bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A large bioassay identifies Stb resistance genes that provide broad resistance against Septoria tritici blotch disease in the UK
Authors: Tidd Henry , Rudd Jason J. , Ray Rumiana V. , Bryant Ruth , Kanyuka Kostya
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Septoria tritici blotch (STB) is one of the most damaging fungal diseases of wheat in Europe, largely due to the paucity of effective resistance genes against it in breeding materials. Currently dominant protection methods against this disease, e.g. fungicides and the disease resistance genes already deployed, are losing their effectiveness. Therefore, it is vital that other available disease resistance sources are identified, understood and deployed in a manner that maximises their effectiveness and durability.

Methods

In this study, we assessed wheat genotypes containing nineteen known major STB resistance genes (Stb1 through to Stb19) or combinations thereof against a broad panel of 93 UK Zymoseptoria tritici isolates. Seedlings were inoculated using a cotton swab and monitored for four weeks. Four infection-related phenotypic traits were visually assessed. These were the days post infection to the development of first symptoms and pycnidia, percentage coverage of the infected leaf area with chlorosis/necrosis and percentage coverage of the infected leaf area with pycnidia.

Results

The different Stb genes were found to vary greatly in the levels of protection they provided, with pycnidia coverage at four weeks differing significantly from susceptible controls for every tested genotype. Stb10, Stb11, Stb12, Stb16q, Stb17, and Stb19 were identified as contributing broad spectrum disease resistance, and synthetic hexaploid wheat lines were identified as particularly promising sources of broadly effective STB resistances.

Discussion

No single Z. tritici isolate was found to be virulent against all tested resistance genes. Wheat genotypes carrying multiple Stb genes were found to provide higher levels of resistance than expected given their historical levels of use. Furthermore, it was noted that disease resistance controlled by different Stb genes was associated with different levels of chlorosis, with high levels of early chlorosis in some genotypes correlated with high resistance to fungal pycnidia development, potentially suggesting the presence of multiple resistance mechanisms.

The knowledge obtained here will aid UK breeders in prioritising Stb genes for future breeding programmes, in which optimal combinations of resistance genes could be pyramided. In addition, this study identified the most interesting Stb genes for cloning and detailed functional analysis.
Middle to late Holocene plant cover variation in relation to climate, fire, and human activity in the Songnen grasslands of northeastern China
Authors: Niu Honghao , Marquer Laurent , Sack Dorothy , Gao Guizai , Wang Jiangyong , Meng Meng , Jie Dongmei
Published: January 2023

Introduction

For future vegetation projections and conservation planning in grassland ecosystems, accurate estimates of past plant cover changes in grassland composition and their responses to the various driving factors are essential. This study quantitatively reconstructs the past regional plant cover in the Songnen grasslands (northeastern China) and explores the relative importance of climate, fire, and human activity on vegetation dynamics.

Methods

For this purpose, the Regional Estimates of Vegetation Abundance from Large Sites (REVEALS) model is applied to three pollen records from two areas, two in the center of the Songnen grasslands and one located in an area marginal to the grasslands.

Results

Results from the most reliable REVEALS scenarios show that from the mid-Holocene, steppe (mean cover 40.6%) and dry steppe (mean cover 54.2%) alternately dominated the central part of the Songnen grasslands while the marginal grasslands were mainly characterized by alternating broadleaved forests (mean cover 26.3%), coniferous forests (mean cover 41.9%) and dry steppes (mean cover 30.1%).

Discussion

By comparing the plant cover results with previous published regional climate, fire and human activity records, the results show that long term vegetation dynamics were mainly driven by East Asia Summer Monsoon (EASM) and the related precipitation variations, but was also affected by fire frequency and human activity. Moreover, vegetation evolution was sensitive to abrupt cooling events including the 4.2 ka BP and stacked ice-rafted debris (IRD) events; the change from steppe to dry steppe, for example, was driven by these abrupt climate changes. Fire events can alter the original vegetation stability allowing the vegetation to respond rapidly to climate changes while human activity merely has limited influence on vegetation changes.
Fruit quality and volatile constituents of a new very early-ripening pummelo (Citrus maxima) cultivar ‘Liuyuezao’
Authors: Pan Tengfei , Kong Lingchao , Zhang Xinxin , Wang Yanhui , Zhou Jinyu , Fu Zhijun , Pan Heli , She Wenqin , Yu Yuan
Published: January 2023

‘Liuyuezao’ (LYZ) pummelo (Citrus maxima) originated from a spontaneous bud sport on a ‘Guanxi’ (GXB) pummelo tree and was released as a new very early-season cultivar. The objective of this study was to present the sensory and nutritional profiles of LYZ fruits, and compare it with other major commercialized pummelo cultivars including GXB, ‘Sanhong’ (SH) and ‘Hongrou’ (HR). LYZ had higher contents of organic acids (12.01 mg/g), phenols (669.01 mg/L), vitamin C (75.73 mg/100 mL) and stronger antioxidant capacity (77.65 mg/100 mL) but lower levels of soluble sugars (62.85 mg/g), carotenoids (0.25 mg/L) and flavonoids (46.3 mg/L) when compared to the other pummelos. Moreover, a smaller number (49) and much less content (7.63) of fruit volatiles were detected in LYZ than them in GXB, SH and HR. The relatively high levels of fructose (20.6 mg/g) and organic acids and low levels of volatile compounds in LYZ mainly contributed to its sweet and mildly sour taste and moderate aroma of pummelo note. LYZ is presented as an alternative pummelo cultivar with the potential for commercialization.
Management of genetic erosion: The (successful) case study of the pear (Pyrus communis L.) germplasm of the Lazio region (Italy)
Authors: Draga Samela , Palumbo Fabio , Miracolo Barbagiovanni Immacolata , Pati Francesco , Barcaccia Gianni
Published: January 2023

Pyrus communis L. is an important temperate fruit with high nutritional and economic value. Italy, as the largest pear producer in the EU and second in the world, has a particularly rich germplasm characterized by hundreds of local varieties. The Lazio Region was the first Italian region to start programs focused on safeguarding varieties at risk of extinction and has started a massive census of fruit varieties by combining molecular data and productive-territorial information. In this study, 311 pear accessions collected from the five provinces of the Lazio region were genetically characterized by the means of nine simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, eight of which were recommended by the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR). The SSR analysis revealed 250 unique genotypes and 14 cases of synonymies, namely, accessions with different names but identical molecular profiles (100% genetic similarity). The microsatellite set showed a high polymorphism information content (PIC; mean PIC=0.77) and an exceptionally high discrimination power (DP = 0.99), making it particularly efficient both for the study of genetic diversity and for the prediction of the degree of ploidy. Notably, 20% of the accessions displayed triallelic profiles (i.e., accessions having ≥2 loci with a third allele), while the remaining accessions were diploids. These results were further confirmed by flow cytometry data analysis. Standardization of the molecular analyses at the national and international levels and harmonization of the SSR sets used for germplasm characterization are of paramount importance for producing molecular profiles useful for registration and variety maintenance.
Alternating processes of dry and wet nitrogen deposition have different effects on the function of canopy leaves: Implications for leaf photosynthesis
Authors: Wu Chunze , Zhou Siyu , Cheng Xin , Wei Xing
Published: January 2023

Canopy leaves are sinks of dry and wet nitrogen (N) deposition, most studies have not considered the response of canopy leaves to the alternating processes of dry and wet N deposition. We manipulated a close top chamber experiment to observe the effects of simulated N deposition with the same total deposition flux but different dry to wet ratios on leaf structure and physiology by spraying NH4Cl solution or supplying gaseous NH3 over the canopy of seedlings of three species (Betula platyphylla, Fraxinus mandshurica, Pinus koraiensis) placed in the chamber. After 32 days of N deposition and relative to the control, the leaf morphology and mesophyll tissue structure of the three species had no significant changes under all N deposition treatments. With the increase in the ratio of dry to wet N deposition, the N concentration, N metabolizing enzyme activity and soluble protein concentration in leaves of all three species increased continuously, but for the leaf light-saturated net photosynthesis rate, B. platyphylla showed a continuous increase, F. mandshurica showed a continuous decrease, and P. koraiensis showed no significant change. We found that F. mandshurica was the only species whose foliar chlorophyll and potassium concentration decreased with the increase in the ratio of dry to wet N deposition and its leaf light-saturated net photosynthesis rate was positively correlated with foliar chlorophyll and potassium concentration, respectively. Our results indicate that dry deposition is relatively more important on leaf physiological functions in alternating deposition. B. platyphylla and P. koraiensis may better acclimate to canopy NH3/NH4+ deposition than F. mandshurica. Most importantly, the results indicate that a single simulated dry and wet deposition would overestimate and underestimate the response of leaf function to atmospheric N deposition, respectively. Alternating processes of dry and wet deposition should be considered for more realistic assessments of the effects of atmospheric N deposition in forests.
Factors influencing quality of transnational education: Evidence from a Sino-UK MA program
Authors: Zheng Changqing , Ouyang Huhua
Published: January 2023

With the internationalization of higher education, transnational education (TNE) has gradually become one of the main means to mobility of education resources in many countries. There have been many studies on service quality research, but not many of these studies attempt to directly explore the in-depth factors contributing to service quality. This study investigated the factors impacting the quality of TNE based on the interpretation of students’ experiences on a Sino-UK MA program. Semi-structured interviews with seven participants revealed that high-quality educational resources and professional and sympathetic lecturers are the two major factors impacting the service quality. The results suggested that educational resources that meet the local social needs are considered desirable service offerings. Lecturers are key factors guaranteeing the service delivery. This study sheds light on service quality components of TNE that have not been given much attention in the literature of previous research, as well as informs host and export institutions on TNE programming.
Negative interpretation of ambiguous bodily symptoms among illness-anxious individuals: Exploring the role of developmental and maintenance constructs
Authors: Elhamiasl Mina , Dehghani Mohsen , Heidari Mahmood , Vancleef Linda M. G. , Khatibi Ali
Published: January 2023

Background

Cognitive factors play an essential role in the development and maintenance of anxiety problems. Among individuals with illness anxiety problems, their interpretation of bodily symptoms is a crucial factor in the determination of their ability to regulate their emotions. The catastrophic interpretation of ambiguous bodily symptoms and changes, known as interpretation bias, in line with the failure to reappraise the symptoms in safer ways, is supposed to increase the levels of anxiety in illness-anxious individuals.

Methods

This study aimed to address the statistical limitations of the direct (self-report) measure of interpretation bias, using an indirect (online interpretation bias task) measure for assessing biased interpretations of bodily symptoms. In addition, we examined the contribution of self-report anxiety sensitivity (AS), intolerance of uncertainty (IU), interpretation bias, and reappraisal to illness anxiety problems in a subclinical population and compared it with controls with low levels of illness anxiety.

Findings

Illness-anxious individuals made more negative interpretations of ambiguous, potentially health-threatening information. They used less reappraisal to regulate their emotion. Among the measures, the physical subscale of AS and the reaction time to the safe resolution of ambiguous information were the best factors that could contribute to the differentiation between the illness-anxious individuals and non-anxious individuals.

Conclusion

Our findings provided further support for the biased processing of information related to physical symptoms among individuals with illness anxiety. AS-physical and safe resolutions for ambiguous situations could differentiate the illness-anxious and the control groups better than other factors. These findings suggest that a change of interpretation of ambiguous bodily symptoms among individuals suffering from chronic conditions can be a possible intervention to target anxiety and improve patients' lives.
Mobile Health and Wellness Project: A binational collaboration of frontline health services to the Latino population in the United States in times of COVID-19
Authors: Rosales Cecilia B. , Dávila Chávez Hilda , Flynn Michael A. , Lara Juanita , Lira Chávez Isaura Angélica , Olivares Marín Leonardo , Romero Rangel Alejandra , Hirata Okamoto Ricardo , Rangel Gómez Maria Gudelia
Published: January 2023

Hardly reached communities in the United States greatly benefit from collective efforts and partnerships from Community Based Organizations, Health Institutions and Government Agencies, yet the effort to engage in this collaborative effort is minimal and funding to support these projects is lacking. The COVID-19 Pandemic exacerbated on a national scale what many vulnerable communities experience regularly; difficult access to basic medical care, information and support. In an effort to directly engage with community organizations and curb the infection rate of the COVID-19 virus within vulnerable communities, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched its first targeted effort to partner directly with community based organizations. This article will highlight the first pilot year of activities and key results of COVID-19 education and vaccination efforts by the Mobile Health and Wellness project. This is a fleet of 11 Mobile Health Vehicles managed by the Mexico Section US-Mexico Border Health Commission in partnership with Alianza Americas, Latino Commission on AIDS, and the CDC, targeting Latino, Immigrant and rural communities across the US.
Assessment of nursing undergraduate's perceptions of Interprofessional learning: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Bashatah Adel S.
Published: January 2023

Background

Inter-Professional Learning (IPE) is based on mutual respect, and it improves collaboration and teamwork, and satisfaction among students and professionals.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the perceptions of IPE among Nursing students in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional survey-based study conducted among students from three different universities in Saudi Arabia, among nursing students over 6 months from May 2021 to October 2021. Descriptive analysis was used to assess the perceptions of IPE and inferential testing was used to assess the association of perception scores among variables using a statistical package for social science version 26 (SPSS).

Results

A total of 517 participants responded to the questionnaires. A higher proportion (n = 281, 54.4%) of the participants were females and were between 21 and 24 (n = 350; 67.7%) years old. The mean age of the participants was 21.35 (SD = 1.46). The majority of them were from King Saud University (n = 273, 52.8%), followed by King Khalid University (n = 127, 24.6%). Of the participants (80.4 %) agreed learning with other students will help them to become more effective members of a healthcare team. The mean overall score for RIPLS was 70.85 (SD = 6.611). The mean score for teamwork and collaboration was 37.19 (SD = 4.79), professional identity, 23.23 (SD = 2.89), roles and responsibilities 10.42 (SD = 2.20). The mean score is significantly associated with the university type (p = 0.0001), and previous knowledge of IPE (p = 0.0001).

Conclusion

The majority of the students had positive perceptions of understanding IPE and a good level of preparation for IPE. This means that if IPE is conducted among Saudi students, students will benefit from it, and it has the potential to improve their capacity to deliver holistic nursing care to their patients.
Diabetes mellitus and inequalities in the equipment and use of information technologies as a socioeconomic determinant of health in Spain
Authors: Bosch-Frigola Irene , Coca-Villalba Fernando , Pérez-Lacasta María Jose , Carles-Lavila Misericordia
Published: January 2023

Inequalities in the equipment and use of information and communications technology (ICT) in Spanish households can lead to users being unable to access certain information or to carry out certain procedures. Accessibility to ICT is considered a social determinant of health (SDOH) because it can generate inequalities in access to information and in managing access to health services. In the face of a chronic illness such as diabetes mellitus (DM)—for which a comprehensive approach is complex and its complications have a direct impact on current healthcare systems—all the resources that patients may have are welcome. We aimed to analyze hospitalizations and amputations as direct consequences of DM among the autonomous communities of Spain (ACS) in 2019, along with socioeconomic factors related to health, including inequalities in access to ICT between territories, as well as citizens' interest in online information searches about DM. We used different databases such as that of the Ministerio de Sanidad (Spain's health ministry), Ministerio de Asuntos Económicos y transformación (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation), Google Trends (GT), and the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (Spain's national institute of statistics). We examined the data with R software. We employed a geolocation approach and performed multivariate analysis (specifically factor analysis of mixed data [FAMD]) to evaluate the aggregate interest in health information related to DM in different regions of Spain grounded in online search behavior. The use of FAMD allowed us to adjust the techniques of principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) to detect differences between the direct consequences of DM, citizen's interest in this non-communicable disease, and socioeconomic factors and inequalities in access to ICT in aggregate form between the country's different ACS. The results show how SDOH, such as poverty and education level, are related to the ACS with the highest number of homes that cite the cost of connection or equipment as the reason for not having ICT at home. These regions also have a greater number of hospitalizations due to DM. Given that in Spain, there are certain differences in accessibility in terms of the cost to households, in the case of DM, we take this issue into account from the standpoint of an integral approach by health policies.
Stop Sexual Harassment: A study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial in secondary schools in Norway
Authors: Slaatten Hilde , Haugland Bente Storm Mowatt , Bjørknes Ragnhild , Fyhn Tonje , Tveito Torill Helene , Poteat V. Paul , Breivik Kyrre
Published: January 2023

Background

Sexual- and gendered harassment are normalised in many peer groups, yet their associations with mental health concerns among adolescents are well-established. School based interventions that prevent and reduce sexual and gendered harassment among younger adolescents are scarce. For schools, protecting pupils from harassment may be challenging if the behaviour is trivialised among the pupils themselves. In the current study, the school intervention “Stop Sexual Harassment” was therefore developed to help teachers and pupils detect, address and stop sexual and gendered harassment among pupils ages 13–15 in Norwegian secondary schools.

Methods

In this study the effectiveness of “Stop Sexual Harassment” is evaluated via a cluster randomised controlled trial among pupils and teachers at 38 secondary schools. Schools were randomised into intervention and control groups. Primary outcomes are sexual and gendered harassment victimisation and perpetration, which will be assessed by the administration of questionnaires to pupils and teachers at baseline, and 2-, and 7-months follow-up. A process evaluation of the intervention implementation will be conducted through focus group interviews with pupils and teachers to gain insight about their experiences with the program components and implementation of the intervention.

Discussion

If the intervention yields positive effects, large-scale implementation of the program may be offered for secondary schools. The program may thus reduce sexual and gendered harassment among young adolescents.

Clinical trial registration

clinicaltrial.gov; identifier: NCT04716400.
Cost analysis of severe burn victims in Southwest China: A 7-year retrospective study
Authors: Zeng Zhuo , Li Ning , Yang Ling , Feng Xue , Zuo Fangqing , Luo Gaoxing , Peng Yizhi , Yuan Zhiqiang
Published: January 2023

Background

Severe burn injury can be a life-threatening experience and can also lead to financial issues for suffers. The purpose of the current study was to analyze the direct hospitalization costs of severe burn inpatients in Southwest China.

Methods

Data related to all inpatients admitted with severe burns [total body surface area (TBSA) ≥30%] pooled from 2015 to 2021 were reviewed retrospectively at the Institute of Burn Research of Army Medical University. Demographic parameters, medical economics, and clinical data were obtained from medical records.

Results

A total of 668 cases were identified. The average age was 37.49 ± 21.00 years, and 72.3% were men. The average TBSA was 51.35 ± 19.49%. The median length of stay of inpatients in the burn intensive care unit was 14 [interquartile range (IQR): 5.0–34.8] days, and the median length of stay (LOS) was 41 (IQR: 22.0–73.8) days. The mortality rate was 1.6%. The median total cost was 212,755.45 CNY (IQR: 83,908.80–551,621.57 CNY) per patient varying from 3,521.30 to 4,822,357.19 CNY. The direct cost of scald burns was dramatically lower compared with that of other types of burns, with 11,213.43 to 2,819,019.14 CNY. Medical consumables presented the largest portion of total costs, with a median cost of 65,942.64 CNY (IQR: 18,771.86–171,197.97 CNY). The crucial risk factors for medical cost in our study were TBSA, surgical frequency, LOS, depth of burn, and outcome.

Conclusion

We conclude that an effective burn prevention program, shorter hospital stays, and facilitating the healing of wounds should be focused on with tailored precautionary protocols to reduce the medical costs of inpatients with severe burns.
Transmission and microevolution of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST88 strain among patients, healthcare workers, and household contacts at a trauma and orthopedic ward
Authors: Sun Long , Zhuang Hemu , Di Lingfang , Ling Xia , Yin Yiping , Wang Zhengan , Chen Mengzhen , Jiang Shengnan , Chen Yiyi , Zhu Feiteng , Wang Haiping , Ji Shujuan , Sun Lu , Wu Dandan , Yu Yunsong , Chen Yan
Published: January 2023

Background

Surgical sites infections (SSIs) caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) constitute a major clinical problem. Understanding the transmission mode of MRSA is important for its prevention and control.

Aim

We investigated the transmission mode of a MRSA outbreak in a trauma and orthopedic hospital ward.

Methods

Clinical data were collected from patients (n = 9) with MRSA infection in a trauma and orthopedic ward from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019. The wards (n = 18), patients (n = 48), medical staff (n = 23), and their households (n = 5) were screened for MRSA. The transmission mode of MRSA isolates was investigated using next-generation sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. The resistance genes, plasmids, and single-nucleotide variants of the isolates were analyzed to evaluate microevolution of MRSA isolates causing SSIs. The MRSA colonization-positive doctor was asked to suspend his medical activities to stop MRSA spread.

Findings

Nine MRSA infected patients were investigated, of which three patients were diagnosed with SSI and had prolonged hospitalization due to the persistent MRSA infection. After screening, MRSA isolates were not detected in environmental samples. The surgeon in charge of the patients with SSI caused by MRSA and his son were positive for MRSA colonization. The MRSA from the son was closely related to the isolates detected in MRSA-induced SSIs patients with 8–9 single-nucleotide variants, while ST88-MRSA isolates with three different spa types were detected in the surgeon's nasal cavity. Comparative genomic analysis showed that ST88-MRSA isolates acquired mutations in genes related to cell wall synthesis, colonization, metabolism, and virulence during their transmission. Suspending the medical activity of this surgeon interrupted the spread of MRSA infection in this ward.

Conclusion

Community-associated MRSA clones can invade hospitals and cause severe postoperative nosocomial infections. Further MRSA surveillance in the households of health workers may prevent the transition of MRSA from colonization to infection.
The effect of diet quality on the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gao Xiaoxia , Zheng Qingxiang , Jiang Xiumin , Chen Xiaoqian , Liao Yanping , Pan Yuqing
Published: January 2023

Objective

To examine the effect of diet quality on the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Methods

This review included cohort and case-control studies reporting an association between diet quality and gestational diabetes mellitus. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL Complete, Chinese Periodical Full-text Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China Wanfang Database for studies published from inception to November 18, 2022. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment, and the overall quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADEpro GDT.

Results

A total of 19 studies (15 cohort, four case-control) with 108,084 participants were included. We found that better higher diet quality before or during pregnancy reduced the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus, including a higher Mediterranean diet (OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.30–0.86), dietary approaches to stop hypertension (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.44–0.97), Alternate Healthy Eating Index (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.44–0.83), overall plant-based diet index (OR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.41–0.78), and adherence to national dietary guidelines (OR: 0.39; 95% CI:0.31–0.48). However, poorer diet quality increased the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, including a higher dietary inflammatory index (OR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.21–1.57) and overall low-carbohydrate diets (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.22–1.64). After meta-regression, subgroup, and sensitivity analyses, the results remained statistically significant.

Conclusions

Before and during pregnancy, higher diet quality reduced the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus, whereas poorer diet quality increased this risk.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42022372488.
A novel method for quantifying human disturbances: A case study of Huaihe River Basin, China
Authors: Wang Haoran , Zhang Mengdi , Wang Chuanying , Wang Kaiyue , Zhou Yunkai , Sun Wei
Published: January 2023

Human disturbances have become the main factors affecting the ecological environment. Therefore, evaluating the intensity of human disturbances is of great significance for ensuring effective regional conservation and ecosystem management. In this study, we constructed a novel method to quantify human disturbances based on three components of human disturbances into three types, namely naturalness transformation, natural resource consumption, and pollutant emissions. These components were quantified using the land use naturalness index (LNI), resource consumption index (RCI), and pollution emission index (PEI). Based on these three indicators, the human disturbances index (HDI) was calculated to reflect the intensity of human disturbances. In addition, remote sensing (RS), geographic information system (GIS), and multisource data were combined in the HDI method, taking into account the temporal variability of input parameters to achieve more convenient and comprehensive dynamic monitoring and evaluation of human disturbances. The applicability and effectiveness of the HDI method were assessed in the Huaihe River Basin, China. The obtained results revealed an increase and decrease in the intensities of human disturbances in the Huaihe River Basin from 1990 to 2005 and from 2010 to 2018, respectively. In addition, areas with a high level of human disturbances in the 1990–2005 period were mainly concentrated in the agricultural and industrial areas, while those in the 2010–2018 period were mainly observed in urban areas. This change was mainly due to a decrease in the pollutant emission amounts from agricultural and industrial lands and a marked increase in resource consumption in urban areas. This study provides theoretical guidance for regional conservation in the Huaihe River Basin and a new method for quantifying human disturbances.
The bayesian approach of factors associated with preterm birth among mothers delivered at public hospitals in Southeast Ethiopia
Authors: Negesse Yilkal , Abebe Gossa Fetene
Published: January 2023

Background

Preterm birth remains the commonest cause of neonatal mortality, and morbidity represents one of the principal targets of neonatal healthcare. Ethiopia is one of the countries which accounts for the highest burden of preterm birth. Therefore, this study aimed to assess factors associated with preterm birth at public hospitals in Sidama regional state.

Methods

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted at public hospitals in Southeast Ethiopia from 1 June to 1 September 2020. To recruit the study participants, systematic random sampling techniques were used. Data were collected using pretested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and a checklist via chart review. Data were entered using EpiData version 3.1 and exported to R software version 4.0 for analysis. Then, factors associated with preterm birth among mothers were assessed based on the Bayesian statistical approach.

Results

The study showed that the prevalence of preterm birth was 20.6%. Being a rural resident (AOR = 2; 95% CrI: 1.2–3.5), having no antenatal care service utilization (AOR = 2.3; 95% CrI: 1.1–4.8), hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (AOR = 3.5; 95% CrI: 1.8–6.9), birth space less than 2 years (AOR = 3.4; 95% CrI: 1.5–7.9), having premature rupture of membrane (AOR = 2.4; 95% CrI: 1.3–5.4), and physical intimate violence (AOR = 2.876; 95%CI: 1.534, 5.393) were risk factors of preterm birth. Whereas, women who had primary, secondary, and higher education levels (AOR = 0.2; 95% CrI: 0.1–0.4, AOR = 0.1; 95% CrI: 0.06–0.3, and AOR = 0.2; 95% CrI: 0.1–0.4), respectively, were preventive factors.

Conclusion

Most of the risk factors of preterm birth were found to be modifiable. Community mobilization on physical violence during pregnancy and antenatal care follow-up are the ground for the prevention of preterm birth because attentive and critical antenatal care screening practices could early identify risk factors. In addition, information communication education about preterm birth prevention was recommended.
A feasibility study of Augmented Reality Intervention for Safety Education for farm parents and children
Authors: Namkoong Kang , Leach John , Chen Junhan , Zhang Jiawen , Weichelt Bryan
Published: January 2023

Agriculture is one of the most dangerous U.S. occupations with high rates of injuries and fatalities, and especially more dangerous for children, having more young worker deaths than any other industry. Thus, safety education is essential in promoting safe and healthy working habits in agriculture. Augmented reality (AR) technology has great potential to enhance the effectiveness of safety education due to its high levels of system-user interactivity and media enjoyment. This study aims to: (1) develop Augmented Reality Intervention for Safety Education (ARISE), an AR 3D simulator that presents farm accident situations with immersive media technology, (2) examine the feasibility of ARISE, and (3) evaluate the potential of ARISE as an effective agricultural safety education program for farm parents and children. To test the feasibility of ARISE, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with ten parent-child dyads at an extension office located in Maryland. Participants were farmers who owned and operated a family farm(s) with their child or children ages 5–13. The interviews included asking participants questions about their perceptions of farm risks, sources of risk education, and protection methods. In the next step, participants used ARISE with researcher guidance. After using the application, participants were asked questions about their experience using ARISE and suggestions for improvement. The interviews were then transcribed and analyzed following the conventional content analysis method. Three main themes emerged—demand (e.g., perceived risk and need for education; lack of farm safety education from school), acceptability (e.g., attitude toward AR technology; perceived realism; perceived ease of use; perceived usefulness), and implementation. These findings help us understand how an immersive experience can play an impactful role in enhancing agricultural safety. The feasibility of ARISE sheds light on the potential of AR technology for an innovative safety education program.
In-depth structural proteomics integrating mass spectrometry and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
Authors: Takemori Nobuaki , Takemori Ayako
Published: January 2023

The establishment of a highly sensitive method for obtaining structural information on proteins and protein complexes in vivo has long been a technological challenge in structural biology. In recent years, protein structure analysis approaches using top-down mass spectrometry, native mass spectrometry, and cross-linking mass spectrometry, among others, have been developed, and these techniques have emerged as the most promising methods for obtaining comprehensive structural information on the cellular proteome. However, information obtained by MS alone is derived mainly from protein components that are abundant in vivo, with insufficient data on low abundance components. For the detection of those low abundance components, sample fractionation prior to mass spectrometry is highly effective because it can reduce the complexity of the sample. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), which is widely used in biochemical experiments, is an excellent technique for protein separation in a simple straightforward procedure and is also a promising fractionation tool for structural proteomics. The difficulty of recovering proteins in gels has been an obstacle, thus far limiting its application to structural mass spectrometry. With the breakthrough of PEPPI-MS, an exceptionally efficient passive extraction method for proteins in gels that appeared in 2020, various PAGE-based proteome fractionation workflows have been developed, resulting in the rapid integration of structural mass spectrometry and PAGE. In this paper, we describe a simple and inexpensive PAGE-based sample preparation strategy that accelerates the broad use of structural mass spectrometry in life science research, and discuss future prospects for achieving in-depth structural proteomics using PAGE.
Assessment of movement disorders using wearable sensors during upper limb tasks: A scoping review
Authors: Vanmechelen Inti , Haberfehlner Helga , De Vleeschhauwer Joni , Van Wonterghem Ellen , Feys Hilde , Desloovere Kaat , Aerts Jean-Marie , Monbaliu Elegast
Published: January 2023

Background:Studies aiming to objectively quantify movement disorders during upper limb tasks using wearable sensors have recently increased, but there is a wide variety in described measurement and analyzing methods, hampering standardization of methods in research and clinics. Therefore, the primary objective of this review was to provide an overview of sensor set-up and type, included tasks, sensor features and methods used to quantify movement disorders during upper limb tasks in multiple pathological populations. The secondary objective was to identify the most sensitive sensor features for the detection and quantification of movement disorders on the one hand and to describe the clinical application of the proposed methods on the other hand.

Methods:A literature search using Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed was performed. Articles needed to meet following criteria: 1) participants were adults/children with a neurological disease, 2) (at least) one sensor was placed on the upper limb for evaluation of movement disorders during upper limb tasks, 3) comparisons between: groups with/without movement disorders, sensor features before/after intervention, or sensor features with a clinical scale for assessment of the movement disorder. 4) Outcome measures included sensor features from acceleration/angular velocity signals.

Results:A total of 101 articles were included, of which 56 researched Parkinson’s Disease. Wrist(s), hand(s) and index finger(s) were the most popular sensor locations. Most frequent tasks were: finger tapping, wrist pro/supination, keeping the arms extended in front of the body and finger-to-nose. Most frequently calculated sensor features were mean, standard deviation, root-mean-square, ranges, skewness, kurtosis/entropy of acceleration and/or angular velocity, in combination with dominant frequencies/power of acceleration signals. Examples of clinical applications were automatization of a clinical scale or discrimination between a patient/control group or different patient groups.

Conclusion:Current overview can support clinicians and researchers in selecting the most sensitive pathology-dependent sensor features and methodologies for detection and quantification of upper limb movement disorders and objective evaluations of treatment effects. Insights from Parkinson’s Disease studies can accelerate the development of wearable sensors protocols in the remaining pathologies, provided that there is sufficient attention for the standardisation of protocols, tasks, feasibility and data analysis methods.
State of solid waste disposal and suggested fixes for Iwo and Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Jazat J. P. , Akande J. A. , Ogunbode T. O.
Published: January 2023

Factors governing stakeholders' choice of gathering and disposing of solid wastes in some southwestern states of Nigeria were appraised using Iwo and Ibadan as case studies. The objectives were to determine associated challenges and recommend possible improvements. The study administered 1,400 structured questionnaires, out of which 873 (62.3%) were respondents. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result showed an upward trend in solid waste disposal in the two communities, according to stakeholders' income and household size. Solid wastes generally encountered in the study areas include foods, leaves, papers, clothing, leather, hair attachments, nylons, plastics, metals, and cans which often litter the dump environment. The economic cost of a sack-load of waste was *N200 in Iwo and N495 in Ibadan, and the frequency of waste removal is 150% higher in Iwo than in Ibadan. The average distance to the dumpsite is 2 km, which discourages low-income earners who are mostly pedestrians. Ibadan residents are culturally disposed to dirty streets and drainages/gutters with solid wastes; unfortunately, the situation in Iwo is not different. Stakeholder perceptions of factors impacting waste disposal in Iwo gave greater weight to (1) income and spending power, (2) culture, (3) religion, (4) governmental intervention, and (5) health factors in that order. In Ibadan, (1) income and spending power, (2) health factors, (3) occupational hazards, and (4) religion were rated in that sequence. It is conjectured that these issues demand strong attention in efforts to build functional capacities for solid waste disposal.
Artificial intelligence-based decision support systems in smart agriculture: Bibliometric analysis for operational insights and future directions
Authors: Yousaf Arslan , Kayvanfar Vahid , Mazzoni Annamaria , Elomri Adel
Published: January 2023

As the world population is expected to touch 9.73 billion by 2050, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the demand for agricultural needs is increasing proportionately. Smart Agriculture is replacing conventional farming systems, employing advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) to ensure higher productivity and precise agriculture management to overcome food demand. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in researchers within Smart Agriculture. Previous literature reviews have also conducted similar bibliometric analyses; however, there is a lack of research in Operations Research (OR) insights into Smart Agriculture. This paper conducts a Bibliometric Analysis of past research work in OR knowledge which has been done over the last two decades in Agriculture 4.0, to understand the trends and the gaps. Biblioshiny, an advanced data mining tool, was used in conducting bibliometric analysis on a total number of 1,305 articles collected from the Scopus database between the years 2000–2022. Researchers and decision makers will be able to visualize how newer advanced OR theories are being applied and how they can contribute toward some research gaps highlighted in this review paper. While governments and policymakers will benefit through understanding how Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and robotic units are being used in farms to optimize resource allocation. Nations that have arid climate conditions would be informed how satellite imagery and mapping can assist them in detecting newer irrigation lands to assist their scarce agriculture resources.
Comparative plasma and urine metabolomics analysis of juvenile and adult canines
Authors: Wu Taibo , Chen Yun , Yang Mingzi , Wang Shuang , Wang Xiaoming , Hu Manli , Cheng Xu , Wan Juan , Hu Yufeng , Ding Yi , Zhang Xin , Ding Mingxing , He Zhengming , Li Hongliang , Zhang Xiao-Jing
Published: January 2023

Background and aims

The metabolomic profile of a biofluid can be affected by age, and thus provides detailed information about the metabolic alterations in biological processes and reflects the in trinsic rule regulating the growth and developmental processes.

Methods

To systemically investigate the characteristics of multiple metabolic profiles associated with canine growth, we analyzed the metabolomics in the plasma and urine samples from 15 young and 15 adult beagle dogs via UHPLC-Q-TOFMS-based metabolomics. Blood routine and serum biochemical analyses were also performed on fasting blood samples.

Results

The metabolomics results showed remarkable differences in metabolite fingerprints both in plasma and urine between the young and adult groups. The most obvious age-related metabolite alterations include decreased serumlevels of oxoglutaric acid and essential amino acids and derivatives but increased levels of urine levels of O-acetylserine. These changes primarily involved in amino acid metabolism and bile secretion pathways. We also found that the levels of glutamine were consistently higher in both serum and urine of adults, while N-acetylhistamine and uracil concentrations were much lower in the adult group compared to younger ones.

Conclusion

Our study provides a whole metabolic profile of serum and urine characteristics of young and adult canines, identifying several metabolites that were significantly associated with age change, which provides theoretical support for the nutrition-related research and age-related homeostasis maintenance in dogs.
Validation of a fully automated chemiluminescent immunoassay for cattle serum and plasma progesterone measurement
Authors: Megahed Ameer A. , Jones Kristi L. , Bisinotto Rafael S. , Chebel Ricardo C. , Galvão Klibs N. , Chan Ann M. , Bittar João H. J.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Monitoring circulating progesterone concentration ([P4]) is an important component of basic and applied reproduction research and clinical settings. IMMULITE® 2000 XPi (Siemens Healthineers, Cary, NC) is a newly upgraded fully automated immunoassay system marketed for human use to measure concentrations of different measurands including P4.

Objectives

Our objective was therefore to characterize the analytical performance of the IMMULITE® 2000 XPi P4 immunoassay (IPI) across the reportable range in serum and plasma of cattle.

Methods

The IPI validation protocols included characterization of the method linearity, within-run, and between-run precision through calculation of the coefficient of variation (CV). The method accuracy was assessed through the calculation of the spiking-recovery (SR) bias across the reportable range (0.2–40.0 ng/mL). Passing–Bablok regression and Bland-Altman plots were used to determine the interlaboratory bias for two laboratories. Three types of observed total error (TEo) were calculated based on the considered type of bias, TEoSR (spiking-recovery), TEoRB (range-based bias), and TEoAB (average-based bias).

Results

The IPI was linearly related to the true value (R2 = 0.997) across the reportable range. The within-run and between-run precision (CV%) of the IPI for both serum and plasma [P4] of clinical relevance (1, 2, 5, and 10 ng/mL) were <5 and <10%, respectively. The TEo reported here for serum and plasma at [P4] of 1 and 5 ng/mL was ~20 and 25%, respectively. Of interest, the three types of TEo were relatively similar regardless of the considered bias.

Conclusions

We concluded that the automated IPI provides a precise, accurate, reliable, and safe method for measuring [P4] in both serum and plasma of cattle. Consistent with the manufacturer's recommendations, the serum matrix is more accurate than plasma.
Nero: A Deterministic Leaderless Consensus Algorithm for DAG-Based Cryptocurrencies
Authors: Morais Rui , Crocker Paul , Leithardt Valderi
Published: January 2023

This paper presents the research undertaken with the goal of designing a consensus algorithm for cryptocurrencies with less latency than the current state-of-the-art while maintaining a level of throughput and scalability sufficient for real-world payments. The result is Nero, a new deterministic leaderless byzantine consensus algorithm in the partially synchronous model that is especially suited for Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG)-based cryptocurrencies. In fact, Nero has a communication complexity of O(n3) and terminates in two message delays in the good case (when there is synchrony). The algorithm is shown to be correct, and we also show that it can provide eventual order. Finally, some performance results are given based on a proof of concept implementation in the Rust language.