bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tunable optical parametric oscillator based on ZnGeP2 crystal for greenhouse gas remote sensing systems
Authors: Yudin N. N. , Zinoviev M. M. , Podzyvalov S. N. , Kuznetsov V. S. , Slyunko E. S. , Lysenko A. B. , Kalsin A. Yu. , Gabdrakhmanov A. Sh. , Yakovlev S. V. , Sadovnikov S. A. , Romanovskii O. A. , Baalbaki H.
Published: May 2024

This work is devoted to the development of a compact source of coherent radiation with frequency-energy characteristics and a spectral generation range that allows remote determination of background concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The aim of this work was to create a frequency parametric converter based on ZGP, pumped by Ho:YAG laser radiation. For use as a source in a mobile lidar for remote determination of the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In the course of the research, a layout of an Optical parametric oscillator OPO based on a ZGP crystal with Ho:YAG laser radiation pumping was developed. The system’s continuous failure-free operation time was 1.5 h at a pulse repetition rate of 10 kHz and a pulse energy of the generated radiation of 0.08 mJ. The tuning range of the OPO was from 3.3 to 5 μm when using a Lyot filter. The losses from the average generation power when the Lyot filter was introduced into the resonator were 30%. At the same time, it was possible to achieve a linewidth of the generated radiation of 0.7 nm. The divergence of the generated radiation did not exceed 1.5 mrad.The absorption spectrum of gases CO2, CH4, N2O, CO in a gas cell was simulated for the entire generation range of the ZnGeP2-based OPO. As a result of the simulation, the most intense absorption lines of gases CO2, CH4, N2O, CO in the OPO tuning range were revealed, the central wavelengths of the absorption lines and their spectral width were determined.
Effects of combined nitrogen and phosphorus application on soil phosphorus fractions in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production in China
Authors: Yang Kaixin , Li Shengyi , Sun Yanliang , Cartmill Andrew D. , López Ignacio F. , Ma Chunhui , Zhang Qianbing
Published: May 2024

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers change the morphological structure and effectiveness of P in the soil, which in turn affects crop growth, yield, and quality. However, the effects and mechanism of combined N and P application on the content of P fractions and the transformation of effective forms in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production is unclear. This experiment was conducted with four levels of N: 0 (N0), 60 (N1), 120 (N2) and 180 kg·ha-1 (N3); and two levels of P (P2O5): 0 (P0) and 100 kg·ha-1 (P1). The results indicated that, under the same N level, P application significantly increased soil total N, and total P, available P, and content of various forms of inorganic P when compared to no P application, while decreasing the content of various forms of organic P and pH value. In general, under P0 conditions, soil total N content tended to increase with increasing N application, while total P, available P content, pH, inorganic P content in all forms, and organic P content in all forms showed a decreasing trend. When compared to no N application, insoluble P (Fe-P, O-P, Ca10-P) of the N application treatments was reduced 2.80 - 22.72, 2.96 - 20.42, and 5.54 - 20.11%, respectively. Under P1 conditions, soil total N and O-P tended to increase with increasing N application, while, pH, Ca2-P, Al-P, Fe-P, Ca10-P, and organic P content of each form tended to decrease. Total P, available P, and labile organic P (LOP) of N application reduced 0.34 - 8.58, 4.76 - 19.38, and 6.27 - 14.93%, respectively, when compared to no application. Nitrogen fertilization reduced the soil Ca2-P ratio, while P fertilization reduced soil Fe-P, moderately resistant organic P (MROP), and highly resistant P (HROP) ratios, and combined N and P elevated the Ca8-P to LOP ratio. The results of redundancy analysis showed that soil total N content, available P content, and pH were the key factors affecting the conversion of P fractions in the soil. Nitrogen and P reduced the proportion of soil insoluble P, promoted the activation of soil organic P, resulting in accumulation of slow-acting P in the soil, thereby improving the efficiency of soil P in alfalfa production.
Chilling stress response in tobacco seedlings: insights from transcriptome, proteome, and phosphoproteome analyses
Authors: Shao Xiuhong , Zhang Zhenchen , Yang Faheng , Yu Yongchao , Guo Junjie , Li Jiqin , Xu Tingyu , Pan Xiaoying
Published: May 2024

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is an important industrial crop, which is sensitive to chilling stress. Tobacco seedlings that have been subjected to chilling stress readily flower early, which seriously affects the yield and quality of their leaves. Currently, there has been progress in elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which tobacco responds to chilling stress. However, little is known about the phosphorylation that is mediated by chilling. In this study, the transcriptome, proteome and phosphoproteome were analyzed to elucidate the mechanisms of the responses of tobacco shoot and root to chilling stress (4 °C for 24 h). A total of 6,113 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 153 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and 345 differential phosphopeptides were identified in the shoot, and the corresponding numbers in the root were 6,394, 212 and 404, respectively. This study showed that the tobacco seedlings to 24 h of chilling stress primarily responded to this phenomenon by altering their levels of phosphopeptide abundance. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses revealed that starch and sucrose metabolism and endocytosis were the common pathways in the shoot and root at these levels. In addition, the differential phosphopeptide corresponding proteins were also significantly enriched in the pathways of photosynthesis-antenna proteins and carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms in the shoot and arginine and proline metabolism, peroxisome and RNA transport in the root. These results suggest that phosphoproteins in these pathways play important roles in the response to chilling stress. Moreover, kinases and transcription factors (TFs) that respond to chilling at the levels of phosphorylation are also crucial for resistance to chilling in tobacco seedlings. The phosphorylation or dephosphorylation of kinases, such as CDPKs and RLKs; and TFs, including VIP1-like, ABI5-like protein 2, TCP7-like, WRKY 6-like, MYC2-like and CAMTA7 among others, may play essential roles in the transduction of tobacco chilling signal and the transcriptional regulation of the genes that respond to chilling stress. Taken together, these findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms and regulatory networks of the responses of tobacco to chilling stress.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles enhance the detrimental effect of polystyrene nanoplastics on cell and plant physiology of Vicia lens (L.) Coss. & Germ. seedlings
Authors: Spanò Carmelina , Giorgetti Lucia , Bottega Stefania , Muccifora Simonetta , Ruffini Castiglione Monica
Published: May 2024

Polystyrene nanoplastics and titanium dioxide nanoparticles are widely spread in all environments, often coexisting within identical frameworks. Both these contaminants can induce negative effects on cell and plant physiology, giving concerns on their possible interaction which could increase each other’s harmful effects on plants. Despite the urgency of this issue, there is very little literature addressing it. To evaluate the potential risk of this co-contamination, lentil seeds were treated for five days with polystyrene nanoplastics and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (anatase crystalline form), alone and in co-presence. Cytological analyses, and histochemical and biochemical evaluation of oxidative stress were carried out on isolated shoots and roots. TEM analysis seemed to indicate the absence of physical/chemical interactions between the two nanomaterials. Seedlings under cotreatment showed the greatest cytotoxic and genotoxic effects and high levels of oxidative stress markers associated with growth inhibition. Even if biochemical data did not evidence significant differences between materials treated with polystyrene nanoplastics alone or in co-presence with titanium dioxide nanoparticles, histochemical analysis highlighted a different pattern of oxidative markers, suggesting a synergistic effect by the two nanomaterials. In accordance, the fluorescence signal linked to nanoplastics in root and shoot was higher under cotreatment, perhaps due to the well-known ability of titanium dioxide nanoparticles to induce root tissue damage, in this way facilitating the uptake and translocation of polystyrene nanoplastics into the plant body. In the antioxidant machinery, peroxidase activity showed a significant increase in treated roots, in particular under cotreatment, probably more associated with stress-induced lignin synthesis than with hydrogen peroxide detoxification. Present results clearly indicate the worsening by metal nanoparticles of the negative effects of nanoplastics on plants, underlining the importance of research considering the impact of cotreatments with different nanomaterials, which may better reflect the complex environmental conditions.
Exploring the source of TYLCV resistance in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Hayashi Satomi , Souvan Jacqueline M. , Bally Julia , de Felippes Felipe F. , Waterhouse Peter M.
Published: May 2024

Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) is one of the most devastating pathogens of tomato, worldwide. It is vectored by the globally prevalent whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, and is asymptomatic in a wide range of plant species that act as a virus reservoir. The most successful crop protection for tomato in the field has been from resistance genes, of which five loci have been introgressed fromwild relatives. Of these, the Ty-1/Ty-3 locus, which encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 3 (RDR3), has been the most effective. Nevertheless, several TYLCV strains that break this resistance are beginning to emerge, increasing the need for new sources of resistance. Here we use segregation analysis and CRISPR-mediated gene dysfunctionalisation to dissect the differential response of two isolates of Nicotiana benthamiana to TYLCV infection. Our study indicates the presence of a novel non-RDR3, but yet to be identified, TYLCV resistance gene in a wild accession of N. benthamiana. This gene has the potential to be incorporated into tomatoes.
Class I TCP in fruit development: much more than growth
Authors: Gao Yushuo , Regad Farid , Li Zhengguo , Pirrello Julien , Bouzayen Mondher , Van Der Rest Benoît
Published: May 2024

Fruit development can be viewed as the succession of three main steps consisting of the fruit initiation, growth and ripening. These processes are orchestrated by different factors, notably the successful fertilization of flowers, the environmental conditions and the hormones whose action is coordinated by a large variety of transcription factors. Among the different transcription factor families, TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1, CYCLOIDEA, PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR (TCP) family has received little attention in the frame of fruit biology despite its large effects on several developmental processes and its action as modulator of different hormonal pathways. In this respect, the comprehension of TCP functions in fruit development remains an incomplete puzzle that needs to be assembled. Building on the abundance of genomic and transcriptomic data, this review aims at collecting available TCP expression data to allow their integration in the light of the different functional genetic studies reported so far. This reveals that several Class I TCP genes, already known for their involvement in the cell proliferation and growth, display significant expression levels in developing fruit, although clear evidence supporting their functional significance in this process remains scarce. The extensive expression data compiled in our study provide convincing elements that shed light on the specific involvement of Class I TCP genes in fruit ripening, once these reproductive organs acquire their mature size. They also emphasize their putative role in the control of specific biological processes such as fruit metabolism and hormonal dialogue.
Exhausting, but necessary: the lived experience of participants in an intensive inpatient trauma treatment program
Authors: Vaage-Kowalzik Veronica , Engeset Jeanette , Jakobsen Marianne , Andreassen Wenche , Evensen Julie Horgen
Published: May 2024

Background

Intensive inpatient treatment programs have shown robust results in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). How patients experience this treatment program and what changes they experience as a result of the treatment have, however, only scarcely been explored through qualitative studies.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the lived experience of participants in an intensive inpatient trauma treatment program. Our research questions were as follows: how do patients experience intensive trauma-focused treatment? How do they experience possible changes related to participating in the treatment program?

Methods

Six patients diagnosed with PTSD with significant comorbidities, who recently participated in an intensive 2-week (4 + 4 days) inpatient trauma treatment program with prolonged exposure (PE), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and therapist rotation (TR), were interviewed with a semi-structured qualitative interview. Transcripts were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.

Results

Our analysis resulted in five main themes: (1) the need to feel safe; (2) the benefits of many and different therapeutic encounters; (3) variable experience with elements of treatment; (4) intensity; and (5) experienced change. Our results suggest that feeling safe within the framework of the treatment program facilitated the treatment process. Many and different therapeutic encounters, both through TR and with ward staff, contributed to experienced change. All participants described the intensity as facilitative to trauma processing. However, most participants also describe often feeling too overwhelmed to benefit from all elements of the treatment program.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that participants experience the overall treatment program as beneficial and contributing to experienced change. Participants described the intensity of the program as exhausting, but necessary. Most did, however, report at times of being too overwhelmed to benefit from elements of the program. Consequently, our results prompt us to question the optimal level of intensity.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05342480. Date of registration: 2022-04-22.
Intonation words in initial intentional communication of Mandarin-speaking children
Authors: Zhang Yunqiu , Li Jiantao , Zhang Yang
Published: May 2024

Intonation words play a very important role in early childhood language development and serve as a crucial entry point for studying children’s language acquisition. Utilizing a natural conversation corpus, this paper thoroughly examines the intentional communication scenes of five Mandarin-speaking children before the age of 1;05 (17 months). We found that children produced a limited yet high-frequency set of intonation words such as “啊 [a], 哎 [æ], 欸 [ε], 嗯 [ən], 呃 [ə], eng [əŋ], 哦 [o], and 咦 [i].” These intonation words do not express the children’s emotional attitudes toward propositions or events; rather, they are utilized within the frameworks of imperative, declarative, and interrogative intents. The children employ non-verbal, multimodal means such as pointing, gesturing, and facial expressions to actively convey or receive commands, provide or receive information, and inquire or respond. The data suggests that the function of intonation words is essentially equivalent to holophrases, indicating the initial stage of syntactic acquisition, which is a milestone in early syntactic development. Based on the cross-linguistic universality of intonation word acquisition and its inherited relationship with pre-linguistic intentional vocalizations, this paper proposes that children’s syntax is initiated by the prosodic features of intonation. The paper also contends that intonation words, as the initial form of human vocal language in individual development, naturally extend from early babbling, emotional vocalizations, or sound expressions for changing intentions. They do not originate from spontaneous gesturing, which seems to have no necessary evolutionary relationship with the body postures that chimpanzees use to change intentions, as suggested by existing research. Human vocal language and non-verbal multimodal means are two parallel and non-contradictory forms of communication, with no apparent evidence of the former inheriting from the latter.
Contradictory findings in the study of emotional false memory: a review on the inadvisability of controlling valence and arousal
Authors: Yin Haochen , Zhou Yizhou , Li Zuoshan
Published: May 2024

Emotional false memories are the erroneous recollection of events accompanied by an emotional experience. In high-risk domains like psychotherapy and the legal system, emotional false memories are of particular importance. Despite the systematic research conducted on emotional false memories in recent years, findings remain contradictory. Some studies have suggested that negative emotion reduces false memories, while others have suggested that negative emotion increases false memories. Research has mainly employed words and pictures as experimental stimuli, and studies using both types of memory stimuli are reviewed here. From this examination, it emerged that the main reasons for contradictory findings are as follows: (1) different materials have varying effects on inducing false memories, with pictures demonstrating a memory advantage compared to words; (2) recall and recognition tests have been used interchangeably, leading to different false-memory effects depending on the memory test employed; and (3) different studies have adopted different levels of control over valence and arousal when manipulating emotional variables. Future studies should distinguish between the use of different memory materials, examine specific differences in recall and recognition tests, and measure the impact of specific emotions on false memory beyond the dimensions of valence and arousal.
Comparison of the effect of teaching games for understanding, sport education, combined and linear pedagogy on motor proficiency of children with developmental coordination disorder
Authors: Ghorbanzadeh Behrouz , Kirazci Sadettin , Badicu Georgian
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The prevalence of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is increasing and it has been shown that the main problem of children with DCD is their low motor proficiency. Therefore, it is important to find a way to improve motor skills in these children. Thus, this study aimed to compare the effect of teaching games for understanding (TGFU), sport education (SE), combined (TGFU and SE), and linear pedagogy (LP) on motor proficiency of children with DCD.

Methods

In this regard, among 7-year-old children in Turkey, 80 children were selected voluntarily and by evaluating the MABCD-2 test. These children were randomly placed in four-LP (control), SE, TGFU, and combined (SE-TGFU) groups and practiced futsal exercises for 16 sessions under the supervision of coaches specific to each method. BOT-2 short-form test was used to evaluate motor proficiency.

Results

The results of the analysis of the covariance test showed that the group effect is significant, and the results of the post hoc LSD test showed a significant difference between the LP with SE, LP with TGFU, LP with combination, SE with TGFU, SE with combination and TGFU with combination groups (p = <0.001).

Discussion

Based on the results of this study, the combined method is the best compared to other methods. Generally, combining games as an important activity in childhood with SE that emphasizes improving the child’s self-esteem is a method that can solve the movement competence that is the main problem of DCD children and lead them to continue physical activity.
Exploring the concept and management strategies of caring stress among clinical nurses: a scoping review
Authors: Goudarzian Amir Hossein , Nikbakht Nasrabadi Alireza , Sharif-Nia Hamid , Farhadi Bahar , Navab Elham
Published: May 2024

Objective

The concept of caring stress and its specific management has received less attention than other dimensions of stress in nurses. Therefore, to clarify the concept of caring stress, a scoping review study was designed. This scoping review aimed to investigate the concept of caring stress among clinical nurses and examine the strategies used for its management.

Methods

This review employed a scoping review methodology to comprehensively map the essential concepts and attributes of the phenomenon by drawing on a wide range of sources. International databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scientific Information Database (SID) were searched to gather relevant studies published until October 1, 2023. MESH terms included “caring stress”, “care”, “stress”, “nurse”, and “stress management” were used. Two reviewers independently collected data from full-text papers, ensuring that each paper underwent assessment by at least two reviewers.

Results

Out of 104,094 articles initially searched, 22 articles were included in this study. High workloads, transmitting the infection, stressful thoughts, stressful emotions, and stressful communications were the significant concepts and factors of caring stress among nurses. Also, rest breaks during patient care shifts, playing music in the ward, and denial of critical situations were examples of positive and negative coping and management ways to reduce caring stress.

Conclusion

Effective stress management strategies can lead to better patient care and safety. Stressed nurses are more likely to make errors or become less vigilant in their duties, impacting patient outcomes. By addressing caring stress, clinical practice can prioritize patient well-being. Further research is required to delve deeper into this critical issue concerning nurses in the future.
Ground-based adaptive horsemanship lessons for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled pilot study
Authors: Rankins Ellen M. , Quinn Andrea , McKeever Kenneth H. , Malinowski Karyn
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Equine-assisted services (EAS) has received attention as a potential treatment strategy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as existing literature indicates that symptoms may decrease following EAS. Relatively little is known about the mechanisms at play during lessons and if physiological measures are impacted. The objectives of this pilot study were to 1) explore the effects of adaptive horsemanship (AH) lessons on symptoms of PTSD, hormone concentrations, and social motor synchrony; 2) determine if physiological changes occur as veterans interact with horses; and 3) explore if the interaction between veteran and horse changes over the 8-week session.

Methods

Veterans with PTSD were randomly assigned to control (CON, n = 3) or AH (n = 6) groups for an 8-week period (clinical trial; NCT04850573; clinicaltrials.gov). Veterans completed the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) at pre-, post-, and 2- and 6-month follow-up time points. They also completed a social motor synchrony test (pendulum swinging) and blood draw at pre- and post-time points. In weeks 1, 4, and 8, blood samples were drawn at 0 min, 3 min, 5 min, 25 min, and 30 min during the 30-min AH lessons. Veterans completed the Human–Animal Interaction Scale (HAIS) after each lesson. Blood samples were assayed for plasma cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and oxytocin. Data were analyzed with repeated measure ANOVAs. Changes in PTSD symptoms from pre- to post-time point were analyzed with paired t-tests.

Results

Changes in PCL-5 scores tended to differ (p = 0.0989), and global BSI scores differed (p = 0.0266) between AH (−11.5 ± 5.5, mean ± SE; −0.5 ± 0.2) and CON (5.3 ± 5.4; 0.4 ± 0.2) groups. Social motor synchrony and hormone concentrations did not differ between groups or time points (p > 0.05). Cortisol, norepinephrine, and oxytocin concentrations did not differ across sessions (p > 0.05). Epinephrine concentrations tended (p = 0.0744) to decrease from week 1 to 4 of sessions. HAIS scores increased (p ≥ 0.0437) in week 3 and remained elevated as compared to week 1.

Discussion

Participant recruitment was the greatest challenge. These preliminary results agree with the literature suggesting that EAS can reduce symptoms of PTSD.
Menopausal wellbeing: navigating quality of life and osteoporosis risk
Authors: Nair Rajeesh R. , Joy Teena Mary , George Leyanna Susan , Ajay Aparna , Mathew Minu Maria , Raveendran Greeshma C.
Published: May 2024

Background

Multifaceted dimensions influence the quality of life among post-menopausal women. Osteoporosis, a condition characterized by fragile bones, poses a significant risk, potentially leading to fractures and decreased wellbeing. This study aims to assess the quality of life of postmenopausal women, its determinants, and also the risk of osteoporosis among them.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was done among 379 post-menopausal women residing in rural and urban areas of Ernakulam district, Kerala, India. They were selected by probability proportional to size sampling from 10 clusters. Quality of life was measured using MENQOL-I questionnaire and osteoporosis risk assessment was done using OSTA score.

Results

The study participants had a mean age of 60 years, (standard deviation of 6.83 years). On average, menopause occurred at 50.58 years (standard deviation of 4.28 years). The most common symptoms impacting quality of life among postmenopausal women were psychosocial symptoms, followed by physical and vasomotor symptoms. Furthermore, a high proportion (63.6%) of participants were at risk for osteoporosis. History of fracture, concern of falling, marital status and having an insurance, are factors associated with various domains of quality of life.

Conclusion

This study underscores the complex interplay of demographic factors, menopausal experiences, and their impact on the participants' quality of life. The prevalence of psychosocial symptoms and the significant risk of osteoporosis call for tailored healthcare interventions. Postmenopausal women with history of fracture, high concern of fall and single women require special attention. Encouraging women to take up selfcare practices will help during the menopausal transition to have a good quality of life.
Implications of COVID-19 prevention on the occurrence of childhood diarrhea in the Semen Bench district, Bench Sheko zone, southwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Alemayehu Bezuayehu , Mekonen Seblework , Ambleu Argaw
Published: May 2024

Background

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a virus that occurred in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has spread to several countries. Although interventions in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for COVID-19 are likely a pre-existing response to childhood diarrhea, evidence of the effects of COVID-19 preventative strategies on childhood diarrhea has been lacking. This study aimed to assess the implications of COVID-19 prevention for the occurrence of childhood diarrhea in rural communities of Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 10 May 2020 to 30 July 2020 involving selected households in the Semen Bench district, Bench Sheko zone, southwestern Ethiopia. A single population proportion formula was used to obtain a total of 768 sample sizes. Data were collected from selected households using a simple random sampling technique. Epidata 3.1 was used to enter the data and then exported to Stata 14 for analysis. Descriptive statistics along with binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors of COVID-19 knowledge and practices related to childhood diarrhea. The chi-squared test was used to check the association between COVID-19 prevention and childhood diarrhea reduction.

Results

A total of 720 (93.75%) households participated in the study to achieve the study objectives. Approximately 55% of the participants had a good understanding of COVID-19 prevention, while only 48.5% had good COVID-19 prevention practices. The prevalence of childhood diarrhea was 19.3% which was more common among households with poor practices of COVID-19 prevention. The respondents with poor COVID-19 prevention knowledge were 42% (AOR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.398, 0.847, P = 0.005) less likely to develop childhood diarrhea than those who had good COVID-19 prevention knowledge. Households with poor practices for COVID-19 prevention were 75.1% more likely to develop childhood diarrhea than those who had good preventive practices for COVID-19 prevention (AOR = 1.751, 95% CI: 1.193, 2.571, P = 0.004). The lower risk of childhood diarrhea is significantly related to good COVID-19 prevention practices. However, households with no formal education and a lack of WASH facilities have a higher likelihood of having childhood diarrhea in the household.

Conclusion

COVID-19 preventative strategies help reduce the prevalence of diarrhea in children. More research using prospective study designs and advanced statistical models is needed to better understand the implication of COVID-19 preventative efforts in reducing childhood diarrhea.
The status quo of short video as sources of health information on gastroesophageal reflux disease in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Cai Ying , Zeng Hao , Yang Pingping , Xu Xiwen , Lai Yongkang , Zhou Yu
Published: May 2024

Background

Positive lifestyle adjustments have become effective methods in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Utilizing short video platforms to encourage GERD patients for effective self-disease management is a convenient and cost-effective approach. However, the quality of GERD-related videos on short video platforms is yet to be determined, and these videos may contain misinformation that patients cannot recognize. This study aims to assess the information quality of GERD-related short videos on TikTok and Bilibili in China.

Methods

Search and filter the top 100 GERD-related videos on TikTok and Bilibili based on comprehensive rankings. Two independent gastroenterologists conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the video quality using the Global Quality Score and the modified DISCERN tool. Simultaneously, the content of the videos was analyzed across six aspects: definition, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.

Results

A total of 164 GERD-related videos were collected in this study, and videos from non-gastrointestinal health professionals constitute the majority (56.71%), with only 28.66% originating from gastroenterology health professionals. The overall quality and reliability of the videos were relatively low, with DISCERN and GQS scores of 2 (IQR: 2–3) and 3 (IQR: 2–3), respectively. Relatively speaking, videos from gastrointestinal health professionals exhibit the highest reliability and quality, with DISCERN scores of 3 (IQR: 3–4) and GQS scores of 3 (IQR: 3–4), respectively.

Conclusion

Overall, the information content and quality of GERD-related videos still need improvement. In the future, health professionals are required to provide high-quality videos to facilitate effective self-disease management for GERD patients.
Multilevel governance in farmers’ markets: a stakeholder analysis in Tuscany
Authors: Belletti Giovanni , Torres Salcido Gerardo , Scarpellini Paola , Mengoni Matteo , Marescotti Andrea
Published: May 2024

Farmers’ Markets (FMs) have gained relevance in recent years as increasingly acknowledged to be critical to turn to more equitable food systems, easing agroecological transition, and preserving biocultural heritage. However, the issue of the forms of social and institutional coordination needed to create, organize, manage and promote FMs is a recent topic in the literature, and their governance is still poorly considered. Based on a set of case studies in Tuscany, Italy, this paper intends to contribute to filling this gap by analysing the forms of governance and the role of different stakeholders. The hypothesis is that FMs are social constructions that respond to processes of social and institutional innovation through direct exchanges between producers, consumers and other stakeholders, articulated at both local and non-local level. The aim of the paper is to explore the interactions between stakeholders and the corresponding forms of multi-level governance that emerge. The method for testing the hypotheses is qualitative, through semi-structured interviews to FMs managers and conversations with producers and other stakeholders, conducted between May and August 2022 in Tuscany. The research was complemented by consultation of indirect sources, such as FMs websites and social networks. The results are summarized in the elaboration of a three-dimensional and territorially embedded governance model. The first dimension refers to the management of internal relations between stakeholders within the FM. The second corresponds to the activation of dialogue, negotiation, and agreement with the municipality and other local authorities, and with local farmers’ unions. The third type corresponds to vertical flows between the FMs and extraterritorial bodies, i.e., regional government, regional and national farmers’ unions and other stakeholder associations. It is important to note that at FMs level, processes of hybridization between the different types of governance are established. The article contributes to the analysis of FMs as economic and social constructions and may be useful for establishing comparative frameworks around institutional and collective action dimensions, multi-actor and multilevel studies of governance.
How to optimize communication about animal and animal-free research methods
Authors: Homberg Judith Regina , Piersma Aldert H. , Krul Cyrille A. M. , Genzel Lisa , Kienhuis Anne , ter Gast Ellen , Wolvekamp Monique
Published: May 2024

There is a long-standing debate about experimental non-human animals and animal-free methods in scientific research. Among the various stakeholders involved in the debate are the scientists. During media broadcasts we, animal researchers and animal-free methods researchers, were positioned as ‘opponents’. In this essay we describe our initial rational thoughts and emotions after these events, and how we came together to explore our common ground on animal(−free) experimentation. Realizing that all models have advantages and limitations, our common ground lies in the principles of good scientific research and responsible experimentation. Our communication emanating from the broadcasts has been instrumental in improving communication on animal(−free) experimentation issues by teaming up. We strongly believe that this is essential for making well-informed decisions for the methods we are using now and will be using in the future.
Enhancing CO2 Injection Efficiency: Rock-Breaking Characteristics of Particle Jet Impact in Bottom Hole
Authors: Wang Yi , Zhao Jian
Published: May 2024

Storing CO2 in oil and gas reservoirs offers a dual benefit: it reduces atmospheric CO2 concentration while simultaneously enhancing oil displacement efficiency and increasing crude oil production. This is achieved by injecting CO2 into producing oil and gas wells. Employing particle jet technology at the bottom of CO2 injection wells significantly expands the bottom hole diameter, thereby improving CO2 injection efficiency and storage safety. To further investigate the rock-breaking characteristics and efficiency, a finite element model for particle jet rock breaking is established by utilizing the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. Specifically, this new model considers the high temperature and confining pressure conditions present at the bottom hole. The dynamic response and fracturing effects of rock subjected to a particle jet are also revealed. The results indicate that particle jet impact rebound significantly influences the size of the impact crater, with the maximum first principal stress primarily concentrated on the crater’s surface. The impact creates a “v”-shaped crater on the rock surface, with both depth and volume increasing proportionally to jet inlet velocity and particle diameter. However, beyond a key particle concentration of 3%, the increase in depth and volume becomes less pronounced. Confining pressure is found to hinder particle impact rock-breaking efficiency, while high temperatures contribute to larger impact depths and breaking volumes. This research can provide theoretical support and parameter guidance for the practical application of particle impact technology in enhancing CO2 injection efficiency at the bottom hole.
Accurate Measurement of the Internal Temperature of 280 Ah Lithium-Ion Batteries by Means of Pre-Buried Thermocouples
Authors: Lu Jiazheng , Lyu Yang , Chen Baohui , Wu Chuanping
Published: May 2024

Batteries with an energy storage capacity of 280 Ah play a crucial role in promoting the development of smart grids. However, the inhomogeneity of their internal temperature cannot be accurately measured at different constant charge and discharge power, affecting the efficiency and safety of the battery. This work adopts finite element analysis to determine the typical internal temperature of a single-cell model, which can guide the measuring position of the battery. Before the manufacturing process, a slim pre-buried sensor is utilized to reduce the negative impacts of different constant charge and discharge powers. The maximum internal temperature of the battery is up to 77 °C at a constant charge and discharge power of 896 W. The temperature difference between the two poles and the battery surface is as high as 26.2 °C, which is beyond the safety temperature (55 °C). This phenomenon will result in the degradation of the positive electrode through dQ/dV curves. These measurements of battery internal temperature can improve battery heat control and facilitate the development of energy storage technology.
Molecular and Evolution In Silico Studies Unlock the h4-HPPD C-Terminal Tail Gating Mechanism
Authors: Trezza Alfonso , Birgauan Ancuta , Geminiani Michela , Visibelli Anna , Santucci Annalisa
Published: May 2024

The enzyme 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (4-HPPD) is involved in the catabolism of the amino acid tyrosine in organisms such as bacteria, plants, and animals. It catalyzes the conversion of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate to a homogenisate in the presence of molecular oxygen and Fe(II) as a cofactor. This enzyme represents a key step in the biosynthesis of important compounds, and its activity deficiency leads to severe, rare autosomal recessive disorders, like tyrosinemia type III and hawkinsinuria, for which no cure is currently available. The 4-HPPD C-terminal tail plays a crucial role in the enzyme catalysis/gating mechanism, ensuring the integrity of the active site for catalysis through fine regulation of the C-terminal tail conformation. However, despite growing interest in the 4-HPPD catalytic mechanism and structure, the gating mechanism remains unclear. Furthermore, the absence of the whole 3D structure makes the bioinformatic approach the only possible study to define the enzyme structure/molecular mechanism. Here, wild-type 4-HPPD and its mutants were deeply dissected by applying a comprehensive bioinformatics/evolution study, and we showed for the first time the entire molecular mechanism and regulation of the enzyme gating process, proposing the full-length 3D structure of human 4-HPPD and two novel key residues involved in the 4-HPPD C-terminal tail conformational change.
SonoNERFs: Neural Radiance Fields Applied to Biological Echolocation Systems Allow 3D Scene Reconstruction through Perceptual Prediction
Authors: Jansen Wouter , Steckel Jan
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we introduce SonoNERFs, a novel approach that adapts Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs) to model and understand the echolocation process in bats, focusing on the challenges posed by acoustic data interpretation without phase information. Leveraging insights from the field of optical NeRFs, our model, termed SonoNERF, represents the acoustic environment through Neural Reflectivity Fields. This model allows us to reconstruct three-dimensional scenes from echolocation data, obtained by simulating how bats perceive their surroundings through sound. By integrating concepts from biological echolocation and modern computational models, we demonstrate the SonoNERF’s ability to predict echo spectrograms for unseen echolocation poses and effectively reconstruct a mesh-based and energy-based representation of complex scenes. Our work bridges a gap in understanding biological echolocation and proposes a methodological framework that provides a first-order model of how scene understanding might arise in echolocating animals. We demonstrate the efficacy of the SonoNERF model on three scenes of increasing complexity, including some biologically relevant prey–predator interactions.
Managing Complexity in Socio-Technical Systems by Mimicking Emergent Simplicities in Nature: A Brief Communication
Authors: Falegnami Andrea , Tomassi Andrea , Corbelli Giuseppe , Romano Elpidio
Published: May 2024

In the context of socio-technical systems, traditional engineering approaches are inadequate, calling for a fundamental change in perspective. A different approach encourages viewing socio-technical systems as complex living entities rather than through a simplistic lens, which enhances our understanding of their dynamics. However, these systems are designed to facilitate human activities, and the goal is not only to comprehend how they operate but also to guide their function. Currently, we lack the appropriate terminology. Hence, we introduce two principal concepts, simplexity and complixity, drawing inspiration from how nature conceals intricate mechanisms beneath straightforward, user-friendly interfaces.
Stroke Caused by Vasculitis Induced by Periodontitis-Associated Oral Bacteria after Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Authors: Kiramira David , Uphaus Timo , Othman Ahmed , Heermann Ralf , Deschner James , Müller-Heupt Lena Katharina
Published: May 2024

Invasive dental procedures, such as wisdom teeth removal, have been identified as potential triggers for vascular events due to the entry of oral bacteria into the bloodstream, leading to acute vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. This study presents the case of a 27-year-old healthy male who developed ischemic stroke resulting from bacteremia after undergoing wisdom teeth extraction. Initially, the patient experienced fever and malaise, which were followed by right-sided hemiplegia. Diagnostic imaging, including a CT scan, identified a subacute infarction in the posterior crus of the left internal capsule, and MRI findings indicated inflammatory changes in the masticatory muscles. Further investigations involving biopsies of the masticatory muscles, along with blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples, confirmed bacterial meningitis with associated vasculitis. Notably, oral bacteria linked to periodontitis, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Tannerella forsythia, and Parvimonas micra, were found in the biopsies and microbiological analyses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case showing that bacteremia following dental procedures can lead to such severe neurological outcomes. This case underscores the importance of recognizing bacteremia-induced vasculitis in patients presenting with neurological symptoms post-dental procedures, emphasizing the broader implications of oral infections in such pathologies.
Correction: Corsaro et al. Notch, SUMOylation, and ESR-Mediated Signalling Are the Main Molecular Pathways Showing Significantly Different Epimutation Scores between Expressing or Not Oestrogen Receptor Breast Cancer in Three Public EWAS Datasets. Cancers 2023, 15, 4109
Authors: Corsaro Luigi , Gentilini Davide , Calzari Luciano , Gambino Vincenzo
Published: May 2024

Additional Affiliation(s) [...]
Chronic Stress Related to Cancer Incidence, including the Role of Metabolic Syndrome Components
Authors: Pham An Thanh , van Dijk Boukje A. C. , van der Valk Eline S. , van der Vegt Bert , van Rossum Elisabeth F. C. , de Bock Geertruida H.
Published: May 2024

Epidemiological results on the link between chronic stress and cancer initiation have been inconsistent. This study examined the relation between chronic biological stress, indicated as hair cortisol (HairF) and hair cortisone (HairE), and cancer incidence, adjusting for metabolic syndrome (MetS) components. We analyzed HairF and HairE samples from 6341 participants from the population-based cohort Lifelines in 2014. A linkage with the Dutch Nationwide Pathology Databank (Palga) provided the cancer incidence from 2015 to 2021. The association between dichotomized HairF and log-transformed HairE (LogHairE) and cancer incidence was estimated using Cox regression. MetS components were evaluated as confounders or moderators. Of the 2776 participants with known HairF levels and no cancer history, 238 developed cancer. The HairF level did not predict cancer incidence (HR: 0.993, 95%CI: 0.740–1.333). No confounders or moderators were identified. Among the 4699 participants with known HairE levels and no cancer history, 408 developed cancer. There was no association between LogHairE and cancer incidence (HR: 1.113, 95%CI: 0.738–1.678). When including age as a confounder and gender as a moderator, LogHairE was statistically significantly associated with cancer incidence (HR: 6.403, 95%CI: 1.110–36.92). In a population-based cohort, chronic biological stress, measured by HairE, was associated with cancer incidence, after controlling for age and gender.
Association of Glycoprotein IIIa PlA1/A2 Polymorphism with Risk of Stroke: Updated Meta-Analysis
Authors: Coadă Camelia Alexandra , Lupu Mihai , Florea Iulia , Di Constanzo Stella , Coluccelli Sara , Şimon Ioan
Published: May 2024

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in the world, with ischemic heart disease (i.e., myocardial infarction) and cerebrovascular disease (i.e., stroke) taking the highest toll. Advances in diagnosis and treatment have led to a significant alleviation of ischemic complications, specifically in the realm of pharmacotherapy and interventional devices, while pharmacogenomics has yet to be fully leveraged to improve the burden of disease. Atherothrombotic events might occur earlier or respond worse to treatment in patients with genetic variants of GP IIb/IIIa. Therefore, we aimed to quantitate the involvement of the PlA2 variant in the risk of cerebral stroke events. A systematic search and meta-analysis were performed by pooling the risks of individual studies. A total of 31 studies comprising 5985 stroke patients and 7886 controls were analyzed. A meta-analysis of four studies on hemorrhagic stroke patients showed no association with the PIA2 rs5918(C) polymorphism in both fixed-effect (OR = 0.90 95%CI [0.71; 1.14]; p = 0.398) and random-effect models (OR = 0.86 95%CI [0.62; 1.20]; p-value = 0.386). The power of this analysis was below <30%, indicating a limited ability to detect a true effect. An analysis of the 28 studies on ischemic stroke revealed a significant association with the PIA2 rs5918(C) allele in both fixed-effect (OR = 1.16 95%CI [1.06; 1.27]; p = 0.001) and random-effect models (OR = 1.20 95%CI [1.04; 1.38]; p-value = 0.012), with a power of >80%. The PIA2 allele was associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. No association was found with hemorrhagic stroke, most likely due to the small number of available studies, which resulted in a lack of power.