bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the evolution of landscape patterns in historical subdeltas and coastal wetlands in the Yellow River Delta over the last 30 years: A geo-informatics approach
Authors: Zhan Chao , Wang Qing , Cheng Shanshan , Zeng Lin , Yu Jiankui , Dong Cheng , Yu Xiang
Published: March 2023

Historically, the river course and coastline of the Yellow River Delta changed frequently, and many studies focused on these change trends and their driving forces. Few studies have explored the influence of historical river channels and historical coastlines on the response of modern landscape patterns. This study examines the impact of channel migration and coastline evolution on the modern landscape pattern of historical subdeltas and coastal wetlands, utilizing a combination of Geo-informatics and Remote Sensing images in 1989, 1998, 2009, and 2016. The results showed that: (1) Subdeltaic landscapes changed from 1998 to 2016, with slight changes in most landscape types in the Ancient Qing Shui Course Subdelta (AQSD), an increase in building sites by 17% in the Zhimai Course Subdelta (ZMSD), a decrease in the proportion of Phragmites/cogongrass communities by 15.8% in the Diao Kou Course Subdelta (DKSD), and domination by natural landscapes in the Modern Qing Shui Course Subdelta (MQSD). (2) Coastal wetlands also experienced changes, with an increase in cultivated land to 60% in the coastal wetlands of CWI, a decline in natural landscapes, and an increase in artificial landscapes in the coastal wetlands of CWII and CWIII, and domination by natural landscapes but an increase in salt fields and culture ponds by 3.45% in the coastal wetlands of CWIV. (3) Channel migration and coastline evolution influenced the direction of landscape succession, causing the landscape-type centroids in the entire delta to move eastward or northward. (4) Throughout the delta, the human tendency to live by rivers was observed. This was due to the availability of freshwater from these rivers, which led to the expansion of inhabited areas and man-made water bodies along the river banks. Channel migration and coastline evolution aggravated the salinization of coastal wetlands and promoted the salt industry and aquaculture in some estuaries of the Yellow River. In general, human activities play a dominant role in shaping the landscape pattern in the Yellow River Delta, but they were largely restricted to historical channel migration and historical coastline evolution.
Survival of Escherichia coli after high-antibiotic stress is dependent on both the pregrown physiological state and incubation conditions
Authors: Thorfinnsdottir Lilja Brekke , Bø Gaute Hovde , Booth James Alexander , Bruheim Per
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The survival of bacterial cells exposed to antibiotics depends on the mode of action, the antibiotics concentration, and the duration of treatment. However, it also depends on the physiological state of the cells and the environmental conditions. In addition, bacterial cultures contain sub-populations that can survive high antibiotic concentrations, so-called persisters. Research on persisters is challenging due to multiple mechanisms for their formation and low fractions, down to and below one millionth of the total cell population. Here, we present an improved version of the persister assay used to enumerate the amount of persisters in a cell population.

Methods

The persister assay with high antibiotic stress exposure was performed at both growth supporting and non-supporting conditions. Escherichia coli cells were pregrown to various growth stages in shake flasks and bench-top bioreactors. In addition, the physiological state of E. coli before antibiotic treatment was determined by quantitative mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling.

Results

Survival of E. coli strongly depended on whether the persister assay medium supported growth or not. The results were also highly dependent on the type of antibiotic and pregrown physiological state of the cells. Therefore, applying the same conditions is critical for consistent and comparable results. No direct connection was observed between antibiotic efficacy to the metabolic state. This also includes the energetic state (i.e., the intracellular concentration of ATP and the adenylate energy charge), which has earlier been hypothesized to be decisive for persister formation.

Discussion

The study provides guides and suggestions for the design of future experimentation in the research fields of persisters and antibiotic tolerance.
Effect of home-based, overground robotic-assisted gait training on vascular health in people with chronic stroke
Authors: Faulkner James , Wright Amy , Stone Keeron , Fryer Simon , Martinelli Louis , Lambrick Danielle , Paine Eloise , Stoner Lee
Published: March 2023

Overground robotic-assisted gait training (O-RAGT) has been shown to improve clinical functional outcomes in people living with stroke. The purpose of this study was to identify whether a home-based O-RAGT program, in combination with usual care physiotherapy, would demonstrate improvements in vascular health in individuals with chronic stroke, and, whether any changes in vascular outcomes would be sustained 3 months after completing the program. Thirty-four participants with chronic stroke (between 3 months and 5 years post-stroke) were randomized to either a 10-week O-RAGT program in combination with usual care physiotherapy, or to a usual care physiotherapy only control group. Participants' (n = 31) pulse wave analysis (PWA), and regional [carotid-femoral pulse wave analysis (cfPWV)] and local (carotid) measures of arterial stiffness were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month post-intervention. Analysis of covariance demonstrated a significant reduction (improvement) in cfPWV between BL and PI for O-RAGT (8.81 ± 2.51 vs. 7.92 ± 2.17 m/s, respectively), whilst the control group remained unchanged (9.87 ± 2.46 vs. 9.84 ± 1.76 m/s, respectively; p < 0.05; ηp2 = 0.14). The improvement in cfPWV was maintained 3 months after completing the O-RAGT program. There were no significant Condition by Time interactions for all PWA and carotid arterial stiffness measures (p > 0.05). A significant increase in physical activity, as determined by the time spent stepping, was observed for O-RAGT between baseline and post-intervention assessments (3.2 ± 3.0–5.2 ± 3.3%, respectively) but not for CON (p < 0.05). The improvement in cfPWV, in combination with an increase in physical activity whilst wearing the O-RAGT and concomitant reduction in sedentary behavior, are important positive findings when considering the application of this technology for “at home” rehabilitation therapy for stroke survivors. Further research is needed to determine whether implementing “at home” O-RAGT programs should be a part of the stroke treatment pathway.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT03104127.
Prognostic significance of serum NLRC4 in patients with acute supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage: A prospective longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Li Wei , Lv Xuan , Ma Yijun , Cai Yong , Zhu Suijun
Published: March 2023

Objective

Caspase activation and recruitment domain-containing protein 4 (NLRC4) is implicated in neuroinflammation. The aim of the study was to discern the potential ability of serum NLRC4 in assessment of prognosis after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods

In this prospective, observational study, serum NLRC4 levels were quantified in 148 acute supratentorial ICH patients and 148 controls. Severity was evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and hematoma volume, and poststroke 6-month functional outcome was estimated according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Early neurologic deterioration (END) and 6-month poor outcome (mRS 3–6) were deemed as the two prognostic parameters. Multivariate models were established for investigating associations, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were configured to indicate predictive capability.

Results

Patients had substantially higher serum NLRC4 levels than controls (median, 363.2 pg/ml vs. 74.7 pg/ml). Serum NLRC4 levels had independent correlation with NIHSS scores [β, 0.308; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.088–0.520], hematoma volume (β, 0.527; 95% CI, 0.385–0.675), serum C-reactive protein levels (β, 0.288; 95% CI, 0.109–0.341) and 6-month mRS scores (β, 0.239; 95% CI, 0.100–0.474). Serum NLRC4 levels above 363.2 pg/ml were independently predictive of END (odds ratio, 3.148; 95% CI, 1.278–7.752) and 6-month poor outcome (odds ratio, 2.468; 95% CI, 1.036–5.878). Serum NLRC4 levels significantly distinguished END risk [area under ROC curve (AUC), 0.765; 95% CI, 0.685–0.846] and 6-month poor outcome (AUC, 0.795; 95% CI, 0.721–0.870). In terms of predictive ability for 6-month poor outcome, serum NLRC4 levels combined with NIHSS scores and hematoma volume was superior to NIHSS scores combined with hematoma volume, NIHSS scores and hematoma volume (AUC, 0.913 vs. 0.870, 0.864 and 0.835; all P < 0.05). Nomograms were built to reflect prognosis and END risk of combination models, where serum NLRC4, NIHSS scores and hematoma volume were enforced. Calibration curves confirmed stability of combination models.

Conclusions

Markedly raised serum NLRC4 levels following ICH, in close relation to illness severity, are independently associated with poor prognosis. Such results are indicative of the notion that determination of serum NLRC4 may aid in severity assessment and prediction of functional outcome of ICH patients.
Non-game like training benefits spoken foreign-language processing in children with dyslexia
Authors: Junttila Katja , Smolander Anna-Riikka , Karhila Reima , Kurimo Mikko , Ylinen Sari
Published: March 2023

Children with dyslexia often face difficulties in learning foreign languages, which is reflected as weaker neural activation. However, digital language-learning applications could support learning-induced plastic changes in the brain. Here we aimed to investigate whether plastic changes occur in children with dyslexia more readily after targeted training with a digital language-learning game or similar training without game-like elements. We used auditory event-related potentials (ERPs), specifically, the mismatch negativity (MMN), to study learning-induced changes in the brain responses. Participants were 24 school-aged Finnish-speaking children with dyslexia and 24 age-matched typically reading control children. They trained English speech sounds and words with “Say it again, kid!” (SIAK) language-learning game for 5 weeks between ERP measurements. During the game, the players explored game boards and produced English words aloud to score stars as feedback from an automatic speech recognizer. To compare the effectiveness of the training type (game vs. non-game), we embedded in the game some non-game levels stripped of all game-like elements. In the dyslexia group, the non-game training increased the MMN amplitude more than the game training, whereas in the control group the game training increased the MMN response more than the non-game training. In the dyslexia group, the MMN increase with the non-game training correlated with phonological awareness: the children with poorer phonological awareness showed a larger increase in the MMN response. Improved neural processing of foreign speech sounds as indicated by the MMN increase suggests that targeted training with a simple application could alleviate some spoken foreign-language learning difficulties that are related to phonological processing in children with dyslexia.
Identification of autism spectrum disorder based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy using adaptive spatiotemporal graph convolution network
Authors: Zhang Haoran , Xu Lingyu , Yu Jie , Li Jun , Wang Jinhong
Published: March 2023

The accurate diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is of great practical significance in clinical practice. The spontaneous hemodynamic fluctuations were collected by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) from the bilateral frontal and temporal cortices of typically developing (TD) children and children with ASD. Since traditional machine learning and deep learning methods cannot make full use of the potential spatial dependence between variable pairs, and require a long time series to diagnose ASD. Therefore, we use adaptive spatiotemporal graph convolution network (ASGCN) and short time series to classify ASD and TD. To capture spatial and temporal features of fNIRS multivariable time series without the pre-defined graph, we combined the improved adaptive graph convolution network (GCN) and gated recurrent units (GRU). We conducted a series of experiments on the fNIRS dataset, and found that only using 2.1 s short time series could achieve high precision classification, with an accuracy of 95.4%. This suggests that our approach may have the potential to detect pathological signals in autism patients within 2.1 s. In different brain regions, the left frontal lobe has the best classification effect, and the abnormalities occur more frequently in left hemisphere and frontal lobe region. Moreover, we also found that there were correlations between multiple channels, which had different degrees of influence on the classification of ASD. From this, we can also generalize to a wider range, there may be potential correlations between different brain regions. This may help to better understand the cortical mechanism of ASD.
Case Report: MSS colorectal extrahepatic (non-liver) metastases as the dominant population for immunotherapy combined with multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Liu Jiayin , Li Dan , Han Jing , Zhang Yin , Zhang Xue , Fan Zhisong , Feng Li , Wang Long , Jin Hui , Zuo Jing , Wang Yudong
Published: March 2023

Background

The microsatellite stability(MSS) subtype of Colorectal Cancer(CRC) represents approximately 95% of mCRC cases. Immunotherapy was not as encouraging as the data for MSS mCRC cancer. We report the treatment of a series of patients with extrahepatic metastasis of MSS colorectal cancer, which can provide reference and guidance for the treatment of non-hepatic metastasis of MSS colorectal.

Case presentation

This report describes 8 typical cases of successful MSS treatment with lung metastases of CRC. We systematically reviewed the clinical data and detailed medical history of one of these patients with extrahepatic metastasis from MSS colorectal cancer, and reviewed the literature to analyze and discuss the related epidemiological features, mechanisms and recent research findings of the special subgroup of the population.

Conclusions

Although MSS colon rectal cancer is still known as a cold tumor in the industry, immunotherapy combined with multi-targeted anti-vascular tyrosine kinase inhibitors had brought clinical benefits to patients with non-hepatic metastases from MSS colorectal cancer.
CT imaging indications correlate with the degree of lung adenocarcinoma infiltration
Authors: He Wenchen , Guo Gang , Du Xiaoxiang , Guo Shiping , Zhuang Xiaofei
Published: March 2023

Background

Ground glass nodules (GGN) of the lung may be a precursor of lung cancer and have received increasing attention in recent years with the popularity of low-dose high-resolution computed tomography (CT). Many studies have discussed imaging features that suggest the benignity or malignancy of GGN, but the extent of its postoperative pathological infiltration is poorly understood. In this study, we identified CT imaging features that indicate the extent of GGN pathological infiltration.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 189 patients with pulmonary GGN from January 2020 to December 2021 at Shanxi Cancer Hospital was performed. Patients were classified according to their pathological type into non-invasive adenocarcinoma [atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) and adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) in a total of 34 cases], micro-invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) in 80 cases, and invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) in a total of 75 cases. The general demographic data, nodule size, nodule area, solid component, CT indications and pathological findings of the three groups of patients were analyzed to predict the correlation between GGN and the degree of lung adenocarcinoma infiltration.

Results

No statistically significant differences were found among the three groups in general information, vascular signs, and vacuolar signs (P > 0.05). Statistically significant differences among the three groups were found in nodule size, nodule area, lobar signs, pleural traction, burr signs, bronchial signs, and solid components (P < 0.05). Logistic regression equation tests based on the statistically significant indicators showed that nodal area, lobar sign, pleural pull, burr sign, bronchial sign, and solid component were independent predictors of lung adenocarcinoma infiltration. The subject operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that nodal area is valuable in predicting GGN infiltration.

Conclusion

CT-based imaging indications are useful predictors of infiltrative adenocarcinoma manifested as pulmonary ground glass nodules.
Targeting CLDN18.2 in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract: New drugs and new indications
Authors: Chen Jinxia , Xu Zhiyuan , Hu Can , Zhang Shengjie , Zi Mengli , Yuan Li , Cheng Xiangdong
Published: March 2023

Cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract greatly contribute to the global cancer burden and cancer-related death. Claudin-18.2(CLDN18.2), a transmembrane protein, is a major component of tight junctions and plays an important role in the maintenance of barrier function. Its characteristic widespread expression in tumour tissues and its exposed extracellular loops make it an ideal target for researchers to develop targeted strategies and immunotherapies for cancers of the GI tract. In the present review, we focus on the expression pattern of CLDN18.2 and its clinical significance in GI cancer. We also discuss the tumour-promoting and/or tumour-inhibiting functions of CLDN18.2, the mechanisms regulating its expression, and the current progress regarding the development of drugs targeting CLDN18.2 in clinical research.
18F-FDG PET/CT radiomics signature and clinical parameters predict progression-free survival in breast cancer patients: A preliminary study
Authors: Xu Xiaojun , Sun Xun , Ma Ling , Zhang Huangqi , Ji Wenbin , Xia Xiaotian , Lan Xiaoli
Published: March 2023

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of predicting progression-free survival (PFS) in breast cancer patients using pretreatment 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) radiomics signature and clinical parameters.

Methods

Breast cancer patients who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging before treatment from January 2012 to December 2020 were eligible for study inclusion. Eighty-seven patients were randomly divided into training (n = 61) and internal test sets (n = 26) and an additional 25 patients were used as the external validation set. Clinical parameters, including age, tumor size, molecularsubtype, clinical TNM stage, and laboratory findings were collected. Radiomics features were extracted from preoperative PET/CT images. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operators were applied to shrink feature size and build a predictive radiomics signature. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to assess the association of rad-score and clinical parameter with PFS. Nomograms were constructed to visualize survival prediction. C-index and calibration curve were used to evaluate nomogram performance.

Results

Eleven radiomics features were selected to generate rad-score. The clinical model comprised three parameters: clinical M stage, CA125, and pathological N stage. Rad-score and clinical-model were significantly associated with PFS in the training set (P< 0.01) but not the test set. The integrated clinical-radiomics (ICR) model was significantly associated with PFS in both the training and test sets (P< 0.01). The ICR model nomogram had a significantly higher C-index than the clinical model and rad-score in the training and test sets. The C-index of the ICR model in the external validation set was 0.754 (95% confidence interval, 0.726–0.812). PFS significantly differed between the low- and high-risk groups stratified by the nomogram (P = 0.009). The calibration curve indicated the ICR model provided the greatest clinical benefit.

Conclusion

The ICR model, which combined clinical parameters and preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging, was able to independently predict PFS in breast cancer patients and was superior to the clinical model alone and rad-score alone.
ELISA-like QDB method to meet the emerging need of Her2 assessment for breast cancer patients
Authors: Yu Guohua , Lyu Yan , Jiang Lei , Wang Yunjun , Yin Ying , Zhang Jiandi , Yang Maozhou , Tang Fangrong
Published: March 2023

Inherent issues of subjectivity and inconsistency have long plagued immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based Her2 assessment, leading to the repeated issuance of guidelines by the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) for its standardization for breast cancer patients. Yet, all these efforts may prove insufficient with the advent of Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-Dxd), a drug with the promise to expand to tumors traditionally defined as Her2 negative (Her2−). In this study, we attempted to address these issues by exploring an ELISA-like quantitative dot blot (QDB) method as an alternative to IHC. The QDB method has been used to measure multiple protein biomarkers including ER, PR, Ki67, and cyclin D1 in breast cancer specimens. Using an independent cohort (cohort 2) of breast cancer formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens, we validated cutoffs developed in cohort 1 (Yu et al., Scientific Reports 2020 10:10502) with overall 100% specificity (95% CI: 100–100) and 97.56% sensitivity (95% CI: 92.68–100) in cohort 2 against standard practice with the dichotomized absolutely quantitated values. Using the limit of detection (LOD) of the QDB method as the putative cutoff point, tumors with no Her2 expression were identified with the number comparable to those of IHC 0. Our results support further evaluation of the QDB method as an alternative to IHC to meet the emerging need of identifying tumors with low Her2 expression (Her2-low) in daily clinical practice.
Case report: Clinical course and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 in a pediatric CAR-T cell recipient with persistent hypogammaglobulinemia
Authors: Sanders Howard , Callas Christina , St. Amant Helaine , Chung Jong , Dimitriades Victoria R. , Nakra Natasha A.
Published: March 2023

This report describes a pediatric patient who underwent chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) four years prior, with resultant hypogammaglobulinemia for which he was receiving weekly subcutaneous immune globulin. He presented with persistent fever, dry cough, and a tingling sensation in his toes following a confirmed COVID-19 infection 3 weeks prior. His initial nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 PCR was negative, leading to an extensive workup for other infections. He was ultimately diagnosed with persistent lower respiratory tract COVID-19 infection based on positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) sampling. He was treated with a combination of remdesivir (antiviral) and casirivimab/imdevimab (combination monoclonal antibodies) with immediate improvement in fever, respiratory symptoms, and neurologic symptoms.
Safety of the COVID-19 vaccination in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis—A observational study from two pediatric rheumatology centres in Poland
Authors: Opoka-Winiarska Violetta , Lipinska Joanna , Michalak Arkadiusz , Burzyński Jacek , Kądziołka Olga , Smolewska Elżbieta
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The safety of COVID-19 vaccines in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the concern of patients and their parents and doctors in the current pandemic reality. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the safety of COVID-19 vaccine in patients with JIA.

Method

A cohort study based on short clinical follow-up of 43 children with JIA was conducted in the years 2021–2022 in two centres of paediatric rheumatology in Poland. All patients received mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The patients' data were collected using appropriate validated questionnaire. Disease activity was evaluated using Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 27-joint count (JADAS-27).

Results

Ten (22.7%) children had COVID-19 infection before getting COVID-19 vaccine. After first dose of COVID-19 vaccine 25/43 (58.1%) patients presented typical adverse events: arm pain or oedema at the application side or weakness. Also, twenty five (58.1%) children had side effects after second dose of this vaccine, however the spectrum of the symptoms was wider (additionally: headache, fever, lymphadenopathy, arrhythmia). Thirteen out of 43 (30.2%) patients had active disease before and 8/43 (18.6%) after COVID-19 vaccination, while the degree of JADAS-27 activity was higher in the study group before COVID-19 vaccination (p = 0.047).

Conclusions

Our study found out that children and adolescents with JIA with remission without treatment or on the long-term treatment—cDMARDs or even bDMARDs, can be safely vaccinated for COVID-19. Moreover, the study found that COVID-19 vaccination does not interfere with the JIA treatment and does not exacerbate symptoms of the disease and that vaccination protected against developing COVID-19 in children with JIA even on treatment.
Addition of metformin for non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving antineoplastic agents
Authors: Wang Yan , Hu Yuanyuan , Wang Ting , Che Guowei , Li Lu
Published: March 2023

Background and purpose: Previous studies have found that metformin can inhibit tumor growth and improve outcomes for cancer patients. However, the association between the addition of metformin to the treatment regimen and survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving antineoplastic agents such as chemotherapy drugs, epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of metformin in NSCLC patients who received the aforementioned antineoplastic therapies.

Methods: Several electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published by 10 September 2022. The primary and secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS); eligible studies were those comparing patients with and without the addition of metformin. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined, with all statistical analyses performed using STATA 15.0.

Results: A total of 19 studies involving 6,419 participants were included, of which six were randomized controlled trials. The overall pooled results indicate that the addition of metformin improved OS (HR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.71–0.98, p = 0.029) and PFS (HR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74–0.99, p = 0.039). However, subgroup analysis based on treatment type and comorbidity of diabetes mellitus demonstrated that improvements in OS and PFS were observed only in diabetic and EGFR-TKI-treated patients (OS: HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.45–0.90, p = 0.011; PFS: HR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.34–1.03, p = 0.061).

Conclusion: Overall, this meta-analysis found that metformin use could improve outcomes for diabetic patients receiving EGFR-TKIs. However, no significant association between the addition of metformin and the survival of non-diabetic NSCLC patients receiving chemotherapy or ICI therapy was identified based on the current evidence.
Photodissociation of water molecule at short photon wavelengths: Dynamical studies
Authors: Peng Yigeng , Hu Xiaoqing , Wu Yong , Wang Jianguo , Lu Ruifeng , Sisourat Nicolas
Published: March 2023

In our last study [J. Phys. B At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 54, 125,102 (2021).], we reported the ab initio calculation of the full-dimensional potential energy surfaces of water molecule including 9 A’ and 9 A” states in Cs symmetry. In this study, we performed additional non-adiabatic semi-classical studies based on the potential energy surfaces. Our simulation successfully repeated the near picosecond lifetime of the F∼1A′ state measured by time resolved photo-electron spectra experiment [Chinese J. Chem. Phys. 32, 53 (2019)]. We also determined the dissociation branching ratio including H + OH(X, A), H + H + O and H2+O channels. In addition, the reaction path corresponding to H2+O (1S) channel is clearly marked out, which is found in recent free-electron laser experiment [Nat. Commun. 12, 6,303 (2021)].
Comparison of various chemometric methods on visible and near-infrared spectral analysis for wood density prediction among different tree species and geographical origins
Authors: Li Ying , Via Brian K. , Han Feifei , Li Yaoxiang , Pei Zhiyong
Published: March 2023

Visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy has been widely applied in many fields for the qualitative and quantitative analysis. Chemometric techniques including pre-processing, variable selection, and multivariate calibration models play an important role to better extract useful information from spectral data. In this study, a new de-noising method (lifting wavelet transform, LWT), four variable selection methods, as well as two non-linear machine learning models were simultaneously analyzed to compare the impact of chemometric approaches on wood density determination among various tree species and geographical locations. In addition, fruit fly optimization algorithm (FOA) and response surface methodology (RSM) were employed to optimize the parameters of generalized regression neural network (GRNN) and particle swarm optimization-support vector machine (PSO-SVM), respectively. As for various chemometric methods, the optimal chemometric method was different for the same tree species collected from different locations. FOA-GRNN model combined with LWT and CARS deliver the best performance for Chinese white poplar of Heilongjiang province. In contrast, PLS model showed a good performance for Chinese white poplar collected from Jilin province based on raw spectra. However, for other tree species, RSM-PSO-SVM models can improve the performance of wood density prediction compared to traditional linear and FOA-GRNN models. Especially for Acer mono Maxim, when compared to linear models, the coefficient of determination of prediction set (Rp2) and relative prediction deviation (RPD) were increased by 47.70% and 44.48%, respectively. And the dimensionality of Vis-NIR spectral data was decreased from 2048 to 20. Therefore, the appropriate chemometric technique should be selected before building calibration models.
The Prospects of gene introgression from crop wild relatives into cultivated lentil for climate change mitigation
Authors: Rajpal Vijay Rani , Singh Apekshita , Kathpalia Renu , Thakur Rakesh Kr. , Khan Mohd. Kamran , Pandey Anamika , Hamurcu Mehmet , Raina Soom Nath
Published: March 2023

Crop wild relatives (CWRs), landraces and exotic germplasm are important sources of genetic variability, alien alleles, and useful crop traits that can help mitigate a plethora of abiotic and biotic stresses and crop yield reduction arising due to global climatic changes. In the pulse crop genus Lens, the cultivated varieties have a narrow genetic base due to recurrent selections, genetic bottleneck and linkage drag. The collection and characterization of wild Lens germplasm resources have offered new avenues for the genetic improvement and development of stress-tolerant, climate-resilient lentil varieties with sustainable yield gains to meet future food and nutritional requirements. Most of the lentil breeding traits such as high-yield, adaptation to abiotic stresses and resistance to diseases are quantitative and require the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for marker assisted selection and breeding. Advances in genetic diversity studies, genome mapping and advanced high-throughput sequencing technologies have helped identify many stress-responsive adaptive genes, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and other useful crop traits in the CWRs. The recent integration of genomics technologies with plant breeding has resulted in the generation of dense genomic linkage maps, massive global genotyping, large transcriptomic datasets, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), expressed sequence tags (ESTs) that have advanced lentil genomic research substantially and allowed for the identification of QTLs for marker-assisted selection (MAS) and breeding. Assembly of lentil and its wild species genomes (~4Gbp) opens up newer possibilities for understanding genomic architecture and evolution of this important legume crop. This review highlights the recent strides in the characterization of wild genetic resources for useful alleles, development of high-density genetic maps, high-resolution QTL mapping, genome-wide studies, MAS, genomic selections, new databases and genome assemblies in traditionally bred genus Lens for future crop improvement amidst the impending global climate change.
Physiological response of CmWRKY15-1 to chrysanthemum white rust based on TRV-VIGS
Authors: Chen Qi , Kuang Anchan , Wu Haihong , Liu Di , Zhang Xin , Mao Hongyu
Published: March 2023

Chrysanthemum White Rust (CWR) caused by Puccinia horiana Henn. is a major disease in the production process of chrysanthemum, which is widely spread all over the world and can be called “cancer” of chrysanthemum. To clarify the disease resistance function of disease resistance genes can provide a theoretical basis for the utilization and genetic improvement of chrysanthemum resistant varieties. In this study, the resistant cultivar ‘China Red’ was used as the experimental material. We constructed the silencing vector pTRV2-CmWRKY15-1 and obtained the silenced line named TRV-CmWRKY15-1. The results of enzyme activity after inoculation with pathogenic fungi showed that the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, POD, CAT and defense-related enzymes PAL and CHI in leaves were stimulated under the stress of P. horiana. In the WT, the activities of SOD, POD and CAT at the peak value were 1.99 times, 2.84 times and 1.39 times higher than that in TRV-CmWRKY15-1, respectively. And the activities of PALand CHI at the peak were 1.63 times and 1.12 times of TRV-CmWRKY15-1. The content of MDA and soluble sugar also confirmed that chrysanthemum was more susceptible to pathogenic fungi when CmWRKY15-1 was silenced. The expression levels of POD, SOD, PAL and CHI at different time points showed that the expressions of defense enzyme related genes were inhibited in TRV-WRKY15-1 under the infection of P. horiana, which weakened the ability of chrysanthemum to resist white rust. In conclusion, CmWRKY15-1 may increased the resistance of chrysanthemum to white rust by increasing the activity of protective enzyme system, which laid a foundation for breeding new varieties with disease resistance.
The role of phytomelatonin receptor 1-mediated signaling in plant growth and stress response
Authors: Khan Dawood , Cai Nan , Zhu Weilin , Li Leilin , Guan Miao , Pu Xiaojun , Chen Qi
Published: March 2023

Phytomelatonin is a pleiotropic signaling molecule that regulates plant growth, development, and stress response. In plant cells, phytomelatonin is synthesized from tryptophan via several consecutive steps that are catalyzed by tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC), tryptamine 5-hydroxylase (T5H), serotonin N-acyltransferase (SNAT), and N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT) and/or caffeic acid-3-O-methyltransferase (COMT). Recently, the identification of the phytomelatonin receptor PMTR1 in Arabidopsis has been considered a turning point in plant research, with the function and signal of phytomelatonin emerging as a receptor-based regulatory strategy. In addition, PMTR1 homologs have been identified in several plant species and have been found to regulate seed germination and seedling growth, stomatal closure, leaf senescence, and several stress responses. In this article, we review the recent evidence in our understanding of the PMTR1-mediated regulatory pathways in phytomelatonin signaling under environmental stimuli. Based on structural comparison of the melatonin receptor 1 (MT1) in human and PMTR1 homologs, we propose that the similarity in the three-dimensional structure of the melatonin receptors probably represents a convergent evolution of melatonin recognition in different species.
Genetic resistance in barley against Japanese soil-borne wheat mosaic virus functions in the roots
Authors: Okada Kaori , Xu Wenjing , Mishina Kohei , Oono Youko , Kato Tsuneo , Namai Kiyoshi , Komatsuda Takao
Published: March 2023

Infection by the Japanese soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (JSBWMV) can lead to substantial losses in the grain yield of barley and wheat crops. While genetically based resistance to this virus has been documented, its mechanistic basis remains obscure. In this study, the deployment of a quantitative PCR assay showed that the resistance acts directly against the virus rather than by inhibiting the colonization of the roots by the virus’ fungal vector Polymyxa graminis. In the susceptible barley cultivar (cv.) Tochinoibuki, the JSBWMV titre was maintained at a high level in the roots during the period December–April, and the virus was translocated from the root to the leaf from January onwards. In contrast, in the roots of both cv. Sukai Golden and cv. Haruna Nijo, the titre was retained at a low level, and translocation of the virus to the shoot was strongly suppressed throughout the host’s entire life cycle. The roots of wild barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum) accession H602 responded in the early stages of infection similarly to those of the resistant cultivated forms, but the host was unable to suppress the translocation of the virus to the shoot from March onwards. The virus titre in the root was presumed to have been restricted by the action of the gene product of Jmv1 (on chromosome 2H), while the stochastic nature of the infection was suppressed by the action of that of Jmv2 (on chromosome 3H), a gene harbored by cv. Sukai Golden but not by either cv. Haruna Nijo or accession H602.
The role of empathy in shared intentionality: Contributions from Inter-Processual Self theory
Authors: Luis Elkin O. , Martínez Martín , Akrivou Kleio , Scalzo Germán , Aoiz Martín , Orón Semper José Víctor
Published: March 2023

Research in psychology related to the conceptualization of empathy has been on the rise in the last decades. However, we argue that there is still space for further research to help capture the important notion of empathy and its theoretical and conceptual depth. Following a critical review of the current state of the research that conceptualizes and measures empathy, we focus on works that highlight the importance of a shared vision and its relevance in psychology and neuroscience. Considering the state of the art of current neuroscientific and psychological approaches to empathy, we argue for the relevance of shared intention and shared vision in empathy-related actions. Upon review of different models that emphasize a shared vision for informing research on empathy, we suggest that a newly developed theory of self, human growth and action–the so-called Inter-Processual Self theory (IPS)–can significantly and novelly inform the theorization on empathy beyond what the literature has stated to date. Then, we show how an understanding of integrity as a relational act that requires empathy is an essential mechanism for current key research on empathy and its related concepts and models. Ultimately, we aim to present IPS as a distinctive proposal to expand upon the conceptualization of empathy.
Father trait anger: Associations with father–infant bonding and subsequent parenting stress
Authors: Francis Lauren M. , Youssef George J. , Greenwood Christopher J. , Enticott Peter G. , Curtis Ashlee , Graeme Liam G. , Mansour Kayla A. , Olsson Craig A. , Skouteris Helen , Milgrom Jeannette , Williams Joanne , Knight Tess , Macdonald Jacqui A.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Parent anger presents a risk to family safety and child development. Father trait anger may also compromise the early relational context of fathers and offspring, yet evidence is lacking. The aim of this study is to examine effects of father trait anger on parenting stress in the toddler years, and the mediational role of father–infant bonding.

Method

Data were from 177 Australian fathers of 205 children. Trait anger (total, angry temperament, and angry reaction), father–infant bonding subscales (patience and tolerance, affection and pride, and pleasure in interaction), and subsequent parenting stress (parental distress, difficult child, and parent–child dysfunctional interaction) were assessed. At each of the subscale levels, mediational path models examined whether father–infant bonding explained the relationship between trait anger and parenting stress. Models were presented where there was at least a small association between the mediator and both the predictor and outcome.

Results

Patience and tolerance was the only domain of father–infant bonding correlated with both trait anger and all parenting stress outcomes. Patience and tolerance partially mediated the effect of total trait anger on parental distress and fully mediated effects on difficult child and parent–child dysfunctional interaction. Patience and tolerance fully mediated relationships between angry temperament and all domains of parenting stress. Angry reactions only had a direct effect on parental distress.

Discussion

Father trait anger both directly and indirectly (through patience and tolerance in the father–infant bond) impacts their experiences of parenting stress in the toddler years. Early interventions to manage father trait anger and improve father–infant bonding may benefit fathers and children.
Characteristics and influencing factors of early childhood teachers’ work stress and burnout: A comparative study between China, Ghana, and Pakistan
Authors: Chen Siyuan , Ntim Seth Yeboah , Zhao Yilun , Qin Jinliang
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Many studies have documented the stress and burnout experienced by early childhood teachers. However, few have focused on comparisons among countries, particularly developing ones. Meanwhile, female teachers, who are more sensitive and tend to provide emotional responses, are often overlooked as a major force of emotional involvement. This study examined the similarities and differences of early childhood teachers’ stress, burnout, and gender in China, Ghana, and Pakistan.

Methods

This study adopted a cross-sectional design. The participants included 945 preschool and lower primary school teachers recruited from Zhejiang Province in China, the Ashanti Region in Ghana, and Punjab, Pakistan. The analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling. First, the study estimated all parameters separately and without constraints between the groups for all models. Second, the study compared the latent mean difference and of stressors and burnout between teachers’ personal and job characteristics. Third, a structural equation model was used to assess the relationship between teachers’ stressors and burnout.

Results

Across the three countries, female teachers are more stressed out, with higher emotional demands and work-family conflicts, and are more prone to burnout with a greater level of emotional exhaustion and a lower level of personal accomplishments than their male counterparts are. Moreover, Chinese teachers were found to be the most stressed-out group with the highest level of burnout. In comparison to teachers in China and Pakistan, early childhood teachers in Ghana possess the lowest level of emotional demands. With the lowest level of emotional exhaustion and the highest level of personal accomplishments, Pakistani teachers were unlikely to experience burnout.

Discussion

This study comparatively analyzed the characteristics of stress and burnout among ECTs in different cultural settings and educational systems in three developing countries (China, Ghana, and Pakistan), and revealed workplace characteristics and circumstances for ECTs. In addition, this study takes gender as the main influencing factor and explores its effect on ECTs’ stress and burnout, and it highlights and verifies "emotionality" in ECTs' profession. As a result, policymakers and stakeholders in different countries may be encouraged to improve ECE quality and the well-being of ECTs.
“The heart in a bag”: The lived experience of patient-caregiver dyads with left ventricular assist device during cardiac rehabilitation
Authors: Rapelli Giada , Giusti Emanuele Maria , Donato Silvia , Parise Miriam , Pagani Ariela Francesca , Pietrabissa Giada , Bertoni Anna , Castelnuovo Gianluca
Published: March 2023

Objective

The Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) has increasingly become a primary therapeutic option for longer-waiting heart transplant lists. Although survival rates are growing, the device requires complex home care. Therefore, the presence of a caregiver trained in the LVAD management is important for the success of the therapy. The LVAD leads both patients and their caregivers to experience new challenges and adapt to new lifestyle changes and limitations – but their subjective beliefs before home management remained little explored.

Design

This study identified, using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach, the main components of the LVAD experience of six patient-caregiver dyads interviewed during cardiac rehabilitation.

Results

We identified 4 master themes: Being between life and death, Being human with a heart of steel, Sharing is caring (and a burden), and Being small and passive.

Conclusion

The knowledge from this study can be used as a guide for healthcare providers in counseling LVAD recipients and their caregivers.