bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discrimination of genetic and geographical groups of grape varieties (Vitis vinifera L.) based on their volatile organic compounds
Authors: Šikuten Iva , Štambuk Petra , Tomaz Ivana , Marchal Cecile , Kontić Jasminka Karoglan , Lacombe Thierry , Maletić Edi , Preiner Darko
Published: October 2022

Grape volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play an important role in the winemaking industry due to their contribution to wine sensory characteristics. Another important role in the winemaking industry have the grapevine varieties used in specific regions or countries for wine production. Due to the high variability of grapevine germplasm, grapevine varieties are as classified based on their genetic and geographical origin into genetic-geographic groups (GEN-GEO). The aim of this research was to investigate VOCs in 50 red grapevine varieties belonging to different GEN-GEO groups. The study included varieties from groups C2 (Italy and France), C7 (Croatia), and C8 (Spain and Portugal). The analysis of VOCs was performed by SPME-Arrow-GC/MS directly from grape skins. The analyzed VOCs included aldehydes, ketones, acids, alcohols, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. The most abundant VOCs were aldehydes and alcohols, while the most numerous were sesquiterpenes. The most abundant compounds, aldehydes and alcohols, were found to be (E)-2-hexenal, hexenal, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol, and 1-hexanol. Using discriminant analysis, the GEN-GEO groups were separated based on their volatile profile. Some of the individual compounds contributing to the discrimination were found in relatively small amounts, such as benzoic acid, (E,E)-2,4-hexadienal, 4-pentenal, and nonanoic acid. The groups were also discriminated by their overall volatile profile: group C2 was characterized by a higher content of aldehydes and alcohols, and group C8 was characterized by a higher content of sesquiterpenes and acids. Group C7 was characterized by all low amount of all classes of VOCs.
MIKC-type MADS-box transcription factor gene family in peanut: Genome-wide characterization and expression analysis under abiotic stress
Authors: Mou Yifei , Yuan Cuiling , Sun Quanxi , Yan Caixia , Zhao Xiaobo , Wang Juan , Wang Qi , Shan Shihua , Li Chunjuan
Published: October 2022

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is one of the most important economic crops around the world, especially since it provides vegetable oil and high-quality protein for humans. Proteins encoded by MADS-box transcription factors are widely involved in regulating plant growth and development as well as responses to abiotic stresses. However, the MIKC-type MADS-box TFs in peanut remains currently unclear. Hence, in this study, 166 MIKC-type MADS-box genes were identified in both cultivated and wild-type peanut genomes, which were divided into 12 subfamilies. We found a variety of development-, hormone-, and stress-related cis-acting elements in the promoter region of peanut MIKC-type MADS-box genes. The chromosomal distribution of peanut MADS-box genes was not random, and gene duplication contributed to the expansion of the MADS-box gene family. The interaction network of the peanut AhMADS proteins was established. Expression pattern analysis showed that AhMADS genes were specifically expressed in tissues and under abiotic stresses. It was further confirmed via the qRT-PCR technique that five selected AhMADS genes could be induced by abiotic and hormone treatments and presented different expressive profiles under various stresses. Taken together, these findings provide valuable information for the exploration of candidate genes in molecular breeding and further study of AhMADS gene functions.
The impact of the big five personality variables on self-employment survival
Authors: Volery Thierry , Mattes Jochen
Published: October 2022

Based on large, representative Australian household panel, this study investigates to what extent the Big Five personality variables influence self-employment survival and differentiates between successful or unsuccessful exit. In addition, the influence of two moderating variables, tertiary education and the motivation to become self-employed, are considered. Contrary to expectations, we found no impact of the Big Fives variable on self-employment survival in general. In the case of unsuccessful exit, we found that entrepreneurs with a higher level of Conscientiousness tend to stay self-employed although they may not be satisfied with their job. Similarly, entrepreneurs with a tertiary education prolong unsuccessfully self-employment stints, particularly if they exhibit higher level of Emotional Stability. Necessity-driven entrepreneurs exit unsuccessful stints earlier, especially if they exhibit a lower level of conscientiousness.
Associations between executive functioning, challenging behavior, and quality of life in children and adolescents with and without neurodevelopmental conditions
Authors: Frazier Thomas W. , Crowley Ethan , Shih Andy , Vasudevan Vijay , Karpur Arun , Uljarevic Mirko , Cai Ru Ying
Published: October 2022

The present study sought to clarify the impact of executive and social functioning on challenging behavior and the downstream influence of challenging behavior on quality of life and functioning in a large transdiagnostic sample. Understanding these relationships is crucial for developing and designing tailored intervention strategies. In a cross-sectional study, parent informants of 2,004 children completed measures of executive and social functioning, challenging behavior, child and family quality of life, and reported on functional impacts of challenging behavior. Using structural (path) modeling, analyses evaluated the associations between executive and social functioning, including emotion regulation and risk avoidance, with overall and specific types of challenging behavior. Structural models also examined the influence of challenging behavior on child and family quality of life, including measures of the immediate and extended environment, and functional impacts on the parent/child as well as interactions with the medical/legal systems. Finally, mediational models explored the direct and indirect effects of executive and social functioning on quality of life and impact measures via challenging behavior. Results indicated that executive functioning accounts for substantial variance (R2 = 0.47) in challenging behavior. In turn, challenging behavior accounts for substantial variance in child and family quality of life (R2 = 0.36) and parent/child impacts (R2 = 0.31). Exploratory mediational models identified direct effects from executive and social functioning measures on quality of life and functional impacts and indirect effects for executive functioning via challenging behavior. These findings support the development of new intervention strategies and suggest the need to measure executive functioning when assessing and tailoring the treatment of challenging behavior in clinical practice.
A myth in language teacher learning: Lesson observation
Authors: Gu Min
Published: October 2022

This study explores the learning process of 32 Chinese senior high school English as a foreign language (EFL) teachersviathree demonstration lessons. It was demonstratedviaa data analysis of oral reports and interviews that the cognitive activity of “question,” which was considered a significant contributor to collaborative discussion, was seldom involved in the participating teachers’ learning process, and that the absence of this cognitive activity reduced their learning to individual study of the observed practical skills. The study further reveals four factors that prevented the participating teachers from collaboratively constructing language teaching knowledge based on what was observed: These were (1) their perceived purpose of the modeled lessons, (2) their manner of making meaning, (3) their understanding of observer–observed relationship, and (4) their perception of professional learning. The analysis presented provides important insights for teacher educators to better facilitate in-service teachers of foreign languages learning through observation.
International students’ university choice to study abroad in higher education and influencing factors analysis
Authors: Ke Hu , Junfeng Diao , Xiaojing Li
Published: October 2022

With the development of China’s higher education, China has become increasingly popular as an education destination for international students. To explore the rationale and the influencing factors for them to attend Chinese universities, this research adopted a questionnaire survey and interviews with international students from a top university in China. The data were analyzed from four aspects: home countries’ push factors, China’s pull factors, university attractiveness factors and personal choice factors. The findings show that university attractiveness factors are more significant than the China’s pull factors and the home countries push factors; China’s pull factors have significant influence on the university attractiveness factors; For students from different regions, the factors of China’s pull, home country’s push and university attractiveness play significantly different role in affecting their choice of university, with Asian students much more affected than those from other parts of the world. Besides, individual subjective norms and individual value choices also affect students’ choices to study abroad.
The enigma of weight: Figures, flux, and fitting in
Authors: Wong Katherine , Myre Maxine , Moules Nancy J. , Lefebvre Danielle , Morhun Janelle M. , Saunders Jessica F. , Estefan Andrew , Russell-Mayhew Shelly
Published: October 2022

Purpose

In Western society, the measurement of weight is prioritized over a person’s bodily experience. Hermeneutic philosopher Gadamer warned against the emphasis on measurement, rather than experience, in the medical sciences. An examination of the complexity of the experience of weight provides the opportunity to shift focus from quantifying the connection between health and weight to the experience of the person being weighed.

Methods

This qualitative hermeneutic study aims to understand people’s experiences of weight from the interviews of professionals (n = 7) and lay experts (n = 10). Interviews were analyzed using an interpretive hermeneutic method.

Results

The interviews revealed that weight was experienced as a number imbued with meaning and bias, as a number that could be manipulated, and as a constant and anticipated bodily change. Weight change was expected and often unwelcomed, despite weight being a quality of the body that is always in flux. External measures of weight meant to monitor wellness and health inadvertently became an unhealthy fixation that prevented some participants from fully participating in life events and appreciating the stages their bodies were in.

Conclusion

Weight change is a necessary condition of being human, and bodies are and will be constantly changing. To achieve health and harmony, one must fit together the acceptance of change and their bodily experience of weight. It is often the preoccupation with weight, not weight itself, that gets in the way of living.
Gender biases in the training methods of affective computing: Redesign and validation of the Self-Assessment Manikin in measuring emotions via audiovisual clips
Authors: Sainz-de-Baranda Andujar Clara , Gutiérrez-Martín Laura , Miranda-Calero José Ángel , Blanco-Ruiz Marian , López-Ongil Celia
Published: October 2022

Audiovisual communication is greatly contributing to the emerging research field of affective computing. The use of audiovisual stimuli within immersive virtual reality environments is providing very intense emotional reactions, which provoke spontaneous physical and physiological changes that can be assimilated into real responses. In order to ensure high-quality recognition, the artificial intelligence (AI) system must be trained with adequate data sets, including not only those gathered by smart sensors but also the tags related to the elicited emotion. Currently, there are very few techniques available for the labeling of emotions. Among them, the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) devised by Lang is one of the most popular. This study shows experimentally that the graphic proposal for the original SAM labelling system, as devised by Lang, is not neutral to gender and contains gender biases in its design and representation. Therefore, a new graphic design has been proposed and tested according to the guidelines of expert judges. The results of the experiment show an overall improvement in the labeling of emotions in the pleasure–arousal–dominance (PAD) affective space, particularly, for women. This research proves the relevance of applying the gender perspective in the validation of tools used throughout the years.
The ripple effect: How leader workplace anxiety shape follower job performance
Authors: Zhang Shanshan , Chen Lifan , Zhang Lihua , Stein Aaron McCune
Published: October 2022

Although the dominant view in the literature suggests that work-related anxiety experienced by employees affects their behavior and performance, little research has focused on how and when leaders’ workplace anxiety affects their followers’ job performance. Drawing from Emotions as Social Information (EASI) theory, we propose dual mechanisms of cognitive interference and emotional exhaustion to explain the relationship between leader workplace anxiety and subordinate job performance. Specifically, cognitive interference is the mechanism that best explains the link between leader workplace anxiety and follower task performance, while emotional exhaustion is the mechanism that best explains the link between leader workplace anxiety and follower contextual performance. Additionally, we examine how follower epistemic motivation serves as a boundary condition for the effect of leader anxiety on follower performance outcomes. Results from a 2-wave study of 228 leader-follower dyads in a high-tech company mostly supported our theoretical model. We conclude the study with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of our findings.
Exploring the role of green government publicity influencing people’s pro-environmental behaviors
Authors: Lin Yi , Li Jiechun , Xiang Ling
Published: October 2022

In recent years government publicity was extensively used to convey environmental issues; therefore, it is important to explore the role of green government publicity influencing people’s pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs). This study is to uncover the impact of China’s green government publicity on people’s willingness to use green packaging. This research collected data from Guangzhou of China, we used convenient sampling and online questionnaire survey to gather data, and there were 584 effective samples. Using the statistical software Amos17.0, the results reveal that green government publicity has a significant effect on environmental concerns and moral obligation. Environmental concerns and moral obligation both have positive effects on PEBs. In addition, Environmental concerns and moral obligation all have mediating effects in the relationship between green government publicity and people’s PEBs.
The use of SCL-k-9 to measure general psychopathology in women and men with skin conditions
Authors: Samela Tonia , Cordella Giorgia , Antinone Valeria , Sarandrea Paride , Giampetruzzi Anna Rita , Abeni Damiano
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To measure general psychopathology in dermatologic outpatients using the Symptom-Checklist-K-9 (SCL-K-9); to investigate whether the SCL-K-9 is able to categorize patients with and without significant non-psychotic disorders; and to perform a single-item analysis of the SCL-K-9, with a focus on gender differences.

Methods

Cross-sectional study on consecutive dermatological patients. We used two self-administered questionnaires to assess general psychopathology symptoms: General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and SCL-K-9. Sociodemographic information was collected with standardized forms. The performance of the SCL-K-9 in classifying patients according to their current emotional distress severity was assessed using a ROC procedure. Finally, we measured differences in scores obtained among women and men in SCL-K-9 single items.

Results

A total of 292 patients were studied (71.2% women). We observed statistically significant differences in SCL-K-9 total mean scores and in most single items among genders. We found that it would be more appropriate to use gender-specific cut-offs when using SCL-K-9 to screen dermatological patients for general psychopathology.

Conclusion

The SCL-K-9, with its compact format could provide, in a short time, a wide range of information related to critical areas that challenge the mental health of patients with skin diseases.
Longitudinal bidirectional relations between children’s negative affectivity and maternal emotion expressivity
Authors: Tan Lin , Smith Cynthia L.
Published: October 2022

Although children’s negative affectivity is a temperamental characteristic that is biologically based, it is framed within and shaped by their emotional environments which are partly created by maternal emotion expressivity in the family. Children, in turn, play a role in shaping their family emotional context, which could lead to changes in mothers’ emotion expressivity in the family. However, these theorized longitudinal bidirectional relations between child negative affectivity and maternal positive and negative expressivity have not been studied from toddlerhood to early school-age. The current study utilized a cross-lagged panel model to examine the reciprocal relations between children’s negative affectivity and maternal expressivity within the family over the course of early childhood. Participants were 140 mother–child dyads (72 boys, mean age = 2.67 years, primarily White). Mothers reported the positive and negative expressivity in the family and children’s negative affectivity in toddlerhood (T1), preschool (T2), and school-age (T3). Maternal negative expressivity and child negative affectivity at T1 were significantly correlated. Maternal negative expressivity at T1 significantly predicted child negative affectivity at T3. Children’s negative affectivity at T2 significantly predicted mothers’ negative expressivity at T3. Mothers’ positive expressivity was not related to children’s negative affectivity at any of the three time points. The findings demonstrate the reciprocal relations between children’s negative affectivity and maternal negative expressivity in the family, suggesting the importance of the interplay between child temperament and maternal expressivity within the family emotional context.
Perspectives of EFL learners and teachers on self-efficacy and academic achievement: The role of gender, culture and learning environment
Authors: Liu Liyuan , Saeed Muhammad Amir , Abdelrasheed Nasser Said Gomaa , Shakibaei Goodarz , Khafaga Ayman Farid
Published: October 2022

The Omani socio-cultural context, the mono-gender educational system in schools, and the learning environment at the higher educational institutions significantly affect learners' self-efficacy and academic achievement in the mixed-gender EFL classroom. Different studies have revealed both positive and negative implications of mixed-gender classrooms, especially for those who came from a mono-gender learning environment. The adjustment phase for the tertiary learners from school to the university is not only crucial but also significant for the continuation of higher education. The effects of socio-cultural factors on self-efficacy and academic achievement have not been studied in depth, particularly in eastern countries. So, the current study aimed at investigating the role of gender, learning background, socio-cultural circumstances, and the effect of the learning environment on EFL learners' self-efficacy and their academic achievement within the scenario of the prevailing culture and traditions in the Dhofar Region. To conduct this study, mixed research methods (qualitative and quantitative) have been adopted to investigate the perceptions of both teachers and learners. The sample of the study consists of 117 EFL learners ranging between 18–22 years of age and 25 EFL teachers ranging between 35–60 years of age. We used separate surveys for students and the teachers and interviewed students and teachers on a random basis. The results demonstrate that both genders were comfortable in segregated classes. The results also reveal that female learners were active learners and better performers than male learners in the school learning environment. The students reported that social restrictions discouraged them from mixing with the opposite gender in classroom activities and oral discussions. Most teachers believe that, compared to male learners, female learners performed better and were more engaged and responsive to different learning situations. The study found that there were statistically significant differences between both genders in terms of the effects of socio-cultural environment, self-efficacy, and the learning environment. Female learners were better than male learners in mono-gender schools, and they have higher self-efficacy than male students at the university. In conclusion, EFL teachers should consider the socio-cultural context, learners' learning background, and other challenges of learners to bring out positive outcomes in a mixed-gender classroom.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated risk factors: A testing program and nested case-control study conducted at Sapienza University of Rome between March and June 2021
Authors: Baccolini Valentina , Siena Leonardo Maria , Renzi Erika , Migliara Giuseppe , Colaprico Corrado , Romano Alessandra , Massimi Azzurra , Marzuillo Carolina , De Vito Corrado , Casini Leandro , Antonelli Guido , Turriziani Ombretta , Angeloni Antonio , D'Alba Fabrizio , Villari Paolo , Polimeni Antonella ,   Collaborating Group
Published: October 2022

Background

To safely resume in-person activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sapienza University of Rome implemented rigorous infection prevention and control measures, a successful communication campaign and a free SARS-CoV-2 testing program. In this study, we describe the University's experience in carrying out such a program in the context of the COVID-19 response and identify risk factors for infection.

Methods

Having identified resources, space, supplies and staff, from March to June 2021 Sapienza offered to all its enrollees a molecular test service (8.30 AM to 4 PM, Monday to Thursday). A test-negative case-control study was conducted within the program. Participants underwent structured interviews that investigated activity-related exposures in the 2 weeks before testing. Multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses were performed. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated.

Results

A total of 8,959 tests were administered, of which 56 were positive. The detection trend followed regional tendencies. Among 40 cases and 80 controls, multivariable analysis showed that a known exposure to a COVID-19 case increased the likelihood of infection (aOR: 8.39, 95% CI: 2.38–29.54), while having a job decreased it (aOR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.06–0.88). Of factors that almost reached statistical significance, participation in activities in the university tended to reduce the risk (aOR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.09–1.06), while attendance at private gatherings showed an increasing risk trend (aOR: 3.48, 95% CI: 0.95–12.79). Age, gender, activities in the community, visiting bars or restaurants, and use of public transportation were not relevant risk factors. When those students regularly attending the university campus were excluded from the analysis, the results were comparable, except that attending activities in the community came close to having a statistically significant effect (aOR: 8.13, 95% CI: 0.91–72.84).

Conclusions

The testing program helped create a safe university environment. Furthermore, promoting preventive behavior and implementing rigorous measures in public places, as was the case in the university setting, contributed to limit the virus transmission.
An intention to use mobile applications for medical supplies and equipment ordering in clinics
Authors: Salameh Anas A.
Published: October 2022

This research developed a mobile medical supplies and equipment ordering app (MMSEOA) model and attempted to validate it empirically. When customers (clinic doctors) make purchases on the app, two types of reasons can be identified: “reasons for” include enduring involvement (emotions), product description, and awareness (familiarity) while the “reasons against”, were demonstrated as perceived risk and resistance to change (fear). This study aimed to strengthen and illuminate the most significant dimensions that enhance a doctor's understanding of MMSEOA and the intention to use it. Furthermore, this research investigated the model's applicability among clinic doctors in Jordan. The model was empirically examined using a sample of 342 Jordanian clinic doctors and their secretaries who use mobile services in general. The survey method, a quantitative approach, was utilized; the partial least squares structural equation modeling system was used to investigate the proposed framework. The results demonstrate that these “reasons for” positively influenced the intention to use the MMSEOA except product description. Similarly, reasons against negatively influence the customers' intention to use the MMSEOA app, while perceived risk had no effect on the intention to use. These findings suggested that researchers should focus more on the services, products, and the main function of the MMSEOA to determine their influences on customers' intention to use. This will improve the buying habits related to purchasing medical supplies using MMSEOA and other online platforms, specifically in Jordan and the Middle East at large.
The effectiveness of web-based interventions on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tian Caixia , Xu Jinliang , Wang Guofen , Yu Lidi , Tang Xiaoli
Published: October 2022

Aim

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most prevalent liver disease in the world, increasing the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. This study aims to carry out a web-based continuum of a care intervention model to provide comprehensive care interventions for obese children with NAFLD, to improve the effectiveness of treatment of children with NAFLD.

Design

A 1-year single-blinded randomized clinical trial in hospital in Zhejiang Province.

Methods

Eighty subjects will implement the program in a randomized order. The interventions for the control group mainly consisted of the routine distribution of health education materials and health education by holding health-themed lectures, and the preliminary proposed interventions including establishing management teams, regularly delivering related health knowledge, daily uploading of health intervention records, regular supervision and mutual encouragement, home visiting and psychological guidance. The primary outcomes are serum biomarkers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase, and imaging (liver ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging). Second outcomes are: BMI, waist-to-hip ratio and quality of life. In addition, socio-demographic characteristics such as age, gender and ethnicity will be recorded. Children aged 7–18 years old and diagnosed with NAFLD will be included, patients will be not eligible if they do not agree to participate or are participating in other health intervention programs. This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05527938).

Results

Over the past 30 years, NAFLD has been recognized as one of the most common liver diseases in adults and children. The current studies have focused on promoting lifestyle changes in children with NASH by providing some education and advice to children and their families to improve the histological features of NASH and lose weight. Because of the convenience and efficiency of the internet can provide some new strategies and ways for lifestyle interventions for children with NAFLD. In addition, we have designed a high-quality RCT based on the SPIRIT guidelines, which also provides strong evidence in this area.
Correlation analysis between unenhanced and enhanced CT radiomic features of lung cancers presenting as solid nodules and their efficacy for predicting hilar and mediastinal lymph node metastases
Authors: Yuan Huanchu , Zou Yujian , Gao Yun , Zhang Shihao , Zheng Xiaolin , You Xiaoting
Published: October 2022

Objectives

If hilar and mediastinal lymph node metastases occur in solid nodule lung cancer is critical for tumor staging, which determines the treatment strategy and prognosis of patients. We aimed to develop an effective model to predict hilar and mediastinal lymph node metastases by using texture features of solid nodule lung cancer.

Methods

Two hundred eighteen patients with solid nodules on CT images were analyzed retrospectively. The 3D tumors were delineated using ITK-SNAP software. Radiomics features were extracted from unenhanced and enhanced CT images based on AK software. Correlations between radiomics features of unenhanced and enhanced CT images were analyzed with Spearman rank correlation analysis. According to pathological findings, the patients were divided into no lymph node metastasis group and lymph node metastasis group. All patients were randomly divided into training group and test group at a ratio of 7:3. Valuable features were selected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to build predictive models. Two predictive models were established with unenhanced and enhanced CT images. ROC analysis was used to estimate the predictive efficiency of the models.

Results

A total of 7 categories of features, including 107 features, were extracted. There was a high correlation between the 7 categories of features from unenhanced CT images and enhanced CT images (all r > 0.7, p < 0.05). Among them, the shape features had the strongest correlation (mean r = 0.98). There were 5 features in the enhanced model and the unenhanced model, which had important predicting significance. The AUCs were 0.811 and 0.803, respectively. There was no significant difference in the predictive performance of the two models (DeLong's test, p = 0.05).

Conclusion

Our study models achieved higher accuracy for predicting hilar and mediastinal lymph node metastasis of solid nodule lung cancer and have some value in promoting the staging accuracy of lung cancer. Our results show that CT radiomics features have potential to predict hilar and mediastinal lymph node metastases in solid nodular lung cancer. In addition, enhanced and unenhanced CT radiomics models had comparable predictive power in predicting hilar and mediastinal lymph node metastases.
Exploratory studies of oral and fecal microbiome in healthy human aging
Authors: Zhou Xin , Wang Baohong , Demkowicz Patrick C. , Johnson Jethro S. , Chen Yanfei , Spakowicz Daniel J. , Zhou Yanjiao , Dorsett Yair , Chen Lei , Sodergren Erica , Kuchel George A. , Weinstock George M.
Published: October 2022

Growing evidence has linked an altered host fecal microbiome composition with health status, common chronic diseases, and institutionalization in vulnerable older adults. However, fewer studies have described microbiome changes in healthy older adults without major confounding diseases or conditions, and the impact of aging on the microbiome across different body sites remains unknown. Using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, we reconstructed the composition of oral and fecal microbiomes in young (23–32; mean = 25 years old) and older (69–94; mean = 77 years old) healthy community-dwelling research subjects. In both body sites, we identified changes in minor bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) between young and older subjects. However, the composition of the predominant bacterial species of the healthy older group in both microbiomes was not significantly different from that of the young cohort, which suggests that dominant bacterial species are relatively stable with healthy aging. In addition, the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic genera, such as Rothia and Mycoplasma, was enriched in the oral microbiome of the healthy older group relative to the young cohort. We also identified several OTUs with a prevalence above 40% and some were more common in young and others in healthy older adults. Differences with aging varied for oral and fecal samples, which suggests that members of the microbiome may be differentially affected by aging in a tissue-specific fashion. This is the first study to investigate both oral and fecal microbiomes in the context of human aging, and provides new insights into interactions between aging and the microbiome within two different clinically relevant sites.
Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, emotional impairments, and fear in COVID-19 surviving patients
Authors: Luna-Rodríguez Guadalupe Lizzbett , Peláez-Hernández Viridiana , Orea-Tejeda Arturo , Ledesma-Ruíz Celia Deyanira , Casarín-López Fernando , Rosas-Trujillo Adrían , Domínguez-Trejo Benjamín , Tepepa-Flores Li Erandi
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Among the different psychological sequelae of post-COVID syndrome are symptoms related to emotional impairment, mostly depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Objective: To describe and compare the prevalence and severity of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of COVID-19 in survivors 3 months after discharge from the hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted, a total of 227 survivors of COVID-19 participated; they were assessed 3 months after being discharged from the hospital. A psychological evaluation focused on anxiety, depression, PTSD, and fear was conducted. Statistical analysis through the t-test for independent samples was performed.

Results: Of the patients, 64.5% were men, 60.9% required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) during hospitalization, and the average age was about 48.23 ± 14.33 years. Also, 40% showed symptoms associated with PTSD, 38.4% exhibited anxiety, 36.6% depression, and 36.12% exhibited fear of COVID-19. There were statistically significant differences between men and women, in PTSD (t = -3.414, df = 224, p = 0.001, x̅m = 5.10, x̅w = 6.32), depression (t = -4.680, df = 225, p = 0.000, x̅m = 3.64, x̅w = 7.18), anxiety (t = -3.427, df = 152.53, p = 0.001, x̅m = 3.78, x̅w = 6.20), and fear of COVID-19 (t = -3.400, df = 224, p = 0.001, x̅m = 11.88, x̅w = 15.19). Furthermore, there were also statistically significant differences between the type of treatment during hospitalization (IMV vs. without IMV), in PTSD (t = 2.482, df = 223, p = 0.014, x̅IMV = 5.21, x̅WIMV = 6.08) and anxiety (t = -2.006, df = 223, p = 0.046, x̅IMV = 4.05, x̅WIMV = 5.44).

Conclusion: Survivors of COVID-19 experience a high prevalence of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear, even 3 months after discharge from the hospital. Females and patients who did not require IMV during hospitalization are the most affected population, presenting more severe symptoms of these psychological alterations. More research is required to know and observe the long-term evolution of these psychological alterations in this population.
How quickly would we see the effects of changing greenhouse gas emissions?
Authors: Chandra Naveen , Niwa Yosuke
Published: October 2022

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) help to maintain the Earth’s temperature by trapping heat. Without GHGs, our planet would be so cold that no life could exist. In the present era, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels emit huge amounts of GHGs into the atmosphere each year. Consequently, the Earth’s temperature is increasing to an uncomfortably high level. To halt the rise in Earth’s temperature, we must reduce and ultimately eliminate GHG emissions. However, reducing emissions may not instantly result in lower GHG levels in the atmosphere, as the GHGs we emit now can remain in the atmosphere for decades to centuries. This article explains the rate at which two essential GHGs (carbon dioxide and methane) might accumulate in the atmosphere and how their concentrations could change in the future because of emissions reductions.
Ocean Noise: The Human Footprint on Underwater Soundscapes
Authors: White Ellen L. , Mistry Nikhil , White Paul R.
Published: October 2022

You may have heard that our oceans are under threat due to the impacts of climate change, plastic pollution, and ocean acidification. But there is another threat that must be highlighted—noise pollution. Humans are becoming more and more reliant on the ocean for transportation and renewable energy, but these activities introduce noise. Every fishing vessel, cruise ship, ferry, cargo ship, and jet ski leaves a sound “footprint,” meaning our oceans are becoming increasingly noisy places. Many animals, including whales, dolphins, and fish, produce unique sounds—and scientists are looking at how man-made noises are affecting their communication, behavior, and habitats. We hope to discover ways to create harmony between humans and marine wildlife, to reduce the impact of noise pollution on marine ecosystems. In this article, we will introduce how marine species use sound, how noise pollution affects them, and how they are adapting to sharing their environments with humans.
First looks at solar active regions with ALMA
Authors: Loukitcheva Maria , Reardon Kevin P.
Published: October 2022

During the first few years of observing the Sun with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), the scientific community has acquired a number of observational datasets targeting various structures in active regions, including sunspot umbra and penumbra, active region pores, and plages. In this paper we review the results obtained from the extensive analysis of these interferometric millimeter data, together with the coordinated observations from IRIS, SDO, IBIS, and Hinode, that reveal information on the chromospheric thermal structure above active regions and properties of small-scale heating events near magnetic field concentrations. We discuss the properties of waves (especially the three-minute oscillations) in sunspots, plage, and network. We speculate how high-resolution millimeter data can supplement spectral line observations in the visible and UV and can improve chromospheric spectroscopic inversions. We identify challenges in the interpretation of the millimeter continuum emission due to the complex, non-local and time-dependent processes that determine the electron density through the chromosphere. Finally we overview the prospects for future active regions observations with ALMA during the ascending phase of the solar cycle.
Delayed diagnosis of blunt thoracic aortic injury due to thoracic vertebral fracture: A case report and literature review
Authors: Lei Xinhuan , Hong Zhenghua , Pan Weixing , Xiang Jie , Luo Hua
Published: October 2022

Blunt vascular injury of the aorta combined with thoracolumbar fracture is rare. Delayed diagnosis may have a catastrophic outcome. We present a case of blunt thoracic aortic injury combined with a vertebral body fracture at T10 after a fall from height in which the diagnosis was delayed. After consultation with the vascular and spinal surgeons, we performed a thoracic endovascular aortic repair. When the patient’s condition had stabilized, the fractures were reduced using posterior vertebral instrumentation. Prolonged compression of the thoracic aorta resulted in extensive necrosis of muscle tissues in the right lower leg. Fortunately, clinical and radiological examinations performed 7 months and 1 year later did not reveal any further damage. Cases of thoracic vertebral fracture with concomitant blunt thoracic aortic injury reported in the literature are reviewed. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is a feasible, safe, and effective minimally invasive treatment for aortic injury when combined with thoracic vertebral fracture.
Senecavirus A seroprevalence and risk factors in United States pig farms
Authors: Preis Guilherme , Sanhueza Juan M. , Vilalta Carles , Vannucci Fabio A. , Culhane Marie R. , Corzo Cesar A.
Published: October 2022

Senecavirus A (SVA) is a non-enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus belonging to the Picornaviridae family. Senecavirus A is constantly associated with outbreaks of vesicular disease in pigs and has been reported in several countries since its first large-scale outbreak in 2014. Senecavirus A's clinical disease and lesions are indistinguishable from other vesicular foreign animal diseases (FAD). Therefore, an FAD investigation needs to be conducted for every SVA case. For this reason, SVA has been attributed as the cause of an alarming increase in the number of yearly FAD investigations performed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The objectives of this study were to estimate the seroprevalence of SVA antibodies in breeding and growing pig farms in the United States and to determine the farm-level risk factors associated with seropositivity. A total of 5,794 blood samples were collected from 98 and 95 breeding and growing pig farms in 17 states. A farm characteristics questionnaire was sent to all farms, to which 80% responded. The responses were used to conduct logistic regression analyses to assess the risk factors associated with SVA seropositivity. The estimated farm-level seroprevalences were 17.3% and 7.4% in breeding and growing pig farms, respectively. Breeding farms had 2.64 times higher odds of SVA seropositivity than growing pig farms. One key risk factor identified in breeding farms was the practice of rendering dead animal carcasses. However, the adoption of a higher number of farm biosecurity measures was associated with a protective effect against SVA seropositivity in breeding farms.
Novel subscalp and intracranial devices to wirelessly record and analyze continuous EEG in unsedated, behaving dogs in their natural environments: A new paradigm in canine epilepsy research
Authors: Löscher Wolfgang , Worrell Gregory A.
Published: October 2022

Epilepsy is characterized by unprovoked, recurrent seizures and is a common neurologic disorder in dogs and humans. Roughly 1/3 of canines and humans with epilepsy prove to be drug-resistant and continue to have sporadic seizures despite taking daily anti-seizure medications. The optimization of pharmacologic therapy is often limited by inaccurate seizure diaries and medication side effects. Electroencephalography (EEG) has long been a cornerstone of diagnosis and classification in human epilepsy, but because of several technical challenges has played a smaller clinical role in canine epilepsy. The interictal (between seizures) and ictal (seizure) EEG recorded from the epileptic mammalian brain shows characteristic electrophysiologic biomarkers that are very useful for clinical management. A fundamental engineering gap for both humans and canines with epilepsy has been the challenge of obtaining continuous long-term EEG in the patients' natural environment. We are now on the cusp of a revolution where continuous long-term EEG from behaving canines and humans will be available to guide clinicians in the diagnosis and optimal treatment of their patients. Here we review some of the devices that have recently emerged for obtaining long-term EEG in ambulatory subjects living in their natural environments.
Development and validation of main spectral profile for rapid identification of Yersinia ruckeri isolated from Atlantic salmon using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Ojasanya Rasaq A. , Gardner Ian A. , Groman David , Saksida Sonja , Saab Matthew E. , Thakur Krishna K.
Published: October 2022

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) allows rapid and reliable identification of microorganisms. The accuracy of bacterial identification using MALDI-TOF MS depends on main spectral profiles (MSPs) provided in a quality-assured commercial reference library, which requires ongoing improvement. This study aimed to develop and validate an in-house MALDI-TOF MS MSP to rapidly identify Yersinia ruckeri isolated from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The novel MSP was prepared using an isolate of Y. ruckeri recovered from Atlantic salmon and confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Subsequently, a validation set which comprises 29 isolates of Y. ruckeri were examined from three fishes: Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) (n = 26), American eel (Anguilla rostrata) (n = 1), and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) (n = 2). These isolates were randomly selected from the Atlantic Veterinary College, Aquatic Diagnostic Services Bacteriology Laboratory's culture collection to validate the novel MSP. Analytical sensitivity of MALDI-TOF MS using the novel MSP to identify the validation set was 86.2%. Repeatability was assessed by acquiring spectra from 30 different spots of a randomly-selected isolate of Y. ruckeri, and analyzed spectra from each spot were compared against the novel MSP. The coefficient of variation was 3.3%. The novel MSP clustered with Bruker MSPs (n = 3) of Y. ruckeri in the reference library and did not falsely identify any closely related bacteria to Y. ruckeri. This study reports the development of a novel MSP of high analytical sensitivity and specificity for rapid identification of Y. ruckeri using MALDI-TOF MS.
Effect of COVID-19-Related Interventions on the Incidence of Infectious Eye Diseases: Analysis of Nationwide Infectious Disease Incidence Monitoring Data
Authors: Lee Woo-Ri , Kim Li-Hyun , Lee Gyeong-Min , Cheon Jooyoung , Kwon Young Dae , Noh Jin-Won , Yoo Ki-Bong
Published: October 2022

Objective: Social distancing has been confirmed to reduce the incidence of not only the COVID-19, but also the incidence of other diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of social distancing policies on the incidence of infectious eye diseases by monitoring their nationwide incidence data in all age groups.

Methods: In this study, to analyse the impact of COVID-19 policy on IEDSC, the time periods were divided into two interventions. The first intervention was the first COVID-19 patient report in Korea on 19 January 2020. The second intervention was relaxation of the social distancing policy on 6 May 2020. Segmented regression analysis of the interrupted time series was used to assess COVID-19 policies on the IEDSC.

Results: After the first incidence of a COVID-19 patient, IEDSCs decreased significantly in all age groups, while the relaxation of the social distancing policy increased IEDSCs significantly, mostly in all groups.

Conclusion: In the post-COVID-19 era, we hope that national-level interventions such as reducing air pollution and employing precautionary measures will significantly reduce the financial burden of developing infectious ophthalmic diseases.