bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The GLIM Criteria Represent a More Appropriate Tool for Nutritional Assessment in Patients With Crohn's Disease
Authors: Li Yong , Peng Ziheng , Xu Duo , Peng Yu , Liu Xiaowei
Published: March 2022

Background

The early recognition of malnutrition is essential for improving the prognosis of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria represent a new consensus for the diagnosis of malnutrition but need to be validated in CD. The aims were to explore the related factors of malnutrition in CD and explore whether GLIM-positive patients who did not meet the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) would benefit from nutritional treatment.

Methods

This study retrospectively enrolled patients with CD at the Gastroenterology Department of Xiangya Hospital Central South University between March 2020 and March 2021. After bioelectrical impedance analysis, all patients underwent nutritional screening and diagnosis using the NRS 2002 and GLIM criteria, respectively. Multivariable analysis was performed to evaluate risk factors related to malnutrition in patients with CD. A multivariable Cox hazard model was used to assess the association between nutritional therapy and prognostic outcomes.

Results

Of the 118 patients included, fifty were classified as having a high malnutrition risk according to the NRS 2002, while 76 were diagnosed with malnutrition by the GLIM criteria. Multivariate analysis showed that a high malnutrition risk was independently associated with the L4 phenotype [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 4.718 (1.108, 20.10), p = 0.036] and Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) [OR (95% CI) = 1.018 (1.007, 1.029), p = 0.002] based on the NRS 2002. The age at onset [OR (95% CI) = 0.828 (0.699, 0.980), p = 0.028] and CDAI [OR (95% CI) = 1.111 (1.034, 1.195), p = 0.004] were regarded as independent risk factors related to malnutrition, as determined by the GLIM criteria. Among 26 GLIM+/NRS− patients, significantly more patients who received nutritional support achieved 6-week remission than patients who did not (100 vs. 71.4%, p < 0.05). The 6-week remission risk in patients treated with nutrition therapy was more than 4-fold higher than those without nutritional therapy.

Conclusion

The GLIM criteria could diagnose more malnourished patients with CD who are not positively screened by the NRS 2002, among whom nutritional support therapy would be beneficial for disease remission. The new criteria should be more appropriate for assessing the nutritional status of patients with CD.
Hepatic PPARα Is Destabilized by SIRT1 Deacetylase in Undernourished Male Mice
Authors: Suh Ji Ho , Kim Kang Ho , Conner Margaret E. , Moore David D. , Preidis Geoffrey A.
Published: March 2022

The nutrient sensing nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) regulates the host response to short-term fasting by inducing hepatic transcriptional programming of ketogenesis, fatty acid oxidation and transport, and autophagy. This adaptation is ineffective in chronically undernourished individuals, among whom dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis are common. We recently reported that hepatic PPARα protein is profoundly depleted in male mice undernourished by a low-protein, low-fat diet. Here, we identify PPARα as a deacetylation target of the NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and link this to the decrease in PPARα protein levels in undernourished liver. Livers from undernourished male mice expressed high levels of SIRT1, with decreased PPARα acetylation and strongly decreased hepatic PPARα protein. In cultured hepatocytes, PPARα protein levels were decreased by transiently transfecting constitutively active SIRT1 or by treating cells with the potent SIRT1 activator resveratrol, while silencing SIRT1 increased PPARα protein levels. SIRT1 expression is correlated with increased PPARα ubiquitination, suggesting that protein loss is due to proteasomal degradation. In accord with these findings, the dramatic loss of hepatic PPARα in undernourished male mice was completely restored by treating mice with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. Similarly, treating undernourished mice with the SIRT1 inhibitor selisistat/EX-527 completely restored hepatic PPARα protein. These data suggest that induction of SIRT1 in undernutrition results in hepatic PPARα deacetylation, ubiquitination, and degradation, highlighting a new mechanism that mediates the liver's failed adaptive metabolic responses in chronic undernutrition.
Circulating Vitamin D Levels and the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Yang Shengyi , Zhi Hong , Sun Ying , Wang Lina
Published: March 2022

Aim

We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and atrial fibrillation (AF) risks.

Methods

Data on the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and AF outcome were obtained from a UK Biobank study, SUNLIGHT consortium, and the latest meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies GWASs with six independent cohorts, respectively. MR analysis was performed to obtain the estimates, followed by the use of inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, weighted median method, maximum likelihood, MR-egger method, and MR-PRESSO methods.

Results

The IVW estimate showed that genetically predicted vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were not causally associated with the risk of AF with two models. The association was consistent in complementary analyses.

Conclusions

Our MR finding suggested that no genetic evidence of serum vitamin D levels was significantly associated with AF risk. Further researches are necessary to explore the potential role and mechanisms of circulating serum vitamin D levels on AF.
Association of Four Nutritional Scores With All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in the General Population
Authors: Fan Heze , Huang Yuzhi , Zhang Haoxuan , Feng Xueying , Yuan Zuyi , Zhou Juan
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

Malnutrition is a well known risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients with cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease, but epidemiological evidence on its relationship with the long-term risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death is limited.

Methods

A total of 20,116 adults from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2014 were enrolled. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score, and Triglycerides (TG) × Total Cholesterol (TC) × Body Weight (BW) Index (TCBI) were calculated at baseline. Cox regression and the Kaplan–Meier analysis were conducted when participants were divided into three groups according to the tertiles of objective nutritional scores. Restricted cubic spline was performed to further explore the shape of the relationship between all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, and nutritional scores. In addition, the area under the curve (AUC), continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were conducted to assess which nutritional scores have the greatest predictive value for all-cause death and cardiovascular death in the general population.

Results

The cumulative incidence of all-cause death and cardiovascular death was significantly higher in participants with a higher CONUT score, lower GNRI, and lower PNI. TCBI showed the worst performance on grading and risk assessment. After adjusting confounding factors, the lowest PNI and GNRI tertile and highest COUNT score were independently and significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause death (all P < 0.01) and cardiovascular death (all P < 0.05) analyzed by a multivariate Cox regression model. An L-shaped association between the HR (hazard ratio) of all-cause mortality and nutritional scores (GNRI, PNI and TCBI) was observed in the overall populations. In addition, the PNI had the highest predictive value for all-cause mortality [AUC: 0.684, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.667–0.701] and cardiovascular death (AUC: 0.710, 95% CI: 0.672–0.749) in the general population compared with other nutritional scores.

Conclusion

The poorer the nutritional status of the general population, the higher the all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. The PNI score may provide more useful predictive values than other nutritional scores.
The Effect of Ophiopogonin C in Ameliorating Radiation-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in C57BL/6 Mice: An Update Study
Authors: Fu Xiaobin , Li Tingting , Yao Qiwei
Published: March 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to assess and update the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of Ophiopogonin C (OP-C), a biologically active component separated and purified from Ophiopogon japonicus, in ameliorating radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis in C57BL/6 mice administered thoracic radiation.

Methods and Materials

We randomly divided 75 mice into five groups and administered a dose of 12-Gy whole thoracic radiation to establish a pulmonary fibrosis animal model. Mice were treated with OP-C or dexamethasone combined with or without cephalexin by daily gavage for 4 weeks. All mice were sacrificed after the completion of thoracic irradiation at 28 weeks. Serum levels of interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were evaluated. Moreover, superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in lung tissue were measured. The severity of fibrosis was evaluated using the hydroxyproline content of the lung tissue. The pathological changes in the five groups were detected by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome staining. Smooth muscle actin expression was detected using immunohistochemical staining. Matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases-2 (TIMP-2) were examined by immunohistochemical staining of the lung sections, and semiquantitative analysis was used to calculate the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2.

Results

Irradiated mice treated with OP-C or DXE combined with or without cephalexin significantly reduced mortality in mice and fibrosis levels by 1) reducing the deposition of collagen and accumulation of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts, 2) downgrading levels of the promote-fibrosis cytokine TGF-β1, and 3) increasing SOD activity in the lung tissue compared with that of irradiated mice without treatment. However, there were no statistical differences in fibrosis levels among the irradiated mice treated with OP-C or DXE combined with or without cephalexin.

Conclusion

OP-C significantly ameliorates radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis and may be a promising therapeutic strategy for this disorder.
Prognostic Relevance of Progesterone Receptor Levels in Early Luminal-Like HER2 Negative Breast Cancer Subtypes: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Diana Anna , Carlino Francesca , Buono Giuseppe , Antoniol Giuliano , Famiglietti Vincenzo , De Angelis Carmine , Carrano Simone , Piccolo Antonio , De Vita Ferdinando , Ciardiello Fortunato , Daniele Bruno , Arpino Grazia , Orditura Michele
Published: March 2022

Introduction

In luminal-like early breast cancer (BC), the lack of Progesterone Receptor (PR) expression generally correlates with more aggressive behavior but the clinical validity of low PR levels remains a debated issue.

Methods

The main aim of this retrospective analysis was to assess the survival outcome (Breast cancer specific survival, BCSS) in a cohort of 687 luminal-like HER2 negative early BC patients treated at our Institutions from January 2000 to December 2018, using a sub-classification of tumors in subgroup 1 (PR high/Ki67 low), subgroup 2 (PR high/Ki67 high), subgroup 3 (PR low/Ki67 low), subgroup 4 (PR low/Ki67 high) according to PR and Ki67 values.

Results

At a median follow-up of 7 years, BCSS rates were 96.3%, 89%, 86.8% and 85% in the subgroup 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively. Overall, a statistically significant difference in BCSS rates was observed among the 4 subgroups (p=0.0036). On univariate analysis, post-menopause, older age (≥ 50 years), low PR and high Ki67 expression, poorly differentiated grade and size ≥ 2 cm as well as luminal B-like tumors (subgroups 2, 3, 4) were significantly associated with a worse BCSS. Multivariate analysis identified grade, size and subgroup classification of BC as independent prognostic markers of poorer outcome. In particular, subgroups 4, 3 and 2 displayed a significantly higher risk of BC-related death (HR=4.11; p=0.008; HR=3.43; p=0-007; HR=2.57; p=0.020, respectively) when compared to subgroup 1.

Conclusions

Our results support the usefulness of PR and Ki67 levels as prognostic markers, corroborating their crucial role in the decision-making process of patients with luminal-like HER2 negative early BC. Clinical application of these parameters should be assessed prospectively.
Impact of New vs. Old International Children’s Continence Society Standardization on the Classification of Treatment Naïve Enuresis Children at Screening: The Value of Voiding Diaries and Questionnaires
Authors: Karamaria Sevasti , Ranguelov Nadejda , Hansen Pernille , De Boe Veerle , Verleyen Pieter , Segers Nathalie , Walle Johan Vande , Dossche Lien , Bael An
Published: March 2022

Expert consensus papers recommend differentiating enuresis using questionnaires and voiding diaries into non- (NMNE) and monosymptomatic enuresis (MNE) is crucial at intake to decide the most appropriate workout and treatment. This national, Belgian, prospective study investigates the correlation, consistency, and added value of the two methods, the new against the old International Children’s Continence Society (ICCS) definitions, and documents the prevalence of the two enuresis subtypes in our population. Ninety treatment-naïve enuretic children were evaluated with the questionnaire, and the voiding diary and the two clinical management tools were compared. Almost 30% of the children had a different diagnosis with each method, and we observed inconsistencies between them in registering Lower Tract Symptoms (κ = –0.057–0.432 depending on the symptom). Both methods had a high correlation in identifying MNE (rs = 0.612, p = 0.001) but not for NMNE (rs = 0.127, p = 0.248). According to the latest ICCS definitions, the incidence of MNE was significantly lower (7 vs. 48%) with the old standardization.

Conclusion

The voiding diary and the questionnaire, as recommended by the ICCS at the screening of treatment-naïve enuretic patients, are considerably inconsistent and have significantly different sensitivities in identifying LUTS and thus differentiating MNE from NMNE. However, the high incidence of LUTS and very low prevalence of MNE suggest that differentiating MNE from NMNE to the maximum might not always correlate with different therapy responses.
Management of Acute Kidney Injury in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Branagan Aoife , Costigan Caoimhe S. , Stack Maria , Slagle Cara , Molloy Eleanor J.
Published: March 2022

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common problem in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Neonates born at <1,000 g (extremely low birth weight, ELBW) are at an increased risk of secondary associated comorbidities such as intrauterine growth restriction, prematurity, volume restriction, ischaemic injury, among others. Studies estimate up to 50% ELBW infants experience at least one episode of AKI during their NICU stay. Although no curative treatment for AKI currently exists, recognition is vital to reduce potential ongoing injury and mitigate long-term consequences of AKI. However, the definition of AKI is imperfect in this population and presents clinical challenges to correct identification, thus contributing to under recognition and reporting. Additionally, the absence of guidelines for the management of AKI in ELBW infants has led to variations in practice. This review summarizes AKI in the ELBW infant and includes suggestions such as close observation of daily fluid balance, review of medications to reduce nephrotoxic exposure, management of electrolytes, maximizing nutrition, and the use of diuretics and/or dialysis when appropriate.
Hypernatremia During Intravenous Treatment With Fosfomycin: A Retrospective Medical Record Review Study and an Analysis of Spontaneous Reports in the EudraVigilance Database
Authors: Scavone Cristina , Mascolo Annamaria , Bernardi Francesca Futura , Aiezza Maria Luisa , Saturnino Paola , Morra Gaia , Simonelli Margherita , Massa Marida , Pomicino Andrea , Minei Giuseppina , Pisapia Raffaella , Spatarella Micaela , Trama Ugo , Guglielmi Gaspare , Capuano Annalisa , Perrella Alessandro
Published: March 2022

Background: Hypernatremia is a serious event that can occur during intravenous (IV) treatment with fosfomycin, and it can also be caused by a wrong drug preparation. Considering the clinical significance of hypernatremia, we decided to carry out two studies by using two different data sources with the aim to evaluate cases of IV fosfomycin-induced hypernatremia.

Methods: A retrospective medical record review was performed from June 2017 to June 2019 using data from two hospitals in Southern Italy. The information collected was related to the patients, the antibiotic treatment regimen, type of adverse drug reaction (ADR), hypernatremia severity classification, and drug withdrawal due to ADRs. Moreover, a pharmacovigilance study was performed from the date of the European marketing authorization of fosfomycin to October 11, 2021, using data reported on the European website of suspected ADRs. Information related to the patient characteristics, treatment, hypernatremia, and type of reporter was retrieved.

Results: From the retrospective medical record review, a total of 62 patients (48 men and 14 women) in treatment with fosfomycin were identified, of which 17 experienced ADRs. Specifically, 11 patients experienced hypernatremia. During the period from June 2017 to June 2018, a total of 63.7% of hypernatremia events were related to the wrong reconstitution of the drug. According to these results, a surveillance and training campaign about the correct drug reconstitution was managed. However, from June 2018 to June 2019, we still had four new hypernatremia cases. Drug withdrawal occurred in only one patient with hypernatremia. From the pharmacovigilance study, a total of 25 cases of IV fosfomycin-induced hypernatremia were retrieved. No substantial difference was found for patients’ distribution by sex. Most cases were classified as serious (68%) and reported “Recovered/resolved” as the outcome (44%). In the majority of cases, fosfomycin was the only suspected drug reported (72%).

Conclusion: Our results show that training campaigns on the correct drug preparation need to be strengthened to allow a reduction of hypernatremia cases. Moreover, when close monitoring and management is performed by the infectious disease (ID) specialist and hospital pharmacist, there also is a reduction in antibiotic withdrawal due to hypernatremia.
Efficacy of Eribulin in Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Authors: Phillips Edward , Jones Robin L. , Huang Paul , Digklia Antonia
Published: March 2022

Soft tissue sarcomas are a highly heterogenous group of tumors with limited systemic therapy options. Eribulin, a synthetic analogue of halichondrin B, is a potent mitotic inhibitor. A phase 3 trial of previously treated advanced Liposarcoma and Leiomyosarcoma demonstrated superiority of eribulin to dacarbazine. Eribulin appears to be particularly effective for liposarcomas. It has also been shown to be a safe and effective treatment alternative to doxorubicin in patients where doxorubicin is contraindicated. From retrospective studies, eribulin has demonstrated efficacy in patients with angiosarcoma, pleomorphic sarcomas, synovial sarcomas, rhabdomyosarcomas, angiosarcomas, and myxofibrosarcomas. Future areas of development include liposomal eribulin, which may provide increased efficacy and lower toxicity, and delineation of biomarkers of response and resistance, allowing better selection of patients for treatment.
A Survey for 3D Flame Chemiluminescence Tomography: Theory, Algorithms, and Applications
Authors: Jin Ying , Situ Guohai
Published: March 2022

Combustion diagnostics play an essential role in energy engineering, transportation, and aerospace industries, which has great potential in combustion efficiency improvement and polluting emission control. The three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the combustion field and the measurement of key physical parameters such as temperature, species concentration, and velocity during the combustion process are important topics in the field of combustion diagnostics. Benefiting from the non-contact and non-intrusive advantages of the optical detection method as well as the advantages of the 3D full-field measurement of the measured field by computational tomography, flame chemiluminescence tomography (FCT) has the ability to realize non-intrusive and instantaneous 3D quantitative measurement and 3D full-field visualization of key physical parameters in the combustion process, which has crucial research significance in combustion diagnostics. In this study, we review the progress of FCT technique. First, we provide an extensive review of practical applications of FCT in state-of-the-art combustion diagnostics and research. Then, the basic concepts and mathematical theory of FCT are elaborated. Finally, we introduce the conventional reconstruction algorithm and proceed to more popular artificial intelligence-based algorithms.
Dietary Inclusion of Hydrolyzed Debaryomyces hansenii Yeasts Modulates Physiological Responses in Plasma and Immune Organs of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Parr Exposed to Acute Hypoxia Stress
Authors: Morales-Lange Byron , Djordjevic Brankica , Gaudhaman Ashwath , Press Charles McLean , Olson Jake , Mydland Liv Torunn , Mercado Luis , Imarai Mónica , Castex Mathieu , Øverland Margareth
Published: March 2022

Stress related to salmon aquaculture practices (handling, sub-optimal nutrition, diseases, and environmental problems) may compromise fish welfare. This study describes the effects of two hydrolyzed Debaryomyces hansenii yeast-based products (LAN4 and LAN6) on physiological and immune responses of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr exposed to short hypoxia stress. A commercial-like diet (control diet: CD) and two experimental diets (CD supplemented with 0.1% of either component LAN4 or LAN6) were fed to fish for 8 weeks. At the end of the feeding experiment, fish were exposed to 1-min hypoxia and samples were collected at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h post-stress. Results showed that plasma cortisol reached a peak at 1 h post-stress in CD and LAN6 groups, whereas no significant increase in cortisol levels was detected in the LAN4 group. Moreover, the LAN6 group enhanced IL-10 responses to hypoxia, when compared to the control and LAN4 group. This suggests a regulation of immunosuppressive profiles in fish fed LAN4. Hypoxia stress increased TNFα in all groups, which indicates that fish may compensate for the short-term stress response, by modulating innate immune molecules. The apparent suppression of hypoxia responses in the LAN4 group coincided with the detection of differences in goblet cells size and Muc-like proteins production in DI; and upregulation (1 h post-stress) of pathways related to oxygen transport, hemoglobin complex, and glutathione transferase activity and the downregulation of fatty acid metabolism (6 h post-stress) in gills. To conclude, a 1-min hypoxia stress exposure affects the response to stress and immunity; and D. hansenii-based yeast products are promising components in functional aquafeeds for salmon due to their ability to counteract possible consequences of hypoxic stress.
Effect of Drought and Low P on Yield and Nutritional Content in Common Bean
Authors: Smith Millicent R. , Dinglasan Eric , Veneklaas Erik , Polania Jose , Rao Idupulapati M. , Beebe Stephen E. , Merchant Andrew
Published: March 2022

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in the tropics typically occurs in rainfed systems on marginal lands where yields are low, primarily as a consequence of drought and low phosphorus (P) availability in soil. This study aimed to investigate the physiological and chemical responses of 12 bush bean genotypes for adaptation to individual and combined stress factors of drought and low P availability. Water stress and P deficiency, both individually and combined, decreased seed weight and aboveground biomass by ∼80%. Water deficit and P deficiency decreased photosynthesis and stomatal conductance during plant development. Maximum rates of carboxylation, electron transport, and triose phosphate utilization were superior for two common bean genotypes (SEF60 and NCB226) that are better adapted to combined stress conditions of water deficit and low P compared to the commercial check (DOR390). In response to water deficit treatment, carbon isotope fractionation in the leaf tissue decreased at all developmental stages. Within the soluble leaf fraction, combined water deficit and low P, led to significant changes in the concentration of key nutrients and amino acids, whereas no impact was detected in the seed. Our results suggest that common bean genotypes have a degree of resilience in yield development, expressed in traits such as pod harvest index, and conservation of nutritional content in the seed. Further exploration of the chemical and physiological traits identified here will enhance the resilience of common bean production systems in the tropics.
Multifarious and Interactive Roles of GRAS Transcription Factors During Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Development
Authors: Ho-Plágaro Tania , García-Garrido José Manuel
Published: March 2022

Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) is a mutualistic symbiotic interaction between plant roots and AM fungi (AMF). This interaction is highly beneficial for plant growth, development and fitness, which has made AM symbiosis the focus of basic and applied research aimed at increasing plant productivity through sustainable agricultural practices. The creation of AM requires host root cells to undergo significant structural and functional modifications. Numerous studies of mycorrhizal plants have shown that extensive transcriptional changes are induced in the host during all stages of colonization. Advances have recently been made in identifying several plant transcription factors (TFs) that play a pivotal role in the transcriptional regulation of AM development, particularly those belonging to the GRAS TF family. There is now sufficient experimental evidence to suggest that GRAS TFs are capable to establish intra and interspecific interactions, forming a transcriptional regulatory complex that controls essential processes in the AM symbiosis. In this minireview, we discuss the integrative role of GRAS TFs in the regulation of the complex genetic re-programming determining AM symbiotic interactions. Particularly, research being done shows the relevance of GRAS TFs in the morphological and developmental changes required for the formation and turnover of arbuscules, the fungal structures where the bidirectional nutrient translocation occurs.
Improved Point-Cloud Segmentation for Plant Phenotyping Through Class-Dependent Sampling of Training Data to Battle Class Imbalance
Authors: Boogaard Frans P. , van Henten Eldert J. , Kootstra Gert
Published: March 2022

Plant scientists and breeders require high-quality phenotypic data. However, obtaining accurate manual measurements for large plant populations is often infeasible, due to the high labour requirement involved. This is especially the case for more complex plant traits, like the traits defining the plant architecture. Computer-vision methods can help in solving this bottleneck. The current work focusses on methods using 3D point cloud data to obtain phenotypic datasets of traits related to the plant architecture. A first step is the segmentation of the point clouds into plant organs. One of the issues in point-cloud segmentation is that not all plant parts are equally represented in the data and that the segmentation performance is typically lower for minority classes than for majority classes. To address this class-imbalance problem, we used a common practice to divide large point clouds into chunks that were independently segmented and recombined later. In our case, the chunks were created by selecting anchor points and combining those with points in their neighbourhood. As a baseline, the anchor points were selected in a class-independent way, representing the class distribution in the original data. Then, we propose a class-dependent sampling strategy to battle class imbalance. The difference in segmentation performance between the class-independent and the class-dependent training set was analysed first. Additionally, the effect of the number of points selected as the neighbourhood was investigated. Smaller neighbourhoods resulted in a higher level of class balance, but also in a loss of context that was contained in the points around the anchor point. The overall segmentation quality, measured as the mean intersection-over-union (IoU), increased from 0.94 to 0.96 when the class-dependent training set was used. The biggest class improvement was found for the “node,” for which the percentage of correctly segmented points increased by 46.0 percentage points. The results of the second experiment clearly showed that higher levels of class balance did not necessarily lead to better segmentation performance. Instead, the optimal neighbourhood size differed per class. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that our class-dependent sampling strategy led to an improved point-cloud segmentation method for plant phenotyping.
Raw Data Visualization for Common Factorial Designs Using SPSS: A Syntax Collection and Tutorial
Authors: Loffing Florian
Published: March 2022

Transparency in data visualization is an essential ingredient for scientific communication. The traditional approach of visualizing continuous quantitative data solely in the form of summary statistics (i.e., measures of central tendency and dispersion) has repeatedly been criticized for not revealing the underlying raw data distribution. Remarkably, however, systematic and easy-to-use solutions for raw data visualization using the most commonly reported statistical software package for data analysis, IBM SPSS Statistics, are missing. Here, a comprehensive collection of more than 100 SPSS syntax files and an SPSS dataset template is presented and made freely available that allow the creation of transparent graphs for one-sample designs, for one- and two-factorial between-subject designs, for selected one- and two-factorial within-subject designs as well as for selected two-factorial mixed designs and, with some creativity, even beyond (e.g., three-factorial mixed-designs). Depending on graph type (e.g., pure dot plot, box plot, and line plot), raw data can be displayed along with standard measures of central tendency (arithmetic mean and median) and dispersion (95% CI and SD). The free-to-use syntax can also be modified to match with individual needs. A variety of example applications of syntax are illustrated in a tutorial-like fashion along with fictitious datasets accompanying this contribution. The syntax collection is hoped to provide researchers, students, teachers, and others working with SPSS a valuable tool to move towards more transparency in data visualization.
Research on the Impact of the Emotional Expression of Kindergarten Teachers on Children: From the Perspective of the Class Micro-Power Relationship
Authors: Liu Min , Wang Qiong
Published: March 2022

During the preschool years, the socio-emotional responses children receive from interactions with teachers are incorporated into their own social behaviors. This is one of the key ways in which children acquire social and emotional skills. Based on field studies, it can be found that this learning process is not simple imitation of children, but of a more complex context of group interaction. To further clarify the impact of kindergarten teachers’ emotion on the sociometric status and behavior of 3–5 year-old children in their classes, the researchers chose a Montessori mixed-age kindergarten in Beijing as the field site and observed five classes within the kindergarten over a 2-month period in this ethnographic case study. The study found that the power gap between teacher and pupil spreads rapidly to all children in the classroom as a result of the teacher’s emotions, and even stimulates power stratification within the children. In addition, there are differences in the social behaviors between the children of different levels of power. As preschool children are in a critical developmental window when social knowledge is being accumulated and social skills are being acquired, using power relations within the kindergarten classroom as an entry point to analyze the impact of teachers’ emotions on children’s social behavior provides a new breakthrough for the professional development of early childhood education and the better achievement of educational goals.
Differences Between Posttraumatic Growth and Resiliency: Their Distinctive Relationships With Empathy and Emotion Recognition Ability
Authors: Elam Taylor , Taku Kanako
Published: March 2022

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) and resiliency have been observed among people who experienced life crises. Given that the direct relationships between PTG and resiliency have been equivocal, it is important to know how they are different in conjunction with cognitive ability. The purpose of this study is to examine how perceived PTG and resiliency would be, respectively, associated with empathy and emotion recognition ability. A total of 420 college students participated in an online survey requiring them to identify emotions based on photographs of facial expressions, report their traumatic experiences, and respond to the PTG Inventory, Brief Resilience Scale, and Questionnaire of Emotional Empathy. The results suggest that perceived PTG was not associated with empathy but significantly predicted increased emotion recognition, whereas resiliency showed a negative relationship with empathy but no significant relationship with emotion recognition. These findings demonstrate that self-perceived PTG may be associated with cognitive ability, which could be due to one’s growth within relationships and social interactions. Even though growing after trauma may promote resilient characteristics, the current results indicate that PTG and resiliency may foster different outcomes. Since empathy and emotion recognition are affected by other contextual factors, future studies should assess how empathy and the type of errors in emotion recognition may be associated with situational factors that are beyond personal factors such as post-traumatic life experiences or personality.
The Effect of Fear of COVID-19 on Green Purchase Behavior in Pakistan: A Multi-Group Analysis Between Infected and Non-infected
Authors: Sajid Kubra S. , Hussain Shahbaz , Hussain Rai I. , Mustafa Bakhtawar
Published: March 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its effects on an individual’s life have altered the consumer behavior. In the context of purchase and consumption, a shift from conventional to green purchase has been noticed. Although the factors underlying this shift were relatively unexplored, the study aimed to identify the factors that influenced a significant role in the green purchases during the outbreak and the relationship of these factors with green purchase behavior (GPB). Subsequently, this study investigates and interprets the role of fear of COVID-19 (FCV), psychological distress (PD), and mortality salience (MS) in predicting consumer’s GPB. This research adopted a quantitative methodology using data collected from 432 respondents in various cities across Pakistan. Smart-PLS 3 was used to evaluate the measurement model, structural model, and multi-group analysis (MGA). Despite having the negative psychological and physical impact of the pandemic, a significant proportion of customers have switched to healthier and sustainable products. This research revealed that the FCV, PD, and MS plays a substantial role in adopting GPB. All the direct relationships were positive and significant. In addition, MS and PD partially mediate the effect of FCV on GPB. Furthermore, the MGA revealed that the infected respondents were interested in purchasing green products than uninfected respondents due to their FCV; conversely, the PD and MS were higher in uninfected individuals than infected ones. However, there is a vast literature on GPB, but little has investigated the cumulative impact of FCV, PD, and MS on GPB.
Integrated Design of Financial Self-Service Terminal Based on Artificial Intelligence Voice Interaction
Authors: Chen Huizhong , Chen Shu , Zhao Jingfeng
Published: March 2022

Integrated design of financial self-service terminal based on artificial intelligence voice interaction with the rapid development of science and technology, artificial intelligence technology is deepening in the field of intelligence and automation. The financial industry is the lifeblood of a country’s economy, with great growth potential and high growth rate. The integrated design of intelligent financial self-service terminal has become an important topic in the field of rapid development of social economy and science and technology. Therefore, this paper designs the integration of financial self-service terminal based on artificial intelligence voice interaction. First, this paper introduces the meaning and composition of financial self-service terminal integration, then studies the voice interaction principle based on artificial intelligence technology, and designs the integrated structure of financial self-service terminal with voice interaction. After that, this paper makes a series of tests on voice interaction technology, user experience, and the performance of financial self-service terminal. Finally, the test results of voice interaction are as follows: the delay estimation results of voice interaction of the terminal are relatively accurate, and the error points are basically within five sampling points, which indicate that the delay estimation algorithm is practical. The endpoint detection method based on CO complexity can effectively overcome the impact of noise environment on speech endpoint detection system and is suitable for the requirements of robust speech recognition system. Considering that the actual application scenario of voice positioning can judge the speaker’s position and turn to the speaker’s direction during human–computer interaction, the azimuth error is acceptable within a few degrees to meet the application requirements. The direction angle error is acceptable within a few degrees to meet the application requirements. The accuracy of the improved algorithm is improved in intercepting effective speech signals. The terminal has short running time and delay time, small memory, and central processing unit (CPU) occupation and can meet the needs of users. The speech recognition accuracy of the financial self-service terminal basically reaches more than 80%, which can basically meet the daily needs.
Research on Bond Participants’ Emotion Reactions Toward the Internet News in China’s Bond Market
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Jun , Tong Mu
Published: March 2022

The literature has widely studied the market response to the financial news or events but mainly focused on the stock market. This article associates the concept of internet news with the bond market response and attempts to examine how credit rating agencies (CRAs) and bond investors, two important bond participants, react to financial news on the internet with a range of multiply regressions. Our empirical study leads to several findings. First, CRAs tend to ignore the warnings of financial news on the internet, whereas bond investors strongly react to such news. Second, there is an asymmetry in bond investors’ reactions to good news compared to bad news, with investors being more sensitive to bad news. Third, there is heterogeneity in the psychological reaction where bond investors do not react to the news about central state-owned enterprises (SOEs) but to the news about other enterprises. Finally, there is an asymmetric response driven by news timeliness that bond investors are more sensitive to the latest news articles than old ones. Overall, our study confirms the existence of psychological reactions to the financial news on the internet in China’s bond market, which has significance for keeping bond market participants from overreacting or underreacting to market news.
Identity Development and Maladaptive Personality Traits in Young Refugees and First- and Second-Generation Migrants
Authors: Zettl Max , Akin Zeynep , Back Sarah , Taubner Svenja , Goth Kirstin , Zehetmair Catharina , Nikendei Christoph , Bertsch Katja
Published: March 2022

Refugees are often exposed to a variety of stressors and traumatic events, posing a significant risk for the development of mental disorders. Young refugees may be particularly at risk because adverse life events affect identity formation, a developmental task that is typically expected in adolescence and emerging adulthood. Trauma and cultural changes may alter identity development, potentially leading to identity diffusion, a core concept of personality disorders. However, previous research on personality pathology among refugees is scarce. In this study, we examine identity development and maladaptive personality traits in young refugees and migrants. Refugees from 22 countries of origin were recruited in a German reception center (n = 120) and a group of adults with a migration background in first- or second generation was obtained via web-based recruitment (n = 281). Identity development was measured using the Assessment of Identity Development in Adolescence – Short Form. Maladaptive personality traits were assessed with the Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Brief Form. Group differences between refugees and migrants regarding identity development and trait expression were investigated using t-tests. The relationship between the two measures and their corresponding subscales was examined by means of correlation analyses. Refugees reported significantly higher levels of identity diffusion, negative affectivity, detachment, antagonism, and disinhibition compared to migrants. No significant differences were found for psychoticism. Correlation analyses revealed low to moderate positive associations between identity diffusion and maladaptive trait expression. Possible implications for early phase of resettlement, preventive psychiatric care and further research questions are discussed.
The Association of P300 Components With Clinical Characteristics and Efficacy of Pharmacotherapy in Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Yuan Jing , Wu Changjiang , Wu Li , Fan Xinxin , Zeng Tingting , Xu Li , Wei Yujun , Zhang Yan , Wang Hongxuan , Peng Ying , Kang Chuanyuan , Yang Jianzhong
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the association of P300 components with clinical characteristics and efficacy of pharmacotherapy in alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Methods

One hundred fifty-one AUD patients and 96 healthy controls were recruited and evaluated for the symptoms of depression, anxiety, sleep, and cognitive function by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Digit Symbol Substitution test (DSST), and event-related potential P300, which is one of the averaged scalp electroencephalography responses time-locked to specific events. Among the AUD group, 101 patients finished an 8-week pharmacotherapy and were evaluated for the above data at post-intervention.

Results

1. At baseline, AUD patients had higher scores of AUDIT, PHQ-9, GAD-7, PSQI, and P300 latency at Cz, Pz, and Fz and lower DSST score and smaller P300 amplitudes at Fz, Cz, and Pz compared with controls. P300 components correlated significantly with alcohol dose and score of AUDIT, PHQ-9, GAD-7, PSQI, and DSST. 2. After 8 weeks' treatment, there were significant changes for the P300 components; alcohol dose; and score of AUDIT, PHQ-9, GAD-7, PSQI, and DSST. Variables at baseline, including P300 amplitudes at Fz, Cz, and Pz; latency of Fz and Pz; alcohol dose; and scores of PHQ-9, GAD-7, PSQI, and DSST, were significantly associated with changes of reduction rate of AUDIT scores. However, P300 amplitudes at Fz, Cz, and Pz in AUD patients after 8-week treatment were still significantly shorter than healthy controls (HCs), and P300 latencies at Fz, Cz, and Pz were significantly longer than HCs. 3. When validated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was over 0.80, the baseline variables including amplitudes at Cz and Pz, alcohol dose, and scores of PSQI could predict the changes of reduction rate of AUDIT score.

Conclusion

P300 amplitudes and latencies at Fz, Cz, and Pz could be used as biological markers for evaluating the clinical characters and severity of AUD. P300 amplitudes at Cz and Pz, sleep condition, and cognitive function at baseline could predict the efficacy of pharmacotherapy for AUD patients.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Effects on Overseas Pakistanis Particularly Residing in China, Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom
Authors: Ahmad Tauseef , Murtaza Bibi Nazia , Ahmad Faizan , Murad Manal Abdulaziz , Baig Mukhtiar , Imtiaz Arouba , Baig Fizzah , Baig Javaria , Siraj Muhammad , Sagga Abdullah Khalid
Published: March 2022

Aim

This study explored the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic effects on overseas Pakistani's residing in various parts of the world, particularly in China, Saudi Arabia (SA), and the United Kingdom (UK).

Methods

This cross-sectional study was completed between November 2020 and April 2021. An online questionnaire was designed and circulated via various social media mediums to overseas Pakistani communities. The obtained data were statistically analyzed through SPSS version 19 for windows. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 542 overseas Pakistani participated in the current study. In total, 157 (29%) were females and 385 (71%) males. There were 174 (32.1%), 142 (26.45%), 117 (21.6%), and 109 (19.85%) participants from the UK, SA, China, and other countries respectively. Some participants, or their family members, 93 (17.2%), got infected with the COVID-19. About one-third, 165 (30.4%), of the respondents were afraid that their company would violate their contracts or lose their jobs or be paid less. The majority, 469 (86.5%), believed that the lockdown is increasing their psychological stress. More than half of the participants, 314 (57.9%), stated that the Pakistani embassy did not facilitate them in their country of stay. About one-third, 194 (35.8%), of the respondents faced visa-related issues. More than one-third of respondents, 221 (40.8%), faced health issues due to lack of physical activities during the lockdown. Males were afraid that their company would violate their contract, lose jobs, or be paid less than females (p < 0.001). Both genders had psychological stress and health issues because of the pandemic. The participants from SA faced more visa-related issues, and they were less satisfied with the efforts of the Pakistani embassy to facilitate them compared to the UK and China participants (p = 0.013).

Conclusion

Our data indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Pakistanis living in the UK, SA, China, and other parts of the world. They had health-related issues, visa problems and dissatisfaction with Pakistani embassy facilitations. Pakistanis living abroad require government assistance to resolve their issues.