are responsible for epithelial repair and lower expressions of proinflammatory cytokine genes in the colon, as well as reduced inflammatory cytokine levels in the plasma. In vitro experiments revealed the PLA2G1B stimulation of inflammatory cytokine expression by myeloid cells. PLA2G1B inactivation protects against DSS-induced colitis in mice by increasing the intestinal stem cell reservoir for epithelial repair and reducing myeloid cell inflammation in the diseased colon. Thus, PLA2G1B may be a target for colitis management.
Multiomics of GCN4-Dependent Replicative Lifespan Extension Models Reveals Gcn4 as a Regulator of Protein Turnover in Yeast
Authors: Mariner Blaise L. , Felker Daniel P. , Cantergiani Ryla J. , Peterson Jack , McCormick Mark A.
Published: November 2023

We have shown that multiple tRNA synthetase inhibitors can increase lifespan in both the nematode C. elegans and the budding yeast S. cerevisiae by acting through the conserved transcription factor Gcn4 (yeast)/ATF-4 (worms). To further understand the biology downstream from this conserved transcription factor in the yeast model system, we looked at two different yeast models known to have upregulated Gcn4 and GCN4-dependent increased replicative lifespan. These two models were rpl31aΔ yeast and yeast treated with the tRNA synthetase inhibitor borrelidin. We used both proteomic and RNAseq analysis of a block experimental design that included both of these models to identify GCN4-dependent changes in these two long-lived strains of yeast. Proteomic analysis of these yeast indicate that the long-lived yeast have increased abundances of proteins involved in amino acid biosynthesis. The RNAseq of these same yeast uncovered further regulation of protein degradation, identifying the differential expression of genes associated with autophagy and the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS). The data presented here further underscore the important role that GCN4 plays in the maintenance of protein homeostasis, which itself is an important hallmark of aging. In particular, the changes in autophagy and UPS-related gene expression that we have observed could also have wide-ranging implications for the understanding and treatment of diseases of aging that are associated with protein aggregation.
Examining Energy Storage Potential in Weakly Polar Nematic Liquid Crystals Infused with Anthraquinone Dye: A Comprehensive Approach
Authors: Singh Bhupendra Pratap , Agarwal Shikha , Hatshan Mohammad Rafe , Singh Keshav Kumar , Kumar Kulurumotlakatla Dasha , Manohar Rajiv , Tripathi Pankaj Kumar , Singh Dharmendra Pratap
Published: November 2023

The applications of liquid crystals in the field of renewable, clean and sustainable technologies of energy storage are of utmost importance at present. This paper delves into dielectric spectroscopic studies of a weakly polar nematic liquid crystal (NLC) enriched with an anthraquinone dye. The primary objective is to assess the impact of increasing dye concentrations on various properties. Anthraquinone dye has been found to increase the dielectric permittivity of weakly polar NLC, leading to a 4.7-fold increase in dielectric anisotropy. Simultaneously, a reduction of around 11% in threshold and operating voltages of the NLC has also been recorded after using dye as the guest material. The added dipolar contributions provided by dye molecules have been attributed to this surplus permittivity. The NLC has been found to have an approximately 54% faster response to the applied field. The intrinsic polarization field of dye molecules accelerates nearby LC molecule reorientation, leading to a 56.5% faster fall time and a 29.8% faster rise time in a 3.0 wt% dye-doped LC cell. These experimental results have been validated via computational studies as well. The simulation results about dipole moment and polarizability provide robust support for our experimental results. Such composites evince their potential for energy storage and 5G communication technologies with adjustable impedance and permittivity.
Comparison between Exercise Program–Foot Orthoses Treatment and Exercise Program Alone after Pilon Fracture Surgery: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bolovan Andrei-Daniel , Onofrei Roxana-Ramona , Hogea Gheorghe-Bogdan , Abu-Awwad Ahmed , Lazarescu Emil-Adrian , Abu-Awwad Simona-Alina , Tapardea Alexandra-Roxana , Suba Madalina-Ianca , Amaricai Elena-Constanta
Published: November 2023

The management of tibial pilon fractures is challenging and often leads to complications and limitations in ankle function. The study aims to investigate myotonometric parameters and muscle strength of ankle muscles, as well as gait pattern and balance among patients following surgical treatment of pilon fractures. The randomized controlled study will analyze the differences between the patients who will follow a 3-month physical exercise program and will wear customized foot orthoses (i.e., customized orthotic arch support insoles) versus patients who will attend only the physical exercise program. For each group, at least 21 patients will be required. The assessment involves four different testing procedures: myotonometry (anterior tibialis, medial and lateral gastrocnemius, and longus peroneus assessed using MyotonPRO), muscle strength testing (ankle dorsiflexors, plantar flexors, and peroneal muscles assessed using MicroFET2 dynamometer), analysis of gait parameters (using Scheinworks treadmill), and double-leg and single-leg balance tests (using K-Force plate). After 3 months, the assessments will record which of the two treatments (physical exercise program with or without wearing customized foot orthoses) has better outcomes in regaining ankle muscle properties and tone, as well as the restoration of gait and balance.
Angina and Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery (ANOCA) Patients with Coronary Vasomotor Disorders
Authors: La Sarena , Tavella Rosanna , Wu Jing , Pasupathy Sivabaskari , Zeitz Christopher , Worthley Matthew , Sinhal Ajay , Arstall Margaret , Spertus John A. , Beltrame John F.
Published: November 2023

Angina and Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery (ANOCA) patients often lack a clear explanation for their symptoms, and are frequently discharged with the label of “unspecified chest pain”, despite the availability of functional coronary angiography (provocative spasm and microvascular function testing) to identify potential underlying coronary vasomotor disorders. This study compared the outcomes of ANOCA patients with a coronary vasomotor disorder diagnosis post elective coronary angiography to patients discharged with unspecified chest pain. Using the CADOSA (Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia) registry, consecutive symptomatic patients (n = 7555) from 2012 to 2018 underwent elective angiography; 30% had ANOCA (stenosis <50%). Of this cohort, 9% had documented coronary vasomotor disorders diagnosed, and 91% had unspecified chest pain. Patients with coronary vasomotor disorders were younger and had a similar female prevalence compared with those with unspecified chest pain. New prescriptions of calcium channel blockers and long-acting nitrates were more common for the coronary vasomotor cohort at discharge. In the 3 years following angiography, both groups had similar all-cause mortality rates. However, those with coronary vasomotor disorders had higher rates of emergency department visits for chest pain (39% vs. 15%, p < 0.001) and readmissions for chest pain (30% vs. 10%, p < 0.001) compared with those with unspecified chest pain. This real-world study emphasizes the importance of identifying high-risk ANOCA patients for personalized management to effectively address their symptoms.