bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A recent shift in the Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici population in Serbia coincides with changes in yield losses of commercial winter wheat varieties
Authors: Župunski Vesna , Savva Loizos , Saunders Diane G. O. , Jevtić Radivoje
Published: October 2024

Wheat yellow (stripe) rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici (Pst), is a devastating disease of wheat worldwide. The success of Pst is largely due to the pathogens ability to rapidly overcome host resistance, generating new races that are easily dispersed between territories through wind-borne transmission of Pst urediniospores. Thus, first signs of entry of new Pst races into a region is usually captured by changes in disease severity. To examine any alterations of winter wheat variety response to Pst infection in Serbia, we analyzed yield and Pst disease severity in field trials conducted in 2014, 2021, and 2023. We specifically focused on analyzing Pst disease severity at growth stages related to yield. Associations between qualitative variables (variety, year) and quantitative variables (yield in untreated plots, yield loss, and disease index (DI) of Pst infection) were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis with mixed data. A General Linear Model was used to investigate the most influential factors on yield, yield loss, and Pst infection. The results indicated that yellow rust disease severity increased over the past decade, suggesting a potential recent change in the Pst population in Serbia. Comparative population genetic analysis of Pst samples from the 2023 wheat season and those collected in Serbia in 2014 confirmed a potential change in the Pst population. In addition, we found that yield losses across wheat varieties varied independently of Pst infection levels, indicating that wheat varieties differ in their ability to overcome damage caused by high levels of Pst infection. Given that the level of pathogen pressure triggering susceptibility reactions is cultivar-specific, our study highlights the need for a deeper focus on the mechanisms underlying these differences. Expanding our understanding of the interactions between pathogens, plant defense responses, and the ability of cultivars to mitigate yield losses will better equip us to predict and prevent potential yield losses in commercial wheat varieties due to yellow rust in the future.
Predictors of adolescent well-being around the globe: are students from Confucian East Asia different?
Authors: Rudolf Robert
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Using rich data from nearly 400,000 15-year-olds across 70 middle- and high-income countries and economies participating in PISA 2018, this study investigates (1) global predictors of adolescent subjective well-being (SWB), and (2) differences in adolescent life satisfaction, its predictors and endowments with predictors across world regions and cultures. A particular focus lies on comparing Confucian East Asia (CEA) with other world regions.

Methods

Data were analyzed using multiple linear regressions and Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition. As measures of adolescent well-being, this study employs life satisfaction, affective well-being, and meaning in life.

Results

Globally, adolescent well-being outcomes are found to be most strongly linked to gender, personality, relative SES, relationship quality, peer SWB, autonomy and the learning environment, as well as local cultural factors. Estimations by world region reveal several culture-specific explanations for interregional well-being gaps. In particular, notoriously low levels of life satisfaction among students from CEA countries are found to be associated with low self-efficacy, low peer well-being, as well as with high emotional interdependence compared to other world regions. Emotional interdependence is more strongly experienced among CEA adolescents compared to adolescents from any other world region. Moreover, it is found to be more strongly associated with life satisfaction in the CEA region than in any other region. In line with the former, CEA students show stronger links between other relational factors (parents’ emotional support; sense of belonging at school) and life satisfaction compared to most other regions.

Implications

This study suggests that among the environmental factors that shape the experience of adolescent lives, relationship and cultural factors play key roles and are closely intertwined. Parents, educators and policymakers around the world should focus on creating a positive school environment that promotes well-being, student self-efficacy, a sense of belonging, and a safe space in which failure is accepted as part of the learning process. This is particularly needed in Confucian East Asian countries.
Exploring the relationship between psychological capital, emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and knowledge sharing among E-commerce practitioners
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Xu Ziqing
Published: October 2024

Introduction

This study explores the intricate relationships among psychological capital, emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and knowledge sharing among e-commerce practitioners. Grounded in social exchange theory, the research aims to fill a gap in the literature by focusing on the psychological and emotional factors influencing knowledge sharing in a fast-paced and highly competitive industry.

Methods

This study used snowball and purposive sampling to collect 439 valid online questionnaires from e-commerce professionals in Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu, China. The survey, conducted from October to November 2023, explored the relationships between psychological capital, emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and knowledge sharing. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with AMOS 26.0.

Results

The structural path model revealed significant positive correlations between psychological capital and both emotional intelligence (β = 0.494, p < 0.001) and psychological safety (β = 0.297, p < 0.001). Emotional intelligence was significantly positively related to psychological safety (β = 0.513, p < 0.001) and knowledge sharing (β = 0.452, p < 0.001). Psychological safety was also positively correlated with knowledge sharing (β = 0.311, p < 0.001). Bootstrap analysis indicated that emotional intelligence and psychological safety significantly mediate the relationship between psychological capital and knowledge sharing (standardized indirect effect = 0.394, p < 0.01).

Discussion

Based on the significant findings of this study, a key recommendation is to implement targeted interventions aimed at enhancing psychological capital, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety among e-commerce practitioners. Specifically, developing training programs focused on building resilience, self-efficacy, hope, and optimism can improve employees’ psychological capital. Additionally, workshops designed to enhance emotional intelligence and create a culture of psychological safety can encourage open communication and trust, thereby promoting knowledge sharing.
Prevalence of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder and associated factors among postnatal mothers in West Arsi zone, South West Ethiopia, 2024: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Alemu Solomon Seyife , Jarso Mohammedamin Hajure , Gejo Negeso Gebeyehu , Hebo Habtemu Jarso , Bedecha Daniel Yohannes , Bekele Firomsa , Gezimu Wubishet , Demsash Addisalem Workie , Teferi Sheleme Mengistu , Kitil Gemeda Wakgari , Dube Geleta Nenko , Yimer Awol Arega , Negese Kebede Berhanu , Bekele Gemechu Gelan , Wedajo Lema Fikadu
Published: October 2024

Background

Up to one-third of women globally experience giving birth as traumatic, which can lead to postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder. Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorders have significant health consequences for the mother, child, and other family members. Although it has tragic health impacts, little is known about this problem in the study area.

Objectives

The study aimed to assess the prevalence of postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder and associated factors among postnatal mothers.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was employed among 635 mothers in the first year after childbirth by using simple random sampling techniques from March 20 to April 20, 2024 in West Arsi zone, Ethiopia. Face-to-face interviewers administered structured questionnaires that were used to collect the data. The collected data were cleaned, coded, and entered into Epidata and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences for further analysis. Both bivariate and multivariable analyses were done by using binary logistic regression.

Result

Out of 635, 624 postnatal mothers participated in the study, for a response rate of 98.27%. The prevalence of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder was 21.60% (95% CI: 18.40%, 24.87%). Primiparous mothers (AOR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.38, 3.70), have no antenatal care follow-up (AOR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.47, 4.20), cesarean section delivery (AOR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.50, 5.61), instrumental delivery (AOR = 3.06, 95% CI: 1.75, 5.34), maternal morbidity (AOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.71, 5.05), and postpartum intimate partner violence (AOR = 7.43, 95% CI: 4.53, 12.20) were the identified factors.

Conclusion and recommendation

As identified, one out of five mothers had postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder. Thus, healthcare providers should focus on identified factors like cesarean section and instrumental deliveries while counseling, as this enhances the mothers’ psychological readiness. In addition, the West Arsi Zonal Health Office should develop effective strategies to alleviate the problem by focusing on the identified factors.
Time to viral load suppression and its predictors among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Gebi Resu zone, Afar Region, Ethiopia, 2023
Authors: Chirnet Anteneh Tefera , Habtewold Ephrem Mannekulih , Aman Haji , Wakwoya Elias Bekele , Workie Sewnet Getaye
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study aimed to estimate the time to viral load suppression and identify its predictors among HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the Gebi Resu zone, Afar Region, Ethiopia, 2023.

Setting

The study was conducted at public health facilities in the Gebi Resu zone of the Afar region.

Study design

This study is a facility-based, retrospective follow-up study.

Study participants

This study included 298 people living with HIV who were receiving ART services at selected health facilities in the Gebi Resu zone. Data were collected by reviewing patient records using a structured checklist. Bivariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between variables and control for confounders.

Results

The incidence rate of viral load suppression was 9.46 per 100 person-months. The median time to viral load suppression was 7.7 months, with an interquartile range of 3.8 months (IQR = 6.47–10.27). Patients at clinical stages 3 and 4 [AHR = 0.67, 95%CI (0.47, 0.96)], those who received cotrimoxazole prophylaxis therapy [AHR = 1.47, 95%CI (1.12, 1.92)], and patients with poor drug adherence [AHR = 0.40, 95%CI (0.18, 0.90)] were significantly associated with time to viral load suppression among people on antiretroviral therapy.

Conclusion

The time to viral load suppression and the median time to viral load suppression among people living with HIV on ART were shorter than those observed in many developing and developed countries. Clinical stage, cotrimoxazole prophylaxis therapy, and drug adherence were significant predictors of viral load suppression.
Trends of the second measles vaccine (MCV2) over time after its launch as part of routine immunization in Nigeria: a brief research report
Authors: Sato Ryoko
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Nigeria has one of the highest measles burdens and the lowest vaccination coverage in the world. Geographical disparity in the coverage has also been persistent. Between 2019 and 2021, the Nigerian government introduced the second Measles vaccine (MCV2) into routine immunization (RI). This study evaluated the trends of the MCV2 coverage over time across geographical zones.

Methods

The monthly data on the MCV2 coverage from District Health Information Software (DHIS2) for all the health facilities in Nigeria were aggregated by the geopolitical zone, and the trend of the MCV2 coverage was analyzed over time.

Results

The MCV2 coverage in each zone was approximately 20% when the MCV2 program was launched. The MCV2 coverage was higher in the northern zones (35–42%) than in the southern zones (22–31%) 1 year after the launch. Similarly, at 2.5 years, the MCV2 coverage ranged from 38 to 46% in northern zones, while in southern zones, it ranged from 23 to 37%.

Discussion and conclusion

The introduction of MCV2 as part of the RI schedule potentially narrows down the health inequity in Nigeria.
Understanding the interplay of compassion fatigue and moral resilience on moral distress in ICU nurses: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Yin Jin , Zhao Lili , Zhang Na , Xia Hui
Published: October 2024

Background

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses frequently confront significant psychological challenges, including compassion fatigue, moral distress, and diminished moral resilience. These issues not only affect their well-being but also impact the quality of care provided to patients. The interplay of these factors is complex and not fully understood, particularly how compassion fatigue influences the relationship between moral resilience and moral distress.

Objectives

To explore the complex interplay between compassion fatigue and moral distress among ICU nurses, and to elucidate how compassion fatigue influences the protective role of moral resilience against moral distress.

Research design

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a nationwide random sample of ICU nurses in China. Latent profile analysis identified subgroups based on levels of compassion fatigue. Moderation analysis examined whether compassion fatigue moderated the association between moral resilience and moral distress.

Results

Among 612 ICU nurses, latent profile analysis revealed three distinct groups with high, moderate, and low levels of compassion fatigue. Being female was protective against high compassion fatigue, while ages 30–49 yrs., lack of bachelor’s degree, and dissatisfaction with salary increased compassion fatigue risk. Moderation analysis showed compassion fatigue significantly moderated the relationship between moral resilience and moral distress. Nurses with higher compassion fatigue exhibited a stronger association between low moral resilience and high moral distress.

Conclusion

Compassion fatigue and moral distress are interconnected phenomena among ICU nurses. Demographic factors like gender, age, education, and income satisfaction impact compassion fatigue risk. High compassion fatigue impairs moral resilience, exacerbating moral distress. Comprehensive interventions targeting both compassion fatigue and moral resilience, tailored to nurses’ demographic profiles, are needed to support this workforce.
Does import trade liberalization worsen residents’ health? Evidence from China
Authors: Chen Ming , Wang Hongbo
Published: October 2024

Health is important to human capital and national sustainable development. Based on the latest Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this paper uses the IVprobit model to test the impact of import trade liberalization on residents’ health from the micro-individual perspective and further explores its mechanism. The results indicate that import trade liberalization brings hidden health costs, and that the negative effects on the health of people in eastern China or rural areas, people with a low education background, people under 60 years of age, and women are more significant. In areas with more serious environmental pollution, the health deterioration effect of expanding imports is more obvious. Increasing green coverage and optimizing the quality of public services can effectively alleviate this negative impact. Import trade liberalization does not affect residents’ health through income gap, therefore when carrying out import trade liberalization the government should pay greater attention to the health status of the specified groups, adopt various means to improve the ecological and living environments, reduce pollution emissions, optimize the supply of public services, and ultimately improve residents’ overall health level.
Leveraging digital tools to enhance diversity and inclusion in clinical trial recruitment
Authors: Tomiwa Tosin , Wong Erin , Miller Hailey N. , Ogungbe Oluwabunmi , Byiringiro Samuel , Plante Timothy , Himmelfarb Cheryl R.
Published: October 2024

Clinical research is pivotal in assessing the safety and efficacy of new treatments in healthcare. However, the success of such research depends on the inclusion of a diverse and representative participant sample, which is currently lacking. This lack of diversity in biomedical research participants has significant repercussions, limiting the real-world applicability and accessibility of medical interventions, especially for underrepresented groups. Barriers to diverse participation include historical mistrust, logistical challenges, and financial constraints. Recent guidelines by government agencies and funding bodies emphasize the need for diversity in clinical trials, but specific strategies for inclusive recruitment are often lacking. This paper explores the use of digital methods to enhance diversity and inclusion in research recruitment. Digital tools, such as electronic medical records, social media, research registries, and mobile applications, offer promising opportunities for reaching diverse populations. Strategies include culturally tailored messaging, collaborations with community organizations, and the use of SEO to improve visibility and engagement. However, challenges such as privacy concerns, digital literacy gaps, and ethical considerations must be addressed. The promotion of diversity in clinical research recruitment is crucial for advancing health equity. By leveraging digital tools and adopting inclusive strategies, study teams can improve the diversity of study participants, ultimately leading to more applicable and equitable healthcare outcomes.
Quantitative proteomic analysis using a mouse model of Lewy body dementia induced by α-synuclein preformed fibrils injection
Authors: Akkentli Fatih , Jang In kyu , Choi Yoonseop , Min Young , Park Jinhee , Jo Heejin , Kim Leoni , Mendpara Aashi , Bains Bikram , Yoo Dongyoon , Xu Jinchong , Na Chan Hyun , Kang Sung-Ung
Published: October 2024

The aggregation of α-synuclein in the nervous system leads to a class of neurodegenerative disorders termed α-synucleinopathies. A form of primary degenerative dementia called Lewy body dementia (LBD) often develops when these aggregations develop into intracellular inclusions called Lewy bodies (LB) and Lewy neurites (LN). Although high frequency of LBD are the leading cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease (AD), limited information has been discovered about its pathological pathway or diagnostic criteria. In this report, we attempt to address such shortcomings via utilizing a proteomic approach to identify the proteome changes following intrastriatal injection of α-synuclein pre-formed fibril (α-syn PFF). Using mass spectrometry, we have identified a total of 179 proteins that were either up- or down-regulated at different time points, with the four proteins—TPP3, RAB10, CAMK2A, and DYNLL1, displaying the most significant changes throughout the timeframe. Through further examining the modulated proteins with network-based enrichment analyses, we have found that (1) the most significantly associated neurodegenerative pathways were Parkinson's (pV = 3.0e-16) and Huntington's (pV = 1.9e-15) disease, and (2) the majority of molecular functions specific to the pathology only appeared at later time points. While these results do not expose a conclusive biomarker for LBD, they suggest a framework that is potentially applicable to diagnose and differentiate LBD pathology from other forms of dementia by focusing on the cortical proteome changes which occur in a later time span.
Distributed intelligence in industrial and automotive cyber–physical systems: a review
Authors: Piperigkos Nikos , Gkillas Alexandros , Arvanitis Gerasimos , Nousias Stavros , Lalos Aris , Fournaris Apostolos , Radoglou-Grammatikis Panagiotis , Sarigiannidis Panagiotis , Moustakas Konstantinos
Published: October 2024

Cyber–physical systems (CPSs) are evolving from individual systems to collectives of systems that collaborate to achieve highly complex goals, realizing a cyber–physical system of systems (CPSoSs) approach. They are heterogeneous systems comprising various autonomous CPSs, each with unique performance capabilities, priorities, and pursued goals. In practice, there are significant challenges in the applicability and usability of CPSoSs that need to be addressed. The decentralization of CPSoSs assigns tasks to individual CPSs within the system of systems. All CPSs should harmonically pursue system-based achievements and collaborate to make system-of-system-based decisions and implement the CPSoS functionality. The automotive domain is transitioning to the system of systems approach, aiming to provide a series of emergent functionalities like traffic management, collaborative car fleet management, or large-scale automotive adaptation to the physical environment, thus providing significant environmental benefits and achieving significant societal impact. Similarly, large infrastructure domains are evolving into global, highly integrated cyber–physical systems of systems, covering all parts of the value chain. This survey provides a comprehensive review of current best practices in connected cyber–physical systems and investigates a dual-layer architecture entailing perception and behavioral components. The presented perception layer entails object detection, cooperative scene analysis, cooperative localization and path planning, and human-centric perception. The behavioral layer focuses on human-in-the-loop (HITL)-centric decision making and control, where the output of the perception layer assists the human operator in making decisions while monitoring the operator’s state. Finally, an extended overview of digital twin (DT) paradigms is provided so as to simulate, realize, and optimize large-scale CPSoS ecosystems.
Conservation agriculture enhances crop productivity and soil carbon fractions in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India
Authors: Mishra Ajay Kumar , Shinjo Hitoshi , Jat Hanuman Sahay , Jat Mangi Lal , Kumar Jat Raj , Funakawa Shinya
Published: October 2024

This study evaluates the impact of conservation agriculture (CA) on soil carbon sequestration and crop productivity in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, focusing on short-term effects over 3 and 5 years. Conducted at two distinct sites, Karnal and Samastipur, the research compares zero tillage, permanent raised beds, and conventional tillage systems across diverse cropping patterns. Initial findings after 3 years showed no significant differences in carbon and nitrogen stocks at Karnal, while Samastipur’s maize-mustard-mungbean rotation on permanent raised beds showed increased carbon stocks. Notably, after 5 years, significant differences in soil carbon stocks emerged at both sites, with improved organic matter input indicated by coarse particulate organic matter (cPOM) formation. The study confirms the potential of POXC and POC as early indicators for carbon sequestration in CA systems, highlighting the role of CA practices in enhancing soil health and crop productivity sustainably.
Speckle tracking echocardiography for evaluation of myocardial functions before and after mitral valvuloplasty in dogs
Authors: Fukuzumi Sho , Mandour Ahmed S. , Farag Ahmed , Yoshida Tomohiko , Nishiura Akitsugu , Yotsuida Hideki , Yaginuma Yota , Matsuura Katsuhiro , Tanaka Ryou
Published: October 2024

Background

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common acquired heart disease in dogs. Mitral valvuloplasty (MVP) addresses regurgitation, but the pre- and postoperative changes in myocardial function remain uncertain.

Objectives

This study evaluated myocardial motion before and after MVP using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE).

Animals

Eight client-owned dogs undergoing MVP for MMVD.

Methods

Myocardial deformation was assessed by 2D-STE before surgery and at 1- and 3-months post-surgery. Measurements included left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS), cardiac twist, and right ventricular free wall GLS (RVFW-GLS).

Results

Postoperative decreases were observed in left ventricular internal dimensions, left atrial size, and early diastolic myocardial velocity, with an increase in peak late diastolic velocity. LV-GLS decreased at 1 month (−14.4%) and 3 months (−16.3%) compared to preoperative values (−24.4%) (p = 0.0078, p = 0.015). GCS decreased at 1 month (−12.9%) and 3 months (−14.8%) compared to preoperative values (−21.7%) (p = 0.0078). GRS decreased at 1 month (27.7%) and 3 months (32.0%) compared to preoperative values (67.7%) (p = 0.0078). No significant changes were observed in RVFW-GLS. Peak systolic twist increased at 3 months (9.1° vs. 4.9°, p = 0.039). Peak systolic apical rotation showed an upward trend at 3 months (p = 0.109). Left ventricular twist was mildly affected by LVIDd, LVIDDN, and sphericity index (R2 = 0.187, p = 0.034; R2 = 0.33, p = 0.0029; R2 = 0.22, p = 0.019).

Conclusions and clinical importance

Postoperative myocardial motion approached reference values, indicating significant improvement, particularly in left ventricular twisting motion. These findings highlight the positive impact of surgery on cardiac function in dogs with MMVD.
Mental Multimorbidity Among General-Population Adults: Sex-Specific Sociodemographic Profiles of Anxiety, Insomnia, and Eating Disorders
Authors: Andreeva Valentina A. , Arnault Nathalie , Chambaron Stéphanie , Samieri Cécilia , Brindisi Marie-Claude , Duquenne Pauline , Hercberg Serge , Galan Pilar , Touvier Mathilde , Fezeu Leopold K.
Published: October 2024

Objective

To determine the prevalence and sociodemographic profiles of mental morbidity and multimorbidity.

Methods

A descriptive analysis was performed with data from 25,269 women and 8,389 men from the French NutriNet-Santé general-population cohort. Participants were split into 8 groups: 1. No mental morbidity; 2. Pure anxiety; 3. Pure insomnia; 4. Pure eating disorders (ED); 5. Comorbid anxiety and insomnia; 6. Comorbid anxiety and ED; 7. Comorbid insomnia and ED; 8. Multimorbid anxiety, insomnia, and ED. Data were weighted using the 2016 French Census and analyzed with Chi2 tests.

Results

40.6% of the participants had ≥1 mental disorder; 2.3% had all 3 disorders. Most pure and comorbid disorders were more common in women than in men. The multimorbidity group had the largest proportions of men who were overweight (52.1%) and current smokers (23.2%). Men with insomnia and ED were the most likely to have obesity (45.8%) and low physical activity (44.3%). Women with ≥2 disorders were the most likely to be current smokers.

Conclusion

The findings could inform research, prevention, and public health guidelines for multimorbidity.
Flexible Natural Language-Based Image Data Downlink Prioritization for Nanosatellites
Authors: Fielding Ezra , Hanazawa Akitoshi
Published: October 2024

Nanosatellites increasingly produce more data than can be downlinked within a reasonable time due to their limited bandwidth and power. Therefore, an on-board system is required to prioritize scientifically significant data for downlinking, as described by scientists. This paper determines whether natural language processing can be used to prioritize remote sensing images on CubeSats with more flexibility compared to existing methods. Two approaches implementing the same conceptual prioritization pipeline are compared. The first uses YOLOv8 and Llama2 to extract image features and compare them with text descriptions via cosine similarity. The second approach employs CLIP, fine-tuned on remote sensing data, to achieve the same. Both approaches are evaluated on real nanosatellite hardware, the VERTECS Camera Control Board. The CLIP approach, particularly the ResNet50-based model, shows the best performance in prioritizing and sequencing remote sensing images. This paper demonstrates that on-orbit prioritization using natural language descriptions is viable and allows for more flexibility than existing methods.
Supplementation of Chlorogenic Acid Alleviates the Effects of H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress on Laying Performance, Egg Quality, Antioxidant Capacity, Hepatic Inflammation, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Lipid Accumulation in Laying Hens
Authors: Zhao Haitong , Li Zhuang , Sun Yue , Yan Ming , Wang Yingjie , Li Yurong , Zhang Yeshun , Zhu Mingkun
Published: October 2024

This research examined the impact of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on laying performance, antioxidant capacity, egg quality, hepatic inflammation, mitochondrial function, and lipid metabolism in hens subjected to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress (OS). Three hundred sixty healthy 43-wk-old Hy-Line brown hens were randomly assigned to six treatments: a basal diet + 0 (control and H2O2), 600 (600 mg/kg CGA and 600 mg/kg CGA + H2O2), and 800 (800 mg/kg CGA and 800 mg/kg CGA + H2O2) mg/kg CGA for 84 d. On the 64th and 78th days of the trial, hens in groups H2O2, 600 mg/kg CGA + H2O2, and 800 mg/kg CGA + H2O2 were injected intraperitoneally with 10% H2O2. The results demonstrated that 600 and 800 mg/kg CGA significantly improved the egg production rate (EPR) and egg quality and reduced lipid peroxidation compared to the control group. The 800 mg/kg CGA showed greater improvements in the EPR and average egg weight (AEW) compared to the 600 mg/kg dose. Conversely, H2O2 exposure significantly decreased the EPR, AEW, and egg quality and increased feed conversion rate and average daily feed intake. H2O2 exposure significantly decreased serum T-AOC and increased serum MDA levels while reducing hepatic T-SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activities. Meanwhile, H2O2 exposure significantly elevated liver reactive oxygen species levels, pathological damage, and NF-κB, TNFα, and IL-1β gene expression. Additionally, H2O2 treatment disrupted hepatocyte mitochondrial structure and significantly increased the expression of VDAC1 protein, and IP3R, GRP75, MCU, Fis1, and MFF genes, while downregulating the expression of MFN2 protein and PGC1α gene. Oil Red O staining demonstrated that H2O2 induced significant lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Concurrently, H2O2 significantly increased serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and liver triglycerides levels while decreasing serum hepatic lipase activity. This was primarily attributed to the significant upregulation of liver SREBP1, FASN, and ACC genes and the downregulation of the liver CPT1 gene induced by H2O2. Furthermore, CGA pretreatment effectively prevented the degeneration in laying performance and egg quality, as well as OS, liver inflammation, pathological damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by H2O2. CGA inhibited H2O2-induced hepatic lipid accumulation by upregulating fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression and downregulating fatty acid synthesis-related gene expression. These findings indicate that the dietary addition of 800 mg/kg of CGA is the optimum supplementation dose. CGA can enhance laying performance and egg quality while alleviating OS, hepatic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and lipid accumulation in H2O2-challenged laying hens.
Towards a Holistic Understanding of the Interactions of Redox-Active Proteins
Authors: Vlamis-Gardikas Alexios
Published: October 2024

The deciphering of the organization of molecular life in cells starts with the analysis of their biochemical pathways [...]
Loss of Surfactant Protein A Alters Perinatal Lung Morphology and Susceptibility to Hyperoxia-Induced Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Amatya Shaili , Lanza Matthew , Umstead Todd M. , Chroneos Zissis C.
Published: October 2024

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a condition of poor alveolar formation that causes chronic breathing impairment in infants born prematurely. Preterm lungs lack surfactant and are vulnerable to oxidative injuries driving the development of BPD. Our recent studies reported that surfactant protein A (SP-A) genetic variants influence susceptibility to neonatal lung disease. SP-A modulates activation of alveolar macrophages and parturition onset in late gestation. We asked whether a lack of SP-A alters alveolarization in a mouse model of hyperoxia-induced BPD. SP-A-deficient and control newborn mice were exposed to either clinically relevant 60% O2 hyperoxia or normoxia for 5–7 days. Alveolar formation was then assessed by mean linear intercept (MLI) and radial alveolar count (RAC) measurements in lung tissue sections. We report that the combination of SP-A deficiency and hyperoxia reduces alveolar growth compared to WT mice. The morphometric analysis of normoxic SP-A-deficient lungs showed lower RAC compared to controls, indicating reduced alveolar number. In the presence of hyperoxia, MLI was higher in SP-A-deficient lungs compared to controls. Differences were statistically significant for female pups. Spatial proteomic profiling of lung tissue sections showed that hyperoxia caused a 4-fold increase in the DNA damage marker γH2Ax in macrophages of SP-A-deficient lungs compared to normoxia. Our short report suggests an important role for SP-A in perinatal lung development and the protection of lung macrophages from oxidant injury. These studies warrant future investigation to discern the temporal interaction of SP-A, gender, oxidant injury, and lung macrophages in perinatal alveolar formation and development of BPD.
Experimental Study of Bedform Development Characteristics and Their Effects on Sediment Transport
Authors: Geng Xu , Cao Wenhong , Liu Chunjing , Zhang Guangming
Published: October 2024

Bedforms are complex and varied features on riverbeds created by the interaction between flow and sediment particles. Bedform evolution is crucial for understanding sediment transport, bed resistance, and the ecological environment of rivers. In this study, a series of movable-bed dune experiments were conducted utilizing advanced 3D topographic laser scanning technology to precisely measure the 2D and 3D dune bedforms under various conditions. This enabled the detailed analysis of the bedform parameters, including the dune length and height, the crest height, and the trough depth. Furthermore, this study examined the relationship between bed resistance and dune morphology and investigated how the intensity of bedload transport affects bed resistance. The findings indicate that bedload mass transport on the riverbed significantly contributes to increased bed resistance. Given the limitations of the traditional bedload transport rate formulas for dune bedforms, this research introduces a new formula derived from the experimental data. The accuracy of this formula was confirmed using the nonlinear least squares method. Our study enhances the accuracy of sediment transport predictions and provides scientific support for river management and engineering practices.
North America’s Potential for an Environmentally Sustainable Nickel, Manganese, and Cobalt Battery Value Chain
Authors: Vegh Gary , Madikere Raghunatha Reddy Anil , Li Xia , Deng Sixu , Liu Tongchao , Amine Khalil , Zaghib Karim
Published: October 2024

The Detroit Big Three General Motors (GMs), Ford, and Stellantis predict that electric vehicle (EV) sales will comprise 40–50% of the annual vehicle sales by 2030. Among the key components of LIBs, the LiNixMnyCo1−x−yO2 cathode, which comprises nickel, manganese, and cobalt (NMC) in various stoichiometric ratios, is widely used in EV batteries. This review reveals NMC cathodes from laboratory research. Furthermore, this study examines the environmental effect of NMC cathode production for EV batteries (including coating technologies), encompassing aspects such as energy consumption, water usage, and air emissions. Although gaps persist in NMC cathode environmental assessments (NMC111, NMC532, NMC622, and NMC811), limited life cycle assessments “(LCA)” have been conducted. Most available data originate from Asia (primarily China), accounting for 85% of the production of EV LIB cathode materials. The concept of battery passports for data collection on LIB components has been proposed to facilitate material traceability as a system for ensuring a sustainable supply chain for critical minerals. The automotive industry’s shift to electrification necessitates a sustainable supply chain from mine to vehicle end-of-life. As the critical mineral supply moves from Asia to North America, environmentally friendly industrial methods must be studied to provide this supply chain direction.
Early Internal Short Circuit Diagnosis for Lithium-Ion Battery Packs Based on Dynamic Time Warping of Incremental Capacity
Authors: Zhang Meng , Guo Qiang , Fu Ke , Du Xiaogang , Zhang Hao , Zuo Qi , Yang Qi , Lyu Chao
Published: October 2024

Timely identification of early internal short circuit faults, commonly referred to as micro short circuits (MSCs), is essential yet poses significant challenges for the safe and reliable operation of lithium-ion battery (LIB) energy storage systems. This paper introduces an innovative diagnostic method for early internal short circuits in LIB packs, utilizing dynamic time warping (DTW) applied to incremental capacity (IC). Initially, the terminal voltages of all cells within the LIB pack are ordered at any moment to determine the median terminal voltage, which is then used to generate the median IC curve. This curve acts as a reference benchmark that represents the condition of healthy cells in the pack. Subsequently, the DTW algorithm is utilized to measure the similarity between each cell’s IC curve and the median IC curve. Cells exhibiting similarity scores that exceed a specified threshold are identified as having MSC faults. Lastly, for the cells diagnosed with MSC conditions, a method for estimating short-circuit resistance (SR) based on variations in maximum charging voltage is devised to quantitatively evaluate the severity and evolution of the MSC. Experimental findings reveal that the proposed method effectively identifies MSC cells in the LIB pack and estimates their SRs without the necessity of a battery model, thereby affirming the method’s validity.
State of Health Estimation of Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Fusion Health Indicator by PSO-ELM Model
Authors: Chen Jun , Liu Yan , Yong Jun , Yang Cheng , Yan Liqin , Zheng Yanping
Published: October 2024

The accurate estimation of the State of Health (SOH) of lithium-ion batteries is essential for ensuring their safe and reliable operation, as direct measurement is not feasible. This paper presents a novel SOH estimation method that integrates Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) with an Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) to improve prediction accuracy. Health Indicators (HIs) are first extracted from the battery’s charging curve, and correlation analysis is conducted on seven indirect HIs using Pearson and Spearman coefficients. To reduce dimensionality and eliminate redundancy, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is applied, with the principal component contributing over 94% used as a fusion HI to represent battery capacity degradation. PSO is then employed to optimize the weights (ε) between the input and hidden layers, as well as the hidden layer bias (u) in the ELM, treating these parameters as particles in the PSO framework. This optimization enhances the ELM’s performance, addressing instability issues in the standard algorithm. The proposed PSO-ELM model demonstrates superior accuracy in SOH prediction compared with ELM and other methods. Experimental results show that the mean absolute error (MAE) is 0.0034, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) is 0.467%, and the root mean square error (RMSE) is 0.0043, providing a valuable reference for battery safety and reliability assessments.
Supplementation of Chlorella vulgaris Extracts During Brewing: The Effects on Fermentation Properties, Phytochemical Activity and the Abundance of Volatile Organic Compounds
Authors: Okechukwu Queency N. , Adadi Parise , Kovaleva Elena G.
Published: October 2024

Chlorella vulgaris, a microalga rich in secondary metabolites and nutrients, offers a promising alternative for promoting microbial growth in food fermentation processes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of C. vulgaris extracts on fermentation kinetics, sensory characteristics, phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and the abundance of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in treated versus control beers. The bioactive compounds from C. vulgaris were extracted using an ultrasound-assisted method with water as the solvent. A German Pilsner-style lager beer (GPB) was brewed and supplemented with 0.5, 1, and 5 g/L of C. vulgaris extracts prior to primary fermentation. Yeast viability, °Brix, and pH levels were monitored to assess fermentation progress. Phytochemical composition was analyzed by quantifying total polyphenols and flavonoids. The antioxidant activity of the beer was evaluated using both the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH●) and hydrogen peroxide assays. The addition of C. vulgaris extracts resulted in increased yeast viability and slight variations in gravity during the 7-day fermentation period. Moreover, the beers supplemented with C. vulgaris extracts demonstrated higher levels of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity compared to the GPB. Specific volatile organic compounds, including 2-methyl-1-propanol, 1-hexanol, isopentyl hexanoate, 2-methylpropyl octanoate, β-myrcene, and geranyl acetate, were significantly more abundant (p < 0.05) in the treated beers than in the control. Sensory evaluations revealed a favorable impact of the treatment on aroma scores compared to the GPB. Overall, the findings indicate that C. vulgaris extracts could be a valuable ingredient for developing functional beers with enhanced health benefits, particularly regarding antioxidant activity. Additionally, the results underscore the importance of exploring innovative approaches that utilize natural sources like Chlorella to enrich the nutritional profile and sensory qualities of fermented products.
Transient Increases in Alpha Power Relative to Healthy Reference Ranges in Awake Piglets After Repeated Rapid Head Rotations
Authors: Oeur Anna , Torp William H. , Margulies Susan S.
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Sports-related concussions are a main cause of cognitive dysfunction and somatic complaints, particularly in youth. While the majority of concussion symptoms resolve within one week, cognitive effects may persist. In this study, we sought to study changes to cognition within this acute time frame. Methods: In this current study, we use an established swine model of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to study the effects of single and repeated head rotations on resting-state electroencephalography (rs-EEG) in awake piglets in the acute (within 7 days) time period after injury. We studied both healthy and experimental groups to (1) establish healthy reference ranges (RRs; N = 23) for one-minute rs-EEG in awake piglets, (2) compare the effects of single (N = 12) and repeated head rotations (N = 13) on rs-EEG, and (3) examine the acute time course (pre-injury and days 1, 4, and 7 post-injury) in animals administered single and repeated head rotations. EEG data were Fourier transformed, and total (1–30 Hz) and relative power in the alpha (8–12 Hz), beta (16.5–25 Hz), delta (1–4 Hz), and theta (4–7.5 Hz) bands were analyzed. Results: Total power and relative alpha, beta, delta, and theta power were consistent measures across days in healthy animals. We found a significant and transient increase in relative alpha power after repeated injury on day 1 in all regions and a rise above the healthy RR in the frontal and left temporal regions. Conclusions: Future studies will expand the study duration to investigate and inform clinical prognoses from acute measurements of rs-EEG.
The Relationship Between Asthma and Food Allergies in Children
Authors: Cunico Daniela , Giannì Giuliana , Scavone Sara , Buono Enrico Vito , Caffarelli Carlo
Published: October 2024

Asthma and food allergy are two complex allergic diseases with an increasing prevalence in childhood. They share risk factors, including atopic family history, atopic dermatitis, allergen sensitization, and T2 inflammatory pathways. Several studies have shown that in children with a food allergy, the risk of developing asthma, particularly in early childhood, is high. Food allergen intake or the inhalation of aerosolized allergens can induce respiratory symptoms such as bronchospasm. Patients with both conditions have an increased risk of severe asthma exacerbations, hospitalization, and mortality. The current management of clinical food hypersensitivity primarily involves the dietary avoidance of food allergens and the use of self-injectable adrenaline for severe reactions. Poorly controlled asthma limits the prescription of oral immunotherapy to foods, which has emerged as an alternative therapy for managing food allergies. Biological therapies that are effective in severe asthma have been explored for treating food allergies. Omalizumab improves asthma control and, either alone or in combination with oral immunotherapy, increases the threshold of allergen tolerance. Understanding the interplay between asthma and food allergy is crucial for developing successful treatment approaches and ameliorating patient results.
Participation in Daily Activities of Children with Atopic Diseases and Its Relation to Their Sensory Modulation Difficulties
Authors: Engel-Yeger Batya , Kessel Aharon
Published: October 2024

(1) Background: Participation in daily activities is critical for a child’s health, development and wellbeing and is considered a main outcome measure of intervention efficiency. Atopic diseases affect children’s daily life and routines but the knowledge about impacts on participation is limited. (2) Objectives: a. to profile the preference to participate in daily activities of children with atopic diseases as compared to healthy controls; b. to profile sensory modulation difficulties (SMD) in each atopic group; c. to examine whether SMD correlate with activity preference. (3) Methods: This cross-section and correlative study included 253 children aged 4–11: 37 with Asthma, 37 with atopic dermatitis (AD), and 31 with Rhinitis. The controls were 148 healthy children. All children completed the Preference for Activities of Children (PAC) while their parents completed a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Short Sensory Profile (SSP). (4) Results: Children with atopic diseases showed significantly lower preference to participate in activities than healthy controls and preferred quiet activities that can be performed alone. Within the atopic groups, children with AD, and specifically girls, had the highest activity preference while boys with Asthma had the lowest preference. SMD was significantly more prevalent in children with atopic diseases and correlated with their reduced preference to participate in activities. (5) Conclusions: Atopic diseases may restrict children’s participation. Clinicians should evaluate participation of children with atopic diseases and examine whether comorbidities as SMD affect participation. Understanding the implications on children’s daily life may improve intervention efficiency and elevate development and wellbeing.