bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influencing Mechanism of Social and Cultural Adaptation for Chinese Migrant Children: A Longitudinal Intervention Study
Authors: Yu Bingbing , Wang Enguo
Published: March 2022

With the increasing urbanization in China, the mental health problems of migrant children have attracted widespread attention. From the perspective of social cognition, psychological capital, self-esteem, and other factors are closely related to the social and cultural adaptation of the group. In order to explore the relationship among the psychological capital, self-esteem and socio-cultural adaptations of migrant children, a total of 245 Chinese migrant children were investigated with the psychological capital scale, self-esteem scale, and socio-cultural adaptation scale. At the same time, 24 months group longitudinal intervention exercises was designed scientifically, the participants were provided with it continuously to enhance their psychological capital. According to the results, there were significant differences in t-test in experiment group and control group of migrant children. At the same time, there was a significant linear correlation between predictive variables’ psychological capital and self-esteem and outcome variable’s socio-cultural adaptation. In the next step of mediating effect analysis, psychological capital and self-esteem were adopted for predicting socio-cultural adaptation. The psychological capital could not only directly affect the social and cultural adaptation of migrant children, but also indirectly affect the degree of social and cultural adaptation of migrant children through changing self-esteem. The results showed that the self-esteem mediation model fitted well with the data. Furthermore, the mediation effect accounted for 17.3% in the direct effect. Longitudinal group intervention could improve the psychological capital and social and cultural adaptation of migrant children. In a word, the research was helpful to explore the influence mechanism of migrant children’s psychological capital on social and cultural adaptation, and had certain practical value in preventing and reducing the crisis caused by the social and cultural adaptation of migrant children.
Development of the Applied Mindfulness Process Scale as a Process Evaluation Measure for Mindfulness Practice in a Chinese Context
Authors: Jia Yitong , Yan Yitian , Shi Wen-Xin , Meng Ge , Zhuang Xinqi , Zhang Yin-Ping
Published: March 2022

With the rising popularity of mindfulness practice, it is necessary and crucial to evaluate mindfulness using comprehensive and objective measures. The instruments to assess mindfulness in China mainly evaluate mindfulness as a state or trait mode. Few process measures have been developed to clarify effective therapy benefits of the alterations obtained using mindfulness practice. Therefore, this study aims to adapt the Applied Mindfulness Process Scale (AMPS) into Mandarin and explore in detail the reliability and validity of this novel-translated measure. Following cross-cultural modification for original AMPS into Mandarin as per established guidelines, psychometric evaluation was performed on a cohort of 234 Chinese adults. Construct validity was analyzed through exploratory factor analysis (n = 115), together with confirmatory factor analysis (n = 119). Reliability was assessed by internal consistency together with test-retest reliability. Findings indicated that the internal consistency was high, with Cronbach’s alpha being 0.936. The principal component analysis led to a three-factor structure that explained 67.374% of all variations. The three-factor model was consistent with the original scale model. Based upon confirmatory factor analyses, all fitting indices satisfied the standard, which showed a close fit to the data. Therefore, the newly multi-culturally modified AMPS has sufficient validity, test-retest reliability, together with internal consistency. Chinese AMPS may offer researchers and clinicians a psychometrically optimized tool for evaluating the application of mindfulness and change process within mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in Mainland China.
Supported Decision-Making in Persons With Dementia: Development of an Enhanced Consent Procedure for Lumbar Puncture
Authors: Wied Theresa S. , Haberstroh Julia , Gather Jakov , Karakaya Tarik , Oswald Frank , Qubad Mishal , Scholten Matthé , Vollmann Jochen , Pantel Johannes ,   The ENSURE Consortium
Published: March 2022

The right to make autonomous decisions is enshrined in law. However, the question how persons with cognitive deficits can be enabled to make autonomous decisions has not been satisfactorily addressed. In particular, the concept of supported decision-making and its implementation into practice has been poorly explored for persons with dementia (PwD).This article describes the empirical development and implementation of support tools to enhance informed consent processes (so called enhanced consent procedures/ECP) for PwD on whether to undergo lumbar puncture. In the end of the process of pilot testing and further development of the tools, the following tools were defined: (1) Standardized Interview Structure, (2) Elaborated Plain Language, (3) Ambience and Room Design, (4) Keyword Lists, (5) Priority Cards, (6) Visualization, and (7) Simplified Written Informed Consent (Patient Information), as well as the general attitude (8) Person-Centered Attitude of the facilitator. As the development, implementation and evaluation of ECP tools is one objective of the transnational ENSURE project, we also include an overview of future empirical procedures. So far, our findings can serve as a selection of possibilities to support PwD in decision-making and help practitioners achieve an appropriate balance between the autonomy and protection of PwD in complex decision-making situation. Future studies should address the question if the proposed set of tools is effective to enhance informed consent processes in PwD.
Evaluation of Stigma Related to Perceived Risk for Coronavirus-19 Transmission Relative to the Other Stigmatized Conditions Opioid Use and Depression
Authors: Okobi Sandra , Bergeria Cecilia L. , Huhn Andrew S. , Dunn Kelly E.
Published: March 2022

Background

The coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic was initially characterized by misinformation and fear related to transmission that has been previously shown to produce stigma toward persons perceived to be at risk for transmission. This study evaluated perceptions toward scenarios with variable levels of perceived risk for COVID-19 acquisition, and compared stigma to COVID-19 to depression and opioid use disorder.

Methods

Respondents (N = 280) from the United States completed a web-based survey 6 months after pandemic declaration. Questions included demographics and COVID-19 misconceptions, expected response to hypothetical scenarios with variable risk for COVID-19, and the Attribution Questionnaire-9 for COVID-19, depression, and opioid use disorder.

Results

Participants had several COVID-19 misconceptions, including that opioids increased immunity (63.6%), persons were more susceptible based upon racial/ethnic background (63.2%), and underlying health conditions did not influence risk (58.9%). Respondents were highly likely (64/100) to assume someone coughing had COVID-19 and the majority (93.5%) recommended quarantining persons with recent travel. However, the majority of respondents (>70% in all cases) also believed they would not change their COVID-19-related behavior when interacting with persons of different racial, ethnic, and age backgrounds. Finally, persons with COVID-19 engendered greater pity, less fear, less blame, less anger, and more willingness to help from respondents relative to persons with opioid use disorder.

Conclusion

Stigma ratings toward persons perceived at risk of transmitting COVID-19, collected soon after the onset of the pandemic, showed less evidence of stigma relative to persons with opioid use disorder despite pronounced misconceptions regarding COVID-19 risk. Data provide a foundation for additional research in this area.
Exploring the Structure and Interrelations of Time-Stable Psychological Resilience, Psychological Vulnerability, and Social Cohesion
Authors: Silveira Sarita , Hecht Martin , Adli Mazda , Voelkle Manuel C. , Singer Tania
Published: March 2022

The current study explores the relationship between three constructs of high relevance in the context of adversities which have, however, not yet been systematically linked on the level of psychological dispositions: psychological vulnerability, psychological resilience, and social cohesion. Based on previous theoretical and empirical frameworks, a collection of trait questionnaires was assessed in a Berlin sample of 3,522 subjects between 18 and 65 years of age. Using a confirmatory factor analytical approach, we found no support for a simple three-factor structure. Results from exploratory structural analyses suggest that instead of psychological resilience and psychological vulnerability constituting two separate factors, respective indicators load on one bipolar latent factor. Interestingly, some psychological resilience indicators contributed to an additional specific latent factor, which may be interpreted as adaptive capacities, that is, abilities to adapt to changes or adjust to consequences of adversities. Furthermore, instead of evidence for one single social cohesion factor on the psychological level, indicators of perceived social support and loneliness formed another specific factor of social belonging, while indicators of prosocial competencies were found to form yet another distinct factor, which was positively associated to the other social factors, adaptive capacities and social belonging. Our results suggest that social cohesion is composed of different independent psychological components, such as trust, social belonging, and social skills. Furthermore, our findings highlight the importance of social capacities and belonging for psychological resilience and suggest that decreasing loneliness and increasing social skills should therefore represent a valuable intervention strategy to foster adaptive capacities.
Genetic Algorithm for TMS Coil Position Optimization in Stroke Treatment
Authors: Lu Shujie , Jiang Haoyu , Li Chengwei , Hong Baoyu , Zhang Pu , Liu Wenli
Published: March 2022

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive technique to stimulate human brain, has been widely used in stroke treatment for its capability of regulating synaptic plasticity and promoting cortical functional reconstruction. As shown in previous studies, the high electric field (E-field) intensity around the lesion helps in the recovery of brain function, thus the spatial location and angle of coil truly matter for the significant correlation with therapeutic effect of TMS. But, the error caused by coil placement in current clinical setting is still non-negligible and a more precise coil positioning method needs to be proposed. In this study, two kinds of real brain stroke models of ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke were established by inserting relative lesions into three human head models. A coil position optimization algorithm, based on the genetic algorithm (GA), was developed to search the spatial location and rotation angle of the coil in four 4 × 4 cm search domains around the lesion. It maximized the average intensity of the E-field in the voxel of interest (VOI). In this way, maximum 17.48% higher E-field intensity than that of clinical TMS stimulation was obtained. Besides, our method also shows the potential to avoid unnecessary exposure to the non-target regions. The proposed algorithm was verified to provide an optimal position after nine iterations and displayed good robustness for coil location optimization between different stroke models. To conclude, the optimized spatial location and rotation angle of the coil for TMS stroke treatment could be obtained through our algorithm, reducing the intensity and duration of human electromagnetic exposure and presenting a significant therapeutic potential of TMS for stroke.
Applying the Spatial Transmission Network to the Forecast of Infectious Diseases Across Multiple Regions
Authors: Wang Huimin , Qiu Jianqing , Li Cheng , Wan Hongli , Yang Changhong , Zhang Tao
Published: March 2022

Objective

Timely and accurate forecast of infectious diseases is essential for achieving precise prevention and control. A good forecasting method of infectious diseases should have the advantages of interpretability, feasibility, and forecasting performance. Since previous research had illustrated that the spatial transmission network (STN) showed good interpretability and feasibility, this study further explored its forecasting performance for infectious diseases across multiple regions. Meanwhile, this study also showed whether the STN could overcome the challenges of model rationality and practical needs.

Methods

The construction of the STN framework involved three major steps: the spatial kluster analysis by tree edge removal (SKATER) algorithm, structure learning by dynamic Bayesian network (DBN), and parameter learning by the vector autoregressive moving average (VARMA) model. Then, we evaluated the forecasting performance of STN by comparing its accuracy with that of the mechanism models like susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered-susceptible (SEIRS) and machine-learning algorithm like long-short-term memory (LSTM). At the same time, we assessed the robustness of forecasting performance of STN in high and low incidence seasons. The influenza-like illness (ILI) data in the Sichuan Province of China from 2010 to 2017 were used as an example for illustration.

Results

The STN model revealed that ILI was likely to spread among multiple cities in Sichuan during the study period. During the whole study period, the forecasting accuracy of the STN (mean absolute percentage error [MAPE] = 31.134) was significantly better than that of the LSTM (MAPE = 41.657) and the SEIRS (MAPE = 62.039). In addition, the forecasting performance of STN was also superior to those of the other two methods in either the high incidence season (MAPE = 24.742) or the low incidence season (MAPE = 26.209), and the superiority was more obvious in the high incidence season.

Conclusion

This study applied the STN to the forecast of infectious diseases across multiple regions. The results illustrated that the STN not only had good accuracy in forecasting performance but also indicated the spreading directions of infectious diseases among multiple regions to a certain extent. Therefore, the STN is a promising candidate to improve the surveillance work.
Identifying a New Social Intervention Model of Panic Buying Under Sudden Epidemic
Authors: Fu Peihua , Jing Bailu , Chen Tinggui , Yang Jianjun , Cong Guodong
Published: March 2022

COVID-19 that broke out at the end of 2019 continues to spread globally, with frequent occurrence of variant disease strains, thus epidemic prevention and control become a kind of routine job. At present, due to the prevention and control measures such as maintaining social distance and community blockades, there is a boom in material purchases in many places, which not only seriously endangers social order and public environmental safety, but also easily leads to the interruption of the supply chain and the shortage of social materials. This article aims to study the intervention methods to curb the spread and spread of panic buying behavior. Firstly, through crawler technology and LDA (Latent Dirichlet Allocation) topic model, this article analyzes the intervention measures taken by various social forces in China to curb the spread of panic buying, and summarizes the multi-channel intervention measures including online and offline forms. Secondly, through the multi-Agent Monte Carlo method, the targeted intervention mechanism is supplemented in each propagation link of the panic buying propagation model, and a new social intervention model of panic buying under sudden epidemic is constructed. Then, through MATLAB modeling and simulation, the main factors affecting panic buying intervention are discussed. The simulation results show that: (1) The single plan with the best intervention effect is the supply monitoring. While the official response can play an immediate inhibitory effect, but it is affected by credibility and timeliness. The intervention effect of psychological counseling is limited, and it generally needs to be used in combination with other measures. (2) The combination strategy with the best intervention effect is “supply monitoring + official response + psychological counseling,” and the worst is “information review and guidance + psychological counseling.” Supply monitoring is a key measure to curb panic buying. At the same time, “information review and guidance” will have a certain counter-effect in the combined strategy. Finally, the effectiveness and universality of the proposed model are verified by examples of China and Britain.
EPIC/DSCOVR as a Pathfinder in Cloud Remote Sensing Using Differential Oxygen Absorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Davis Anthony B. , Yang Yuekui , Marshak Alexander
Published: March 2022

We argue that the Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) on the Deep Space Climate ObserVatoRy (DSCOVR) platform has blazed new pathways in observational technology, starting with its ∼ 1.5 × 106 km stand-off distance, but also in remote sensing science. We focus here on EPIC’s two oxygen absorption channels that 1) are unique in their spectral sampling and 2) have stimulated deep innovation in cloud remote sensing using Differential Oxygen Absorption Spectroscopy (DO2AS). Although first formulated 6 decades ago, DO2AS-based cloud probing from overhead assets is still an emerging observational technique. It is indeed somewhat paradoxical that one should use absorption by a gas to assay scattering by particles. After surveying the history of space-based DO2AS, and looking into its future, we see that EPIC/DSCOVR marks an inflection point in this important development. EPIC’s unique DO2AS capability motivated a notable sequence of papers revisited here. This research indeed spawned a rare occurrence of information content analysis coming from radically different—yet complementary—perspectives. First, we adopted the increasingly popular machinery of optimal estimation (OE) that is grounded in Bayesian statistics and uses a somehow linearized radiative transfer (RT) model. Nonetheless, OE feels like a black-box algorithm that outputs a number of “degrees of freedom” (a.k.a. independent pieces of information about clouds under observation). However, the very same conclusions are reached using fully transparent physics-based modeling for the RT, with a few approximations that enable closed-form analytical formulation. Lastly, we preview a novel DO2AS technique for regaining shortwave sensitivity to cloud optical thickness past the threshold where cloud reflectivity flattens off.
FluOil: A Novel Tool for Modeling the Transport of Oil-Particle Aggregates in Inland Waterways
Authors: Li Yilan , Zhu Zhenduo , Soong David T. , Khorasani Hamed , Wang Shu , Fitzpatrick Faith , Garcia Marcelo H.
Published: March 2022

Spilled oil in inland waterways can aggregate with mineral and organic particles to form oil-particle aggregates (OPAs). OPAs can be transported in suspension or deposited to the bed. Modeling the fate and transport of OPAs can provide useful information for making mitigation decisions. A novel open-source tool, FluOil, is developed to predict where OPAs may deposit and when they arrive in affected river/lake reaches by implementing the random walk particle tracking algorithm to represent the advection, diffusion, deposition, and resuspension of OPAs. The usability of FluOil is demonstrated with the 2010 Kalamazoo River oil spill case study. An unsteady hydrodynamic model simulates the river hydraulics and provides hydraulic data for use in FluOil. Settling velocity and critical shear stress for resuspension are the most important OPA properties concerning the transport and deposition of OPAs. Settling velocity determines the vertical distribution of OPAs and, thus, the travel speed, whereas critical shear stress determines where and when OPAs are deposited and resuspended.
Assessing Flood Risk Dynamics in Data-Scarce Environments—Experiences From Combining Impact Chains With Bayesian Network Analysis in the Lower Mono River Basin, Benin
Authors: Wetzel Mario , Schudel Lorina , Almoradie Adrian , Komi Kossi , Adounkpè Julien , Walz Yvonne , Hagenlocher Michael
Published: March 2022

River floods are a common environmental hazard, often causing severe damages, loss of lives and livelihood impacts around the globe. The transboundary Lower Mono River Basin of Togo and Benin is no exception in this regard, as it is frequently affected by river flooding. To enable adequate decision-making in the context of flood risk management, it is crucial to understand the drivers of risk, their interconnections and how they co-produce flood risks as well as associated uncertainties. However, methodological advances to better account for these necessities in risk assessments, in data-scarce environments, are needed. Addressing the above, we developed an impact chain via desk study and expert consultation to reveal key drivers of flood risk for agricultural livelihoods and their interlinkages in the Lower Mono River Basin of Benin. Particularly, the dynamic formation of vulnerability and its interaction with hazard and exposure is highlighted. To further explore these interactions, an alpha-level Bayesian Network was created based on the impact chain and applied to an exemplary what-if scenario to simulate changes in risk if certain risk drivers change. Based on the above, this article critically evaluates the benefits and limitations of integrating the two methodological approaches to understand and simulate risk dynamics in data-scarce environments. The study finds that impact chains are a useful model approach to conceptualize interactions of risk drivers. Particularly in combination with a Bayesian Network approach, the method enables an improved understanding of how different risk drivers interact within the system and allows for dynamic simulations of what-if scenarios, for example, to support adaptation planning.
Murky Mysteries of Young Lamprey in the San Francisco Estuary
Authors: Goertler Pascale Ava Lake , Holley Kimberly Sheena , Kwan Nicole Aha
Published: March 2022

Early one morning, a scientist collecting fish in the San Francisco Estuary was surprised to find a young lamprey. She knew lamprey were ancient fish without jaws, bones, or scales, and she wondered to herself: Where else are young lamprey in the estuary? She discovered that although lamprey existed long before dinosaurs, little is known about their lives in estuaries. She and her team decided to gather data from scientists who accidentally caught lamprey while studying other animals. This process of reusing data from unrelated studies, called data synthesis, is an important tool for answering unsolved mysteries. The team uncovered differences in where young lamprey live and that three species live in the San Francisco Estuary, including two species that live half of their lives in the ocean and the other half in freshwater. Knowing where young lamprey live can help scientists protect the habitats lamprey need to develop.
The Bizarre Role of Soil Animals in the Decomposition of Dead Leaves
Authors: Joly François-Xavier , Subke Jens-Arne
Published: March 2022

When plant leaves die, they fall and accumulate on the soil where an important process occurs: they decompose. Decomposition is essential for recycling nutrients and returning them to the soil. It is mainly done by an army of creatures called microbes, invisible to the naked eye, that slowly make the dead leaves rot. But larger creatures, like millipede and snails, also eat dead leaves. These large creatures do not digest these leaves very well and return most of the leaf matter to the soil as poo, which is further decomposed by microbes. Does this transformation of dead leaves into poo affect the recycling process? By collecting poo from many soil animals feeding on dead leaves, we found that they decomposed faster than intact dead leaves. This means that soil animals help the decomposition of dead leaves, not by digesting them, but by transforming them into poo.
Agriculture by Irrigation Modifies Microbial Communities and Soil Functions Associated With Enhancing C Uptake of a Steppe Semi-Arid Soil in Northern Patagonia
Authors: Frene Juan P. , Faggioli Valeria , Covelli Julieta , Reyna Dalila , Gabbarini Luciano A. , Sobrero Patricio , Ferrari Alejandro , Gutierrez Magalí , Wall Luis G.
Published: March 2022

The transformation of the semiarid steppe soil after 5 years of intensive irrigated agriculture in Northern Patagonia was analyzed in an on-farm study. The private grower venture used conservative practices, including no-till to maintain soil structure, high crop rotation and cover crops. To characterize steppe soil changes by irrigated agriculture, we analyzed the enzymatic activities involved in the biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur), the whole soil fatty acids profile, the state of soil aggregation, and the bacterial and fungal microbiota through DNA sequencing methods. After 5 years of management, irrigated agriculture soil increased organic matter (25–33%), enzymatic activities -Cellobiose-hydrolase (60–250%), Phosphatase (35–60%), Xylanase (101–185%), Aryl-sulphatase (32–100%), Chitinase (85%), β-Glucosidase (61–128%), Leucine-aminopeptidase (138%)—depending on soil series, and macro-aggregate formation at the expense of the abundance of micro-aggregates in the first 0–5 cm of soil. Whole soil fatty acids profiles changed, enhancing mono-unsaturated, branched, cyclic and methylated fatty acids. Microbial communities showed significant differences between irrigated agriculture sites and pristine valleys. The richness-based alpha-diversity established increased bacterial communities but decreased fungal communities in cultivated soil. Indicators selected using the LEfSe method revealed the bacterial taxa Acidothermus, Conexibacter and Thermoleophilum, associated with semiarid steppe soil while Asticcacaulis, Aquicella and Acromobacter with irrigated agriculture. Ascomycota Phylum changed its community composition, being both taxa Aspergillus and Alternaria reduced while Stagonospora and Metarhizium were enhanced in irrigated agriculture. Taxa belonging to Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Betaproteobacteria, that were enriched in irrigated agriculture soils, were associated with higher capture of C but smaller values of aggregation, while taxa abundant on steppe soils belonging to Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Firmicutes were positively associated with soil aggregation but negatively with C uptake.
An Empirical Exploration of Volunteer Management Theory and Practice: Considerations for Sport Events in a “Post-COVID-19” World
Authors: Power Gareth , Nedvetskaya Olesya
Published: March 2022

The existing literature highlights some universal principles that are widely accepted as a good volunteer management practice, e. g., volunteer appreciation and recognition, provision of meaningful roles, effective communication, and the importance of relational connection, just to name a few. Yet, it can be argued that a gap exists in the relationship between volunteer management theory and practice in the context of large sport events. For example, published evidence shows that volunteer programs often lack effective planning and management to achieve successful program results. On one hand, this can be attributable to limited knowledge about volunteers' characteristics and motivations, their lived experiences, the processes of volunteering, and the actual volunteer management practices. On the other hand, a lack of the right mechanisms (e.g., political will, financial, and managerial resources) in place before and throughout the event lifespan intensifies this disconnect. The aim of this research, therefore, was to critically examine the reasons behind this theory-practice divide in volunteer–volunteer management relationship and its potential impact on volunteer experiences and volunteer program outcomes, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for sport event organizers and volunteer managers in the UK. A mixed methods approach was adopted for this study: a survey conducted with volunteers (n = 101) combined with a series of interviews with volunteers (n = 8) and volunteer managers (n = 6). The study identified some potential challenges facing volunteer programs associated with large sport events post-pandemic, particularly in relation to volunteer recruitment, volunteer management, and safety concerns affecting volunteer confidence to re-engage in volunteering. These challenges carry with them certain resource implications that event organizers need to consider to effectively run volunteer programs and support volunteers in engagement and re-engagement following the pandemic, as well as to harness opportunities the pandemic has potentially created to successfully re-emerge from the shadow of COVID-19. The study provides specific recommendations to inform event planning and delivery to enhance volunteer experiences and, ultimately, outcomes of volunteer programs associated with large sport events.
Case Report: The Second Near-Infrared Window Indocyanine Green Angiography in Giant Mediastinal Tumor Resection
Authors: Mi Jiahui , Liu Ganwei , Lu Liyang , Yang Feng , Zhao Hui , Li Yun , Jiang Guanchao , Yang Fan , Hu Zhenhua , Zhou Jian
Published: March 2022

Giant mediastinal tumors are often accompanied by the abundant blood supply and have an unclear border with adjacent vessels, making surgical resection difficult. Failure to distinguish the complex vessels during the operation often results in vascular injury or hemorrhage, which severely increases the operation time and perioperative risk. At present, surgeons can only determine the vessel's location and course by preoperative imaging and intraoperative exploration in visible light. Therefore, we report a case of a giant anterosuperior mediastinal tumor resection assisted by near-infrared (NIR) indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. Furthermore, we applied the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1,000–1,700 nm) to detect the fluorescence signals in the clinic for the first time. The NIR-II window is able to explore deeper tissues in centimeters and obtain higher resolution in millimeters than the traditional first near-infrared window (NIR-I, 700–900 nm). Finally, NIR-II ICG angiography shows the clear location and course of the vessels, which can help surgeons reduce unnecessary blood vessel injury and increase the safety of mediastinal tumor resection.
Presence of Myeloperoxidase in Lamellar Tissue of Horses Induced by an Euglycemic Hyperinsulinemic Clamp
Authors: Storms Nazare , Medina Torres Carlos , Franck Thierry , Sole Guitart Albert , de la Rebière Geoffroy , Serteyn Didier
Published: March 2022

Laminitis is a pathology of the equine digit leading to a failure of the dermo-epidermal interface. Neutrophil activation is recognized as a major factor in SIRS-associated laminitis. Less is known about the role of neutrophil activation in laminitis associated with metabolic disorders. The aim of this descriptive study was to observe whether myeloperoxidase is increased in the laminae during early stage laminitis in three horses subjected to a prolonged euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (pEHC). After 48 h of pEHC-treatment, horses were subjected to euthanasia. Two healthy horses are used as control. Histological sections of lamellar tissue from all horses were immunohistochemically stained for myeloperoxidase and counterstained with hematoxylin-eosin. Histopathological changes that characterize insulin-induced laminitis and increased presence of myeloperoxidase, especially in the dermal lamellae, were increased in histologic sections of pEHC-treated horses. Neutrophil myeloperoxidase release may contribute to the pathophysiology of endocrinopathic laminitis.
A Vector Representation of Lactation Curves for Dairy Cows
Authors: Lee Seonghun , Park Jaehwa
Published: March 2022

Machine learning techniques provide efficient data analysis tools without mathematical derivations. Data-centric LC representations are highly demanded to use these tools for LC-related research. A novel data-oriented LC representation model using piecewise linear regression (PWLR) is presented. This representation is intended to be used directly as data for machine learning along with other associated data at an individual base. An LC is represented in vector form as a series of connected line segments and the location and number of segments are determined by the maximum residual. The critical points are determined at the rapid transit point in the LC. The Bayesian information criterion was used to choose the proper number of line segments to avoid the overfitting problem. To demonstrate the validity of the PWLR model as an LC descriptor, its approximation accuracy and representation generality were tested experimentally. The results revealed that the PWLR model is advantageous for representing the LCs of an individual or a large herd that are directly applicable to data-driven approaches.
Strong Fitness Costs of Fall Armyworm Resistance to Dual-Gene Bt Maize Are Magnified on Less-Suitable Host-Crop Cultivars
Authors: Santos-Amaya Oscar F. , Tavares Clébson S. , Rodrigues João Victor C. , Oliveira Eugênio E. , Guedes Raul Narciso C. , Pereira Eliseu José G.
Published: March 2022

We examined the fitness costs of resistance to transgenic Cry1A.105+Cry2Ab2 Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, a globally invasive pest species. Using Bt-resistant and -susceptible populations of similar genetic backgrounds, we compared insect life-history traits and population growth rates on the foliage of Bt or non-Bt cultivars of maize, soybean, and cotton. We found that (i) the resistance alleles led to a major reduction in insect fitness on seven of the eight cultivars of three host crops studied; (ii) developmental time was the life-history trait that accounted for most of the fitness variation of the armyworm, and (iii) the magnitude of fitness reduction of the resistant individuals was stronger on cotton foliage, on which the insects did not pass the resistance alleles to subsequent generations. These results show that fall armyworm resistance to Cry1A.105+Cry2Ab2-expressing Bt maize comes with strong fitness costs, which were magnified on less-suitable host plants for the insects. Thus, natural selection may help maintain or even restore the insect susceptibility to the pesticidal proteins and perhaps is a significant factor helping manage fall armyworm resistance to Cry1A.105+Cry2Ab2 Bt maize. These findings indicate that fitness costs of insect resistance to multi-toxin Bt crops can be strong, and host plants or conditions that magnify the fitness differential of susceptible insects could be specifically deployed with refuge to improve resistance management to Bt crops.
Boron Effects on Fruit Set, Yield, Quality and Paternity of Macadamia
Authors: De Silva Anushika L. , Kämper Wiebke , Wallace Helen M. , Ogbourne Steven M. , Hosseini Bai Shahla , Nichols Joel , Trueman Stephen J.
Published: March 2022

Many tree crops experience sub-optimal yields and low fruit quality due to inadequate pollination, low fruit set, and poor crop nutrition. Boron (B) is a critical crop nutrient for fruit set because B levels affect pollen germination and pollen tube growth. However, the relationship between floral B concentration and fruit set is not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of B applications on the initial fruit set, yield, quality, and paternity of macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia). Cultivar ‘816’ trees received one of three treatments: (a) 0 g, (b) 15 g, or (c) 30 g B per tree prior to flowering. Boron application increased the B concentration of macadamia flowers. Application of 15 g B increased fruit set at 3 weeks after peak anthesis, but this higher initial fruit set was not translated into higher fruit set at 6 or 10 weeks after peak anthesis or higher yield. Boron application increased B concentrations in kernels but did not affect nut-in-shell (NIS) mass, kernel mass, kernel recovery, kernel oil concentration or incidence of whole kernels. Cultivar ‘816’ was highly outcrossing, with 97–98% cross-paternity among kernels from all treatments. Our results indicate that higher B concentration in macadamia flowers can be associated with an increased initial fruit set. However, high B levels did not affect yield, nut quality, or the proportion of self-pollinated fruit at maturity. The heavy dependence on outcrossing highlights the importance of inter-planting different cultivars and managing bee hives to sustain the productivity of macadamia orchards.
Yielding and Bioaccumulation of Zinc by Cocksfoot under Conditions of Different Doses of This Metal and Organic Fertilization
Authors: Kuziemska Beata , Klej Paulina , Wysokinski Andrzej , Jaremko Dawid , Pakuła Krzysztof
Published: March 2022

Zinc is essential for the growth and development of plants, but in excessive amounts in the soil it can be toxic for them. Its mobility depends in part on the organic matter content of the soil. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of application of increasing amounts of zinc (200, 400 and 600 mg Zn·kg−1 of soil) together with various forms of organic fertilizer (cattle manure, chicken manure and spent mushroom substrate) on the yield of cocksfoot and the content and uptake of this metal, and to determine its bioaccumulation factor and tolerance indices. A minor effect of zinc on cocksfoot, expressed as a decrease in yield, was observed following the application of 400 mg Zn·kg−1 of soil. Increasing application to 600 mg Zn·kg−1 caused a significant decrease in yield. Application of 400 and 600 mg Zn·kg−1 of soil significantly reduced the value of the Zn/Org tolerance index. Increasing levels of zinc application increased its content and uptake by cocksfoot and reduced the bioaccumulation factor in the plants. All of the organic materials applied increased the yield of cocksfoot and its uptake of zinc. Spent mushroom substrate increased the Zn/Org tolerance index, while cattle manure and chicken manure increased the Org/Zn tolerance index, which confirms their protective action against high zinc content in the soil.
The Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Longevity According to Lactation Period Using a Multiple Trait Animal Model in Korean Holstein Cows
Authors: Shin Jiseob , Lee Jaegu , Cho Juhyun , Dang Changgwon , Choi Taejeong , Do Changhee , Lee Jungjae , Lee Seokhyun
Published: March 2022

Longevity is closely related to the survival rate of dairy cattle and refers to the period during which the cow has economic value, from first calving to culling. The purpose of this study was to analyze the culling patterns and survival rates of Korean Holstein cows and evaluate genetic characteristics related to parity and longevity of each lactation by using the test day milk yield collected in South Korea. The performance data of the dairy cattle were collected from 2004 to 2019 by the Nonghyup Dairy Cattle Improvement Center. The collected 1,702,304 records were used as pedigree data through the Korea Animal Improvement Association. The lactation period was divided into early-lactation (0–90 days: L1.1, L2.1, and L3.1), mid-lactation (91–299 days: L1.2, L2.2, and L3.2), and late-lactation (300 days-next parity: L1.3, L2.3, and L3.3). The heritability of longevity for the first, second, and third parity was 0.020, 0.028, and 0.039, respectively. In all parities, the heritability in late-lactation was higher than that in early- and mid-lactation. Most genetic correlations for survival in the first parity were higher than those in the second and third parities. The results of this study may serve as a basis for developing a more accurate model for evaluating longevity traits in South Korea.
Heavy Metal Accumulation, Tissue Injury, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Dromedary Camels Living near Petroleum Industry Sites in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ajarem Jamaan S. , Hegazy Ahmad K. , Allam Gamal A. , Allam Ahmed A. , Maodaa Saleh N. , Mahmoud Ayman M.
Published: March 2022

The petroleum industry can impact the environment and human health. Heavy metals (HMs), including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and vanadium (V), are toxic pollutants found in petroleum that can cause several severe diseases. This study investigated the impact of the oil industry on the Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius) in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia, pointing to HMs accumulation, tissue injury, redox imbalance, inflammation, and apoptosis. Soil and camel samples (milk, blood, muscle, liver, and kidney) were collected from a site near an oil industry field and another two sites to analyze HMs. Pb, Cd, Ni, and V were increased in the soil and in the camel’s milk, blood, muscle, liver, and kidney at the polluted site. Serum aminotransferases, urea, and creatinine were elevated, and histopathological alterations were observed in the liver and kidney of camels at the oil industry site. Hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation, pro-inflammatory cytokines, Bax, and caspase-3 were increased, whereas cellular antioxidants and Bcl-2 declined in camels at the oil extraction site. In conclusion, the oil industry caused soil and tissue accumulation of HMs, liver and kidney injury, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in camels living close to the oil extraction site. These findings pinpoint the negative impact of the oil industry on the environment, animal, and human health.
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Malarone®, Azithromycin and Artesunate Combination for Treatment of Babesia gibsoni in Naturally Infected Dogs
Authors: Karasová Martina , Tóthová Csilla , Víchová Bronislava , Blaňarová Lucia , Kisková Terézia , Grelová Simona , Staroňová Radka , Micháľová Alena , Kožár Martin , Nagy Oskar , Fialkovičová Mária
Published: March 2022

Babesia gibsoni is a tick-borne protozoal blood parasite that may cause hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, lethargy, and/or splenomegaly in dogs. Many drugs have been used in management of canine babesiosis such as monotherapy or combined treatment, including diminazene aceturate, imidocarb dipropionate, atovaquone, and antibiotics. This report examines the effectiveness and safety of Malarone®, azithromycin (AZM) and artesunate (ART) combination for the treatment of babesiosis in dogs naturally infected with Babesia gibsoni. Twelve American Pit Bull Terriers were included in the experiment. Examined dogs underwent clinical and laboratory analysis including hematology and biochemistry profile and serum protein electrophoresis. After diagnosis, the dogs received combined therapy with Malarone® (13.5 mg/kg PO q24 h), azithromycin (10 mg/kg PO q24 h) and artesunate (12.5 mg/kg PO q24 h) for 10 days. The combined treatment improved hematology and biochemical parameters to the reference range gradually during the first 14 days already, resulting in the stable values until day 56 after treatment. No clinically apparent adverse effects were reported during treatment and monitoring. No relapses of parasitemia were detected in control days 180, 360, 540 and 720 in all dogs. Results of the study indicate that the combined treatment leads to successful elimination of parasitemia in chronically infected dogs with B. gibsoni.
Staphylococcus aureus Induces Goat Endometrial Epithelial Cells Apoptosis via the Autophagy and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway
Authors: Yi Yanyan , Gao Kangkang , Zhang Ruixue , Lin Pengfei , Wang Aihua , Jin Yaping
Published: March 2022

Increasing evidence indicates that autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are involved in the regulation of cell death; however, the role of autophagy and ER stress in Staphylococcus aureus-induced endometrial epithelial cell damage is still unelucidated. In the present study, our results showed that infection with S. aureus increased the cytotoxicity and the protein expression of Bax, caspase-3, and cleaved-PARP-1 in goat endometrial epithelial cells (gEECs). Moreover, after infection, the expression of LC3II and autophagosomes were markedly increased. The autophagosome inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) significantly decreased the cytotoxicity and the expression of caspase-3, and cleaved-PARP-1; however, the autophagosome–lysosome fusion inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) increased their expression. Additionally, the protein expression of GRP78, EIF2α, and ATF4 were also markedly increased after infection. The ER stress inhibitor 4-PBA decreased the cytotoxicity and the expression of LC3II and apoptosis-related proteins in S. aureus-infected gEECs. Collectively, our findings prove that the accumulation of autophagosomes exacerbated S. aureus-induced gEECs apoptosis, and that ER stress was involved in the regulation of the autophagy and apoptosis.
Influence of Single Layer Centrifugation with Canicoll on Semen Freezability in Dogs
Authors: Domain Guillaume , Ali Hassan Hiba , Wydooghe Eline , Bogado Pascottini Osvaldo , Johannisson Anders , Morrell Jane M. , Niżański Wojciech , Van Soom Ann
Published: March 2022

This study evaluated how semen selection by single layer centrifugation (SLC) with Canicoll affects semen freezability in dogs. A total of eighteen ejaculates, collected from dogs with optimal and suboptimal semen quality (optimal: normal morphology (NM) ≥ 80%, n = 9; suboptimal: NM between 60 and 79%, n = 9), were divided into two aliquots and subjected to standard centrifugation or SLC before cryopreservation. Motility, NM, membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and DNA integrity were improved in fresh samples after SLC, regardless of semen quality, but at the expense of some good quality spermatozoa. After thawing, NM and membrane integrity were improved in SLC-selected semen in both semen qualities. Interestingly, MMP was also higher but only in optimal quality semen. Still, spermatozoa from suboptimal quality semen did not survive freezing to the same extent as spermatozoa from optimal quality semen, even after selecting superior spermatozoa. Semen selection with Canicoll is, therefore, an effective technique to isolate a subpopulation of high-quality spermatozoa and obtain sperm samples of better quality after thawing, but is not sufficient to improve the intrinsic inferior freezability of suboptimal quality semen. So far, eighteen pups were born after insemination with SLC-selected frozen-thawed semen, proving that these selected spermatozoa remain fertile.