bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cotton straw biochar and compound Bacillus biofertilizer reduce Cd stress on cotton root growth by regulating root exudates and antioxidant enzymes system
Authors: Zhu Yongqi , Lv Xin , Li Tiansheng , Zhong Mingtao , Song Jianghui , Wang Haijiang , Cui Jing
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Cotton straw biochar (biochar) and compound Bacillus biofertilizer (biofertilizer) have attracted wide attentions in the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils in recent years. However, few studies have explored the metabolomics of lateral roots of Cd-stressed cotton to determine the mechanism of biochar and biofertilizer alleviating Cd stress.

Methods

In this pot experiment, biochar and biofertilizer were applied to the soils with different Cd contamination levels (1, 2, and 4 mg kg-1). Then, the responses of cotton root morphology, vitality, Cd content, and antioxidant enzyme activities were analyzed, and the mechanism of biochar and biofertilizer alleviating Cd stress was determined by metabolomic analysis.

Results

The results showed that exogenous Cd addition decreased the SOD and POD activities in cotton taproot and lateral root. Besides, with the increase of soil Cd content, the maximum Cd content in taproot (0.0250 mg kg-1) and lateral root (0.0288 mg kg-1) increased by 89.11% and 33.95%, respectively compared with those in the control (p< 0.05). After the application of biochar and biofertilizer, the SOD and POD activities in cotton taproot and lateral root increased. The Cd content of cotton taproot in biochar and biofertilizer treatments decreased by 16.36% and 19.73%, respectively, and that of lateral root decreased by 13.99% and 16.68%, respectively. The metabolomic analysis results showed that the application of biochar and biofertilizer could improve the resistance of cotton root to Cd stress through regulating the pathways of ABC transporters and phenylalanine metabolism.

Discussion

Therefore, the application of biochar and biofertilizer could improve cotton resistance to Cd stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities, regulating root metabolites (phenols and amino acids), and reducing Cd content, thus promoting cotton root growth.
Nutritional anti-nutritional chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the leaves of the sea cliff dwelling species Limonium spathulatum (Desf.) Kuntze
Authors: Youssef Seria , Custódio Luísa , Rodrigues Maria João , Pereira Catarina G. , Calhelha Ricardo C. , Pinela José , Barros Lillian , Jekő József , Cziáky Zoltán , Ben Hamed Karim
Published: November 2022

This work explored the nutritional and antioxidant properties of the leaves of the halophytic species Limonium spathulatum (Desf.) Kuntze from Tunisian sea cliffs. Furthermore, the analysis of the total phenolics and flavonoids contents and their individual compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) were also studied. L. spathulatum leaves had high levels of moisture, ash, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, but low concentrations of crude protein, crude fat and acid detergent lignin. It contained low carbohydrates levels, and low energetic values. The most abundant macroelements were Cl, Na and Ca while the microelements detected in the highest levels were Fe and Zn. No relevant α-amylase inhibition was observed, and no toxic metals (Pb and Cd) and phytic acid were detected. The ethanol and the hydroethanolic extracts had the highest capacity to scavenge free radicals, to chelate iron and copper and to inhibit lipid peroxidation. The same samples were also the most active towards oxidative haemolysis. These extracts contained high total phenolic and flavonoid contents. HPLC analysis, performed on ethanolic extracts identified 58 individual compounds known for their high antioxidant actvitiy including hydroxybenzoic acids (gallic, syringic acids), hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, coumaric, ferulic acids) and flavonoids (catechin, epigallocatechin gallate and naringin).In conclusion, the leaves of Tunisian accession of L. spathulatum were good source of minerals and fibers useful in the human diet for attaining nutritional sufficiency. The high in vitro and ex vitro antioxidant activities associated with high favonoids contents and compounds suggest the possibility to use the extracts of L. spathulatum in herbal products with the aim of improving general health and well-being, and/or as food additives for preventing lipid oxidation of lipid-rich foods.
Genetic diversity pattern reveals the primary determinant of burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus L.) invasion in Korea
Authors: Lee Soo-Rang , Son Dong Chan
Published: November 2022

Biological invasion is a complex process associated with propagule pressure, dispersal ability, environmental constraints, and human interventions, which leave genetic signatures. The population genetics of an invasive species thus provides invaluable insights into the patterns of invasion. Burcucumber, one of the most detrimental weeds for soybean production in US, has recently colonized Korea and rapidly spread posing a great threat to the natural ecosystem. We aim to infer the determinants of the rapid burcucumber invasion by examining the genetic diversity, demography, and spread pattern with advanced genomic tools. We employed 2,696 genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms to assess the level of diversity and the spatial pattern associated with the landscape factors and to infer the demographic changes of 24 populations (364 genotypes) across four major river basins with the east coastal streams in South Korea. Through the approximate Bayesian computation, we inferred the likely invasion scenario of burcucumber in Korea. The landscape genetics approach adopting the circuit theory and MaxEnt model was applied to determine the landscape contributors. Our data suggested that most populations have experienced population bottlenecks, which led to lowered within-population genetic diversity and inflated population divergences. Burcucumber colonization in Korea has strongly been affected by demographic bottlenecks and multiple introductions, whereas environmental factors were not the primary determinant of the invasion. Our work highlighted the significance of preventing secondary introductions, particularly for aggressive weedy plants such as the burcucumber.
Barriers and enablers to accessing support services offered by staff wellbeing hubs: A qualitative study
Authors: Keyworth Chris , Alzahrani Adnan , Pointon Lucy , Hinsby Kerry , Wainwright Nigel , Moores Lucie , Bates Jenny , Johnson Judith
Published: November 2022

Background

International efforts have been made to develop appropriate interventions to support the mental health needs of healthcare professionals in response to COVID-19. However, fewer staff have accessed these than expected, despite experiencing elevated levels of mental distress since the onset of the pandemic. Consequently, we aimed to examine the barriers and enablers for healthcare professionals in accessing interventions offered by a Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub.

Methods

Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare, social care and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector staff. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Four key themes were identified: (1) Environment and Atmosphere in the Workplace; (2) The Impacts of COVID-19; (3) Confidentiality; and (4) Awareness and Communication of Resources. Organisational environments were perceived as an important enabler of accessing the hub services for mental health and wellbeing support. This included the importance of recognising and responding to the ongoing pressures of COVID-19- specific challenges. Ensuring and communicating aspects of confidentiality, and ensuring clear and consistent communication of the benefits of the Hub may encourage help-seeking for mental health challenges among healthcare professionals.

Discussion

Our findings highlight important considerations to increase uptake and engagement with services to support the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare professionals and associated staff and volunteers. Organisations aiming to increase employee uptake of these services should regularly circulate consistent and clear emails about what these services offer, provide training and information for managers so they can support staff to access these services and ensure access is confidential.
Motivational dynamics of German Salafist jihadists: A multi-methodical in-depth study of three paradigmatic cases
Authors: Moeller Mika Josephine , Langer Phil C. , Scheithauer Herbert
Published: November 2022

Individuals belonging to terrorist organizations accept and often use violence as an instrument of their strategies to achieve their goals. The present study focuses on the motivational dynamics of three contrastively selected paradigmatic cases of extremists that grew up in Germany, joined and supported terrorist organizations abroad, and later disengaged and distanced themselves from the jihadist ideology. An innovative multi-methodical approach was applied to the interviews that combines a biographical reconstruction of the lived experiences with a psychoanalytically informed interpretation of the narratives. First, the biographical trajectories were analyzed on the manifest level: How have the former terrorists experienced their own pathways? What were relevant factors for their engagement in and disengagement from terrorism? Second, to gain a deeper understanding of the unconscious motivational dynamics for involvement in terrorism, key sequences of the narrative interviews were interpreted scenically in a psychoanalytical interpretation group: How did the interviewees express their lived experiences (and why in this particular way)? What latent meanings can be extrapolated that provide deep insights into the motivational backgrounds of their decisions? Based on the results of the triangulation process, characterizing structural hypotheses about case dynamics including protective and risk factors are presented and implications for prevention and intervention approaches are given.
Can selfies trigger social anxiety? A study on the relationship between social media selfie behavior and social anxiety in Chinese youth group
Authors: Liu Yixuan , Zhu Jiayu , He Jianping
Published: November 2022

As modernization continues to advance the development of digital society, social media has become an important part of people’s daily life and an extension and expansion of real social interactions. In this process, social media use and individual social psychology have increasingly become the object of academic attention, among which the relationship between selfie behavior, as an important interaction practice of youth group in social media, and social anxiety needs to be further explored and discussed. The purpose of this study is to investigate the current situation of selfie behavior, body image, and social anxiety among young people in China. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative empirical methods, a questionnaire survey was conducted in Chinese mainland (n = 920) to examine the mediating effects of social comparison and body image on social media selfie behavior and social anxiety, and found that there was a significant negative relationship between youth social media selfie behavior and social anxiety, while the sequence mediating effects of social comparison and body image were significant. The findings of the study provide new ideas and directions for exploring the intervention paths of youth social psychology in the era of image socialization.
The first session is the one that counts: An exploratory study of therapeutic alliance
Authors: del Río Olvera Francisco Javier , Rodríguez-Mora Álvaro , Senín-Calderón Cristina , Rodríguez-Testal Juan F.
Published: November 2022

Background

The controversy about whether psychotherapy outcome is the consequence of the techniques themselves, common factors or both is still current. The importance of common factors has been demonstrated, although it is also known that they alone are insufficient. At the present time, the contextual model grants heavy weight to the therapeutic alliance in the first sessions and seems to predict positive final results. Furthermore, monitoring sessions has demonstrated that this alliance improves.

Objectives

To analyze the relationship between the therapeutic alliance and patient’s perceived improvement during the first five sessions of therapy, and find out whether the therapeutic alliance is maintained or unstable within that timeframe.

Methods

Thirty-four patients at a university psychological care service who had had at least five therapy sessions participated. Of these, 70.46% were women (Mage = 24.24,SD = 6.73). The patients filled out the Outcome Rating Scale and Session Rating Scale the week before each session. Data were analyzed by the Dual STATIS method.

Results

The compromise matrix explained 77.36% of the variability. The position of the vectors and the distribution of the position of the patients on the graph show that as their perception increased, therapeutic alliance remained stable. Moreover, the position of the vectors shows that the therapeutic alliance was forged in the first session and remained stable during the following sessions.

Conclusion

This exploratory study demonstrated the importance of the first session in establishing the therapeutic alliance, and for it to remain stable, regardless of whether the rest of the therapeutic process has variations or changes. Novel use of the STATIS method for analyzing measurements in the first five sessions, showed that beginning the therapeutic intervention with a strong alliance, produced the favorable, lasting effects necessary for development of the intervention.
The relationship between personality profile and self-care among patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Dadras Zahra , Molaei Behnam , Aghamohammadi Masoumeh
Published: November 2022

Background

As a chronic disease, diabetes needs special self-care behaviors until the end of life. Personality traits are considered to be effective psychological factors in controlling diabetes and self-care in patients with diabetes. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between personality profile and self-care among people with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

In this descriptive-correlational study conducted in 2021, 160 patients with type 2 diabetes referred to the diabetes clinic of Imam Khomeini Educational and Medical Center in Ardabil were selected by convenience sampling method. The data collection tools included the Diabetes Self-Care Activities questionnaire (SDSCA) and the short form of the Millon Multi-Axis Clinical Test (MCMI-3), which were completed through interviews with patients. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics (mean, SD, and frequency) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression).

Results

Based on the results, apart from the obsessive personality disorder, which had a positive relationship with self-care behaviors, a significant negative correlation was observed between schizoid, avoidant, depressed, dependent, antisocial, self-harming, borderline, and paranoid personality disorders with self-care behaviors (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The results showed that there is a significant negative relationship between personality profile and self-care status of patients with type 2 diabetes. In other words, a person’s personality profile can predict self-care behaviors. Accordingly, personality traits can be considered as one of the influencing factors on self-care in the educational programs of diabetic patients. Holding educational classes to empower patients using psychological interventions and teaching effective solutions can be an effective step toward increasing the level of mental-physical health and self-care of patients with type 2 diabetes.
How smartwatch use drives user reciprocity: The mediating effects of self-expansion and self-extension
Authors: Liu Rong , Yang Jiawei , Yao Junwen
Published: November 2022

People are increasingly using smartwatches in their daily lives. Scholars have focused on the drivers of the initial and continued use of smartwatches, while few studies have dealt with the outcomes of smartwatch use. Therefore, this study explores the impact of smartwatch use on user experience (self-expansion and self-extension) and user reciprocity (user loyalty and user influence) based on service-dominant logic. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 343 smartwatch users in China. Structural equation modeling and the bootstrapping method were applied to test the theoretical hypotheses. The results show that smartwatch use positively affects self-expansion and self-extension, both self-expansion and self-extension positively affect user loyalty and user influence, and smartwatch use affects user loyalty and user influence through self-expansion and self-extension. This research deepens our understanding of the outcomes of smartwatch use, and provides insights for smartwatch manufacturers to create more value from user reciprocity.
Learning from feedback: Evaluation of dynamic decision-making in virtual reality under various repetitive training frameworks
Authors: Rao Akash K. , Chandra Sushil , Dutt Varun
Published: November 2022

Dynamic decision-making involves a series of interconnected interdependent confluence of decisions to be made. Experiential training is preferred over traditional methods to train individuals in dynamic decision-making. Imparting experiential training in physical settings can be very expensive and unreliable. In virtual reality (VR), synthetic environments play a significant role in providing flexible and cost-effective training environments to enhance dynamic decision-making. However, it is still unclear how VR can be used to impart dynamic decision-making training to increase cognitive performance in complex situations. Besides, different repetitive training methods like desirable difficulty framework and heterogeneity of practice have been evaluated on generic cognitive and motor tasks. However, an evaluation of how these repetitive training methods facilitate dynamic decision-making in an individual in a virtual complex environment setting is lacking in the literature. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of different repetitive training methods in immersive VR on dynamic decision-making in a complex search-and-shoot environment. In a lab-based experiment, 66 healthy subjects are divided equally and randomly into three between-subject training conditions: heterogenous, difficult, and sham. On Day 1, all the participants, regardless of the condition, executed an environment of a baseline difficulty level. From Days 2 to 7, the participants alternatively executed the novice difficulty and expert difficulty versions of the environment in the heterogenous condition. In difficult conditions, the participants executed the expert difficulty version of the environment from Days 2 to 7. In the sham condition, the participants executed an unrelated VR environment from Days 2 to 7. On Day 8, the participants executed the baseline difficulty version of the environment again in all the conditions. Various performance and workload-based measures were acquired. Results revealed that the participants in the heterogenous and difficult conditions performed significantly better on Day 8 compared with Day 1. The results inferred that a combination of immersive VR environment with repetitive heterogenous training maximized performance and decreased cognitive workload at transfer. We expect to use these conclusions to create effective training environments in VR for imparting training to military personnel in dynamic decision-making scenarios.
Analysis of group behavior based on sharing heterogeneous roles in a triad using a coordinated drawing task
Authors: Ichikawa Jun , Fujii Keisuke
Published: November 2022

Humans often share roles and aim to achieve a group goal based on sociality, which is the tendency to spontaneously involve oneself with others. Cognitive science, psychology, and neuroscience studies suggest that in such planned coordination, adjusting one’s own actions based on other roles is crucial for high task performance. However, the mechanisms of complex and dynamically planned coordination, such as non-verbal group behavior with three or more members, remain to be fully investigated. This study introduced a coordinated drawing task in a triad, quantitatively analyzed non-verbal group behavior based on sharing heterogeneous roles, and investigated an important role. Participant triads engaged in the task repeatedly by operating reels to change thread tensions and moving a pen connected to the three threads to draw an equilateral triangle. Then, the three roles (pulling, relaxing, and adjusting) had to be shared. The pulling and relaxing roles served to move the pen as if an operator pulled it closer to the hand and to support the pen’s movement, respectively. However, these roles alone could not draw a side considering the task specification. The adjusting role needed to change the tension flexibly and maintain an overall balance. In the experiment, we measured the pen positions and tensions, and established statistical models to fit the analyzed data. The results estimated that the action in the adjusting role was related to the improved performance of faster drawing on a side. This role may moderately intervene in the actions by the other roles and fine-tune without disturbing the pen’s smooth movement while avoiding great pen deviation. Our findings may suggest the crucial role as a facilitator that handles resiliently in non-verbal coordinated behavior of a triad, and contribute to our understanding of social interactions.
Fertility decision of Iranian women during the COVID-19 pandemic and home quarantine: A cross-sectional study in Iran
Authors: Afshari Poorandokht , Abedi Parvin , Beheshtinasab Maryam
Published: November 2022

Background

Fertility decision is defined as the mutual decision of partners toward having children, which may be equally controlled by the two partners or dominantly powered by the female partner. This study aimed to evaluate fertility decision of women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 600 women (300 pregnant and 300 non-pregnant) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A demographic questionnaire and the Attitudes toward Fertility and Childbearing Scale were used to collect the data. Independent t-test, Chi-square test, and logistic regression were used for analyzing data.

Results

The mean ± SD age of participants with negative and positive attitude toward fertility was 28.96 ± 5.88 and 28.39 ± 6.2, respectively. Almost half of the studied women postponed their pregnancy to after the pandemic. The total score of fertility decision in women with positive attitudes toward fertility was 95.43 ± 18.51 compared to 46.73 ± 17.2 in women with negative attitudes toward fertility (p < 0.0001). None-employed women had 0.595 times the odds of having a positive attitude toward fertility (95% CI: 0.423–0.836). Women who were not pregnant had 1.5 times the odds of having a positive attitude toward childbearing (95% CI: 1.067–2.112). In addition, women who were not hospitalized during the pandemic had 0.520 times the odds of having a positive attitude toward fertility (95% CI: 0.342–0.790).

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that half of the women postponed their pregnancy to after the pandemic. Also, employed women, women who were not pregnant, and women who were not hospitalized during pandemic were more likely to have positive attitudes toward fertility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policymakers should devise some strategies to clarify the benefits and harms of pregnancy during crises such as COVID-19 pandemic.
Mental health progress requires causal diagnostic nosology and scalable causal discovery
Authors: Saxe Glenn N. , Bickman Leonard , Ma Sisi , Aliferis Constantin
Published: November 2022

Nine hundred and seventy million individuals across the globe are estimated to carry the burden of a mental disorder. Limited progress has been achieved in alleviating this burden over decades of effort, compared to progress achieved for many other medical disorders. Progress on outcome improvement for all medical disorders, including mental disorders, requires research capable of discovering causality at sufficient scale and speed, and a diagnostic nosology capable of encoding the causal knowledge that is discovered. Accordingly, the field’s guiding paradigm limits progress by maintaining: (a) a diagnostic nosology (DSM-5) with a profound lack of causality; (b) a misalignment between mental health etiologic research and nosology; (c) an over-reliance on clinical trials beyond their capabilities; and (d) a limited adoption of newer methods capable of discovering the complex etiology of mental disorders. We detail feasible directions forward, to achieve greater levels of progress on improving outcomes for mental disorders, by: (a) the discovery of knowledge on the complex etiology of mental disorders with application of Causal Data Science methods; and (b) the encoding of the etiological knowledge that is discovered within a causal diagnostic system for mental disorders.
Emerging trends in epigenetic and childhood trauma: Bibliometrics and visual analysis
Authors: Nie Yuting , Wen Lulu , Song Juexian , Wang Ningqun , Huang Liyuan , Gao Li , Qu Miao
Published: November 2022

Background

The epigenetic study of childhood trauma has become a valuable field. However, the evolution and emerging trends in epigenetics and childhood trauma have not been studied by bibliometric methods.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate status of epigenetic studies in childhood trauma and reveal the research trends based on bibliometrics.

Methods

A total of 1,151 publications related to childhood trauma and epigenetics published between 2000 and 2021 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). CiteSpace (5.8. R 3) was used to implement bibliometric analysis and visualization.

Results

Since 2010, the number of related publications has expanded quickly. The United States and McGill University are the most influential countries and research institutes, respectively. Elisabeth Binder is a leading researcher in childhood trauma and epigenetic-related research. Biological Psychiatry is probably the most popular journal. In addition, comprehensive keyword analysis revealed that “glucocorticoid receptor,” “brain development,” “epigenetic regulation,” “depression,” “posttraumatic stress disorder,” “maternal care,” “histone acetylation,” “telomere length,” “microRNA,” and “anxiety” reflect the latest research trends in the field. A comprehensive reference analysis demonstrated NR3C1 gene methylation, FKBP5 DNA methylation, BDNF DNA methylation, and KITLG methylation have been hot spots in epigenetic studies in the field of childhood trauma in recent years. Notably, the relationship between childhood adversity and NR3C1 gene methylation levels remains unresolved and requires well-designed studies with control for more confounding factors.

Conclusion

As the best of our knowledge, this is the first bibliometric analysis of the association between childhood trauma and epigenetics. Our analysis of the literature suggests that childhood trauma may induce depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder through epigenetic regulation of glucocorticoid receptor expression and brain development. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is the key points of epigenetic research. The current researches focus on NR3C1 gene methylation, FKBP5 DNA methylation, BDNF DNA methylation, and KITLG methylation. These results provide a guiding perspective for the study of epigenetic effects of childhood trauma, and help researchers choose future research directions based on current keywords.
Development and evaluation of a psychological adjustment communication system for adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome at a high risk of depression: A mixed-method study protocol
Authors: Tan Huiwen , Gao Li , Guo Yunmei , Liu Ying , Ding Rui , Yan Xin , Wang Xueting , Wang Yousha , Wang Lianhong
Published: November 2022

Background

Depression is a serious psychological disorder that causes substantial psychological and physical suffering in adolescents, contributes to over 50% of suicide attempts, and affects the health status and psychosocial functioning of 25% of the adult population. The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adolescents is 5.6∼11.04%, and the prevalence of depression in adolescents with PCOS is as high as 50–60%. Depression seriously affects the rehabilitation and quality of life of adolescents with PCOS. In this study, we present a protocol for a mixed-method study to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a psychological adjustment communication system for reducing the prevalence of depression among adolescents with PCOS who are at a high risk of depression in China. This study utilizes social support theory to develop a mobile phone-based intervention for adolescents with PCOS at a high risk of depression.

Methods

This sequential exploratory mixed-method study consists of four consecutive phases. In the first phase, we will review the literature to understand the disease experience and needs of adolescents with PCOS to construct an initial psychological adjustment communication system. In the second phase, researchers will interview patients and their parents using purposeful sampling methods and semi-structured interviews to appropriately modify the psychological adjustment communication system. In the third phase, the Delphi method will be used to improve the psychological adjustment communication system. The fourth phase will employ a quantitative approach using a before-and-after design to measure the effectiveness of the system.

Discussion

The results of this study will indicate the effectiveness of the psychological adjustment communication system in adolescents with PCOS who are at a high risk of depression.

Registration number

ChiCTR2100050123.
“I'm luckier than everybody else!”: Optimistic bias, COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs, vaccination status, and the link with the time spent online, anticipated regret, and the perceived threat
Authors: Maftei Alexandra , Petroi Cosmina Elena
Published: November 2022

The catastrophic wave in the fall of 2021 drove Romania to the top of the list of dangerous COVID-19 infections, with the highest mortality rate in Europe. At the same time, Romania had one of the lowest vaccination rates. In this context, the present research aimed to explore the link between vaccination intention/status, optimistic bias, COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs, the time spent online, and vaccination (anticipated) regret. Our convenience sample was formed by 408 adults aged 18–63 years (M = 22.11, SD = 6.18, 69.9 % females), who were distributed into four groups: (1) non-vaccinated who definitely refused COVID-19 vaccination, (2) non-vaccinated who considered COVID-19 vaccination, (3) non-vaccinated who reported their absolute willingness to COVID-19 vaccination, and (4) people who were COVID-19 vaccinated. We conducted our analyses separately, depending on these groups (i.e., vaccination intentions/status). Data were collected using an online questionnaire between November 10, 2021, and January 03, 2022. In our cross-sectional approach, following correlation and ANOVA analyses, among the observed patterns were (1) the significant negative relation between optimism bias and the perceived COVID-19 threat; (2) the positive link between anticipated regret, post-vaccination regret, age, and conspiracy beliefs. We discuss our findings considering their contribution to health policies and practices.
Developing evaluation capacities in integrated care projects: Lessons from a scientific support mission implemented in Belgium
Authors: Charlier Nathan , Colman Elien , Alvarez Irusta Lucia , Anthierens Sibyl , Van Durme Thérèse , Macq Jean , Pétré Benoit
Published: November 2022

The capacity of self-assessment, to learn from experience, to make information-based decisions, and to adapt over time are essential drivers of success for any project aiming at healthcare system change. Yet, many of those projects are managed by healthcare providers' teams with little evaluation capacity. In this article, we describe the support mission delivered by an interdisciplinary scientific team to 12 integrated care pilot projects in Belgium, mobilizing a set of tools and methods: a dashboard gathering population health indicators, a significant event reporting method, an annual report, and the development of a sustainable “learning community.” The article provides a reflexive return on the design and implementation of such interventions aimed at building organizational evaluation capacity. Some lessons were drawn from our experience, in comparison with the broader evaluation literature: The provided support should be adapted to the various needs and contexts of the beneficiary organizations, and it has to foster experience-based learning and requires all stakeholders to adopt a learning posture. A long-time, secure perspective should be provided for organizations, and the availability of data and other resources is an essential precondition for successful work.
Artificial intelligence applied to omics data in liver diseases: Enhancing clinical predictions
Authors: Baciu Cristina , Xu Cherry , Alim Mouaid , Prayitno Khairunnadiya , Bhat Mamatha
Published: November 2022

Rapid development of biotechnology has led to the generation of vast amounts of multi-omics data, necessitating the advancement of bioinformatics and artificial intelligence to enable computational modeling to diagnose and predict clinical outcome. Both conventional machine learning and new deep learning algorithms screen existing data unbiasedly to uncover patterns and create models that can be valuable in informing clinical decisions. We summarized published literature on the use of AI models trained on omics datasets, with and without clinical data, to diagnose, risk-stratify, and predict survivability of patients with non-malignant liver diseases. A total of 20 different models were tested in selected studies. Generally, the addition of omics data to regular clinical parameters or individual biomarkers improved the AI model performance. For instance, using NAFLD fibrosis score to distinguish F0-F2 from F3-F4 fibrotic stages, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.87. When integrating metabolomic data by a GMLVQ model, the AUC drastically improved to 0.99. The use of RF on multi-omics and clinical data in another study to predict progression of NAFLD to NASH resulted in an AUC of 0.84, compared to 0.82 when using clinical data only. A comparison of RF, SVM and kNN models on genomics data to classify immune tolerant phase in chronic hepatitis B resulted in AUC of 0.8793–0.8838 compared to 0.6759–0.7276 when using various serum biomarkers. Overall, the integration of omics was shown to improve prediction performance compared to models built only on clinical parameters, indicating a potential use for personalized medicine in clinical setting.
A robot localization proposal for the RobotAtFactory 4.0: A novel robotics competition within the Industry 4.0 concept
Authors: Braun João , Júnior Alexandre O. , Berger Guido , Pinto Vítor H. , Soares Inês N. , Pereira Ana I. , Lima José , Costa Paulo
Published: November 2022

Robotic competitions are an excellent way to promote innovative solutions for the current industries’ challenges and entrepreneurial spirit, acquire technical and transversal skills through active teaching, and promote this area to the public. In other words, since robotics is a multidisciplinary field, its competitions address several knowledge topics, especially in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) category, that are shared among the students and researchers, driving further technology and science. A new competition encompassed in the Portuguese Robotics Open was created according to the Industry 4.0 concept in the production chain. In this competition, RobotAtFactory 4.0, a shop floor, is used to mimic a fully automated industrial logistics warehouse and the challenges it brings. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) must be used to operate without supervision and perform the tasks that the warehouse requests. There are different types of boxes which dictate their partial and definitive destinations. In this reasoning, AMRs should identify each and transport them to their destinations. This paper describes an approach to the indoor localization system for the competition based on the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and ArUco markers. Different innovation methods for the obtained observations were tested and compared in the EKF. A real robot was designed and assembled to act as a test bed for the localization system’s validation. Thus, the approach was validated in the real scenario using a factory floor with the official specifications provided by the competition organization.
On the application of population-based structural health monitoring in aerospace engineering
Authors: Brennan Daniel S. , Gosliga Julian , Gardner Paul , Mills Robin S. , Worden Keith
Published: November 2022

One of the major obstacles to the widespread uptake of data-based Structural Health Monitoring so far, has been the lack of damage-state data for the (mostly high-value) structures of interest. To address this issue, a methodology for sharing data and models between structures has been developed–Population-Based Structural Health Monitoring (PBSHM). PBSHM works on the principle that, if populations of structures are sufficiently similar, or share sections which can be considered similar, then data and models can be shared between them for use in diagnostic inference. The PBSHM methodology therefore relies on two key components: firstly, identifying whether structures are sufficiently similar for successful transfer of diagnostics; this is achieved by the use of an abstract representation of structures. Secondly, machine learning techniques are exploited to effectively transfer information between the structures in a way that improves damage detection and classification across the whole population. Although PBSHM has been conceived to deal with large and general classes of structures, much of the detailed developments presented so far have concerned bridges; the aim of this paper is to provide similarly detailed discussions in the aerospace context. The overview here will examine data transfer between aircraft components, as well as illustrating how one might construct an abstract representation of a full aircraft.
The effect of landmark visualization in mobile maps on brain activity during navigation: A virtual reality study
Authors: Cheng Bingjie , Wunderlich Anna , Gramann Klaus , Lin Enru , Fabrikant Sara I.
Published: November 2022

The frequent use of GPS-based navigation assistance is found to negatively affect spatial learning. Displaying landmarks effectively while providing wayfinding instructions on such services could facilitate spatial learning because landmarks help navigators to structure and learn an environment by serving as cognitive anchors. However, simply adding landmarks on mobile maps may tax additional cognitive resources and thus adversely affect cognitive load in mobile map users during navigation. To address this potential issue, we set up the present study experimentally to investigate how the number of landmarks (i.e., 3 vs. 5 vs. 7 landmarks), displayed on a mobile map one at a time at intersections during turn-by-turn instructions, affects spatial learning, cognitive load, and visuospatial encoding during map consultation in a virtual urban environment. Spatial learning of the environment was measured using a landmark recognition test, a route direction test, and Judgements of Relative Directions (JRDs). Cognitive load and visuospatial encoding were assessed using electroencephalography (EEG) by analyzing power modulations in distinct frequency bands as well as peak amplitudes of event-related brain potentials (ERPs). Behavioral results demonstrate that landmark and route learning improve when the number of landmarks shown on a mobile map increases from three to five, but that there is no further benefit in spatial learning when depicting seven landmarks. EEG analyses show that relative theta power at fronto-central leads and P3 amplitudes at parieto-occipital leads increase in the seven-landmark condition compared to the three- and five-landmark conditions, likely indicating an increase in cognitive load in the seven-landmark condition. Visuospatial encoding indicated by greater theta ERS and alpha ERD at occipital leads with a greater number of landmarks on mobile maps. We conclude that the number of landmarks visualized when following a route can support spatial learning during map-assisted navigation but with a potential boundary—visualizing landmarks on maps benefits users’ spatial learning only when the number of visualized landmarks shown does not exceed users’ cognitive capacity. These results shed more light on neuronal correlates underlying cognitive load and visuospatial encoding during spatial learning in map-assisted navigation. Our findings also contribute to the design of neuro-adaptive landmark visualization for mobile navigation aids that aim to adapt to users’ cognitive load to optimize their spatial learning in real time.
Perspective: Opportunities for advancing aquatic invertebrate welfare
Authors: Wahltinez Sarah J. , Stacy Nicole I. , Hadfield Catherine A. , Harms Craig A. , Lewbart Gregory A. , Newton Alisa L. , Nunamaker Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2022

Welfare considerations and regulations for invertebrates have lagged behind those for vertebrates, despite invertebrates comprising more than 95% of earth's species. Humans interact with and use aquatic invertebrates for exhibition in zoos and aquaria, as pets, research subjects, and important food sources. Recent research has indicated that aquatic invertebrates, in particular cephalopod mollusks and decapod crustaceans, experience stress and may be able to feel pain. With this article, we present results of a survey on attitudes of aquatic animal health professionals toward aquatic invertebrate welfare and provide practical recommendations for advancing aquatic invertebrate welfare across four areas of opportunity: use of anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia; development of less invasive diagnostic and research sampling methods based on 3R principles; use of humane slaughter methods for aquatic invertebrates; and reducing impacts of invasive procedures in aquaculture and fisheries. We encourage consideration of these opportunities to achieve far-reaching improvements in aquatic invertebrate welfare.
Positive Effects of Land Use Change on Wintering Bar-Headed Geese between 2010 and 2021
Authors: Wu Zhongrong , Ye Xiulin , Kuang Zhongfan , Ye Hui , Zhao Xumao
Published: November 2022

Human-induced land use change often drives species losses, yet some species can derive benefits from particular land use changes. Thus, case studies of how specific land use changes affect population size for species of interest are essential to their conservation. In this study, wintering bar-headed geese in Caohai, in Guizhou Province in China, were fitted with satellite trackers to assess their use of different land types and the impact of land use changes occurring between 2010 and 2021. We found that bar-headed geese preferentially spent time in arable lands, grasslands, and open water; most foraging occurred in cropland (59.5%) and grasslands (26.4%), while resting occurred in open water (68.3%) and in grasslands (43.5%). The population of wintering bar-headed geese in Caohai increased in size from 1366 to 2803 between 2010 and 2021. A concomitant decrease in cropland area (10.7%) and increase in open water (5.52%) and grasslands (48.45%) positively affected population growth. The use of abandoned croplands reduced human disturbance of goose foraging, while larger water and grassland areas provided more foraging and resting opportunities for bar-headed geese. Our study reveals a positive impact of recent land use changes on waterbird populations and provides a case study for managing human–wildlife relationships and protecting waterbirds and other wildlife.
First Report of Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei Infection in Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii de Man) Cultured in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Jang Gwang-Il , Kim Su-Mi , Oh Yun-Kyeong , Lee Soon-Jeong , Hong Sung-Youl , Lee Hyo-Eun , Kwon Mun-Gyeong , Kim Bo-Seong
Published: November 2022

In the Republic of Korea, Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) was first isolated from Pacific whiteleg shrimp in April 2020; however, there are no existing reports of EHP infection in other shrimp or prawns. Here, we aimed to investigate EHP infection and its prevalence in giant freshwater prawn farms in the Republic of Korea. We tested prawns from 22 farms for EHP infection, and samples from eight farms showed positive EHP infection results in 2021. In EHP-infected prawn farms, the prevalence ranged from 4.9% to 18.2%. The prevalence of EHP infection in the Republic of Korea, derived from the prevalence in prawn farms, was estimated to be 0.8% in 2021. The proliferation of EHP was observed within the hepatopancreatic epithelial cells of prawns using H&E and Giemsa staining. Mature EHP was observed in the sinus between epithelial cells of the digestive tubules. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a clade distinct from the previously reported EHP in Pacific whiteleg shrimps. This is the first report of EHP infection in a giant freshwater prawn in the Republic of Korea, where the prevalence of EHP infection is not high, but it is recognized as an emerging disease that requires periodic monitoring and quarantine management in giant freshwater prawns.
Prediction Method of Unsteady Flow Load of Compressor Stator under Working Condition Disturbance
Authors: Ma Jiaobin , Liu Zhufeng , Li Yunzhu , Xie Yonghui
Published: November 2022

Due to the complexity of the compressor operating conditions and the existence of various disturbances and unsteady effects in the flow field, the analysis of compressor stator vibration characteristics becomes particularly critical. The convolutional neural network model combined with a transient CFD method was introduced to solve the difficulty of analyzing the flow load of the compressor stator blade. This paper mainly focuses on two key points: the complex change of the aerodynamic load and the accurate prediction of the blade excitation. Considering the stator–rotor interference, the unsteady effects, and the variable working condition characteristics, the random disturbance analysis model of the flow field boundary was generated to simulate the unsteady flow excitation of the stator under complex working conditions. By establishing the neural network of boundary disturbance and flow excitation characteristics, the prediction model was trained and generated under the support of large-scale data. The most important role of the model was to establish the end-to-end data mapping between the disturbance condition and the aerodynamic load of the stator blade. The conclusions demonstrate that the introduction of an airflow disturbance is helpful to obtain the excitation characteristics of the stator under complex working conditions. The model established in this paper based on 1000 groups of disturbed working condition data can effectively predict the aerodynamic load of the blades under complex working conditions. In addition, the construction of the model is beneficial for saving a lot of computing resources, and the prediction accuracy also reaches a good level. The method presented in this paper provides a reference for the vibration analysis of the compressor stator.