bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How college experiences impact student learning outcomes: Insights from Chinese undergraduate students
Authors: Bai Hua , Yu Hongwei , Bantsimba N. Rogerland , Luo Li
Published: November 2022

In recent years, student development and learning outcomes have become a central focus of quality higher education research. Identifying factors associated with student learning outcomes is the key to continuous quality improvement. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of college experiences on student learning outcomes. A sample of 17,609 undergraduates from 23 Chinese colleges/universities were selected for the study and asked to complete the Chinese version of the College Student Experiences Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling analyses suggested academic and social activity involvement was an important factor influencing student learning outcomes. Campus facilities and the college environment also predicted student learning outcomes. Family background, on the other hand, exerted minimal influence on student learning outcomes. Students’ involvement in academic and social activities served as strong mediators between campus facilities/environment and student learning outcomes. The results highlighted the significance of providing high-quality college experiences. They also informed policymakers and practitioners of possible pathways to support student learning outcomes by enhancing students’ involvement in social and academic activities.
Arousal-driven interactions between reward motivation and categorization of emotional facial expressions
Authors: Chakravarthula Lakshman N. C. , Padmala Srikanth
Published: November 2022

Reward motivation and emotion share common dimensions of valence and arousal, but the nature of interactions between the two constructs is relatively unclear. On the one hand, based on the common valence dimension, valence-compatible interactions are expected where reward motivation would facilitate the processing of compatible (i.e., positive) emotion and hamper the processing of incompatible (i.e., negative) emotion. On the other hand, one could hypothesize valence-general interactions driven by the arousal dimension, where the processing of both positive and negative emotions would be facilitated under reward motivation. Currently, the evidence for valence-compatible vs. valence-general type interactions between reward motivation and goal-relevant emotion is relatively mixed. Moreover, as most of the previous work focused primarily on appetitive motivation, the influence of aversive motivation on goal-relevant emotion is largely unexplored. To address these important gaps, in the present study, we investigated the interactions between motivation and categorization of facial emotional expressions by manipulating the valence dimension of motivation (appetitive and aversive motivation levels) together with that of emotion (positive and negative valence stimuli). Specifically, we conducted two behavioral experiments to separately probe the influence of appetitive and aversive motivation (manipulated via an advance cue signaling the prospect of monetary gains in Experiment 1 and losses in Experiment 2, respectively) on the categorization of happy, fearful, and neutral faces. We tested the two competing hypotheses regarding the interactions between appetitive/aversive motivation and emotional face categorization: Valence-compatible vs. Valence-general. We found evidence consistent with valence-general interactions where both appetitive and aversive motivation facilitated the categorization of happy and fearful faces relative to the neutral ones. Our findings demonstrate that interactions between reward motivation and categorization of emotional faces are driven by the arousal dimension, not by valence.
Preschool teachers’ STEM pedagogical content knowledge: A comparative study of teachers in Greece and Turkey
Authors: Gözüm Ali İbrahim Can , Papadakis Stamatios , Kalogiannakis Michail
Published: November 2022

This study compares the STEM Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Greek and Turkish preschool teachers. The present research is a comparative descriptive study that aims to determine the STEM Pedagogical Content Knowledge of preschool teachers from Greece and Turkey. A descriptive survey model, a method used in quantitative research, was used as this study’s primary research method. The STEM Pedagogical Content Knowledge Scale (STEMPCK) was used in this study. Six hundred sixty-nine preschool teachers - 104 Greek and 565 Turkish teachers - participated in this study. The STEMPCK Scale’s construct validity and reliability were tested using this study’s data set, which was found to be both valid and reliable. No significant difference was found between the STEMPCK scores of Greek and Turkish preschool teachers. The significant differentiation of STEMPCK scores based on whether the teachers had received any STEM training is discussed in light of the relevant literature. This study determines and compares STEMPCK among preschool teachers from disparate countries such as Greece and Turkey and is expected to contribute to the literature.
Depression symptoms and quality of life in empty-nest elderly among Chengdu: A cross-sectional study
Authors: He Lanying , Wang Jian , Wang Feng , Zhang Lili , Liu Yinglin , Xu Fan
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of depression symptoms and quality of life (QoL) and examined the influence of factors in the empty nest elderly.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study, which was conducted from February 2022 to May 2022. We recruited a convenience sample of no empty-nest elderly and empty-nest elderly (≥60 years) living in Chengdu. QoL was assessed using WHOQOL-BREF, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was used to assess depression symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze data between independent variables with depression symptoms.

Results

Two thousand twenty-six participants were included in this study, 39.0% (660/1,082) experienced depression symptoms among empty-nest elderly. Age (aOR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00–1.04; P = 0.046), chronic disease≥2 (aOR, 3.29; 95% CI, 2.50–4.33; P < 0.001) were associated with increased risk of depression symptoms, and physical activity (aOR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.40–0.87; P = 0.008), physical health (aOR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88–0.99; P = 0.026), psychological health (aOR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87–0.98; P = 0.013), and total score (aOR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96–0.99; P < 0.001) were associated with decreased risk of depression symptoms among empty-nest elderly.

Conclusions

Depression symptoms are common mental health problems among empty-nest elderly. We found that age, chronic disease ≥2 and physical activity were important factors that have an impact on depressive symptoms. Empty-nest elderly would have lowered QoL score.
Dyslipidemia among patients with type 2 diabetes in Jordan: Prevalence, pattern, and associated factors
Authors: Hyassat Dana , Al-Saeksaek Saba , Naji Duha , Mahasneh Awn , Khader Yousef , Abujbara Mousa , El-Khateeb Mohammad , Ajlouni Kamel
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To determine the prevalence and patterns of dyslipidemia and its associated risk factors among patients with type 2 diabetes attending the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Genetics (NCDEG).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the NCDEG in Amman, Jordan. A total of 971 patients with type 2 diabetes were included during the period September- December 2021. The socio-demographic data were collected through face-to-face interview questionnaire and anthropometric and clinical data were abstracted from medical records. The last three readings of lipid profile and HbA1C were abstracted from the medical records.

Results

The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia among type 2 diabetic patients was 95.4%. The most common type of dyslipidemia was combined dyslipidemia (37.1%), with high triglycerides and low HDL-c (19.0%) being the most frequent type. Factors associated with hypercholesterolemia were diabetes duration ≤ 10 years, poor compliance to a statin, and HbA1c level (7–8%) (P-values: 0.008, 0.001, 0.021, respectively). Moreover, smoking and poor compliance with statin therapy were associated with high LDL-c level (P-values: 0.046 and 0.001, respectively). The presence of hypertension, high waist circumference, HbA1c level >8%, and diabetes duration ≤ 10 years were all associated with high triglyceride level (P-values: 0.008, 0.016, 0.011, and 0.018, respectively). Hypertension and HbA1c level >8% were associated with low HDL-c level (P-values: 0.010 and 0.011, respectively).

Conclusion

The combination of high triglyceride and low HDL-c is the commonest lipid abnormality detected in patients with type 2 diabetes. An educational program that emphasizes the importance of adherence to a healthy lifestyle is strongly recommended. Further studies are needed to capture a wide range of factors that might influence dyslipidemia and glycemic control.
Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures in Sub-Saharan Africa during the 1st year of the pandemic: Pooled analysis of the International Citizen Project on COVID-19 (ICPCovid) surveys
Authors: Ngarka Leonard , Siewe Fodjo Joseph Nelson , Njamnshi Wepnyu Yembe , Ditekemena John D. , Ahmed Mohammed A. M. , Wanyenze Rhoda K. , Dula Janet , Sessou Philippe , Happi Christian T. , Nkengasong John N. , Colebunders Robert , Njamnshi Alfred K.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

While most governments instituted several interventions to stall the spread of COVID-19, little is known regarding the continued observance of the non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 preventive measures particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We investigated adherence to these preventive measures during the initial 6 months of the COVID-19 outbreak in some SSA countries.

Methods

Between March and August 2020, the International Citizen Project on COVID-19 consortium (www.icpcovid.com) conducted online surveys in six SSA countries: Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Somalia, and Uganda. A five-point individual adherence score was constituted by scoring respondents' observance of the following measures: mask use, physical distancing, hand hygiene, coughing hygiene, and avoiding to touch one's face. Community behaviors (going to public places, traveling during the pandemic) were also assessed. Data were analyzed in two time periods: Period 1 (March-May) and Period 2 (June-August).

Results

Responses from 26,678 respondents were analyzed (mean age: 31.0 ± 11.1 years; 54.1% males). Mean individual adherence score decreased from 3.80 ± 1.37 during Period 1, to 3.57 ± 1.43 during Period 2; p < 0.001. At the community level, public events/places were significantly more attended with increased travels during Period 2 compared to Period 1 (p < 0.001). Using linear mixed models, predictors of increased individual adherence included: higher age (Coef = 0.005; 95% CI: 0.003–0.007), female gender (Coef = 0.071; 95% CI: 0.039–0.104), higher educational level (Coef = 0.999; 95% CI: 0.885–1.113), and working in the healthcare sector (Coef = 0.418; 95% CI: 0.380–0.456).

Conclusion

Decreasing adherence to non-pharmaceutical measures over time constitutes a risk for the persistence of COVID-19 in SSA. Younger persons and those with lower education levels constitute target groups for improving adherence to such measures.
Some differences but all at risk: Improving farm safety for young people—An Australian experience
Authors: Brumby Susan , Hatherell Tracey , Fitzgerald Cecilia , Cotton Jacqueline , Semmens Morna , Cunningham Sally , Gibbs Jenna L. , Sullivan David , Sheridan Carolyn E.
Published: November 2022

A significant portion of on-farm deaths and injuries in Australia occur among young people working on the farm. Since most Australian farms are still family owned and operated, young people are an integral part of everyday operations and the farm is a place where these young people live, work and play. This paper describes how the international Gear Up for Ag Health and Safety™ program, originally developed in North America, was further developed for a younger Australian audience (ages 12–19) enrolled in agricultural programs at secondary or vocational schools. In addition, we share insight on demographics, self-reported farm safety behaviours, and the most common farm tasks being performed by program participants utilising a pre-survey originally developed for program customisation. Of particular importance were the most common farming tasks reported by this group. The most common tasks performed on Australian farms included a large variety of vehicle use (farm vehicles, motorbikes, and quadbikes) and handling livestock. Females reported operating vehicles and other farm equipment at the same rates as males. Males were more likely to be working with large heavy machinery and driving trucks, while females were more likely to be working with livestock and using horses for stockwork. Both males and females reported low use of PPE and poor safety habits. In future Australian programs, it will be important to address the conspicuous use of motor vehicles, quadbikes, motor bikes and machinery at early ages, and to target gender-specific tasks to reduce risks on the farm.
Web search behaviors and infodemic attitudes regarding COVID-19 in Turkey: A framework study for improving response and informing policy on the COVID-19 infodemic
Authors: Çalışkan Cüneyt , Özsezer Gözde , Pay Melek , Demir Gülcan , Çelebi Ismet , Koçak Hüseyin
Published: November 2022

Objective

This study aimed to develop a framework regarding COVID-19 infodemic response and policy informing through focusing on infodemic concepts circulating on the online search engine in Turkey in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak and comparing the contents of these concepts with Maslow's hierarchy of needs and disaster stages.

Materials and methods

The universe of this descriptive epidemiological research consists of internet search activities on COVID-19 circulating online on Google Trends between March 10, 2020, when the first case was seen in Turkey, and June 01, 2020, when the lockdown restrictions were lifted.

Findings

There was no internet trend regarding a misinformed attitude within the given date range. While an infodemic attitude toward superficial attitude and racist attitude in the internet environment was detected for 1 week, an infodemic attitude toward definitive attitude was detected for 2 weeks. The non-infodemic concepts were more common than the other infodemic attitudes. The infodemic concepts were able to reach Maslow's physiological, safety, and social need levels. With the infodemic concepts obtained, a COVID-19 development process framework was developed. The framework consists of three domains (COVID-19, applications and outcomes), including disaster phases and health/social impacts, built on seven public health epochs.

Results

A systematized COVID-19 development process framework was modeled in order to conceptualize COVID-19 internet searches and to reveal the development processes and outcomes.
Testing a deliberative democracy method with citizens of African ancestry to weigh pros and cons of targeted screening for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk
Authors: Guan Yue , Pathak Sarita , Ballard Denise , Veluswamy J. K. , McCullough Lauren E. , McBride Colleen M. , Gornick Michele C.
Published: November 2022

Background

Democratic deliberation (DD), a strategy to foster co-learning among researchers and communities, could be applied to gain informed public input on health policies relating to genomic translation.

Purpose

We evaluated the quality of DD for gaining informed community perspectives regarding targeting communities of African Ancestry (AAn) for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) screening in Georgia.

Methods

We audiotaped a 2.5 day conference conducted via zoom in March 2021 to examine indicators of deliberation quality based on three principles: (1) inclusivity (diverse viewpoints based on participants' demographics, cancer history, and civic engagement), (2) consideration of factual information (balanced and unbiased expert testimonies, participant perceived helpfulness), and (3) deliberation (speaking opportunities, adoption of a societal perspective on the issue, reasoned justification of ideas, and participant satisfaction).

Results

We recruited 24 participants who reflected the diversity of views and life experiences of citizens of AAn living in Georgia. The expert testimony development process we undertook for creating balanced factual information was endorsed by experts' feedback. Deliberation process evaluation showed that while participation varied (average number of statements = 24, range: 3–62), all participants contributed. Participants were able to apply expert information and take a societal perspective to deliberate on the pros and cons of targeting individuals of AAn for HBOC screening in Georgia.

Conclusions

The rigorous process of public engagement using deliberative democracy approach can successfully engage a citizenry with diverse and well-informed views, do so in a relatively short time frame and yield perspectives based on high quality discussion.
NN-Poly: Approximating common neural networks with Taylor polynomials to imbue dynamical system constraints
Authors: Zhu Frances , Jing Dongheng , Leve Frederick , Ferrari Silvia
Published: November 2022

Recent advances in deep learning have bolstered our ability to forecast the evolution of dynamical systems, but common neural networks do not adhere to physical laws, critical information that could lead to sounder state predictions. This contribution addresses this concern by proposing a neural network to polynomial (NN-Poly) approximation, a method that furnishes algorithmic guarantees of adhering to physics while retaining state prediction accuracy. To achieve these goals, this article shows how to represent a trained fully connected perceptron, convolution, and recurrent neural networks of various activation functions as Taylor polynomials of arbitrary order. This solution is not only analytic in nature but also least squares optimal. The NN-Poly system identification or state prediction method is evaluated against a single-layer neural network and a polynomial trained on data generated by dynamic systems. Across our test cases, the proposed method maintains minimal root mean-squared state error, requires few parameters to form, and enables model structure for verification and safety. Future work will incorporate safety constraints into state predictions, with this new model structure and test high-dimensional dynamical system data.
Evaluation of biocatalysts synthesized with lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia supported on glycol-modified MOF-199 in the synthesis of green biodiesel
Authors: Martínez Gil José Manuel , Vivas-Reyes Ricardo , Bastidas-Barranco Marlón José , Giraldo Liliana , Moreno-Piraján Juan Carlos
Published: November 2022

In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of biocatalysts prepared using MOF-199 and lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia as a support, an agent for the breakdown of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, the main components of palm oil (Elaeis guineensis), used to produce green biodiesel. Lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia (PCL) is used as an enzyme, which is supported by adsorption on MOF-199 (MOF-199-PCL) and another part of MOF-199 is modified with glycol as a carbon source to which PCL is supported to obtain the modified MOF (Gly@MOF-199-PCL). MOF-199 was modified by calcining a sample at 900°C for 2 h at a heating rate of 7°C/min, in an inert atmosphere and then stored in a desiccator to protect it from moisture before proceeding to adsorb PCL. Both the biocatalysts (MOF-199-PCL and Gly@MOF-199-PCL) and the supernatant liquid were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS or EDX), gas chromatography coupled with mass (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results of the instrumental part show that both biocatalysts produce green biodiesel, which is a novel contribution to these systems.
Efficacy and safety of high-pressure balloon dilatation for primary obstructive megaureter in children: A systematic review
Authors: Aiello Giuseppe , Morlacco Alessandro , Bianco Marta , Soligo Matteo , Meneghesso Davide , Vidal Enrico , Rigamonti Waifro , Dal Moro Fabrizio
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Endoscopic treatment with high-pressure balloon dilatation (HPBD) has been proposed as a feasible, safe and minimally invasive procedure for primary obstructive megaureter, but the level of evidence is still low. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HPBD and its long-term results in paediatric population.

Methods

The review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Systematic research of available literature in the English language from 1995 until June 2022 was conducted through EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and NIH Registry of Clinical Trials. For each relevant study, information was gathered regarding the study design, the inclusion/exclusion criteria, the indications for treatment, the success rate and the complications.

Results

The final set included 13 studies. Median age of the patients ranged from 4 months to 7 years (full range 15 days-15 years). The indications for HPBD varied in different studies, however most authors included patients with increasing dilation, obstructive patterns found at diuretic renogram scan, decreased renal function or symptoms. All the studies analysed reported a success rate ranging from 69 to 100% for the treatment of POM with HPBD. This approach may avoid surgery in up to 77% of cases and is thought to be a less invasive, definitive and safe treatment for this disorder. The complication rate ranged from 0 to 50% and it was mostly infectious or associated to the stent placement or both.

Conclusion

HPBD demonstrated to be safe for the treatment of POM in infants, with effective long-term results and can be a definitive treatment in a considerable subset of patients. Nevertheless, the overall level of evidence for HPBD is still low and further comparative studies or randomized clinical trials are needed.
Indicator Species Reveal Environmental Health
Authors: Phillips Sophie , Merson Martha , Hristov Nickolay I. , Allen Louise , Brodman Robert
Published: November 2022

When looking around outside, many people see reasons to worry about the environment. Often what they notice are the effects of pollution and climate change, which can be harmful to people, wildlife, and the ecosystems where they live. Understanding the condition of all living and non-living things in an ecosystem is important for maintaining a healthy environment. But collecting information on every element in an ecosystem takes time and effort and is not always possible. Luckily, the United States National Park Service scientists know that collecting data on the condition of one species, called an indicator species, can reveal a lot about the well-being of other species in an ecosystem. Based on what they learn from observing and studying indicator species, park managers can make decisions about restoring plants, using chemicals, and posting signs about fishing rules. In Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana, United States), researchers rely on frogs as indicator species.
The Smell of the Kitchen
Authors: Masciulli Fabrizio , Ambroselli Donatella , Romano Enrico , Mannina Luisa
Published: November 2022

When you cook, do you know why it smells so good (or so bad) in the house? It is all about chemistry. All over the world, cooking is based on tradition and love, but it is the chemistry of the foods that allows recipes to succeed or not. Among the chemical reactions that occur in cooking food, the Maillard reaction, which occurs between amino acids and sugars, is the most familiar. This is actually a complex series of reactions that lead to the formation of aromas, tastes, and colors as food cooks. In this article, we will discuss the most important stages of the Maillard reaction that happens when we bake, barbecue, or otherwise cook foods. Once the Maillard reaction is complete, you just have to say, “enjoy the meal!”
Effects of water hyacinth biochar on lettuce growth in cadmium-contaminated soil
Authors: Zhou Chunhuo , Wang Yali , Wei Li’e , Huang Huajun , Yu Chenglong , Yin Xin
Published: November 2022

Recently, the excessive propagation of water hyacinth has led to serious ecological and environmental problems; thereby, its treatment and disposal are of great significance. Moreover, the remediation of heavy metals in soil is a hot topic at present. Thus, water hyacinth was adopted to prepare biochar to investigate its effect on Cd accumulation in lettuce by pot experiments in this study. The optimal application amount of water hyacinth biochar was 1% (30 t ha−1), considering the Cd absorption and yield of lettuce plants. Compared with those of control, the application of biochar prepared at 700°C for 2 h with an amount of 3% (90 t ha−1) resulted in a reduction in Cd by 73.6% and 38.1%, respectively, in the shoots and roots of lettuce. Within a certain carbonization time (0.5~2 h) and carbonization temperature (300°C~700°C), the content of available Cd in the soil decreases with the increase of the carbonization temperature and time, which might be the main reason for the lower Cd concentration in lettuce after applying the biochar. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDS) analyses showed that Cd was fixed on the biochar in a state of passivation, leading to a sharp decrease in the available Cd in the soil. Moreover, it was concluded that the application of biochar brings with it an obvious increase in the enzyme activity increment in the soil up to 2.3 times. Lastly, 16sRNA sequencing has shown that biochar addition leads to variations in microbial structure and abundance in soil. Accordingly, biochar prepared by water hyacinth can increase lettuce yield and reduce the concentration of heavy metals in lettuce.
Case Report: Differential lung ventilation with jet ventilation via a bronchial blocker for a patient with a large thoracogastric airway fistula after esophagectomy
Authors: Wu Wenqi , Li Sibei , Song Xiuling , Wang Xia , Wang Yong , Cai Chengyi , Wang Jiyong , Li Yuhui , Ma Wuhua
Published: November 2022

Background

A thoracogastric airway fistula (TGAF) is a rare and potentially fatal complication of esophagectomy for esophageal and cardia carcinomas. Isolation of the fistula and pulmonary separation is necessary during the surgical repair of a tracheal fistula. However, currently, the reported airway management techniques are not suitable for patients with a large TGAF. This case study presents an alternative technique for performing differential lung ventilation in a patient with a thoracogastric airway fistula.

Case presentation

A 70-year-old man was diagnosed with a thoracogastric airway fistula situated above the carina after esophagectomy, and a thoracoscope-assisted repair of the fistula and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap transplantation were scheduled. The patient could not tolerate one-lung ventilation and the complex intubating operation due to aspiration pneumonia and the size (3.5 cm × 1.7 cm) of the fistula. We, therefore, performed differential lung ventilation in which an extended 6.5#single-lumen endotracheal tube was inserted into the left main bronchus and a 9Fr bronchial blocker was placed in the right main bronchus by using the video-flexible intubation scope. The right lung was selectively inflated with jet ventilation, while positive pressure ventilation was maintained through the left endotracheal tube. The value of SPO2 remained above 95% throughout the operation.

Conclusion

For patients with a large thoracogastric airway fistula, differential lung ventilation of a combination of positive pressure ventilation and jet ventilation is useful. Inserting an extended single-lumen endotracheal tube into the left main bronchus and a bronchial blocker into the right main bronchus could be another way of providing differential ventilation for patients with a large thoracogastric airway fistula.
Why Should We Be Concerned with the Use of Spent Coffee Grounds as an Organic Amendment of Soils? A Narrative Review
Authors: Pérez-Burillo Sergio , Cervera-Mata Ana , Fernández-Arteaga Alejandro , Pastoriza Silvia , Rufián-Henares José Ángel , Delgado Gabriel
Published: November 2022

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are produced in massive amounts throughout the world as a bio-residue from coffee brewing. However, SCG are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, bioactive compounds and melanoidins, which are macromolecules with chelating properties. Additionally, SCG have showed potential applications in several fields such as biotechnology (bioethanol, volatile aromatic compounds, carotenoids, fungi and enzymes), energy production (combustion, pyrolysis, torrefaction, gasification, hydrothermal carbonization) and environmental sciences (composting). This review will focus on the last of these applications. SCG improve soil quality by increasing their chemical, physicochemical, physical properties and biological fertility. However, SCG inhibit plant growth at very low concentrations (1%) due to i. the stimulation of microbial growth and consequent competition for soil nitrogen between soil microorganisms and plant roots; ii. the presence of phytotoxic compounds in SCG, such as polyphenols. The SCG transformations that have proven to eliminate these compounds are vermicomposting and pyrolysis at 400 °C. However, it has been pointed out by some studies that these compounds are responsible for the chelating properties of SCG, which makes their elimination not recommended. The use of SCG as biochelates has also been studied, generating a residue–micronutrient mixture for the biofortification of edible plants.
Advances in Soilless Culture and Growing Media in Today’s Horticulture—An Editorial
Authors: Gruda Nazim S.
Published: November 2022

The soilless culture system is a promising, intensive, and sustainable approach with various advantages for plant production. The Special Issue “Soilless Culture, Growing Media, and Horticultural Plants” includes 22 original papers and 1 review written by 84 authors from 15 countries. The purpose of this Special Issue was to publish high-quality research articles that address the recent developments in the cultivation of horticultural plants in soilless culture systems and solid growing media. The published articles investigated new developments in simplified and advanced systems; the interaction between soilless and environmental factors with their effects on plant growth and photosynthesis, and the accumulation of secondary metabolites; the analyses of nutrient solution and hydraulic properties of substrates and mixtures; and the microbe–plant growing media interactions. Climate change and environmental and ecological issues will determine and drive the development of soilless culture systems and the choice of growing media constituents in the near future. Bioresources and renewable raw materials have great potential for use as growing medium constituents.
Changes in Wheat Rhizosphere Carbon Pools in Response to Nitrogen and Straw Incorporation
Authors: Sharma Sandeep , Singh Swarnjeet , Singh Manpreet , Singh Arshdeep , Ali Hayssam M. , Siddiqui Manzer H. , Bhattarai Dwarika
Published: November 2022

Large-scale burning of rice straw causes air pollution and deterioration of soil health, which challenges the sustainability of the rice–wheat system (RWS) in north-western India. In a field experiment on sandy loam (Typic Ustochrept) soil at Punjab Agricultural University, India, with split plot design, effects of four nitrogen (N) levels (0, 90, 120, and 150 kg N ha−1) in main plots and four levels of rice straw (RS) incorporation (0, 5, 7.5, and 10 Mg ha−1) in wheat in sub-plots were studied after 7 years on carbon (C) pools at maximum tillering (MT) and flowering (FL) stages of wheat and crop yields. Rice straw (RS) incorporation at 10 Mg ha−1 with N application at 120 kg N ha−1 in wheat not only increased labile C pools significantly especially at MT but also increased the wheat yield compared with no straw incorporation. Principal component analysis suggests that total polysaccharide carbon, basal soil respiration, and pH can be used as sensitive parameters for assessing soil quality in RWS.
Do You Get What You Pay for? Evaluating the Reliability of an Inexpensive Portable Photosynthesis System in Measuring Gas Exchange in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Leaves
Authors: Yin Xiaohong , Li Xing , Xie Jiaxin , Xiao Zhengwu , Zhao Chunrong , Kang Yuling , Zhou Chuanming , Cao Fangbo , Chen Jiana , Huang Min
Published: November 2022

The availability of commercially available portable photosynthesis systems has facilitated widespread photosynthetic research. Our study aimed to evaluate the reliability of a recently developed inexpensive portable photosynthesis system, Yaxin-1105, in measuring gas exchange in rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaves. Gas exchange parameters, including net photosynthetic rate (Anet), stomatal conductance (gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), and transpiration rate (E), were measured on 88 rice leaves across seven rice cultivars and three growth stages (panicle initiation, heading, and early ripening), using both Yaxin-1105 and LI-6400XT. There were significant difference between each gas exchange parameter at each growth stage measured by Yaxin-1105 and LI-6400XT, except Ci at the heading stage. Mean Anet, gs, and E measured by Yaxin-1105 were 26–66% lower than those measured by LI-6400XT at panicle initiation, heading, and early ripening stages. Mean Ci measured by Yaxin-1105 was 13–22% higher than that measured by LI-6400XT at panicle initiation and early ripening stages. The coefficients of determination between each gas exchange parameter measured by Yaxin-1105 and by LI-6400XT at panicle initiation, heading, and early ripening stages ranged from only 0.0007 to 0.1889. These results indicate that the Yaxin-1105 is not a reliable tool for measuring gas exchange in rice leaves.
Virulomic Analysis of Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates and Experimental Virulence Model Using Danio rerio (Zebrafish)
Authors: Duarte Edson Luiz Tarsia , Rizek Camila Fonseca , Espinoza Evelyn Sanchez , Marchi Ana Paula , Noguera Saidy Vasconez , Côrtes Marina Farrel , Fernandes Bianca H. Ventura , Guimarães Thais , de Maio Carrilho Claudia M. D. , Neto Lauro V. Perdigão , Trindade Priscila A. , Costa Silvia Figueiredo
Published: November 2022

This study evaluates a possible correlation between multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains and virulence markers in a Danio rerio (zebrafish) model. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on 46 strains from three Brazilian hospitals. All of the isolates were colistin-resistant and harbored blaKPC-2. Ten different sequence types (STs) were found; 63% belonged to CC258, 22% to ST340, and 11% to ST16. The virulence factors most frequently found were type 3 fimbriae, siderophores, capsule regulators, and RND efflux-pumps. Six strains were selected for a time-kill experiment in zebrafish embryos: infection by ST16 was associated with a significantly higher mortality rate when compared to non-ST16 strains (52% vs. 29%, p = 0.002). Among the STs, the distribution of virulence factors did not differ significantly except for ST23, which harbored a greater variety of factors than other STs but was not related to a higher mortality rate in zebrafish. Although several virulence factors are described in K. pneumoniae, our study found ST16 to be the only significant predictor of a virulent phenotype in an animal model. Further research is needed to fully understand the correlation between virulence and sequence types.
Cooperative Interaction of Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids Contained in Activated Charcoal with Herb Extracts, Involving Cholesterol, Bile Acid, and FXR/PXR Activation in Broilers Fed with Mycotoxin-Containing Diets
Authors: Zhang Ying , Lin Zishen , Wang Lixue , Guo Xiangyue , Hao Zhihui , Li Zhen , Johnston Lee J. , Dong Bing
Published: November 2022

The charcoal–herb extract complex (CHC) is a product of activated charcoal sorption of herb extracts that contain phenolic acids and flavonoids. The effective dose of CHC to promote animal growth is about one tenth of effective dosage of activated charcoal. The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential cooperative interactions between activated charcoal and herb extracts. Two feeding experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, a responsive dose of CHC to broiler growth was determined to be 250 mg/kg of the diet. In Experiment 2, CHC increased growth performance and improved meat quality, but decreased indices of oxidative stress and inflammation as compared with similar doses of activated charcoal or herb extracts. CHC also increased concentrations of serum cholesterol, bile acid in the gallbladder, and bile acid in feces. The herb extracts present in CHC were largely represented by phenolic acids (PAs, caffeic acid, and vanillin) and flavonoids (FVs, daidzein, and quercetin-D-glucoside) in the detoxification activity of CHC in a mouse rescue test when the mice were gavaged with T-2 mycotoxin. PAs and FVs significantly increased the expression of CYP7A1, PXR, CYP3A37, Slco1B3, and Bsep in chicken primary hepatocytes. In conclusion, CHC integrated the cooperative interactions of activated charcoal and herb extracts via the FXR/RXR-PXR pathway to detoxify mycotoxins.
Targeting Mitochondrial Metabolism to Reverse Radioresistance: An Alternative to Glucose Metabolism
Authors: Bian Chenbin , Zheng Zhuangzhuang , Su Jing , Wang Huanhuan , Chang Sitong , Xin Ying , Jiang Xin
Published: November 2022

Radiotherapy failure and poor tumor prognosis are primarily attributed to radioresistance. Improving the curative effect of radiotherapy and delaying cancer progression have become difficult problems for clinicians. Glucose metabolism has long been regarded as the main metabolic process by which tumor cells meet their bioenergetic and anabolic needs, with the complex interactions between the mitochondria and tumors being ignored. This misconception was not dispelled until the early 2000s; however, the cellular molecules and signaling pathways involved in radioresistance remain incompletely defined. In addition to being a key metabolic site that regulates tumorigenesis, mitochondria can influence the radiation effects of malignancies by controlling redox reactions, participating in oxidative phosphorylation, producing oncometabolites, and triggering apoptosis. Therefore, the mitochondria are promising targets for the development of novel anticancer drugs. In this review, we summarize the internal relationship and related mechanisms between mitochondrial metabolism and cancer radioresistance, thus exploring the possibility of targeting mitochondrial signaling pathways to reverse radiation insensitivity. We suggest that attention should be paid to the potential value of mitochondria in prolonging the survival of cancer patients.
CFD Body Force Propeller Model with Blade Rotational Effect
Authors: Wu Ping-Chen
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study is to consider propeller geometry and blade rotation in the propeller model in a CFD code. To predict propeller performance, a body force propeller model was developed based on blade element theory and coupled with URANS (unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes) solver CFDSHIP-IOWA V4.5 both implicitly and interactively. The model was executed inside the flow solver every inner iteration. The grid points inside each 2D blade geometry were identified by a numerical search algorithm. To calculate the lift coefficient, the total flow velocities at 25% foil chord length were obtained using the inverse distance weighting interpolation from the RANS solution. The body forces were distributed linearly along the chord length with the maximal value located at the leading edge and zero at the trailing edge. The main achievements are: (1) for a KP505 propeller in an open water condition, the error of the thrust coefficient generally is around or less than 3%, which is a better prediction than the previous model. (2) For a behind-hull condition, the error is about 1%. (3) For an E1619 propeller in an open water condition, the error is around 6%. (4) The blade-to-blade effect and unsteady flow field between blades are sufficiently resolved by the model.
Development and Evaluation of the Cotton Leaf Curl Kokhran Virus-Burewala Bidirectional Promoter for Enhanced Cry1Ac Endotoxin Expression in Bt Transgenic Cotton
Authors: Ashraf Muhammad Aleem , Shahid Ahmad Ali , Rao Abdul Qayyum , Brown Judith K. , Husnain Tayyab
Published: November 2022

Fluctuation in Cry1Ac endotoxin levels expressed in transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) can result in a variation in efficacy throughout the growing season. Here, a green tissue-specific strong promoter of the cotton leaf curl Kokhran virus-Burewala (CLCuKoV-Bu) C1 gene is reported that can direct consistently high levels of Cry1Ac endotoxin expression in transformed cotton plants. The objective of this study was to investigate the capacities of the CLCuKoV-BuC1 promoter to drive transcription of Cry1Ac and stably express endotoxin in mature leaves and bolls of transgenic cotton plants, compared to the traditional CaMV35S promoter. The Cry1Ac gene expression cassettes were constructed under the control of a bidirectional promoter and transformed into cotton ‘MNK-786′. The expression of Cry1Ac constructs was evaluated in transient and stable expression systems using Nicotiana tabacum ‘Rustica’ and cotton plants, respectively. Accumulation of the Cry1Ac expressed in two resultant transgenic cotton plants harboring the constructs driven by the CLCuKoV-BuC1 and CaMV35S promoter, respectively, was analyzed using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In leaves and bolls of two cotton plants shown to express CLCuKoV-BuC1-Cry1Ac (CLCuV-Ac), the Cry1Ac protein accumulated at 400 and 300 ng g−1 per fresh tissue weight, respectively, whereas no toxin was detectable in the roots. In contrast, CaMV35S-Cry1Ac transgenic cotton plants accumulated three times less Cry1Ac protein than those transformed with CLCuV-Ac. Results indicate that the greatest amount of Cry1Ac endotoxin accumulated in transgenic cotton when expression was driven by the CLCuKoV-BuC1 compared to the CaMV35S promoter. Thus, the CLCuKoV-BuC1 promoter offered more robust transgene expression in cotton plants than the traditional CaMV35S promoter. The newly validated CLCuV-Ac promoter of begomoviral origin offers an exciting alternative as a robust promoter for genetic engineering of cotton and other plants.
Simulation and Implementation of a Mobile Robot Trajectory Planning Solution by Using a Genetic Micro-Algorithm
Authors: Cardoza Plata Jose Eduardo , Olguín Carbajal Mauricio , Herrera Lozada Juan Carlos , Sandoval Gutierrez Jacobo , Rivera Zarate Israel , Serrano Talamantes Jose Felix
Published: November 2022

Robots able to roll and jump are used to solve complex trajectories. These robots have a low level of autonomy, and currently, only teleoperation is available. When researching the literature about these robots, limitations were found, such as a high risk of damage by testing, lack of information, and nonexistent tools. Therefore, the present research is conducted to minimize the dangers in actual tests, increase the documentation through a platform repository, and solve the autonomous trajectory of a maze with obstacles. The methodology consisted of: replicating a scenario with the parrot robot in the gazebo simulator; then the computational resources, the mechanism, and the available commands of the robot were studied; subsequently, it was determined that the genetic micro-algorithm met the minimum requirements of the robot; in the last part, it was programmed in simulation and the solution was validated in the natural environment. The results were satisfactory and it was possible to create a parrot robot in a simulation environment analogous to the typical specifications. The genetic micro-algorithm required only 100 generations to converge; therefore, the demand for computational resources did not affect the execution of the essential tasks of the robot. Finally, the maze problem could be solved autonomously in a real environment from the simulations with an error of less than 10% and without damaging the robot.
A Review on Carbon Quantum Dots Modified g-C3N4-Based Photocatalysts and Potential Application in Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Patial Shilpa , Sonu  , Sudhaik Anita , Chandel Naresh , Ahamad Tansir , Raizada Pankaj , Singh Pardeep , Chaukura Nhamo , Selvasembian Rangabhashiyam
Published: November 2022

Carbon quantum dots (CDs) are a fascinating class of carbon nanomaterials (less than 10 nm in size) with unique optical, electrical, and physicochemical properties. In addition to these properties, CQDs exhibit the desired advantages of aqueous stability, low toxicity, high surface area, economic feasibility, chemical inertness, and highly tunable photoluminescence behaviour. Recently, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has appeared as one of the required stable carbon-based polymers due to its varied applications in several fields. In this regard, modification strategies have been made in the g-C3N4 semiconductor using CQDs to enhance the adsorptive and photocatalytic activity. In comparison to other semiconductor quantum dots, g-C3N4 shows strong fluorescent properties, such as wide excitation spectra, photostability, and tunable photo-luminescent emission spectra. The interaction inside this multicomponent photocatalyst further promotes the photocatalytic activity by improving charge transference, which plays a vital role in electrochemistry. Therefore, CQDs are auspicious nanomaterials in the field of photocatalysis, wastewater treatment and water adsorption treatment. This particular article featured the recent progression in the field of CDs/g-C3N4-based photocatalysts focusing on their luminescent mechanism and potential applications in wastewater treatment.
Influence of Process Parameters and Reducing Agent on the Size of MoS2 Nanoparticles Obtained in Impinging Jet Reactor
Authors: Bojarska Zuzanna , Mężydło Mateusz , Mazurkiewicz-Pawlicka Marta , Makowski Łukasz
Published: November 2022

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is an emerging material with exciting properties. Many consider it an excellent catalyst, particularly for hydrogen evolution reaction. Currently, it is used on a larger scale as a lubricant. The size of MoS2 is a crucial parameter defining its properties. A preparation method that is easily scalable and cheap is currently being sought. A solution might be a wet chemical synthesis method carried out in an impinging jet reactor. The simple design of the reactor and the possibility of continuous operation make this method unique. In this study, the influence of the reactor was investigated using numerical simulations. The S-type reactor showed better mixing and more control over the working conditions than T-type. Therefore, the S-type reactor was chosen as better for nanoparticle synthesis. We also investigated the influence of the process conditions on the size of the precipitated MoS2 particles. The best operating conditions (i.e., Mo concentration of 0.2 mol/m3, reagent flow velocity of 20 mL/min, reaction temperature of 20 °C) were chosen to obtain the smallest particles (~200 µm). Additionally, two different reducing agents were also tested. The use of formic acid allowed obtaining smaller particle sizes but these were less stable than in the case of citric acid.