bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in spatiotemporal pressure and performance between Chinese and German elite youth football players during matches
Authors: Liang Yapu , Li Tianhe , Xu Hansi , Zhang Peng
Published: January 2025

Introduction

In modern football, spatial and temporal pressure significantly influence player performance and tactical outcomes, particularly in youth competitions. This study aims to investigate the spatial pressure differences between Chinese and German U17 elite youth football teams, focusing on the ball-handler’s distance to the nearest defender (D).

Methods

Video analysis was conducted to measure D across various match contexts, including scorelines (leading, tied, and trailing), game phases (passing and receiving), pass outcomes (successful and unsuccessful), and pitch zones. Statistical analyses were performed using non-parametric methods to compare the D under different conditions. The Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis H test were used to identify significant differences, with post hoc comparisons conducted where necessary.

Results

Results show that the German team consistently maintained greater D than the Chinese team (p < 0.001, d = 0.463), highlighting their superior spatial management and tactical adaptability.

Discussion

Greater D was associated with enhanced offensive flexibility and defensive stability, allowing the German team to create space effectively and maintain structural integrity under pressure. In contrast, the Chinese team’s smaller D suggested limitations in spatial utilization and higher defensive engagement risks. These findings underscore the importance of tactical training emphasizing spatial awareness and balanced pressure management, providing valuable insights for youth football development.
Unraveling the insomnia puzzle: sleep reactivity, attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms, and insomnia severity in ADHD Patients
Authors: Uygur Hilal
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Insomnia is the most common sleep problem among adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The severity of insomnia can exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD. Identifying the predictive factors that contribute to insomnia severity may be crucial in treating insomnia among adults with ADHD. One potential factor contributing to insomnia is sleep reactivity, which refers to the tendency to experience insomnia triggered by stress. This phenomenon, also known as vulnerability to stress-related insomnia, reflects the extent to which individuals are prone to developing insomnia in response to stressful situations. To date, sleep reactivity in adults with ADHD has not been studied. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep reactivity, attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms, and the severity of insomnia in adults with ADHD.

Methods

This study included 61 adults with ADHD with no comorbid psychiatric or medical diseases and 61 adult healthy controls (HCs) matched for age, sex, body mass index, and years of education. All participants completed the sociodemographic data form, Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (FIRST), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), and Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS).

Results

Sleep reactivity, insomnia severity, and poor sleep quality were higher in adults with ADHD compared to HCs. Higher sleep reactivity was associated with worse sleep outcomes in both groups, whereas higher sleep reactivity was associated with severe ADHD symptoms in the HCs group. In the ADHD group, insomnia severity was predicted by higher sleep reactivity, ASRS, and being female (R2 = 0.32, F (6, 61) = 4.36, p = 0.001), not age, ADHD medication use, and WURS.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that higher sleep reactivity, increased ADHD symptoms, and being female may predict the severity of insomnia in adults with ADHD.
Development of an educational and monitoring mobile application for pregnant women in Nigeria
Authors: Babatunde Abdulhammed Opeyemi , Ayede Adejumoke Idowu , Colangelo Amalia , Nguyen Tuan Dung , Aborode Abdullahi Tunde , Umeh Charles , Hernandez Maria Paula , Ayede Oluwaseyi Iyanuoluwa , Ayede Oluwatobiloba Oluwadunni
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Nigeria accounts for 20% of all maternal mortality. Recently, more mobile health technology (mHealth) interventions are emerging in sub-Saharan Africa. The potential of mobile applications in maternal care has not been explored in Nigeria. This study describes the process of design, development, and testing of an educational and monitoring mobile application for pregnant women in Nigeria.

Method

Using a user-centered design, we conducted semi-structured interviews at each stage of mobile application development with pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Oyo State, Nigeria. The first interview focused on empathy, followed by alpha and beta testing of the mobile application prototype at health facilities.

Results

The barriers to accessing perinatal care were the distance to the nearest facility (mean = 3.3 km), lack of perinatal education, and cost. The low-fidelity prototype of the mobile application was designed with five features. Mobile applications increased the level of knowledge of preeclampsia by 179%. User feedback from alpha testing informed the development of a high-fidelity prototype for beta testing. Ninety-five percent (95%) of pregnant women surveyed were willing to download the mobile application. The final application developed was uploaded to the Google Play Store (MyBelle pregnancy application).

Conclusion

mHealth applications have the potential to increase access to prenatal information and services in Nigeria and may reduce maternal and childhood mortality. This study has described the process of development of the first indigenous mobile application specifically for pregnant women in Nigeria using a user-centered design thinking approach.
Evaluation of professional nursing practice environments in primary health care
Authors: de Lima Trindade Letícia , Guerreiro Bruna de Campos , de Oliveira Sandra Mara Soares , Ventura-Silva João Miguel Almeida , Rostirolla Leticia , Zuge Samuel Spiegelberg , Ribeiro Olga Maria Pimenta Lopes
Published: January 2025

Objective

Analyzing the environments of professional nursing practice in Primary Health Care in a municipality in the west of the state of Santa Catarina.

Method

A quantitative, explanatory, cross-sectional study was carried out in 24 Primary Care health units. A total of 159 nursing professionals took part and answered a questionnaire on personal and professional characteristics and the Nursing Professional Practice Evaluation Scale/SEE-Nursing Practice, comprised of Structure, Process, and Outcome sub-scales. The data was subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis.

Results

There were positive evaluations for people management and leadership in the Structure dimension. Technicians and nursing assistants had positive evaluations of the organization and sustainability of practice. In Process, collaboration and teamwork stood out, and strategies to guarantee the quality of care. In the Outcome dimension, there was a relationship between gender and systematic evaluation of care, with higher scores among women.

Conclusion

A positive evaluation of professional nursing practice environments in Primary Care contributes to the effective management of people, materials, and care processes, reflecting on the quality of nursing practice and access to healthcare.
Factors affecting risk perception of COVID-19: differences by age and gender
Authors: Kang Sungwook , You Chang Hoon , Kwon Young Dae
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Addressing emerging infectious diseases is a major task in public health. This study investigated the factors influencing the perception of risk related to COVID-19.

Methods

This study analyzed data from the 2020 Social Survey conducted nationwide in South Korea, targeting 34,909 individuals aged 13 years and older. Using an ordered logit regression model, we examined the relationship between COVID-19 risk perception and its predictors across age groups (20–44 years, 45–64 years, 65 years and older) and gender groups. The predictors included in the analysis model were demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, health and quality of life factors, levels of social trust, and climate change factors.

Results

The results demonstrated that COVID-19 risk perception was higher among older individuals and women compared with men. In the young population group (20–44 years), mental stress was related to COVID-19 risk perception, but this was not observed in other population groups. In the older adult population group (65 years and older), education level was related to COVID-19 risk perception, whereas this was not observed in the young population group. In the male group, economic variables such as income and employment status were related to COVID-19 risk perception, whereas in women, family-related variables such as marital status and housing type were related. In most subgroup analyses, lower income levels or lower life satisfaction were associated with higher COVID-19 risk perception.

Discussion

The findings of this study suggest that health authorities need to tailor their responses to COVID-19 risk perception based on different populations and social groups. For the older adult population with a high-risk perception, it is necessary to provide reliable information to reduce anxiety caused by excessive risk perception. For the young population, proactive responses from health authorities regarding mental health are needed.
Socioeconomic status and delayed surgery: impact on non-metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma outcomes
Authors: Zhang Kun , Wang Xinyi , Lei Jianyong , Su Anping , Wei Tao , Li Zhihui , Chen Ya-Wen
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The growing popularity of active surveillance for papillary thyroid cancer and the COVID-19 pandemic have increased surgery delay, further necessitating a reassessment of the link between surgery delay and survival outcomes for papillary thyroid cancer. In this study, we aim to investigate the interplay among various oncological factors, socioeconomic status, and surgical timing with respect to survival outcomes of papillary thyroid cancer.

Methods

A total of 58,378 non-metastatic papillary thyroid cancer patients from 2000 to 2018 were screened from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Kaplan–Meier survival curve, Cox proportional hazard regression, competing risk hazard regression, and multinomial logistic regression were applied.

Results

Receiving neck dissection or radioactive iodine therapy, being married at diagnosis, living in an urban area, being richer, and being of other minority ethnicity were estimated to be independent predictors for better overall survival. Single, older Black patients living in rural areas that experienced long surgery delays were more associated with a higher non- papillary thyroid cancer mortality rate. High income level was the only independent socioeconomic status predictor for lower papillary thyroid cancer -specific mortality. Unmarried, older patients of minority ethnicity tended to undergo longer surgery delays.

Conclusion

Surgery for non-metastatic papillary thyroid cancer patients can be safely delayed. The elevated non-papillary thyroid cancer mortality has reflected low socioeconomic status population’s survival status.
Environmental pediatric physiotherapy and risky play: making the case for a perfect match
Authors: Sturm Andrea , Sandseter Ellen Beate Hansen , Scheiber Barbara
Published: January 2025

Environmental physiotherapy is epistemologically anchored in the critical recognition that physiotherapeutic practice is fundamentally embedded within a planetary ecological framework, demanding a holistic, systemically integrated approach to professional practice. This perspective article highlights and underscores the value of risky play for child health and the commonalities with environmental pediatric physiotherapy. The article starts with a discussion of current challenges in child health around the globe, often resulting from a lack of physical activity of children, and claims finding new, promising and sustainable ways that are able to attract children and their parents to playfully increase the time that children are physically active. Followed by an overview of physiotherapists’ roles and responsibilities in child public health, the authors point to the need to move beyond an isolated profession-centric approach when tackling the existing, concerning issues in child health worldwide. Foundational information about risky play underpinned with scientific results and its acknowledgment by other health professions is then presented. By including a perspective of what children want, the authors identify a gap between the world’s children’s actual needs and current societal offers. The benefits of risky play for child health are presented in detail, along with a discussion of various considerations pertaining to child safety. Concluding, this perspective article demonstrates how physiotherapists can contribute to better child health by including risky play in physiotherapy theory and practice.
The rise of congenital syphilis in Canada: threats and opportunities
Authors: Tetteh Ashorkor , Moore Victoria
Published: January 2025

Introduction

In Canada, rates of congenital syphilis have been increasing rapidly in recent years, following a surge in infectious syphilis. These trends call for a closer look at missed opportunities for testing, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of pregnant individuals. The epidemiological situation is especially serious given that effective treatment is available for syphilis during pregnancy and that congenital syphilis is a preventable outcome that engenders adverse birth outcomes such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death as well as potentially lifelong ocular, neurological, hepatosplenic, and musculoskeletal sequelae. The objective of this study is to examine the factors associated with congenital syphilis trends and to highlight promising initiatives and programs across the country committed to addressing these trends.

Methods

A literature review with a focus on Canadian studies was conducted to identify factors that may be driving the continued increase in early congenital syphilis rates over the past decade. An environmental scan of initiatives and programs providing syphilis care and support was also conducted.

Results

Key factors identified in association with congenital syphilis outcomes included a lack of timely and repeated prenatal syphilis screening, inadequate prenatal treatment and follow-up of syphilis infection, barriers to accessing prenatal care caused by multiple intersecting social determinants of health as well as by certain structural determinants of health, and substance use. A number of initiatives to improve syphilis care within the health care system and several community-based programs filling in some of the gaps in syphilis care and support are making important advances in addressing the epidemiological situation with syphilis.

Discussion

Much work is underway at various levels of government and local community to address the situation. Key recommendations for maximizing impact in curbing infectious and congenital syphilis rates include the following: planning an integrated strategy for addressing sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections as a whole; adopting a more holistic approach to improving health and wellbeing; developing targeted interventions for addressing structural and social barriers to health equity; and taking a collaborative approach to response by involving multilevel stakeholders, such as key populations, community groups, health care providers, and public health authorities.
The trend of suicide and self-harm in the Chinese population from 2018 to 2022 based on ambulance medical emergency cases: a retrospective study
Authors: Yang Ruizhe , Zhou Jinsu , Bigambo Francis Manyori , Yan Wu , Wang Xu , Yang Haibo
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study investigates the trends of suicide and self-harm in Nanjing, China, through 4 years of data collection, aiming to provide valuable information for developing effective suicide prevention strategies.

Methods

This descriptive study analyzed Nanjing Emergency Medical Center (NEMC) ambulance records from Nanjing (2018–2022) to investigate suicide and self-harm events. Out of 689,305 records, 4,261 cases were included after exclusions. The study categorized incidents into 4,103 suicide events and 158 self-harm cases. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were conducted to identify characteristics and themes related to these events, with age groups defined according to American Medical Association standards.

Results

The study highlights drug poisoning as the leading method, accounting for 63.56% of the 4,103 suicide events. It notes significant trends by age, gender, and season, with males showing higher rates of self-harm. The study emphasizes the need for targeted prevention strategies, particularly focusing on drug-related suicides among adults and adolescents, as well as the prevalence of various self-harming behaviors.

Conclusion

To reduce self-harm and suicide, interventions must be strengthened for women, who experience higher rates. Key strategies include regulating pesticides and psychotropic drugs, increasing access to mental health resources, and launching community awareness campaigns. Additionally, training healthcare providers and promoting family education can enhance support for women facing mental health challenges.
Challenges in nature-based health and therapy research and critical considerations for application in musculoskeletal health
Authors: Doran-Sherlock Richard , Sood Payal , Struthers Nicole Anne , Maric Filip
Published: January 2025

Nature-based health and therapy (NBHT) is a term incorporating a broad suite of practices that focus on engagement with the natural world and nature-rich spaces for potential physical and mental health benefits. As healthcare professions such as physiotherapy and osteopathy move away from biomedical/reductionist models of care for complex conditions towards approaches which take into account social and environmental determinants of health, NBHT may become part of clinical interventions and public health messaging. However, there are multiple challenges in aspects of NBHT research and application, from methodological issues in the primary research base, to questions of environmental injustice and access inequalities in many areas. In addition, engaging with natural environments which are vulnerable to the entwinned threats of climate change and biodiversity collapse requires consideration of the effects of ecological disturbance and the underlying anthropocentric/utilitarian view of the natural world. In this perspective, we outline a critique of NBHT literature and offer positive suggestions for how better-quality research can be conducted and implemented by focusing on local environmental, social, and political factors. We conclude by outlining a set of critical considerations that healthcare professionals might use to develop and implement NBHT programmes in their specific regional contexts.
Gaussian process latent variable models-ANN based method for automatic features selection and dimensionality reduction for control of EMG-driven systems
Authors: Nayab Maham , Waris Asim , Jawad Khan Muhammad , AlQahtani Dokhyl , Imran Ahmed , Gilani Syed Omer , Shah Umer Hameed
Published: January 2025

Electromyography (EMG) signals have gained significant attention due to their potential applications in prosthetics, rehabilitation, and human-computer interfaces. However, the dimensionality of EMG signal features poses challenges in achieving accurate classification and reducing computational complexity. To overcome such issues, this paper proposes a novel approach that integrates feature reduction techniques with an artificial neural network (ANN) classifier to enhance the accuracy of high-dimensional EMG classification. This approach aims to improve the classification accuracy of EMG signals while substantially reducing computational costs, offering valuable implications for all EMG-related processes on such data. The proposed methodology involves extracting time and frequency domain features from twelve channels of EMG signals, followed by dimensionality reduction using techniques such as PCA, LDA, PPCA, Lasso and GPLVM, and classification using an ANN. Our investigation revealed that LDA is not appropriate for this dataset. The dimensionality reduction models did not have any significant effect on the accuracy, but the computational cost decreased significantly. In individual comparisons, GPLVM had the shortest computational time (29 s), which was significantly less than that of all the other models (p < 0.05), with PCA following at approximately 35 s and Relief at approximately 57 s, while PPCA took approximately 69 s, and Lasso exhibited higher computational costs than all the models but lower computational costs than did the original set. Using the best-performing features, all possible sets of 2, 3, 4 and 5 features were tested, and the 5-feature set exhibited the best performance. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of dimensionality reduction and feature selection in improving the accuracy of movement recognition in myoelectric control.
Application of human-in-the-loop hybrid augmented intelligence approach in security inspection system
Authors: Huang Ying , Wang XiaoKan , Zhang Yong , Chen Li , Zhang HongJi
Published: January 2025

A security inspection system exemplifies human-machine collaboration, and enhancing its safety and reliability through advanced technology remains a key research priority. While deep learning has incrementally improved the autonomous capabilities of security inspection equipment for automatic contraband detection, a gap persists between current technological capabilities and practical implementation. Recognizing that humans excel at learning, reasoning, and collaborating, while artificial intelligence offers normative, repeatable, and logical processing, we propose a human-in-the-loop hybrid augmented intelligence approach. This approach addresses the practical needs of security inspection systems by introducing a hybrid decision-making method that leverages two distinct strategies: “Reject-priority” and “Clear-priority.” These strategies play complementary roles in bolstering the decision-making process’s overall performance. Comparative experiments on a dataset from a specific security inspection site confirmed the hybrid method’s effectiveness, drawing several conclusions. This “Hybrid decision-making” method not only enhances risk perception, thereby widening the safety margin of the security inspection system, but also reduces the need for human labor, leading to increased efficiency and reduced labor costs. Additionally, it is less time-consuming, further improving the system’s overall efficiency. By integrating human and machine intelligence, this method significantly boosts decision-making effectiveness. Tailored to their unique characteristics, the method based on “Reject-priority” strategy is particularly well-suited for security inspection scenarios that demand stringent safety protocols, while the “Clear-priority” method is ideal for scenarios with high-volume traffic flow, where efficiency is paramount. As the volume of collected data grows, this approach will enable seamless adaptation of the method to evolving application needs.
Bioactive potential and storage behavior of low molecular mass peptides in Pilsner and IPA style craft beers
Authors: da Silva Roberta Nogueira Pereira , Tonin Angelica Priscila Parussolo , Ramos Gabriela Soares Macello , Dias Juliana Furtado , Meurer Eduardo Cesar , Koblitz Maria Gabriela Bello
Published: January 2025

Beer, one of the most widely consumed alcoholic beverages globally, is typically produced from barley and hops, and contains carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, ethanol, and bioactive phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds. However, the knowledge of protein content, particularly bioactive peptides in beer, remains limited. Given that beer production involves raw materials rich in both proteins and proteolytic enzymes, which may remain active throughout the product’s shelf life, beer holds potential as a source of bioactive peptides. This study aimed to investigate the presence of bioactive di- and tripeptides in craft beer samples from Pilsner and IPA styles, after 3 or 6 months of storage. LC-MS/MS analysis was performed using the 46 Da neutral loss method and collision-induced dissociation, followed by peptide bioactivity screening through the BIOPEP database. Twelve di- and tripeptides, with masses ranging from 177 to 329 (m/z), were identified, exhibiting potential bioactivities such as dipeptidyl peptidase IV and III inhibition, ACE inhibition, and antioxidative properties. These activities are associated with reduced risk of high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. After 3 months of storage, peptide intensity decreased in Pilsner samples but increased in IPA samples. Pilsner beers, typically clear due to added chill-proofing proteases, showed reduced peptide intensity over time, whereas IPA, which often remains hazy and lacks such enzymes, exhibited increased peptide levels. These findings suggest that Pilsner beers may benefit from quicker consumption, while IPA may be better suited for longer storage to maximize bioactive peptide intake.
Economic value of HPC experience for new STEM professionals: Insights from STEM hiring managers
Authors: Snapp-Childs Winona , Costa Claudia M. , Olds Daniel , Snell Addison , Wernert Julie A. , Stewart Craig A.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to investigate particular aspects of the STEM job market in the US. In particular, we ask: could the possession of high performance computing (HPC) skills enhance the chances of a person getting a job and/or increase starting salaries for people receiving an undergraduate or graduate degree and entering the technical workforce (rather than academia)? We also estimate the value to the US economy of practical experience offered to US students through training about HPC and the opportunity to use HPC systems funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and accessible nationally.

Methods

Interviews and surveys of employers of graduates in STEM fields were used to gauge demand for STEM graduates with practical HPC experience and the salary increase that can be associated with the possession of such skills. We used data from the XSEDE project to determine how many undergraduate and graduate students it enabled to acquire practical proficiency with HPC.

Results

People with such skills who had completed an undergraduate or graduate degree received an initial median hiring salary of approximately 7%–15% more than those with the same degrees who did not possess such skills. XSEDE added approximately $10 million or more per year to the US economy through the practical educational opportunities it offered.

Discussion

Practical hands-on experience provided by the US federal government, as well as many universities and colleges in the US, holds value for students as they enter the workforce.

Conclusion

Practical training in HPC during the course of undergraduate and graduate programs has the potential to produce positive individual labor market outcomes (i.e., salary boosts, signing bonuses) as well as to help address the shortage of STEM workers in the private sector of the US.
Environmental impacts of urban growth and land use changes in tropical cities
Authors: Ogunbode Timothy O. , Oyebamiji Victor O. , Sanni David O. , Akinwale Emmanuel O. , Akinluyi Francis O.
Published: January 2025

Urban centers across the globe are undergoing rapid land use changes due to population growth, economic development, and urbanization. These changes have a profound impact on environmental dynamics and urban livelihoods. This study investigates land use changes and their environmental implications on urban livelihoods in Iwo, Nigeria. The research explores the patterns and drivers of land use changes over the past four decades and evaluates their effects on environmental quality and urban livelihoods. A combination of remote sensing and survey methods was employed. Landsat images from 1982 to 2023 were analyzed using supervised classification techniques to map changes in land cover categories such as built-up areas, vegetation, farmland, bare land, and water bodies. Additionally, a survey was conducted with 550 residents, selected through simple random sampling, to identify the key drivers of urban expansion from the residents’ perspectives. Descriptive analysis revealed that most respondents had lived in Iwo for over 30 years, with many engaged in farming, trading, and civil service. Factor analysis was used to identify significant variables driving urban growth. The results indicate a substantial increase in built-up areas, from 9.30 km2 in 1982 to 30.69 km2 in 2023, alongside a significant decrease in vegetation cover. Farmland area showed an increasing trend, while bare land decreased. Key drivers of urban growth identified include religious activities, availability of land resources, small-scale businesses, government initiatives, and educational institutions. The environmental implications include deforestation, reduced green spaces, increased surface runoff, and pollution, which affect air quality, water resources, and biodiversity. This study highlights the importance of sustainable urban planning to balance growth with environmental preservation and social equity. The implementation of green infrastructure, effective waste management, and comprehensive urban planning policies is crucial to enhancing resilience and quality of life in Iwo.
Advancing terrestrial snow depth monitoring with machine learning and L-band InSAR data: a case study using NASA’s SnowEx 2017 data
Authors: Alabi Ibrahim Olalekan , Marshall Hans-Peter , Mead Jodi , Trujillo Ernesto
Published: January 2025

Current terrestrial snow depth mapping from space faces challenges in spatial coverage, revisit frequency, and cost. Airborne lidar, although precise, incurs high costs and has limited geographical coverage, thereby necessitating the exploration of alternative, cost-effective methodologies for snow depth estimation. The forthcoming NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, with its 12-day global revisit cycle and 1.25 GHz L-band frequency, introduces a promising avenue for cost-effective, large-scale snow depth and snow water equivalent (SWE) estimation using L-band Interferometric SAR (InSAR) capabilities. This study demonstrates InSAR’s potential for snow depth estimation via machine learning. Using 3 m resolution L-band InSAR products over Grand Mesa, Colorado, we compared the performance of three machine learning approaches (XGBoost, ExtraTrees, and Neural Networks) across open, vegetated, and the combined (open + vegetated) datasets using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Bias Error (MBE), and R2 metrics. XGBoost emerged as the superior model, with RMSE values of 9.85 cm, 10.46 cm, and 9.88 cm for open, vegetated, and combined regions, respectively. Validation against in situ snow depth measurements resulted in an RMSE of approximately 16 cm, similar to in situ validation of the airborne lidar. Our findings indicate that L-band InSAR, with its ability to penetrate clouds and cover extensive areas, coupled with machine learning, holds promise for enhancing snow depth estimation. This approach, especially with the upcoming NISAR launch, may enable high-resolution (∼10 m) snow depth mapping over extensive areas, provided suitable training data are available, offering a cost-effective approach for snow monitoring. The code and data used in this work are available at https://github.com/cryogars/uavsar-lidar-ml-project.
Need for cognitive closure, political trust, and belief in conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Jedinger Alexander , Masch Lena
Published: January 2025

Introduction

This research examines the effect of individual differences in the need for cognitive closure and political trust on the endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy theories. We hypothesize that individuals high in cognitive closure and low in political trust will seize on conspiracy accounts of the pandemic. In contrast, we expect that individuals high in cognitive closure and political trust are more likely to disregard conspiracies surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

To test our preregistered hypotheses, we rely on data from multiple waves of a representative survey among the German population (N = 2,883). The need for cognitive closure and general political trust was assessed before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, while belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories and specific trust in handling the crisis was fielded during the second wave of the pandemic.

Results

We find that individuals with a high need for cognitive closure are more likely to accept conspiracy narratives, but the effect size is small. At the same time, pre-pandemic trust and concurrent trust in political and medical institutions are strongly negatively related to conspiracy beliefs. We find no support for a moderating effect of political trust.

Conclusion

This study finds only small effects for individual differences in the need for cognitive closure but strong effects for political trust in explaining conspiracy beliefs. It underlines the importance of a lack of trust in political institutions for democratic societies in the age of misinformation and post-truth politics.
The effects and mechanisms of deep free trade agreements on agricultural global value chains
Authors: Zeng Huasheng , Chen Shuyu , Zhang Haoruo , Xu Jinhai
Published: January 2025

Introduction

In the context of the growing global trend toward the deep integration of free trade agreements (FTAs), enhanced regional agricultural collaboration has significantly impacted the agricultural global value chains (AGVCs). Clarifying how FTA depth affects a country’s AGVC participation is crucial for promoting high-quality agricultural development and deepening international agricultural cooperation.

Methods and goals

This paper constructs and calculates indicators for FTA depth and the AGVC index, employing fixed effects models, PPML models, and other methods, aiming to empirically analyze how the depth of FTAs influences a country’s participation in AGVC and the mechanisms involved.

Results

The findings indicate that an increase in FTA depth enhances a country’s degree of participation and position within the AGVC. Both the ‘WTO+’ and ‘WTO-X’ provision depth indices exert a significant positive influence on increasing participation and position within the AGVC, with the ‘WTO-X’ provision depth index demonstrating a more pronounced effect than the ‘WTO+’ provision. Furthermore, the positive effects of increased FTA depth on the integration of developed countries into the AGVC are greater than those on developing countries. Additional analysis reveals that FTA depth promotes trade liberalization and investment facilitation, thereby enhancing countries’ participation and position in the AGVC.

Discussion

The findings of this paper provide reliable empirical evidence for understanding the influence of FTA depth on AGVC and offer valuable policy insights for countries actively pursuing deeper FTAs.

Policy recommendations

To further advance the evolution of AGVC, it is recommended that countries actively promote the signing of deeper FTAs to accelerate trade liberalization and investment facilitation. At the same time, developed countries should strengthen agricultural technology research and development, assisting developing countries through technology transfer to jointly build a sustainable GVC; developing countries should enhance agricultural cooperation and improve their negotiating power in FTA discussions.
Small profits mean peace: food price, risk aversion, and farmers’ choices of sale channels
Authors: Tian Tan , Su Yuan Yuan , Chen Pei
Published: January 2025

Most farmers in China show an strange attitude towards food sale channels:they prefer low priced channel rather than high priced channel. This paper examines the mechanism by which food price affect farmers’ choices of sale channels and the role played by risk aversion, based on the 2022 China Land Economic Survey. The results indicate that higher prices are more likely to lead farmers to choose dealers who are private buyers offering flexible terms, compared with depots which are government procurement centers ensuring stable prices and other channels. It reveals that the underlying reason for farmers’ choices is the certainty effect, which causes farmers to prefer dealers offering certain profits over depots with uncertain profits, despite the high prices. It is further found that risk aversion has a mediating effect on the relationship between food price and farmers’ choices of sale channels.
Accidental intra-arterial injection of enoxaparin sodium leading to abdominal wall expanding subcutaneous hematoma and abdominal wound: case report-vascular
Authors: Howell Caroline , Simman Richard
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Enoxaparin sodium (Lovenox®) is a commonly used anticoagulant medication that is self-administered via subcutaneous injection to prevent the formation of pathologic blood clots. It is used as a bridge to long-term anticoagulation with warfarin in patients at high risk for thromboembolic events. It is generally well-tolerated and has a favorable safety profile. The most common injection site reactions caused by enoxaparin sodium are urticaria, ecchymosis, and skin and fat necrosis.

Case Report

A 56 year-old female with extensive thromboembolic history was completing an enoxaparin sodium bridge to warfarin when she accidentally self-injected enoxaparin sodium into the left superficial epigastric artery, resulting in the formation of a large expanding hematoma and the development of hemorrhagic shock. Controlling the bleeding required reversal of anticoagulation, transfusion, and coil embolization of the affected arteries. Surgical evacuation of the hematoma was performed, and the resultant wound was managed postoperatively with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for one month. After discontinuation of NPWT, the wound was allowed to heal by secondary intention using dressing changes.

Conclusions

The findings of this case report suggest that NPWT followed by conventional dressings can be used to close and heal the wound created by surgical hematoma evacuation.
Investigating the research landscape of chlorinated paraffins over the past ten decades
Authors: Ohoro Chinemerem Ruth , Olisah Chijioke , Wepener Victor
Published: January 2025

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are classified as emerging persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Due to their associated environmental and health impacts, these groups of chemicals have been a subject of interest among researchers in the past decades. Here we used a scientometric approach to understand the research landscape of CPs using literature published in the Web of Science and Scopus database. RStudio and VOSviewer programs were employed as scientometric tools to analyze the publication trends in global CP-related research from 1916 to 2024. A total of 1,452 articles were published over this period, with a publication/author and co-author/publication ratio of 0.43 and 5.49, respectively. China ranked first in publication output (n = 556, 43.3%), and the highest total citations (n = 12,007), followed by Sweden (n = 90), Canada (n = 77), and Germany (n = 75). Publications from developing countries were limited, with most contributions from Africa originating from Egypt (n = 7), South Africa (n = 5), and Nigeria (n = 3), primarily through international collaborations. The average annual growth rate of 4.3% suggests a significant future article output. This scientometric analysis allowed us to infer global trends in CPs, identify tendencies and gaps, and contribute to future research. Despite having similar toxicity to short-chain chlorinated paraffin (SCCP), long-chain chlorinated paraffin (LCCP) has received less attention. Therefore, future research should prioritize studying LCCP bioaccumulation and toxicity in diverse food webs, focusing on aquatic species vulnerable to CPs and effective toxicological models. Additionally, collaborative research with developing countries should be encouraged to enhance meeting the Stockholm Convention’s demand.
Dietary supplementation with Epimedium contributes to the improvement of hormone levels, gut microbiota, and serum metabolite composition in the Chinese forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii)
Authors: Xie Shan , Yang Qinlin , Ying Zaixiang , Cai Mingcheng , Fan Wenqiao , Gao Hanyu , Feng Xiaolan , Wu Yongjiang
Published: January 2025

The Chinese forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) is a small ruminant animal with special economic value. It is listed as a National Level I key protected species in China. However, these animals are prone to stress responses in captive environments. Epimedium, a traditional Chinese herb with aphrodisiac and anti-stress properties, may have potential benefits for the health of the captive Chinese forest musk deer, though its efficacy requires further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with Epimedium on the hormone levels, gut microbiota composition, and serum metabolism of the Chinese forest musk deer. The fourteen adult male Chinese forest musk deer with similar initial body weights (7.0 ± 0.3 kg) and an average age of 4.5 years were randomly divided into two groups, each containing seven animals. The control group was fed a standard diet without Epimedium, while the Epimedium group received the standard diet supplemented with 15 g Epimedium /kg DM. The results indicated that the inclusion of Epimedium in the diet increased dry matter intake (DMI) and improved the ratio of feed to gain (F/G), with an increase in fecal testosterone levels (p < 0.05). 16S rDNA sequencing analysis revealed that Epimedium enhanced the richness and diversity of the gut microbiota in the Chinese forest musk deer, increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Firmicutes, while reducing the relative abundance of the potentially pathogenic Proteobacteria (p < 0.05). A widely targeted metabolomics analysis identified 25 differential metabolites between the two groups. Significant alterations were observed in key metabolic pathways related to lipid metabolism, hormone regulation, and antioxidation, such as ovarian steroidogenesis, tyrosine metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Furthermore, correlation analysis between gut microbiota and serum differential metabolites showed that the relative abundances of Clostridia_vadinBB60_group and UCG-010 were positively correlated with anserine and 7-ketocholesterol, respectively (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Epimedium positively influenced feed intake and hormone levels in the Chinese forest musk deer by modulating gut microbiota composition and serum metabolism.
Chemical Profiling and Antioxidant Potential of Berries from Six Blueberry Genotypes Harvested in the Italian Alps in 2020: A Comparative Biochemical Pilot Study
Authors: Araniti Fabrizio , Baron Giovanna , Ferrario Giulio , Pesenti Michele , Della Vedova Larissa , Prinsi Bhakti , Sacchi Gian Attilio , Aldini Giancarlo , Espen Luca
Published: January 2025

This pilot study investigates the chemical profiling and antioxidant potential of six blueberry genotypes: three tetraploids from the highbush blueberry species and three hexaploids from the rabbiteye blueberry species. The goal was to characterise the biochemical composition of these genotypes, grown under identical pedoclimatic conditions, and to evaluate the variation in bioactive compounds associated with antioxidant activity. Metabolomic and ionomic analyses were employed to identify and relatively quantify these compounds. Multivariate analyses clustered the genotypes based on phytochemical profiles, pinpointing key genotype-clustering metabolites. Significant variations among genotypes were observed. Ochlockonee and Overtime had the highest anthocyanins, phenols, ascorbates, and antioxidant activity levels. Over thirty metabolites (organic acids, sugars, and flavonoid glycosides) drove the genotype clustering. Although Last Call and Legacy had more metabolites, their antioxidant properties were lower, suggesting that phenolic quality influences antioxidant activity more than quantity. Overtime had the highest phenolic content, followed by Last Call in anthocyanins. Liberty and Legacy showed the lowest anthocyanin and ascorbate levels, while Overtime and Ochlockonee were characterised by an increase in ascorbate content. Rabbiteye blueberries showed higher antioxidant potential than highbush, indicating that antioxidant efficacy depends more on the composition and quality of the bioactive compounds than on their total concentration.
Enhancement of Nitrogen Retention in Cow Manure Composting with Biochar: An Investigation into Migration and Regulation Mechanisms
Authors: Han Zixi , Zeng Jianfei , Zhao Xu , Dong Yanyan , Han Ziyu , Yan Tiezhu
Published: January 2025

Context: Biochar can affect the storage and forms of nitrogen; thus, it may also play a role in altering the nitrogen cycle during the fermentation process of cow dung into organic fertilizer. Objective: To elucidate the mechanism and process of nitrogen transformation during the composting of cow manure with biochar, a comparative experiment was conducted. Method: This study investigates the use of biochar as a medium to enhance nitrogen storage during the aerobic composting of cow manure. The effectiveness was verified through a rapid composting experiment. Result and Conclusions: The results demonstrated that adding 5% biochar to the compost pile increased the total nitrogen content in manure by 12%. Specifically, the pyrrolic nitrogen in the composted cow manure increased from 38% to 44%, and the carbon-nitrogen ratio improved from 35% to 37%. Analysis of surface functional groups indicated that the C=O and C=C bonds in biochar played a key role in modifying nitrogen storage. Microbial analysis showed that biochar could significantly enhance the regional competitiveness of microorganisms, such as Cellvibrio, thereby boosting the expression of functional genes involved in the nitrification process, including amoABC, hao, and nxrAB. Therefore, adding 5% biochar not only enhances nitrogen storage in organic fertilizer but also changes the microbial population structure. Significance: This study carries substantial implications for the application of Biochar in the field, as well as for the development of microbial fertilizers based on cow manure.
RETRACTED: Al-Deeb et al. Individual and Interactive Ecophysiological Effect of Temperature, Watering Regime and Abscisic Acid on the Growth and Development of Tomato Seedlings. Agronomy 2023, 13, 930
Authors: Al-Deeb Taghleb , Abo Gamar Mohammad , Khaleel Sabah , Al-Ghzawi Abdul Latief , Al Khateeb Wesam , Jawarneh Mohammad , Jahmani Mohammad Y. , Al-Zoubi Omar , Habeeb Talaat
Published: January 2025

The journal retracts the article titled “Individual and Interactive Ecophysiological Effect of Temperature, Watering Regime and Abscisic Acid on the Growth and Development of Tomato Seedlings” [...]