bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data-driven support to decision-making in molecular tumour boards for lymphoma: A design science approach
Authors: Rodríguez Ruiz Núria , Abd Own Sulaf , Ekström Smedby Karin , Eloranta Sandra , Koch Sabine , Wästerlid Tove , Krstic Aleksandra , Boman Magnus
Published: November 2022

Background

The increasing amount of molecular data and knowledge about genomic alterations from next-generation sequencing processes together allow for a greater understanding of individual patients, thereby advancing precision medicine. Molecular tumour boards feature multidisciplinary teams of clinical experts who meet to discuss complex individual cancer cases. Preparing the meetings is a manual and time-consuming process.

Purpose

To design a clinical decision support system to improve the multimodal data interpretation in molecular tumour board meetings for lymphoma patients at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. We investigated user needs and system requirements, explored the employment of artificial intelligence, and evaluated the proposed design with primary stakeholders.

Methods

Design science methodology was used to form and evaluate the proposed artefact. Requirements elicitation was done through a scoping review followed by five semi-structured interviews. We used UML Use Case diagrams to model user interaction and UML Activity diagrams to inform the proposed flow of control in the system. Additionally, we modelled the current and future workflow for MTB meetings and its proposed machine learning pipeline. Interactive sessions with end-users validated the initial requirements based on a fictive patient scenario which helped further refine the system.

Results

The analysis showed that an interactive secure Web-based information system supporting the preparation of the meeting, multidisciplinary discussions, and clinical decision-making could address the identified requirements. Integrating artificial intelligence via continual learning and multimodal data fusion were identified as crucial elements that could provide accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

Impact

Our work is of methodological importance in that using artificial intelligence for molecular tumour boards is novel. We provide a consolidated proof-of-concept system that could support the end-to-end clinical decision-making process and positively and immediately impact patients.

Conclusion

Augmenting a digital decision support system for molecular tumour boards with retrospective patient material is promising. This generates realistic and constructive material for human learning, and also digital data for continual learning by data-driven artificial intelligence approaches. The latter makes the future system adaptable to human bias, improving adequacy and decision quality over time and over tasks, while building and maintaining a digital log.
“Finding my way in a maze while the clock is ticking”: The daily life challenges of adolescents and young adults with an uncertain or poor cancer prognosis
Authors: Burgers Vivian W. G. , van den Bent Martin J. , Dirven Linda , Lalisang Roy I. , Tromp Jacqueline M. , Compter Annette , Kouwenhoven Mathilde , Bos Monique E. M. M. , de Langen Adrianus , Reuvers Milou J. P. , Franssen Suzanne A. , Frissen Simone A. M. M. , Harthoorn Niels C. G. L. , Dickhout Annemiek , Noordhoek Marloes J. , van der Graaf Winette T. A. , Husson Olga
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Increasingly more adolescent and young adult (AYA, aged 18–39 years) patients with an uncertain and/or poor cancer prognosis (UPCP) are gaining life-years because of novel treatments or refinement of established therapies, and sometimes even face the prospect of long-term disease control. This study aims to examine the challenges of AYAs with a UPCP in daily life to inform the development of AYA care programs.

Methods

Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted among AYAs with a UPCP. Since we expected differences in experiences between three AYA subgroups, we interviewed patients of these subgroups (1): traditional survivors (2), low-grade glioma survivors, and (3) new survivors. Interviews were analyzed using elements of grounded theory. AYA patients were actively involved as research partners.

Results

In total 46 AYAs with UPCP participated and shared their challenges in daily life. They were on average 33.4 years old (age range 23–44) and most of them were women (63%). The most common tumor types were low-grade gliomas (16), sarcomas (7), breast cancers (6), and lung cancers (6). We identified five primary themes: (1) feeling inferior to previous self and others (e.g. feeling useless, who wants me in a relationship), (2) feeling of being alone (e.g. lonely thoughts, nobody really gets me), (3) ongoing confrontation (e.g. it is always there, own decline), (4) grief about life (e.g. grief about life I did not get, grief about old life), and (5) loss of control over the future (e.g. not able to make future plans, waiting for growth). Although all of the challenges were identified in the three AYA subgroups, the perceived intensity of the challenges differed slightly between the subgroups.

Discussion

AYAs living with a UPCP experience challenges associated to their sense of altered identity, their position in the social network, and the future uncertainties. This study highlights the importance to recognize and acknowledge the unique challenges of this group. To provide age-specific care, it is important to embed acceptance and commitment therapy and AYA peer support within the healthcare system and other care programs to support AYAs to live well with their disease.
Effects of new antiseizure medication on bone metabolism and bone mineral density in children: A meta-analysis
Authors: Zhuo La , Zhang Yong
Published: November 2022

Objective

To explore the effect of new antiseizure medication on bone metabolism and bone mineral density in children.

Methods

The Chinese and English databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP) were systematically searched for observational studies evaluating the effects of new antiseizure medication on bone metabolism and bone mineral density in children with epilepsy. The effects of new antiseizure medication on serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, bone alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and bone mineral density in children were systematically evaluated.

Results

After systematic retrieval and screening, 12 studies with high literature quality (including 629 epileptic children and 627 control subjects) were included in the systematic evaluation. Meta-analysis showed that new antiseizure medication decreased bone mineral density (MD: −0.05, 95%CI, −0.09, −0.02;P = 0.004). From different kinds of antiseizure medication, levetiracetam can reduce blood phosphorus concentration in children (MD: −0.04; 95%CI, −0.07, −0.01). Oxcarbazepine increased serum alkaline phosphatase in children (MD:17.98; 95%CI, 10.43,25.53;P < 0.00001), and the increase intensity was significantly higher than that of levetiracetam (MD: 7.66; 95%CI, 0.29, 15.02;P = 0.04). In addition, oxcarbazepine can cause a significant increase in parathyroid hormone in children (MD: 7.52; 95%CI, 3.37,11.66;P = 0.0004), and 25 - hydroxyvitamin D was reduced, and the difference was statistically significant (MD:−2.18; 95%CI, −3.23, −1.13;P = 0.00006). However, the effects of new antiseizure medication on serum calcium and bone alkaline phosphatase in children were not statistically significant

Conclusion

New antiseizure medication have different effects on bone metabolism and bone mineral density in children with epilepsy, and the effects of different types of new antiseizure medication are different.
The influence between gestational age and postural control, a systematic review
Authors: Tuñón-Domínguez Isabel , Cuesta-Gómez Alicia , Molina-Rueda Francisco , Juárez-Vela Raúl , Ruiz de Viñaspre-Hernández Regina , Santolalla-Arnedo Iván , Sánchez-González Juan Luis , Carratalá-Tejada María
Published: November 2022

The central nervous system (CNS) of preterm infants might have some peculiarities which distinguish it from that of full term infants. The difficulties associated with prematurity are the main cause of deaths all over the world during the new-born period after community-acquired pneumonia, and the second cause of deaths worldwide in children under five years old. Early recognition of signs indicating fragile postural control in premature infants can support understanding and help prevent and early intervention on possible future neuromotor dysfunctions in these subjects. The purpose of this paper is to determine if there is a qualitatively different development of postural control in premature infants without neurological involvement and infants born at term. We conducted a systematic review of longitudinal and cross-sectional case-control studies published between 2010 and March 2020 on this topic. The evaluation of parameters related to postural control was also included. The methodological quality of the selected works was evaluated using the CASPe critical reading programme for cases and controls. PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed for prematurity and postural control. 16 articles were included. The total sample amounted to 3,460 participants, of which 1,860 in the preterm group, and 1,600 in the control group. All the studies found show a poorer postural control by the group of children born preterm compared to the group of children born at term and one study indicating more limited postural control with higher prematurity. Regarding the methodological quality according to CASPe, those studies exceeding half of the total score were considered of adequate quality.
Targeting ferroptosis, the achilles’ heel of breast cancer: A review
Authors: Liu Yang , Hu Yueting , Jiang Yi , Bu Jiawen , Gu Xi
Published: November 2022

Ferroptosis is referred as a novel type of cell death discovered in recent years with the feature of the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid reactive oxygen species. Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant cancers in women. There is increasing evidence that ferroptosis can inhibit breast cancer cell growth, improve the sensitivity of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and inhibit distant metastases. Therefore, ferroptosis can be regarded a new target for tumor suppression and may expand the landscape of clinical treatment of breast cancer. This review highlights the ferroptosis mechanism and its potential role in breast cancer treatment to explore new therapeutic strategies of breast cancer.
Multi-omics analysis the differences of VOCs terpenoid synthesis pathway in maintaining obligate mutualism between Ficus hirta Vahl and its pollinators
Authors: Fan Songle , Jia Yongxia , Wang Rong , Chen Xiaoyong , Liu Wanzhen , Yu Hui
Published: November 2022

Inroduction

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the receptive syconia ofFicusspecies is a key trait to attract their obligate pollinating fig wasps.Ficus hirtaVahl is a dioecious shrub, which is pollinated by a highly specialized symbiotic pollinator in southern China. Terpenoids are the main components of VOCs inF. hirtaand play ecological roles in pollinator attraction, allelopathy, and plant defense. However, it remains unclear that what molecular mechanism difference in terpenoid synthesis pathways between pre-receptive stage (A-phase) and receptive stage (B-phase) ofF. hirtasyconia.

Methods

Transcriptome, proteome and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) were applied here to analyze these difference.

Results and discussion:

Compared to A-phase syconia, the genes (ACAT2,HMGR3,GGPS2,HDR,GPS2,TPS2,TPS4,TPS10-4,TPS14) related to the terpenoid synthesis pathway had higher expression level in receptive syconia (B-phase) according to transcriptome sequencing. Seven differentially expressed transcription factors were screened, namelybHLH7,MYB1R1,PRE6,AIL1,RF2b,ANT,VRN1. Specifically,bHLH7was only specifically expressed in B-phase. 235 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were mainly located in the cytoplasm and chloroplasts. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that the DEPs were mainly enriched in the metabolic process. A total of 9 terpenoid synthesis proteins were identified in the proteome. Among them, 4 proteins in methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway were all down-regulated. Results suggested the synthesis of terpenoids precursors in B-phase bracts were mainly accomplished through the mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway in cytoplasm. Correlation analysis between the transcriptome and proteome, we detected a total of 1082 transcripts/proteins, three of which are related to stress. From the VOCs analysis, the average percent of monoterpenoids emitted by A-phase and B-phase syconia were 8.29% and 37.08%, while those of sesquiterpenes were 88.43% and 55.02% respectively. Monoterpenes (camphene, myrcene, camphor, menthol) were only detected in VOCs of B-phase syconia. To attract pollinators, B-phase syconia ofF. hirtaneed more monoterpenoids and less sesquiterpenes. We speculate that transcription factorbHLH7may regulate the terpenoid synthesis pathway between A- and B-phase syconia. Our research provided the first global analysis of mechanism differences of terpenoid synthesis pathways between A and B phases inF. hirtasyconia.
Machine learning assisted dynamic phenotypes and genomic variants help understand the ecotype divergence in rapeseed
Authors: Feng Hui , Guo Chaocheng , Li Zongyi , Gao Yuan , Zhang Qinghua , Geng Zedong , Wang Jing , Chen Guoxing , Liu Kede , Li Haitao , Yang Wanneng
Published: November 2022

Three ecotypes of rapeseed, winter, spring, and semi-winter, have been formed to enable the plant to adapt to different geographic areas. Although several major loci had been found to contribute to the flowering divergence, the genomic footprints and associated dynamic plant architecture in the vegetative growth stage underlying the ecotype divergence remain largely unknown in rapeseed. Here, a set of 41 dynamic i-traits and 30 growth-related traits were obtained by high-throughput phenotyping of 171 diverse rapeseed accessions. Large phenotypic variation and high broad-sense heritability were observed for these i-traits across all developmental stages. Of these, 19 i-traits were identified to contribute to the divergence of three ecotypes using random forest model of machine learning approach, and could serve as biomarkers to predict the ecotype. Furthermore, we analyzed genomic variations of the population, QTL information of all dynamic i-traits, and genomic basis of the ecotype differentiation. It was found that 213, 237, and 184 QTLs responsible for the differentiated i-traits overlapped with the signals of ecotype divergence between winter and spring, winter and semi-winter, and spring and semi-winter, respectively. Of which, there were four common divergent regions between winter and spring/semi-winter and the strongest divergent regions between spring and semi-winter were found to overlap with the dynamic QTLs responsible for the differentiated i-traits at multiple growth stages. Our study provides important insights into the divergence of plant architecture in the vegetative growth stage among the three ecotypes, which was contributed to by the genetic differentiation, and might contribute to environmental adaption and yield improvement.
Comparative analysis of farmer practices and high yield experiments: Farmers could get more maize yield from maize-soybean relay intercropping through high density cultivation of maize
Authors: Chen Guopeng , Ren Yongfu , Mohi Ud Din Atta , Gul Hina , Chen Hanlin , Liang Bing , Pu Tian , Sun Xin , Yong Taiwen , Liu Weiguo , Liu Jiang , Du Junbo , Yang Feng , Wu Yushan , Wang Xiaochun , Yang Wenyu
Published: November 2022

Intercropping is a high-yield, resource-efficient planting method. There is a large gap between actual yield and potential yield at farmer’s field. Their actual yield of intercropped maize remains unclear under low solar radiation-area, whether this yield can be improved, and if so, what are the underlying mechanism for increasing yield? In the present study, we collected the field management and yield data of intercropping maize by conducting a survey comprising 300 farmer households in 2016-2017. Subsequently, based on surveyed data, we designed an experiment including a high density planting (Dense cultivation and high N fertilization with plough tillage; DC) and normal farmer practice (Common cultivation; CC) to analyze the yield, canopy structure, light interception, photosynthetic parameters, and photosynthetic productivity. Most farmers preferred rotary tillage with a low planting density and N fertilization. Survey data showed that farmer yield ranged between 4-6 Mg ha-1, with highest yield recorded at 10-12 Mg ha-1, suggesting a possibility for yield improvement by improved cropping practices. Results from high density experiment showed that the two-years average yield for DC was 28.8% higher than the CC. Compared to CC, the lower angle between stem and leaf (LA) and higher leaf area index (LAI) in DC resulted in higher light interception in middle canopy and increased the photosynthetic productivity under DC. Moreover, in upper and lower canopies, the average activity of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase was 70% higher in DC than CC. Briefly, increase in LAI and high Pn improved both light interception and photosynthetic productivity, thereby mediating an increase in the maize yield. Overall, these results indicated that farmer’s yields on average can be increased by 2.1 Mg ha-1 by increasing planting density and N fertilization, under plough tillage.
Mimicking effects of auditory verbal hallucinations on language production at the level of words, sentences and stories
Authors: Heim Stefan , Polyak Stella , Hußmann Katja
Published: November 2022

Schizophrenia is characterised foremost by hallucinations, delusions and disorganised speech. Deficits in the internal speech monitor may contribute to the development of auditory-verbal hallucinations. This study investigates potential effects in the opposite direction: could the presence of auditory-verbal hallucinations have an effect on speech production? To this end, a recent mimicking/simulation approach was adopted for 40 healthy participants who perceived either white noise or hallucination-like speech recordings during different language production tasks with increasing demands: picture naming, verbal fluency with and without category switch, sentence production, and discourse. In line with reports about real schizophrenia cases in the literature, mimicking auditory-verbal hallucinations affected verbal fluency (switch condition) and sentence production (duration) in a different way than mere noise. These effects were not correlated, suggesting that hallucinations may even affect different levels of linguistic complexity in different ways. Anyway, in both cases (mimicked), auditory hallucination appear to contribute to the emergence of disordered speech. The mimicking/simulation paradigm may in future help to identify and disentangle the various factors contributing to disorganised speech in schizophrenia. They may also support the development and implementation of new protocols, e.g., in speech and language therapy in persons with schizophrenia in order to improve their communication skills despite the presence of auditory-verbal hallucinations.
Understanding the importance of motivational intensity in English as a foreign language context: A structural equation modeling analysis
Authors: Wang Cong , Zhu Sida , Zhang Haijing
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Motivational intensity is the effort learners make in language learning. It is an essential component and a direct measurement of L2 motivation. Few studies have distinguished motivational intensity from motivation and explored its role in learning English as a foreign language (EFL).

Methods

This study examined 208 university students from Hong Kong to investigate the factors that affect motivational intensity and explored the relationship between motivational intensity and learning motivation using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Results and discussion

The students’ motivational intensity was affected by personal factors (daily English-learning time and stage of English learning), family factors (monthly household income and parental attitudes), and school factors (English learning engagement and satisfaction). The differences in personal factors, school factors and monthly household income of family factors among different motivational intensity groups were significant whereas the difference in parental attitudes (family factors) between the high- and the low-motivational intensity groups was insignificant. As for the relationship between motivational intensity and motivation, motivational intensity indirectly affected students’ intrinsic interest through their attitudes toward native English speakers (β = 0.16, p = 0.041 < 0.05). The significant path coefficient from the learning situation to attitudes toward native speakers was negative (p < 0.05), indicating that attitudes toward native speakers decline even when the learning situation improves. This study enriched the theoretical study of motivation theory and provided teaching suggestions for improving EFL learning.
Feeling good and doing more: How does the customer respond to pro-customer deviance in the context of hospitality
Authors: Ji Yiyu , Xu Xiaoyan , Ji Jingshu
Published: November 2022

Guided by the service-dominant logic, hospitality employees have to occasionally engage in pro-customer deviance to offer customized service. While pro-customer deviance has been linked with several customer attitudinal outcomes, the different customers' emotional and behavioral responses have not yet been clarified. This study explored customers' responses toward customer-contact employees and enterprises. In addition, to investigate the emotional and cognitive mechanisms underlying those response processes, this study introduced gratitude toward employee and customer–company identification as mediators in the relationship between pro-customer deviance and a series of customer extra-role behaviors. A multisource field study was conducted to test a two-stage structural equation model. The results showed that pro-customer deviance is positively related to customers' positive feedback and service friendship toward employees via gratitude. Also, the customer–company identification is found to play a mediation role between pro-customer deviance and customers' advocacy and prohibitive voice toward an organization. Theoretical and managerial contributions are also discussed at the end.
Association of Type D personality and mild cognitive impairment in patients with hypertension
Authors: Ye Qingfang , Liu Li , Wang Yini , Li Ling , Wang Zhengjun , Liu Guojie , Lin Ping , Li Qiujie
Published: November 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between Type D personality and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with hypertension.

Methods

A total of 324 subjects with hypertension were included in the study. All of them completed questionnaires on demographic characteristics, Type D personality Scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The Type D personality effect was analyzed as both dichotomous and continuous methods.

Results

The incidence of MCI was 56.5% in hypertensive individuals. Type D personality presenting as a dichotomous construct was an independent risk factor of MCI (odds ratio [OR] = 2.814, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.577–5.021, p < 0.001), after adjusting for ages, sex and some clinical factors. Meanwhile, main effect of negative affectivity component was independently related to the prevalence of MCI (OR = 1.087, 95%CI = 1.014–1.165, p = 0.019). However, associations between the main effect of social inhibition component (OR = 1.011, 95%CI = 0.924–1.107, p = 0.811) as well as the interaction of negative affectivity and social inhibition (OR = 1.013, 95%CI = 0.996–1.030, p = 0.127) with MCI were not found.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that Type D personality is strongly associated with MCI in patients with hypertension. The negative affectivity component of the Type D appears to drive the correlations between Type D and MCI. These findings provide new ideas for studying the mechanisms underlying the relationship between personality and cognitive decline in hypertensive individuals.
Internal fights over resources: The effect of power struggles on team innovation
Authors: Kang Sung Mo
Published: November 2022

Power hierarchy is a recently growing topic among scholars. Although the previous literature has emphasized the importance of understanding power hierarchy in teams and demonstrated the negative consequences of power struggles among team members in team performance, it neglected to explore how power struggles impact other team functioning and outcomes. Drawing on social information processing theory and the team learning behavior model discussed, this study proposes that power struggles send aggressive social information to team members, and such social information negatively influences team learning. Social information emitted by power struggles undermines psychological safety and creates hostility and interpersonal tensions, which reduce team members’ providing new ideas and information sharing. In addition, this study proposes a positive relationship between team learning and team innovation since team learning provides two key conditions (i.e., active knowledge integration and appropriate team climate) for successful team innovation. Lastly, this study suggests the mediating role of team learning between power struggles and team innovation. Using a sample of 99 teams from two organizations in Korea, this study tested the proposed model. In sum, this study found that (1) power struggles are negatively related to team learning, (2) team learning is positively related to team innovation, and (3) team learning mediates the relationship between power struggles and team learning.
Perceived performances of peer learning and education approach on malaria prevention through primary schools communities in rural Ethiopia: Peer educators' perspectives
Authors: Deressa Alemayehu , Eyeberu Addis , Gamachu Mulugeta , Debella Adera , Abamecha Ababulgu Fira
Published: November 2022

Background

Schools are viewed as natural hubs and an effective strategy for promoting community healthy practices such as malaria prevention and control. This study examined the perceived performance of the peer learning and education approach to malaria prevention in rural primary school communities in Ethiopia, which has thus far received little attention.

Methods

Post-intervention data were collected from 404 randomly selected peer educators between 2 April and June 2020 using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. Multiple linear regression was used to identify independent predictors of perceived performance of school-based peer learning and educational approach. A statistically significant p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Four hundred and one educators (99.2%) completed the interview. The mean score of perceived performance was 44.31 (SD = 6.13) which was above the expected mean level range of 11–55. Feasibility (β = 0.253, 95% CI = [0.313, 0.682]), and appropriateness (β = 0.163, 95% CI = [0.099, 0.442]) were significantly associated with perceived performance. Self-efficacy, malaria risk perception, eagerness to share and learn from each other's experiences, and preference for more than one subject were all significantly associated with perceived performance, with (β = 0.097, CI = [0.017, 0.242]), (β = 0.143, CI = [0.071, 0.233]), (β = 0.207, CI = [0.308, 0.826]) and (β = 0.075, CI = [0.084, 2.511]) at 95% CI, respectively.

Conclusions

The peer learning and education approach to malaria prevention and control in schools has a noticeably high level of perceived performance. Thus, it is recommended that when designing and implementing such programs through schools, personal and social (team) factors such as self-efficacy, risk perceptions, and peer education team spirit be considered.
Farm costs and benefits of antimicrobial use reduction on broiler farms in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Azabo Rogers R. , George Janeth I. , Mshana Stephen E. , Matee Mecky I. , Kimera Sharadhuli I.
Published: November 2022

Of all animal derived-food, the demand for poultry meat is the most dynamic. The poultry sector can meet this demand only by introducing intensive production where antimicrobial use is inevitable. Bacterial infection prevention and control is an important factor in intensive livestock production. Antibiotics are an effective and relatively inexpensive means of preventing and controlling infections, thus maintaining animal health and productivity. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the costs and benefits of various scenarios of antimicrobial use reduction at broiler farms in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This study focused on the economic impact of an average broiler farm. Costs and benefits for various scenarios of antimicrobial use reduction levels were projected by a partial budget framework using the Mclnerney model. The disease cost of the current situation was US$225. On reduction of antimicrobial use by 20% the avoidable disease cost was US$ 31, by 50% was US$ 83 and by 100% was US$ 147. A reduction in antibiotic use can only be achieved if better alternatives are available to combat disease. In conclusion, the model predicts that reducing antibiotic use increases production costs. Future studies on antimicrobial use reduction’s impact on morbidity and mortality and the efficiency of additional control and other measures of producing poultry meat without high concentrations of antibiotics are necessary.
Observation-based temperature field simulation at Zhurong landing site, Mars
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhang Jinhai
Published: November 2022

Modeling the temperature field near the Martian surface is critical for many scientific exploration tasks, such as detecting liquid water and analyzing the existence of saline ice. Meteorological conditions on Mars are highly dramatic, with a daily temperature change of up to 80–100 K. Most previous tasks of surface temperature monitoring on Mars are based on satellite observations, lacking in-situ measured data. Recently, two Martian missions at mid-low latitudes in the northern hemisphere, InSight lander and Zhurong rover, carried out near-surface temperature observations. However, the temperature monitoring of the Zhurong rover obtained data for only some short periods in its working days; thus, the amount of recorded temperature data is inadequate for a whole-day analysis at the landing site. Here we reconstruct the near-surface temperature at the Zhurong landing site by incorporating the continuous temperature data observed at the InSight lander, simultaneously referring to the Martian Climate Database; then, the reconstructed data are used to constrain the numerical simulation of the response of shallow subsurface under the Zhurong landing site. The numerical simulation of heat conduction shows that the daily temperature change under the Zhurong landing site mainly influences the uppermost depth of 0–30 cm, with a daily average temperature of ∼225 K. During the traveling duration of the Zhurong rover (i.e., summer of Mars), the seasonal temperature change within the top 1 m is significant and is related to the thermal properties of possible subsurface media (e.g., soil, ice, and sandstones). Although there might be aqueous activities in Utopia Planitia, our results show that from the perspective of temperature field, there is little possibility of liquid water in the shallow subsurface under the Zhurong landing site. The proposed method in this study provides a new way for the temperature field simulation of the subsurface in areas with insufficient local observations, especially on extraterrestrial objects.
Analysis of appendicitis management during COVID-19 pandemic: A study of Chinese adult cohorts
Authors: Wang Wei-Di , Lin Jin-Quan , Zheng Guang-Wei , Fang Zhi-Peng , Yan Yi-Xing
Published: November 2022

Background

Healthcare seeking behavior has been widely impacted due to the restricted movements of individuals during the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aims to perform risk stratification in patients requiring timely intervention during the recovery periods.

Methods

Operation notes of acute appendicitis (AA) patients within a hospital were analyzed during three six-month periods (23 January-23 July in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively). Patient data were collected retrospectively including demographics, pre-emergency status, perioperative information, postoperative outcomes, and follow-up results.

Results

321 patients were included in this study, with 111, 86, and 124 patients in 2019, 2020, and 2021 groups, respectively. The median age of patients decreased by 4 years in 2020 as compared to that in 2019. The proportion of pre-hospitalization symptoms duration of more than 48 h in the 2020 group was higher (36.05% in 2020 vs. 22.52% in 2019). Length of hospital stay (LOS) in 2020 was shorter than it was during the same period in 2019 (4.77 vs. 5.64) and LOS in 2021 was shorter than in 2019 (4.13 vs. 5.64). Compared to the lockdown period, the proportion of patients with recurrent AA was higher in the post-lockdown period (15.1% vs. 27.4%). The median age was 34 years (vaccinated) vs. 37 years (unvaccinated). Logistic regression suggests that elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR = 1.018, CI = 1.010–1.028), white cell count (WBC) (OR = 1.207, CI = 1.079–1.350), female (OR = 2.958, CI = 1.286–6.802), recurrent (OR = 3.865, CI = 1.149–12.997), and fecalith (OR = 2.308, CI = 1.007–5.289) were associated with complicated appendicitis (CA).

Conclusion

The lockdown measures during the COVID-19 epidemic are shown to be correlated with a reduction in the proportion of AA patients who underwent surgery, particularly in older adults. Risk factors for CA include elevated CRP, WBC, female, recurrent, and fecalith.
A Review of Soft Actuator Motion: Actuation, Design, Manufacturing and Applications
Authors: Tang Xianzhi , Li Huaqiang , Ma Teng , Yang Yang , Luo Ji , Wang Haidan , Jiang Pei
Published: November 2022

Compared with traditional rigid robots, soft robots have high flexibility, low stiffness, and adaptability to unstructured environments, and as such have great application potential in scenarios such as fragile object grasping and human machine interaction. Similar to biological muscles, the soft actuator is one of the most important parts in soft robots, and can be activated by fluid, thermal, electricity, magnet, light, humidity, and chemical reaction. In this paper, existing principles and methods for actuation are reviewed. We summarize the preprogrammed and reprogrammed structures under different stimuli to achieve motions such as bending, linear, torsional, spiral. and composite motions, which could provide a guideline for new soft actuator designs. In addition, predominant manufacturing methods and application fields are introduced, and the challenges and future directions of soft actuators are discussed.
Does Digital Finance Increase Relatively Large-Scale Farmers’ Agricultural Income through the Allocation of Production Factors? Evidence from China
Authors: Song Kun , Tang Yu , Zang Dungang , Guo Hua , Kong Wenting
Published: November 2022

The inclusiveness of digital finance brings new opportunities for the development of agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. The purpose of this paper is to clarify how digital finance influences relatively large-scale farmers’ agricultural income. Based on survey data from rural China, this paper systematically investigates the impact of digital finance on relatively large-scale farmers’ agricultural income using the Multiple Intermediary Effect Model. The findings of this study reveal that digital finance has a substantial positive influence on relatively large-scale farmers’ agricultural income, and this effect still exists after considering endogeneity and a series of robustness tests. Further mechanism analyses suggest that agricultural capital, agricultural land, and agricultural workforce play a partial mediating role between digital finance and agricultural income. The development of digital finance has a positive impact on improving agricultural capital investment and land transfer, while it has a negative impact on agricultural workforce. Moreover, the results of the grouping estimation show that digital finance has more significant effects on agricultural income for economic crops and farmers who received agricultural skills training and agricultural services. These results provide a micro explanation to promote relatively large-scale farmers’ agricultural income with the accelerated popularization of digital finance, urgently needed for most emerging countries seeking high-quality rural development.
A Revised Equation of Water Application Efficiency in a Center Pivot System Used in Crop Rotation in No Tillage
Authors: Aimar Federico , Martínez-Romero Ángel , Salinas Aquiles , Giubergia Juan Pablo , Severina Ignacio , Marano Roberto Paulo
Published: November 2022

Correctly quantifying total losses of irrigation in a center pivot system is important for improving application management and efficiency (Ea). The equations usually used to estimate Ea in sprinkler irrigation systems do not consider certain aspects, such as height of sprinklers relative to crop height, leaf interception (LI) of tall-growing crops or partial residue retention (PRR). The aim of this study was to incorporate these components into a new Ea equation adapted to the center pivot system. The trials were conducted in corn grown under no tillage in Córdoba, Argentina. To determine the distribution uniformity (DUpa), 96 catch cans were arranged at a spacing of 3 m, and the sprinklers with similar discharge flow from a center pivot of five towers (27.8 ha) were grouped together. Four irrigation depths (40, 24, 12 and 6 mm) were evaluated at different phenological stages, as well as the control condition without crop. Twenty-eight measurements were taken, and DUpa was statistically compared with respect to the different depths applied and phenological stages as well as the impact on yield. For the 11 grouped segments, with irrigation intensity between 5.7 and 77.4 mm h−1, DUpa for the control condition ranged from very good to excellent (85 to 90%) but decreased significantly with crop growth. Neither the different intensities nor the irrigation depths influenced DUpa up to V10, when it decreased significantly for the 6 mm depth. The spacing between sprinklers had an effect on DUpa and crop yield, decreasing from 18 to 14 ton ha−1 with the largest spacing (5 m). PRR and LI were statistically adjusted, and a revised equation of application efficiency was obtained.
Can Sound Alone Act as a Virtual Barrier for Horses? A Preliminary Study
Authors: Janicka Wiktoria , Wilk Izabela , Próchniak Tomasz , Janczarek Iwona
Published: November 2022

Virtual fencing is an innovative alternative to conventional fences. Different systems have been studied, including electric-impulse-free systems. We tested the potential of self-applied acoustic stimulus in deterring the horses from further movement. Thirty warmblood horses were individually introduced to a designated corridor leading toward a food reward (variant F) or a familiar horse (variant S). As the subject reached a distance of 30, 15 or 5 m from a finish line, an acute alarming sound was played. Generally, a sudden and unknown sound was perceived by horses as a threat causing an increase in vigilance and sympathetic activation. Horses’ behaviour and barrier effectiveness (80% for F vs. 20% for S) depended on motivator (F/S), while the cardiac response indicating some level of stress was similar. The motivation for social interactions was too strong to stop the horses from crossing a designated boundary. Conversely, the sound exposure distance did not vary the barrier effectiveness, but it differentiated HRV responses, with the strongest sympathetic activation noted at a distance of 5 m. Thus, the moment of a sound playback has important welfare implications. Due to the limited potential of sound as a virtual barrier, auditory cues cannot be used as an alternative for conventional fencing.
Correction: Dancer et al. Housing and Environmental Enrichment of the Domestic Ferret: A Multi-Sector Survey. Animals 2022, 12, 1065
Authors: Dancer Alice M. M. , Díez-León María , Bizley Jennifer K. , Burn Charlotte C.
Published: November 2022

There was an error in the original publication [...]
Resistance Training Modulates Reticulum Endoplasmic Stress, Independent of Oxidative and Inflammatory Responses, in Elderly People
Authors: Estébanez Brisamar , Visavadiya Nishant P. , Vargas José E. , Rivera-Viloria Marta , Khamoui Andy V. , de Paz José A. , Huang Chun-Jung
Published: November 2022

Aging is related to changes in the redox status, low-grade inflammation, and decreased endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response (UPR). Exercise has been shown to regulate the inflammatory response, balance redox homeostasis, and ameliorate the UPR. This work aimed to investigate the effects of resistance training on changes in the UPR, oxidative status, and inflammatory responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of elderly subjects. Thirty elderly subjects volunteered to participate in an 8-week resistance training program, and 11 youth subjects were included for basal assessments. Klotho, heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), oxidative marker expression (catalase, glutathione, lipid peroxidation, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, protein carbonyls, reactive oxygen species, and superoxide dismutase 1 and 2), the IRE1 arm of UPR, and TLR4/TRAF6/pIRAK1 pathway activation were evaluated before and following training. No changes in the HSP60 and Klotho protein content, oxidative status markers, and TLR4/TRAF6/pIRAK1 pathway activation were found with exercise. However, an attenuation of the reduced pIRE1/IRE1 ratio was observed following training. Systems biology analysis showed that a low number of proteins (RPS27A, SYVN1, HSPA5, and XBP1) are associated with IRE1, where XBP1 and RPS27A are essential nodes according to the centrality analysis. Additionally, a gene ontology analysis confirms that endoplasmic reticulum stress is a key mechanism modulated by IRE1. These findings might partially support the modulatory effect of resistance training on the endoplasmic reticulum in the elderly.
Development of a Simulator Capable of Generating Age-Specific Pulse Pressure Waveforms for Medical Palpation Training
Authors: Kim Dong-Jun , Jo Gwanghyun , Koo Jeong-Hoi , Yang Tae-Heon , Kim Young-Min
Published: November 2022

With the emergence of the metaverse and other human–computer interaction technologies, promising applications such as medical palpation training are growing for training and education purposes. Thus, the overarching goal of this study is to develop a portable and simple pulse pressure simulator that can reproduce age-specific pulse pressure waveforms for medical palpation training. For training applications, the simulator is required to produce accurate radial pulse waveforms consistently and repeatedly. To this end, exploiting the cam-based pneumatic pulse generation mechanism, this study intends to develop a cylindrical (or 3D) cam whose continually varying surface contains a wide range of age-related pulse pressure profiles. To evaluate the performance of the simulator, the reproduced pulse waveforms were compared with approximate radial pulse pressure waveforms based on in vivo data in terms of the augmentation index (AI) and L2 error. The results show that the errors were less than 10% for all ages, indicating that the proposed pulse simulator can reproduce the age-specific pulse waveforms equivalent to human radial pulse waveforms. The findings in this study suggest that the pulse simulator would be an excellent system for RAPP palpation training as it can reproduce a desired pulse accurately and consistently.
Fouling and Slagging Investigation on Ash Derived from Sasol Coal Using ICP and XRF Analytical Techniques
Authors: Kamara Bai , Kallon Daramy Vandi Von , Mashinini Peter Madindwa
Published: November 2022

During coal combustion in boilers, light fly ash particles are carried away along with the hot flue gases and the heavier bottom ash particles fall to the bottom of the boiler. The fly ash particles stick on the convective heat transfer surfaces and the furnace wall, causing fouling and slagging deposition problems during the boiler operation. The fouling and slagging effect reduces the boiler’s operational efficiency. This study was motivated by the decline in the operational efficiency of the installed boilers at Sasol synfuel operations in Secunda, Mpumalanga province in the Republic of South Africa. It was assumed that the drop in the boiler efficiency was caused by the coal ash deposition during the boiler operations. The rate of ash deposition and accumulation in the convective heat transfer tubes and furnace water walls during the boiler operation depends on the chemical composition of the coal ash produced during combustion. Coal fly and bottom ash samples were collected from the operational site for laboratory analysis to determine their chemical composition using induced coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, induced coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-OES, ICP-MS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analytical methods. The major, minor and trace elements by mass (%) in the ash samples were obtained from the ICP-OES and ICP-MS, whereas the elemental composition in an oxidised atmosphere was obtained from the XRF analysis. The amount of unburnt coal particles within the ash samples was determined from the loss on ignition (LOI) test. The fouling and slagging prediction during Sasol boiler operation was evaluated using previously developed fouling and slagging indices as a guide using the analysed ash chemical composition results obtained in this study. It was concluded from the analysed results using the guided evaluated indices from the analysed coal ash chemistry that during the operations of Sasol boiler(s) there is a low to medium fouling prediction occurrence on the convective heat transfer tubes and a low slagging in the boiler furnace walls.
3D Printing in Surgical Planning and Intra-Operative Assistance: A Case Report on Cervical Deformity Correction Surgery
Authors: Belvedere Claudio , Ortolani Maurizio , Leardini Alberto , Cappuccio Michele , Amendola Luca , De Iure Federico
Published: November 2022

Three-dimensional (3D)-printed anatomical models of the bones play a key role in complex surgical procedures. These subject-specific physical models are valuable in pre-operative planning and may also offer assistance during surgery by improving the visibility of inaccessible anatomical structures, particularly in spine surgery. Starting from medical imaging, virtual 3D bone models are reconstructed, and these can also be used for quantifying original, planned, and achieved bone-to-bone alignments. The purpose of this study is to report on an original exploitation of these techniques on a patient with a severe cervical deformity to undergo corrective and stabilizing surgery. A virtual anatomical model of the cervical spine before surgery was obtained from computer tomography to assess the original deformity and for surgical planning. The corresponding 3D model was printed in acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and used to simulate the surgery by performing bone cuts, implanting the screws, and placing and shaping the fixation elements. During surgery, this physical 3D-printed model was used as a reference for each surgical action. The comparisons between pre- and post-operative virtual models confirmed that the planned correction was achieved. Virtual and 3D-printed anatomical models of the cervical spine offer advantages in the planning and execution of personalized complex surgeries, in addition to improving surgical safety.