bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global Financial Crisis, Smart Lockdown Strategies, and the COVID-19 Spillover Impacts: A Global Perspective Implications From Southeast Asia
Authors: Wang Chunlei , Wang Dake , Abbas Jaffar , Duan Kaifeng , Mubeen Riaqa
Published: September 2021

This present study primarily emphasizes to seek the COVID-19 adverse impacts posing health challenges and global economic crisis. The pandemic (COVID-19) continues to hit the global economies adversely. Pakistan is the 5th-most-populous nation, and recorded positive cases with the third-highest positivity ratio in South Asia, and 26th-highest deaths toll of 21,450 and 29th number of most COVID-19 positive cases with 933,750 worldwide, as of June 6, 2021. The first wave appeared at the end of May 2020, and mid of June reported its peak, which ended by mid-July 2020. Early November 2020 witnessed the second wave with low intensity reached the climax by mid-December. The COVID-19's third wave severely affected the country during mid-March 2021. It exhibited the highest positivity rate, around 20%. New positive patients and deaths toll commenced to skyrocket and reported peak by April 15, 2021. Then situation gradually improved with effective measures and restrictions. The pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected 220 territories, regions, and countries and resulted in more than 174.116 million infections, deaths, 3.75 million, and 157.157 million positive cases fully recovered from this infectious disease, as of June 7, 2021. The pandemic has caused a severe crisis of healthcare facilities and economic challenges worldwide. Pakistani economy reported GPD's negative growth (–0.05) for the first time over the last 60 years in 2020, which caused a massive financial crisis. The Government's relief package intervened to reduce public mental stress and improve the quality of their lives. IMF reported that Pakistan's GPD bounced back at 4% growth by June 2021. This article determines that economic instability and health burden happened in Pakistan for a longer time than financial disequilibrium that occurred globally. Pakistan encountered this crisis due to its feeble healthcare systems and fragile economy. This study explores adverse health issues and spillover consequences on the economic crisis in Pakistan with global implications. It recommends smart lockdown restrictions in most affected areas to reopen the economic cycle with strict preventive measures to minimize the COVD-19 adverse consequences.
A Treatment-Response Comparison Study of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Between Standard Treatment of SSRI and Standard Treatment of SSRI Plus Non-dominant Hand-Writing Task in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Boyraz Rabia Kevser , Kirpinar Ismet , Yilmaz Onur , Özyurt Onur , Kiliçarslan Tezer , Aralasmak Ayse
Published: September 2021

Background: Researches have recently shifted from functional/structural imaging studies to functional connectivity (FC) studies in major depressive disorder (MDD). We aimed to compare treatment response of two treatment groups before and after treatment, in terms of both with psychiatric evaluation scales and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) changes in order to objectively demonstrate the possible contribution of the non-dominant hand-writing exercise (NHE) effect on depression treatment.

Methods: A total of 26 patients who were right-handed women with similar sociodemographic characteristics were enrolled. Their pre-treatment resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and neuropsychiatric tests were recorded, and then, patients were divided into two groups randomly. A standard treatment (ST) (fix sertraline 50 mg/day) was given to both groups. One randomly selected group was given the NHE in addition to the ST. After 8 weeks of treatment, all patients were reevaluated with rs-fMRI and neuropsychiatric tests. Pre- and post-treatment FC changes within the groups and post-treatment connectivity changes between groups were evaluated.

Results: Post-treatment neuropsychiatric tests were significantly different in both groups. Post-treatment, two brain regions' connectivity changed in the ST group, whereas 10 brain regions' connectivity changed significantly in the ST + NHE group. When treatment groups were compared with each other after the treatment, the FC of 13 regions changed in the ST + NHE group compared to the ST group (p-unc/p-PFD <0.05). The density of connectivity changes in the frontal and limbic regions, especially connectivities shown to change in depression treatment, in the ST + NHE group indicates a positive contribution to depression treatment, which is also supported by neuropsychiatric scale changes.

Conclusion: NHE, which we developed with inspiration from the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) method, showed significantly more connecitivity changes related with MDD treatment. Beyond offering a new additional treatment method, our study will also contribute to the current literature with our efforts to evaluate all brain regions and networks that may be related to MDD and its treatment together, without being limited to a few regions.

Trial Registration: The rs-fMRI and treatment registers were recorded in the BizMed system, which is the patient registration system of Bezmialem Vakif University Medicine Faculty, under the BAP support project approval code and the registration number 3.2018/8.
Recovery From Severe Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review of Service User and Informal Caregiver Perspectives
Authors: Vera San Juan Norha , Gronholm Petra C. , Heslin Margaret , Lawrence Vanessa , Bain Matthew , Okuma Ayako , Evans-Lacko Sara
Published: September 2021

Introduction: The recovery approach aims to have users' perspectives at the heart of service development and research; it is a holistic perspective that considers social needs, personal growth and inclusion. In the last decade recovery-oriented research and practice has increased greatly, however, a comprehensive model of recovery considering exclusively the perspectives of people with lived experience has not been devised.

Aims: This review aimed to develop a framework and contextualize service users' and informal caregivers' understanding of recovery from severe mental health problems.

Methods: We systematically searched 6 databases including key terms related to knowledge, experience and narratives AND mental health AND personal recovery. The search was supplemented with reference sourcing through gray literature, reference tracking and expert consultation. Data analysis consisted of a qualitative meta-synthesis using constant comparative methods.

Results: Sixty-two studies were analyzed. A pattern emerged regarding the recovery paradigms that the studies used to frame their findings. The resulting recovery framework included the domains Social recovery; Prosperity (Legal, political, and economic recovery); Individual Recovery; and Clinical Recovery Experience (SPICE). Service users' definitions of recovery tended to prioritize social aspects, particularly being accepted and connecting with others, while caregivers focused instead on clinical definitions of recovery such as symptom remission. Both groups emphasized individual aspects such as becoming self-sufficient and achieving personal goals, which was strongly linked with having economic means for independence.

Conclusions: The recovery model provided by this review offers a template for further research in the field and a guide for policy and practice. Predominant definitions of recovery currently reflect understandings of mental health which focus on an individual perspective, while this review found an important emphasis on socio-political aspects. At the same time, only a small number of studies took place in low-income countries, focused on minoritized populations, or included caregivers' perspectives. These are important gaps in the literature that require further attention.

Systematic Review Registration: The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42017076450); https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=76450.
Depression and Anxiety in Mothers Who Were Pregnant During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Northern Italy: The Role of Pandemic-Related Emotional Stress and Perceived Social Support
Authors: Grumi Serena , Provenzi Livio , Accorsi Patrizia , Biasucci Giacomo , Cavallini Anna , Decembrino Lidia , Falcone Rossana , Fazzi Elisa Maria , Gardella Barbara , Giacchero Roberta , Guerini Paola , Grossi Elena , Magnani Maria Luisa , Mariani Eloisa Maria , Nacinovich Renata , Pantaleo Dario , Pisoni Camilla , Prefumo Federico , Sabatini Caterina , Scelsa Barbara , Spartà Maria Valentina , Spinillo Arsenio , Giorda Roberto , Orcesi Simona , Borgatti Renato
Published: September 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is a collective trauma that is threatening citizens' mental health resulting in increased emotional stress, reduced social support, and heightened risk for affective symptoms. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of antenatal pandemic-related emotional stress and perceived social support on the symptoms of depression and anxiety of mothers who were pregnant during the initial COVID-19 outbreak in northern Italy. A sample of 281 mothers was enrolled at eight maternity units in the first hotspot region of the COVID-19 outbreak in northern Italy. Participants filled out online questionnaires assessing the direct or indirect exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, pandemic-related stress, perceived social support, as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety. Depressive and anxious symptomatology was above clinical concern, respectively, in 26 and 32% of the respondents. Mothers who reported no exposure to SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and those who reported at least one direct or indirect exposure did not differ in terms of affective symptoms. Continuous scores and risk for severe depression and anxiety were positively associated with prenatal pandemic-related emotional stress and negatively linked with perceived social support during pregnancy. Women who become mothers during the COVID-19 emergency may be at high risk for affective problems. Dedicated preventive programs are needed to provide adequate preventive support and care for maternal mental health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The “Vulnerability” Discourse in Times of Covid-19: Between Abandonment and Protection of Canadian Francophone Older Adults
Authors: Lagacé Martine , Doucet Amélie , Dangoisse Pascale , Bergeron Caroline D.
Published: September 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has been particularly difficult for older Canadians who have experienced age discrimination. As the media can provide a powerful channel for conveying stereotypes, the current study aimed to explore how Canadian Francophone older adults and the aging process were depicted by the media during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, and to examine if and how the media discourse contributed to ageist attitudes and behaviors. A content analysis of two French Canadian media op-eds and comment pieces (n = 85) published over the course of the first wave of the pandemic was conducted. Findings reveal that the aging process was mainly associated with words of decline, loss, and vulnerability. More so, older people were quasi-absent if not silent in the media discourse. Older adults were positioned as people to fight for and not as people to fight along with in the face of the pandemic. The findings from this study enhance the understanding of theories and concepts of the Theory of Social Representations and the Stereotype Content Model while outlining the importance of providing older people with a voice and a place in the shaping of public discourse around aging. Results also illustrate the transversality and influence of ageism in this linguistic minority context.
Mental Workload and Job Satisfaction in Healthcare Workers: The Moderating Role of Job Control
Authors: Rostami Fatemeh , Babaei-Pouya Amin , Teimori-Boghsani Gholamheidar , Jahangirimehr Azam , Mehri Zahra , Feiz-Arefi Maryam
Published: September 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the moderating role of job control in relation to mental workload and job satisfaction of healthcare workers.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 480 nurses, midwives, and administrative workers in four educational hospitals of Ardabil, Iran. Research tools were included demographic information questionnaire, NASA-TLX questionnaire, job description index (JDI) questionnaire and job control inquiry.

Results: Compared with administrative workers, mental workload of nurses and midwives was significantly higher and likewise mental workload of nurses was significantly difference compared to midwives (P < 0.001). Nurses and midwives had substantially higher job satisfaction than administrative workers (P < 0.001). Also, nurses and midwives had higher job control than administrative workers (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Based on the designed model, the correlation between mental workload and job satisfaction was negative and significant (r = −0.22); which in the presence of job control, the relationship between the two variables of workload and job satisfaction slightly increased (r = −0.19, P < 0.001). These conditions were the same in the three job groups separately.

Conclusion: Mental workload is inversely related to job satisfaction and job control. Job control plays an important role in improving working conditions in healthcare workers.
Impact of Personal Cooling on Performance, Comfort and Heat Strain of Healthcare Workers in PPE, a Study From West Africa
Authors: Bonell Ana , Nadjm Behzad , Samateh Tida , Badjie Jainaba , Perry-Thomas Robyn , Forrest Karen , Prentice Andrew M. , Maxwell Neil S.
Published: September 2021

Background: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential component of safely treating suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patients. PPE acts as a barrier to heat loss, therefore increasing the risk of thermal strain which may impact on cognitive function. Healthcare workers (HCWs) need to be able to prioritize and execute complex tasks effectively to ensure patient safety. This study evaluated pre-cooling and per-cooling methods on thermal strain, thermal comfort and cognitive function during simulated emergency management of an acutely unwell patient.

Methods: This randomized controlled crossover trial was run at the Clinical Services Department of the Medical Research Unit The Gambia. Each participant attended two sessions (Cool and Control) in standard PPE. Cool involved pre-cooling with an ice slurry ingestion and per-cooling by wearing an ice-vest external to PPE.

Results: Twelve participants completed both sessions. There was a significant increase in tympanic temperature in Control sessions at both 1 and 2 h in PPE (p = 0.01). No significant increase was seen during Cool. Effect estimate of Cool was −0.2°C (95% CI −0.43; 0.01, p = 0.06) post 1 h and −0.28°C (95% CI −0.57; 0.02, p = 0.06) post 2 h on tympanic temperature. Cool improved thermal comfort (p < 0.001), thermal sensation (p < 0.001), and thirst (p = 0.04). No difference on cognitive function was demonstrated using multilevel modeling.

Discussion: Thermal strain in HCWs wearing PPE can be safely reduced using pre- and per-cooling methods external to PPE.
A Structured Pathway Toward Disruption: A Novel HealthTec Innovation Design Curriculum With Entrepreneurship in Mind
Authors: Fritzsche Holger , Barbazzeni Beatrice , Mahmeen Mohd , Haider Sultan , Friebe Michael
Published: September 2021

The typical curriculum of training and educating future clinicians, biomedical engineers, health IT, and artificial intelligence experts lacks needed twenty first-century skills like problem-solving, stakeholder empathy, curiosity stimulation, entrepreneurship, and health economics, which are essential generators and are pre-requirements for creating intentional disruptive innovations. Moreover, the translation from research to a valuable and affordable product/process innovation is not formalized by the current teachings that focus on short-term rather than long-term developments, leading to inaccurate and incremental forecasting on the future of healthcare and longevity. The Stanford Biodesign approach of unmet clinical need detection would be an excellent starting methodology for health-related innovation work, although unfortunately not widely taught yet. We have developed a novel lecture titled HealthTec Innovation Design (HTID) offered in an interdisciplinary setup to medical students and biomedical engineers. It teaches a future-oriented view and the application and effects of exponential trends. We implemented a novel approach using the Purpose Launchpad meta-methodology combined with other innovation generation tools to define, experiment, and validate existing project ideas. As part of the process of defining the novel curriculum, we used experimentation methods, like a global science fiction event to create a comic book with Future Health stories and an Innovation Think Tank Certification Program of a large medical technology company that is focused on identifying future health opportunities. We conducted before and after surveys and concluded that the proposed initiatives were impactful in developing an innovative design thinking approach. Participants' awareness and enthusiasm were raised, including their willingness to implement taught skills, values, and methods in their working projects. We conclude that a new curriculum based on HTID is essential and needed to move the needle of healthcare activities from treating sickness to maintaining health.
Predictors of Emergency Room Access and Not Urgent Emergency Room Access by the Frail Older Adults
Authors: Gentili Susanna , Emberti Gialloreti Leonardo , Riccardi Fabio , Scarcella Paola , Liotta Giuseppe
Published: September 2021

Background: Emergency rooms (ERs) overcrowded by older adults have been the focus of public health policies during the recent COVID-19 outbreak too. This phenomenon needed a change in the nursing care of older frail people. Health policies have tried to mitigate the frequent use of ER by implementing community care to meet the care demands of older adults. The present study aimed to investigate the predictors of emergency room access (ERA) and not-urgent emergency room access (NUERA) of community-dwelling frail older adults in order to provide an indication for out-of-hospital care services.

Method: Secondary analysis of an observational longitudinal cohort study was carried out. The cohort consisted of 1,246 community-dwelling frail older adults (over 65 years) in the Latium region in Italy. The ER admission rate was assessed over 3 years from the administration of the functional geriatric evaluation (FGE) questionnaire. The ordinal regression model was used to identify the predictors of ERA and NUERA. Moreover, the ERA and NUERA rate per 100 observations/year was analyzed.

Results: The mean age was 73.6 (SD ± 7.1) years, and 53.4% were women. NUERAs were the 39.2% of the ERAs; robust and pre-frail individuals (79.3% of the sample) generated more than two-third of ERAs (68.17%), even if frails and very frails showed the higher ER rates per observation/year. The ordinal logistic regression model highlighted a predictive role on ERAs of comorbidity (OR = 1.13, p < 0.001) and frailty level (OR = 1.29; p < 0.001). Concerning NUERAs, social network (OR 0.54, P = 0.015) and a medium score of pulmo-cardio-vascular function (OR 1.50, P = 0.006) were the predictors.

Conclusion: Comorbidity, lack of social support, and functional limitations increase both ERA and NUERA rates generated by the older adult population. Overall, bio-psycho-social frailty represents an indicator of the frequency of ERAs. However, to reduce the number of ERAs, intervention should focus mainly on the robust and pre-frail needs for prevention and care.
An Outbreak of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae of K57 Capsular Serotype in an Emergency Intensive Care Unit of a Teaching Hospital in China
Authors: Shao Chunhong , Jin Yan , Wang Wei , Jiang Meijie , Zhao Shuping
Published: September 2021

The emergence of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (CR-hvKP) strains has increased the threat posed by K. pneumoniae. Here, we described an outbreak of 32 CR-hvKP isolates from the emergency intensive care unit (EICU) of a teaching hospital in China. Thirty-two CRKp isolates were collected from six patients and their surrounding environment in EICU. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using VITEK 2 compact system, E-test or the broth microdilution method. All isolates were serotyped, antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence-associated genes were screened using PCR. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were employed to characterize the genetic relationships among the CPKP isolates. The virulence capability of 11 CRKp isolates from six patients was evaluated through Galleria mellonella larva infection assay. PFGE showed that all 32 isolates belonged to one cluster, and MLST revealed that belonged to ST11. All isolates exhibited high resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, quinolones, and aminoglycosides. They were susceptible to ceftazidime/averbatan, tigecycline, and colistin. All 32 isolates harbored blaKPC−2, blaSHV−11, blaTEM−1, rmtB, and qnrD. The serotype of all 32 isolates was K57. All 32 isolates contained 6 virulence genes, namely, fimH, iucB, mrkD, rmpA, uge, and wabG. Infection assays demonstrated high mortality in the Galleria mellonella model. Following measures implemented by the hospital, the outbreak was controlled. The mortality rate was 50.0%. The epidemiology of CR-hvKP should be monitored closely to detect early indications of this emerging public health threat.
Struggling With Business Corporate Cynical Impression? Powerful Methods of CSR to Enhance Corporate Image and Consumer Purchase Intention
Authors: Avotra Andrianarivo Andriandafiarisoa Ralison Ny , Chengang Ye , Wei Xu , Ming Jiang , Marcelline Tsimisaraka Raymondo Sandra
Published: September 2021

This study focuses on the perception of Chinese students about the image of the company and their purchase intention if the organization has a business cynical impression in the minds of its targeted customers. The study proposed three different types of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to cope up with the organizational cynical impression. These types are Economic and Legal CSR, Philanthropic CSR, and Ethical CSR. The main objective of this study is to determine which CSR type is better to reduce the corporate cynical impression on corporate image and the purchase intentions of consumers. In the study design, the bootstrap approach and AMOS 24 were employed to deal with mediation. The researchers recruited 500 individuals from different educational institutions in China using a simple random selection process. The outcomes of this study indicated that all three types of CSR are successful in mitigating the detrimental effects of corporate cynicism on the image of a firm and the purchase intentions of consumers. A more effective technique of boosting the corporate image of a company and purchase intention of a consumer is via charitable CSR, which may help restore the image of a company and the purchase intention of a consumer that has been affected by corporate cynicism among its target customers.
Peripheral, Central, and Cross Sensitization in Endometriosis-Associated Pain and Comorbid Pain Syndromes
Authors: McNamara Helen C. , Frawley Helena C. , Donoghue Jacqueline F. , Readman Emma , Healey Martin , Ellett Lenore , Reddington Charlotte , Hicks Lauren J. , Harlow Keryn , Rogers Peter A. W. , Cheng Claudia
Published: September 2021

Endometriosis-associated pain and the mechanisms responsible for its initiation and persistence are complex and difficult to treat. Endometriosis-associated pain is experienced as dysmenorrhea, cyclical pain related to organ function including dysuria, dyschezia and dyspareunia, and persistent pelvic pain. Pain symptomatology correlates poorly with the extent of macroscopic disease. In addition to the local effects of disease, endometriosis-associated pain develops as a product of peripheral sensitization, central sensitization and cross sensitization. Endometriosis-associated pain is further contributed to by comorbid pain conditions, such as bladder pain syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, abdomino-pelvic myalgia and vulvodynia. This article will review endometriosis-associated pain, its mechanisms, and its comorbid pain syndromes with a view to aiding the clinician in navigating the literature and terminology of pain and pain syndromes. Limitations of our current understanding of endometriosis-associated pain will be acknowledged. Where possible, commonalities in pain mechanisms between endometriosis-associated pain and comorbid pain syndromes will be highlighted.
Co-ops 2.0: Alternative Retail Strategies to Support a Sustainable Transition in Food Retailing
Authors: Schulze Maureen , Spiller Achim , Risius Antje
Published: September 2021

While modern food retailing is characterized by high price pressure and low-quality differentiation resulting in a limited supply of sustainably produced alternative food products, cooperative retailing structures offer additional synergies in terms of logistics and operations that hold great potential to support the expansion of sustainable produce. Many retailers in Germany are organized in cooperatives of sufficient size to generate large-scale effects while still allowing individual retailers to pursue independent business structures. Cooperatives targeted to elaborate on collectivity operate a business. In economic terms this means that scale effects are used to elaborate and help single business. In the food sector cooperative structures in Germany provide a substantial impact in food delivery and provision, especially fresh foods are very sensitive and need fast circulation. Sourcing sustainable, local and regional foods are often produced (or rather crafted) in small scale entities. This paper asks the question of how and whether cooperative marketing structures help to deliver and use scale effects of larger entities, while still collaboratively encouraging food marketing. Accordingly, this paper reports on an investigation of the main challenges faced by members of a large-scale cooperative in retailing sustainably produced products and the motives of these retailers in choosing whether or not to sell such products. Taking the case of grass-fed beef sold by retailers within a large German cooperative, the study reveals that some of the obstacles to selling this sustainable product are comparable to challenges typically encountered in other retailing channels beyond cooperative structures. However, we also find that the flexibility of the cooperative structure enables individual retailers to bring their intrinsic motivation into (sustainable) action in the marketplace while taking advantage of the support offered by the cooperative in terms of marketing and consultation, etc. This analysis confirms that personal motivation within this cooperative structure is a strong determinant for individual retailers to pursue different pathways for the marketing and sale of sustainably produced food.
Serious Games in Secondary Education to Introduce Circular Economy: Experiences With the Game EcoCEO
Authors: Roba Julie , Kuppens Tom , Janssens Lise , Smeets Anse , Manshoven Saskia , Struyven Katrien
Published: September 2021

The concept of the circular economy is being proposed as an alternative for the current linear economy. However, little research has been done on how to integrate this topic within education. Serious games are suggested as an appropriate way to create awareness about and stimulate behavioral change toward sustainable development. Therefore, the serious game ecoCEO has been developed to introduce the circular economy concept within upper secondary education. The game's intention is to introduce students to the challenge of resource scarcity, circular product design, sustainable entrepreneurship and circular business models. EcoCEO has been tested among 42 students, whose written reflections were qualitatively examined. EcoCEO appears successful, at least partially, in contrasting the circular economy with the linear economy and in conveying relevant concepts such as recycling and reuse. EcoCEO also illustrates the importance of the circular economy within the context of material scarcity. Moreover, most students in our case study seem to have a good impression of the role and responsibilities of a (sustainable) entrepreneur. Despite its difficulty level, the majority of the students reported having fun while playing ecoCEO.
Estimating Hydrothermal Properties and High-Frequency Fluxes From Geophysical Measurements in the Hyporheic Zone
Authors: Cucchi Karina , Flipo Nicolas , Rivière Agnès , Rubin Yoram N.
Published: September 2021

Located in the critical zone at the intersection between surface water and groundwater, hyporheic zones (HZ) host a variety of hydrological, biological and biogeochemical processes regulating water availability and quality and sustaining riverine ecosystems. However, difficulty in quantifying water fluxes along this interface has limited our understanding of these processes, in particular under dynamic flow conditions where rapid variations can impact large-scale HZ biogeochemical function. In this study, we introduce an innovative measurement assimilation chain for determining uncertainty-quantified hydraulic and thermal HZ properties, as well as associated uncertainty-quantified high-frequency water fluxes. The chain consists in the assimilation of data collected with the LOMOS-mini geophysical device with a process-based, Bayesian approach. The application of this approach on a synthetic case study shows that hydraulic and thermal HZ properties can be estimated from LOMOS-mini measurements, their identifiability depending on the Peclet number – summarizing the hydrological and thermal regime. Hydraulic conductivity values can be estimated with precision when greater than ~10−5m · s−1 when other HZ properties are unknown, with decreasing uncertainty when other HZ properties are known prior to starting the LOMOS-mini measurement assimilation procedure. Water fluxes can be estimated in all regimes with varying accuracy, highest accuracy is reached for fluxes greater than ~10−6m · s−1, except under highly conductive exfiltration regimes. We apply the methodology on in situ datasets by deriving uncertainty-quantified HZ properties and water fluxes for 2 data points collected during field campaigns. This study demonstrates that the LOMOS-mini monitoring technology can be used as complete and stand-alone sampling solution for quantifying water and heat exchanges under dynamic exchange conditions (time resolution < 15 min).
High Resolution Water Table Modeling of the Shallow Groundwater Using a Knowledge-Guided Gradient Boosting Decision Tree Model
Authors: Koch Julian , Gotfredsen Jane , Schneider Raphael , Troldborg Lars , Stisen Simon , Henriksen Hans Jørgen
Published: September 2021

Detailed knowledge of the uppermost water table representing the shallow groundwater system is critical in order to address societal challenges that relate to the mitigation and adaptation to climate change and enhancing climate resilience in general. Machine learning (ML) allows for high resolution modeling of the water table depth beyond the capabilities of conventional numerical physically-based hydrological models with respect to spatial resolution and overall accuracy. For this, in-situ well and proxy observations are used as training data in combination with high resolution covariates. The objective of this study is to model the depth of the uppermost water table for a typical summer and winter condition at 10 m spatial resolution over entire Denmark (43,000 km2). CatBoost, a state of the art implementation of gradient boosting decision trees, is employed in this study to model the water table depth and the associated uncertainties. The groundwater domain has not been the most prominent field of applications of recent hydrological ML advances due to the lack of big data. This study brings forward a novel knowledge-guided ML framework to overcome this limitation by integrating simulation results from a physically-based groundwater flow model. The simulation data are utilized to (1) identify wells that represent the uppermost water table, (2) augment missing training data by accounting for simulated water level seasonality, and (3) expand the list of covariates. The curated training dataset contains around 13,000 wells, 19,000 groundwater proxy observations at lakes, streams and coastline as well as 15 covariates. Cross validation attests that the ML model generalizes well with a mean absolute error of around 115 cm considering solely well observations and a MAE of <50 cm taking also the proxy observations into consideration. Quantile regression is applied to estimate confidence intervals and the estimated uncertainty is largest for moraine clay soils that are characterized with a distinct geological heterogeneity. This study highlights a novel research avenue of knowledge-guided ML for the groundwater domain by efficiently supporting a ML model with a physically-based hydrological model to predict the depth of the water table at unprecedented spatial detail and accuracy.
Thermospheric Neutral Winds as the Cause of Drift Shell Distortion in Earth’s Inner Radiation Belt
Authors: Lejosne Solène , Fedrizzi Mariangel , Maruyama Naomi , Selesnick Richard S.
Published: September 2021

Recent analysis of energetic electron measurements from the Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer instruments onboard the Van Allen Probes showed a local time variation of the equatorial electron intensity in the Earth’s inner radiation belt. The local time asymmetry was interpreted as evidence of drift shell distortion by a large-scale electric field. It was also demonstrated that the inclusion of a simple dawn-to-dusk electric field model improved the agreement between observations and theoretical expectations. Yet, exactly what drives this electric field was left unexplained. We combine in-situ field and particle observations, together with a physics-based coupled model, the Rice Convection Model (RCM) Coupled Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Plasmasphere-electrodynamics (CTIPe), to revisit the local time asymmetry of the equatorial electron intensity observed in the innermost radiation belt. The study is based on the dawn-dusk difference in equatorial electron intensity measured at L = 1.30 during the first 60 days of the year 2014. Analysis of measured equatorial electron intensity in the 150–400 keV energy range, in-situ DC electric field measurements and wind dynamo modeling outputs provide consistent estimates of the order of 6–8 kV for the average dawn-to-dusk electric potential variation. This suggests that the dynamo electric fields produced by tidal motion of upper atmospheric winds flowing across Earth’s magnetic field lines - the quiet time ionospheric wind dynamo - are the main drivers of the drift shell distortion in the Earth’s inner radiation belt.
Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies With Absorbed Jets–Insights From Radio Spectral Index Maps
Authors: Järvelä Emilia , Berton Marco , Crepaldi Luca
Published: September 2021

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies are active galactic nuclei (AGN) believed to be in the early stages of their evolution. A fraction of them have been found to host relativistic jets. Due to the lack of large-scale diffuse radio emission they are believed to be experiencing one of their first activity cycles, and can offer us an opportunity to study the early evolution of more powerful AGN, such as radio galaxies and flat-spectrum radio quasars. Recently, a group of intriguing jetted NLS1s was discovered: based on high radio frequency data they host relativistic jets, but in the JVLA observations they all showed steep radio spectra at least up to 9.0 GHz, indicating very strong absorption at these frequencies. In this paper we study a subset of these sources in detail by employing spatially resolved radio spectral index maps at central frequencies of 1.6, 5.2, and 9.0 GHz. With spectral index maps we can disentangle the different radio emission components over the radio-emitting region, and get insights into the production mechanisms of radio emission. In addition, we study their host galaxies in relation to the radio emission to investigate if the host can provide us additional information regarding the origin of the radio emission, or the launching mechanism of the jets. It is fascinating how different the sources studied are, and certainly more, especially wide frequency-range, and high-resolution observations will be needed to understand their history and current properties, such as the reason behind the extraordinary radio spectra.
Explaining the Effect of Crop-Raiding on Food Security of Subsistence Farmers of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Authors: Raphela Tlou D. , Pillay Neville
Published: September 2021

Across the globe, crop-raiding has been known to have a significant impact on subsistence farmers livelihoods in developing countries. However, the relationship between crop-raiding and food security of small-scale farmers is not well-studied. We investigated the effects of crop-raiding on homestead food security of a subsistence farming community on the edge of the Hluhluwe Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. We analyzed the relative calories lost to important food security crops (maize, common bean, spinach, and beetroot) damage by crop raiders. In addition, we conducted questionnaire surveys of resident farmers and conservationists of the Hluhluwe Game Reserve to explain the effect of crop-raiding on food security. We firstly assessed how crop loss influenced relative calorie loss as an indicator of food security by comparing relative calorie loss with two predictors of food security: homestead size and contribution of crops to the farmers' food basket. Larger homesteads were more prone to food insecurity as compared to smaller households as they experienced higher calorie loss, especially in terms of maize (Zea mays), the most important food security crop in South Africa. This was because maize contributed the highest (91–100%) to the homestead food basket of these farmers. Secondly, we assessed farmers and conservationists' perceptions and opinions on crop-raiding issues. Farmers reported maize as the crop most damaged by crop-raiding animals. Conservationists reported crop-raiding with other major problems in and around the Reserve; this showed that conservationists acknowledge the issue of crop-raiding as a problem for subsistence farming communities abutting protected areas. Both farmers and conservationists reported insects as the most damaging crop raider. Our study suggests that larger homesteads, particularly where maize contributes substantially to homestead food baskets, are more prone to food insecurity in the rural subsistence farming community that we studied. In concordance with many studies, insects were reported as the culprits by both farmers and conservationists. Small, ubiquitous animals, such as insects are reported to cause much crop damage where they occur. The findings of our study suggest that the food security of the studied farmers is threatened by crop-raiding.
Combining Ability and Molecular Marker Approach Identified Genetic Resources to Improve Agronomic Performance in Coffea arabica Breeding
Authors: Medeiros Alexsandra Correia , Caixeta Eveline Teixeira , Oliveira Antonio Carlos Baião de , Sousa Tiago Vieira , Stock Vinícius de Moura , Cruz Cosme Damião , Zambolim Laércio , Pereira Antonio Alves
Published: September 2021

Plant breeding aims to develop cultivars with good agronomic traits through gene recombination and elite genotype selection. To support Coffea arabica breeding programs and assist parent selection, molecular characterization, genetic diversity (GD) analyses, and circulating diallel studies were strategically integrated to develop new cultivars. Molecular markers were used to assess the GD of 76 candidate parents and verify the crossing of potential F1 hybrids. Based on the complementary agronomic traits and genetic distance, eight elite parents were selected for circulating diallel analysis. The parents and 12 hybrids were evaluated based on 10 morpho-agronomic traits. For each trait, the effects of general and specific combining abilities, as well as the averages of the parents, hybrids, and predicted hybrids, were estimated. Crosses that maximize the genetic gains for the main agronomic traits of C. arabica were identified. Joint analysis of phenotypic and molecular data was used to estimate the correlation between molecular GD, phenotypic diversity (PD), phenotypic mean, and combining ability. The selection of parents that optimize the allele combination for the important traits of C. arabica is discussed in detail.
Low-Dosage Bevacizumab Treatment: Effect on Radiation Necrosis After Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases
Authors: Weng Yuxiang , Shen Jie , Zhang Luyuan , Fang Zebin , Xiao Feng , Zhang Chao , Fan Zuoxu , Huang Kaiyuan , Wang Liyun , Huang Bin , Wu Fan , Zhang Tiesong , Xu Qingsheng
Published: September 2021

Cerebral radiation necrosis (RN), a complication of Gamma Knife radiosurgery, is difficult to treat, although bevacizumab seems to be effective. However, clinical data pertaining to bevacizumab treatment for RN are scarce, and its high price is problematic. This study explored the effectiveness of low-dose bevacizumab for RN caused by Gamma Knife. We retrospectively analyzed 22 patients who suffered cerebral RN post-Gamma Knife, and received bevacizumab treatment because of the poor efficacy of glucocorticoids. Low-dose bevacizumab (3 mg/kg) was administered for two cycles at 2-week intervals. T1- and T2-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were examined for changes in RN status. We also monitored the dose of glucocorticoid, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score, and adverse drug reactions. The mean volume of RN lesions decreased by 45% on T1-weighted images with contrast enhancement, and by 74% on T2-weighted images. All patients discontinued the use of glucocorticoids. According to the KPS scores, all patients showed an improvement in their symptoms and neurological function. No side effects were observed. Low-dosage bevacizumab at a dose of 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks is effective for treating cerebral RN after Gamma knife for brain metastases.
Semen Quality and Freezability Analyses in the Ejaculates of Two Poitou Donkeys in the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Ebel Francisca , Ulloa Omar , Strobel Pablo , Ramírez-Reveco Alfredo
Published: September 2021

The Baudet du Poitou is a vanishing donkey breed recognized for engendering robust working mules. In Chile, only two pure breed Poitou males exist, which belong to the Chilean army and are used for mule production. We performed an extensive sperm and seminal analysis of these two jackasses aged 3 and 6 years and investigated the use of a simple hypometabolic extender for sperm cryopreservation. Computer-assisted sperm analysis showed high motility, velocity, and linearity in sperm movement. The seminal plasma analysis revealed that sodium and chloride were the main electrolytes, and globulins were the main metabolites. Active and variable enzymatic activity was observed. New information is reported about gamma-glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, zinc, and magnesium concentrations in seminal plasma of Poitou donkeys. Ejaculates among jackasses showed some variability due to individual variability and different stages in sexual maturation according to age. The freezability index analysis based in viability, total motility and progressive motility with Botucrio extender (57.1 ± 11.0%; 56.6 ± 20.0%; and 22.6 ± 10.3%, respectively) were significantly higher (p < 0.05, p < 0.0001, and p < 0.0001, respectively) than with HM-0 extender (42,6 ± 11.4%; 14.9 ± 5.1%; and 1.0 ± 2.5%, respectively). We report new information on Poitou donkey semen and cryopreservation in the Southern Hemisphere that could be useful in donkey breeding and conservation programs to develop strategies that improve the effectiveness of population management of this breed.
Somatic Cell Number, Physicochemical, and Microbiological Parameters of Raw Milk of Goats During the End of Lactation as Compared by Breeds and Number of Lactations
Authors: Gecaj Rreze M. , Ajazi Flutura C. , Bytyqi Hysen , Mehmedi Blerta , Çadraku Hazir , Ismaili Muharrem
Published: September 2021

This study was aimed for the evaluation of somatic cell count (SCC), physicochemical, and microbiological parameters during the end of lactation in the raw milk of Alpine and native Red goat breed. In the experiment, 102 milk samples from Alpine and native Red goats were included. Two different groups within the same breed were analyzed: a group consisting of animals in their first lactation and the second group consisting of animals from the fifth lactation. The milk samples were individually and daily collected during late lactation for three consecutive weeks, and milk fat, protein, lactose, SCC, and total bacteria with enterobacteria were assessed. Fresh milk of goats from late lactation period had a number of somatic cells (SC) within the expected value with log10 of 5.8–6.18 cells/ml for the compared groups. In both breeds, the total mesophilic bacteria were fewer in numbers, however, in the native Red goat, a larger population of such bacteria was enumerated. The number of coliforms and enterobacteria was below 100 cfu/ml. In the current study, we were able to show a significant difference among the studied breeds depending on lactation and season for fat (p = 0.002), but not for lactose and protein content. A positive correlation for total protein (TP), lactose, and fat as well as for lactose and SCC was found in the native Red goat breed. In the Alpine goat breed, a strong positive correlation (0.821**) was found for lactose and enterobacteria count (EC). In conclusion, these findings evaluate different goat milk parameters during late lactation period and provide an indirect measure to monitor goat mammary gland health for both breeds.
Activity of Ethanolic and Supercritical Propolis Extracts in Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Its Associated Biofilm
Authors: Santos Laerte Marlon , Rodrigues Daniela Méria , Kalil Maurício Alcantara , Azevedo Vasco , Meyer Roberto , Umsza-Guez Marcelo Andres , Machado Bruna Aparecida , Seyffert Nubia , Portela Ricardo Wagner
Published: September 2021

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the etiological agent of caseous lymphadenitis in small ruminants, a chronic disease characterized by the development of granulomas in superficial and visceral lymph nodes as well as in several organs. An important characteristic of the infection with this bacterium is the formation of a biofilm and the absence of effective antibiotic therapy against the disease. From this scenario, the objective of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of C. pseudotuberculosis to conventional antibiotics and to red, green, and brown propolis extracts obtained by the supercritical and ethanolic extraction methods as well as its activity in the bacterial biofilm. The results of the sensitivity test using antibiotics indicated a sensitivity of C. pseudotuberculosis strains to the antimicrobial agents. The ethanolic extract of green propolis and the supercritical red propolis extract showed the best antibacterial activities against planktonic C. pseudotuberculosis. A lower antimicrobial activity of the brown propolis extract was identified. Propolis extracts were effective in interfering with the formation of the C. pseudotuberculosis biofilm but had little activity on the consolidated biofilm. In conclusion, propolis extracts are more effective against C. pseudotuberculosis in the planktonic stage, being able to interfere with the formation of bacterial biofilm. However, the action of propolis extracts in a sessile and structured microbial biofilm is reduced.