bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Distancing as a Strategy to Regulate Affect and Aggressive Behavior in Athletes: An Experimental Approach to Explore Emotion Regulation in the Laboratory
Authors: Michel-Kröhler Alena , Kaurin Aleksandra , Heil Lutz Felix , Berti Stefan
Published: January 2021

Self-regulation, especially the regulation of emotion, is an important component of athletic performance. In our study, we tested the effect of a self-distancing strategy on athletes’ performance in an aggression-inducing experimental task in the laboratory. To this end, we modified an established paradigm of interpersonal provocation [Taylor Aggression Paradigm (TAP)], which has the potential to complement field studies in order to increase our understanding of effective emotion regulation of athletes in critical situations in competitions. In our experimental setting, we first tested the applicability of the self-distancing perspective and the athletes’ ability to dynamically adapt besides the self-distanced perspective a self-immersed perspective to provocation in the TAP. Secondly, we investigated how this altered perspective modulated regulatory abilities of negative affectivity, anger, and aggression. The experiment consisted of two conditions in which the participant adopted either a self-immersed or a self-distanced perspective. Forty athletes (female: 23; male: 17) from different team (n = 27) and individual sports (n = 13) with a mean age of 23.83 years (SD = 3.41) competed individually in a reaction-time task against a (fictitious) opponent. Results show that athletes are equally able to adopt both perspectives. In addition, within-person analyses indicate that self-distancing decreased aggressive behavior and negative affect compared to the self-immersed perspective. Our results suggest that self-distancing modulates different levels of athletes’ experience (i.e., affect and anger) and behavior. Furthermore, this demonstrates the feasibility of testing self-regulation of emotion in athletes in a laboratory setting and allows for further application in research in sports and exercise psychology.
Balance Training as an Adjunct to Methylphenidate: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of Behavioral Improvement Among Children With ADHD in China
Authors: Feng Lei , Ren Yuanchun , Cheng Jia , Wang Yufeng
Published: January 2021

Objective:This study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of two different approaches to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): (1) methylphenidate (MPH) treatment combined with balance training, and (2) MPH monotherapy.

Methods:The study was based on a randomized, single-blind trial involving 27 ADHD patients. An experimental group received the treatment combining MPH and balance training, while a control group were administered just MPH. After 40 sessions of training at the 6-month mark, patients' improvement as observed in their core symptoms and behavioral problems were compared between the experimental and control group.

Results:A total of 27 patients underwent randomization, with 13 assigned to the experimental group and 14 to the control group. After the 6-month trial, the experimental group outperformed the control group in terms of teachers' scores for inattention on the ADHD-RS-IV (19.38 ± 2.96 vs. 23.21 ± 3.91,t= −2.854,P= 0.009). The experimental group also showed greater improvement on the items involving behavior (3.14 ± 1.46 vs. 5.24 ± 1.04,t= 1.463,P= 0.026) and hyperactivity (1.92 ± 1.19 vs. 3.86 ± 2.32,t= −2.697,P= 0.012).

Conclusion:In children with ADHD, the experimental group displayed a significant improvement in the symptoms and behavior associated with inattention than did the group whose treatment consisted of only MPH.
Pluripotential Risk and Clinical Staging: Theoretical Considerations and Preliminary Data From a Transdiagnostic Risk Identification Approach
Authors: Hartmann Jessica A. , McGorry Patrick D. , Destree Louise , Amminger G. Paul , Chanen Andrew M. , Davey Christopher G. , Ghieh Rachid , Polari Andrea , Ratheesh Aswin , Yuen Hok Pan , Nelson Barnaby
Published: January 2021

Most psychiatric disorders develop during adolescence and young adulthood and are preceded by a phase during which attenuated or episodic symptoms and functional decline are apparent. The introduction of the ultra-high risk (UHR) criteria two decades ago created a new framework for identification of risk and for pre-emptive psychiatry, focusing on first episode psychosis as an outcome. Research in this paradigm demonstrated the comorbid, diffuse nature of emerging psychopathology and a high degree of developmental heterotopy, suggesting the need to adopt a broader, more agnostic approach to risk identification. Guided by the principles of clinical staging, we introduce the concept of a pluripotent at-risk mental state. The clinical high at risk mental state (CHARMS) approach broadens identification of risk beyond psychosis, encompassing multiple exit syndromes such as mania, severe depression, and personality disorder. It does not diagnostically differentiate the early stages of psychopathology, but adopts a “pluripotent” approach, allowing for overlapping and heterotypic trajectories and enabling the identification of both transdiagnostic and specific risk factors. As CHARMS is developed within the framework of clinical staging, clinical utility is maximized by acknowledging the dimensional nature of clinical phenotypes, while retaining thresholds for introducing specific interventions. Preliminary data from our ongoing CHARMS cohort study (N = 114) show that 34% of young people who completed the 12-month follow-up assessment (N = 78) transitioned from Stage 1b (attenuated syndrome) to Stage 2 (full disorder). While not without limitations, this broader risk identification approach might ultimately allow reliable, transdiagnostic identification of young people in the early stages of severe mental illness, presenting further opportunities for targeted early intervention and prevention strategies.
Counterfactual Thinking-Related Emotional Responses in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Zheng Qi , Liao Mei , Liu Bangshan , Ou WenWen , Chen WenTao , Liu Jin , Zhang Yan
Published: January 2021

Objective: To explore the emotional characteristics of counterfactual thinking (CT)-related emotion responses in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) via the “counterfactual thinking gambling task (CTGT).”

Method: Twenty-five patients with MDD (the MDD group) and twenty-five healthy controls (the HC group) with matched demographic features were included. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and the 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) were used to assess the severity of depression and anxiety symptoms. The counterfactual thinking gambling task was applied to assess the situation-focused- and behavior-focused-CT-related emotion responses in the MDD group and the HC group.

Results: There was no significant difference in general demographic data between the two groups (p > 0.05). Compared with the HC group, the MDD group experienced higher levels of “disappointment” and lower levels of “joy” in the situation-focused CT paradigm (p < 0.05). However, the experience of “regret” and “relief” in the behavior-focused CT paradigm were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: MDD is associated with an impaired situation-focused-CT-related emotion responses, and is often accompanied by increased disappointment and decreased joy; however, behavior-focused-CT-related emotion responses are not significantly affected in MDD. This pattern may represent the characteristic CT-related emotion responses of MDD.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Problems Among Caregivers of People Living With Neurocognitive Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Li Qiuxuan , Zhang Haifeng , Zhang Ming , Li Tao , Ma Wanxin , An Cuixia , Chen Yanmei , Liu Sha , Kuang Weihong , Yu Xin , Wang Huali
Published: January 2021

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems among caregivers of persons living with neurocognitive disorders (PLWND) during the COVID-19 pandemic in China and investigate whether the COVID-19-related experiences were associated with the presence of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.

Methods: From March 1 to 31, 2020, 160 caregivers of PLWND participated in an online cross-sectional survey on the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. The 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was administered to measure anxiety symptoms, and the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Questions on sleep duration and sleep quality enquired about sleep problems. Six items were used to explore the COVID-19-related experiences, including community-level infection contact and the level of exposure to media information. We computed the prevalence rate of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep problems. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate factors associated with these mental health problems.

Results: The prevalence rate of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems were 46.9%, 36.3%, and 9.4%. Approximately 55 participants (34.4%) presented with two or more mental health problems. Women had a higher risk of developing anxiety symptoms (OR, 5.284; 95% CI, 2.068–13.503; p = 0.001). Having a mental disorder (OR, 5.104; 95% CI, 1.522–17.114; p = 0.008) was associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms. Caregivers who preferred to access positive information (OR, 0.215; 95% CI, 0.058–0.793; p = 0.021) was associated with decreased risk of sleep problems.

Conclusion: Anxiety and depressive symptoms were common among caregivers of older adults with dementia or mild cognitive impairment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being female was an independent risk factor for experiencing anxiety symptoms. Preexisting mental disorders increased the risk of depressive symptoms among caregivers, while caregivers who prefer to access positive media information decreased sleep problems.
Serial Interval and Generation Interval for Imported and Local Infectors, Respectively, Estimated Using Reported Contact-Tracing Data of COVID-19 in China
Authors: Li Menghui , Liu Kai , Song Yukun , Wang Ming , Wu Jinshan
Published: January 2021

The emerging virus, COVID-19, has caused a massive outbreak worldwide. Based on the publicly available contact-tracing data, we identified 509 transmission chains from 20 provinces in China and estimated the serial interval (SI) and generation interval (GI) of COVID-19 in China. Inspired by different possible values of the time-varying reproduction number for the imported cases and the local cases in China, we divided all transmission events into three subsets: imported (the zeroth generation) infecting 1st-generation locals, 1st-generation locals infecting 2nd-generation locals, and other transmissions among 2+. The corresponding SI (GI) is respectively denoted as SI10(GI10), SI21 (GI21), and SI3+2+(GI3+2+). A Bayesian approach with doubly interval-censored likelihood is employed to fit the distribution function of the SI and GI. It was found that the estimated SI10=6.52 (95% CI:5.96-7.13), SI21=6.01 (95%CI:5.44-6.64), SI3+2+=4.39 (95% CI:3.74-5.15), and GI10=5.47 (95% CI:4.57-6.45), GI21=5.01 (95% CI:3.58-7.06), GI3+2+=4.25 (95% CI:2.82-6.23). Thus, overall both SI and GI decrease when generation increases.
Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare During COVID-19 Pandemic—A South American Perspective
Authors: Chatterjee Parag , Tesis Andreína , Cymberknop Leandro J. , Armentano Ricardo L.
Published: January 2021

The shudders of the COVID-19 pandemic have projected newer challenges in the healthcare domain across the world. In South American scenario, severe issues and difficulties have been noticed in areas like patient consultations, remote monitoring, medical resources, healthcare personnel etc. This work is aimed at providing a holistic view to the digital healthcare during the times of COVID-19 pandemic in South America. It includes different initiatives like mobile apps, web-platforms and intelligent analyses toward early detection and overall healthcare management. In addition to discussing briefly the key issues toward extensive implementation of eHealth paradigms, this work also sheds light on some key aspects of Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things along their potential applications like clinical decision support systems and predictive risk modeling, especially in the direction of combating the emergent challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oral, Cloacal, and Hemipenal Actinomycosis in Captive Ball Pythons (Python regius)
Authors: Tillis Steven B. , Iredale Marley E. , Childress April L. , Graham Erin A. , Wellehan James F. X. , Isaza Ramiro , Ossiboff Robert J.
Published: January 2021

Ball pythons (Python regius) are one of the most commonly kept and bred reptiles in captivity. In a large ball python breeding colony, a unique syndrome characterized by granulomatous inflammation of the cloaca and hemipenes (phalli) was observed in 140 of 481 (29.1%) breeding males, but only one of 1,446 breeding females. Lesions were absent in virgin males (n = 201) and virgin females (n = 293). On postmortem examination (n = 13, 12 males, 1 female), numerous well-defined mucosal and submucosal granulomas were present in the hemipenes (males) and cloaca (males and female). Extension into the coelomic cavity and liver was noted in a subset of these animals. An additional small subset of breeder animals (6/2027; 0.3%) presented with oral and mandibular swellings. Postmortem examination (n = 4, all female) showed oral lesions histologically indistinguishable from the cloacal/hemipenal lesions. Aerobic bacterial culture of a hepatic granuloma of one snake resulted in the isolation of filamentous, Gram-positive bacilli; amplification, and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of the isolate identified the bacterium as a novel species of Actinomyces. Screening of cloacal and oral granulomas using a specific, heminested 16S rRNA PCR assay confirmed the presence of the agent in all 17 snakes, as well as in cloacal swabs taken at the time of necropsy in 11/13 snakes. The Actinomyces sp. was also identified by PCR of cloacal swabs of unaffected snakes (n = 94) from the affected colony and two unrelated, grossly unaffected breeding colonies. In the affected colony, 65.5% of breeding animals (n = 23) but only 11.9% of virgin animals (n = 42) tested PCR positive, with breeding status being a significant predictor of bacterium presence (P < 0.00001). This study characterizes a granulomatous mucosal disease syndrome of breeding male ball pythons associated with a novel Actinomyces. In stark contrast to male snakes, the presence of the bacterium in both breeding and virgin females was very rarely associated with clinical disease. Though additional studies are necessary, these data suggest a role for the novel bacterium in the disease process, a predilection for clinical disease in male snakes, and the potential for sexual transmission of the disease.
Adaptive Gene Level Mutation
Authors: Al-Afandi Jalal , Horváth András
Published: January 2021

Genetic Algorithms are stochastic optimization methods where solution candidates, complying to a specific problem representation, are evaluated according to a predefined fitness function. These approaches can provide solutions in various tasks even, where analytic solutions can not be or are too complex to be computed. In this paper we will show, how certain set of problems are partially solvable allowing us to grade segments of a solution individually, which results local and individual tuning of mutation parameters for genes. We will demonstrate the efficiency of our method on the N-Queens and travelling salesman problems where we can demonstrate that our approach always results faster convergence and in most cases a lower error than the traditional approach.
Real-Time Anti-Saturation Flow Optimization Algorithm of the Redundant Hydraulic Manipulator
Authors: Cheng Min , Li Linan , Ding Ruqi , Xu Bing
Published: January 2021

As a typical single-pump multi-actuator system, the hydraulic manipulator faces the flow saturation problem when moving at a high speed to track a desired trajectory. To overcome this problem, this paper proposes a real-time anti-saturation flow optimization algorithm based on the gradient projection method. By projecting the gradient of the demand flow in the null space of the task Jacobians, this algorithm can reduce the flow demand while enforcing a global volumetric flow limit in real time. The model of a 7-degree-of-freedom (DOF) hydraulic redundant manipulator was established to carry out theoretical derivation and algorithm design. Then, the experimental verification was completed on the real manipulator platform. Experimental results show that this algorithm reduces average demand flow by 9.85% and average power consumption by 310.3 W under no saturation condition. When flow saturation occurs, the algorithm can increase the average endpoint velocity by 7.52% and reduce the maximum directional error by 71.73% with an average calculation time step of 3 ms. The average trajectory position error can also be reduced by 42.59% compared with the anti-saturation algorithm. Therefore, the proposed algorithm can achieve real-time optimization to reduce flow consumption and achieve anti-saturation in practical applications of redundant hydraulic manipulator.
Performance of a TMD to Mitigate Wind-Induced Interference Effects between Two Industrial Chimneys
Authors: Belver Ali Vasallo , Magdaleno Álvaro , Brownjohn James Mark William , Lorenzana Antolín
Published: January 2021

The present paper studies the performance of a tuned mass damper (TMD) installed in a 183 m tall chimney located at the edge of the wake shed by another chimney. Numerical and experimental results are available. For the simulations, wind action is considered by solving several 2D flow problems on a selected number of horizontal planes, in the transverse direction to the stacks. On such planes, Navier-Stokes equations are solved to estimate the fluid action at different positions of the chimneys and standard interpolation techniques are applied in the vertical direction. An Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) approach is used to consider the moving domain, and a fractional-step scheme is used to solve the fluid field. For the structural modelling, chimneys are meshed using 3D beam finite elements. The time integration procedure used for the structural dynamics is based on the standard second order Bossak method. For each period of time, the fluid problem is solved, the aeroelastic analysis is carried out and the geometry of the fluid mesh of each plane is updated according to the structural movements. With this procedure and model updating techniques, the response of the leeward chimney is evaluated for different scenarios, revealing an interesting dependence of the TMD performance on the wind speed and direction.
Performance Analysis of a Magnetorheological Shock Absorber Prototype Designed According to a Quasi-Static No-Slip Model
Authors: D’Andrea Danilo , Risitano Giacomo , Scappaticci Lorenzo
Published: January 2021

The aim of this paper is to investigate the limits of the quasi-static, no-slip approach when modeling the activation of magnetorheological (MR) devices. A quasi-static model is implemented to define the hydraulic and magnetic characteristics of an MR damper prototype. Then, an FE (Finite Element) magnetic simulation activity is carried out to validate theoretical findings, and an optimization procedure is carried out to adjust nominal geometry to actual application. Furthermore, a prototype is realized re-using the maximum number of components that constitute the existing conventional shock absorber. Finally, experimental tests at bench stands are performed. The predictable results demonstrate that neglecting the transient slipping effects, the Force–Velocity performance of the device is correlated with the model findings only for low current intensities acting in the magnetic circuit.
Implementation of an Economic Lifetime Net Merit for the Dual-Purpose German Black Pied Cattle Breed
Authors: Meier Saskia , Arends Danny , Korkuć Paula , Kipp Sandra , Segelke Dierck , Filler Günther , Brockmann Gudrun A.
Published: January 2021

Recently, a Total Merit Index (RZ€) has been developed for German Holstein dairy cattle on the basis of margin in Euro. Our aim was to adjust this lifetime net merit for the dual-purpose German Black Pied cattle breed (DSN) accounting for beef production in addition to milk performance and fitness traits. We used the estimated breeding values of DSN sires and developed a breeding value for carcass weight and quality. Furthermore, we adjusted the German Holstein marginal profits per standard deviation, which are used to calculate the estimated breeding values, to DSN-specific values. The DSN Net Merit is the sum of the three sub-indices DSN Net Milk, DSN Net Fitness, and DSN Net Beef, which contribute to the DSN Net Merit with 52.84%, 43.43%, and 3.73%, respectively. The DSN Net Merit that was calculated for 33 DSN sires ranged between EUR −1114 and +709. The DSN Net Merit strongly correlates with the Total Merit Index. The implementation of the DSN Net Merit is useful for selection and mating decisions. Especially, the sub-index DSN Net Beef, which does not correlate with existing breeding values, can be used to maintain the dual-purpose character of DSN while modestly improving milk yield. The approach can be easily adapted to other dual-purpose breeds.
Assessing the Increase in Soil Moisture Storage Capacity and Nutrient Enhancement of Different Organic Amendments in Paddy Soil
Authors: Haque Ahmad Numery Ashfaqul , Uddin Md. Kamal , Sulaiman Muhammad Firdaus , Amin Adibah Mohd , Hossain Mahmud , Zaibon Syaharudin , Mosharrof Mehnaz
Published: January 2021

Increasing soil moisture storage capacity is a strategy that can be implemented to minimize the use of water in paddy rice cultivation. Organic materials from different sources have the potential to increase soil moisture storage and nutrient enrichment. An incubation study was conducted to evaluate the incorporation of five selected organic amendments—as follows: rice husk biochar (RHB), oil palm empty fruit bunch biochar (EFBB), compost (COMP), rice husk ash (RHA), and oil palm bunch ash (PBA), with a control (no amendment) on soil moisture storage and some chemical properties of soil. The soil was incubated with five amendments for 60 days and sampled at 15-day intervals. After completion of the incubation, a greater extent of gravimetric water content was observed from RHB (0.46 g g−1) and EFBB (0.45 g g−1) followed by compost (0.40 g g−1). The addition of organic amendments significantly influenced soil chemical properties. Maximum soil pH was altered by PBA followed by EFBB compared to its initial value (5.01). The inclusion of EFBB finally contributed to the highest amount of total carbon (7.82%) and nitrogen (0.44%). The addition of PBA showed the highest available P and exchangeable K followed by RHB when compared with the amendments. The results indicated that RHB, EFBB, and compost retain more soil moisture compared to ash sources and added soil nutrients, indicating their potential to improve the chemical and hydrological properties of paddy soil.
Human Capital and Eco-Contractual Governance in Small Farms in Poland: Simultaneous Confirmatory Factor Analysis with Ordinal Variables
Authors: Czyżewski Bazyli , Sapa Agnieszka , Kułyk Piotr
Published: January 2021

Human capital (HC) plays an important role in modern agriculture. The difference in efficiency of assets explains only about a half of the economic performance of agricultural farms, while the other half relies on HC. Although education and training are the main components of HC, it may also be viewed from the perspective of behavioral theories that were taken under consideration in this study. The role of HC in sustainable farming has not been sufficiently explained when it comes to contractual governance (CG). In this study, the meaning of contractual governance was extended and the eco-contractual governance (ECG) concept was proposed, which stands for CG induced by agri-environmental contracts. The main objective of the article is to confirm the latent concepts of HC and ECG and to verify their correlation in view of the standards imposed by the agricultural policy. To achieve this goal, a structural equation model was developed and simultaneous confirmatory factor analysis with ordinal variables was carried out based on the sample of 674 small farms in Poland. The analysis has confirmed a relatively strong correlation between HC and ECG. It was revealed that training plays a crucial role in this relationship, while economic dependence on agricultural policy weakens the effectiveness of both HC and ECG.
Rethinking the Role of Grain Banks in China’s Agriculture
Authors: Li Teng , Zhou Deyi , Razzaq Amar , Wang Qing
Published: January 2021

Grain banks are an organizational innovation and unique phenomenon in China that help reduce food losses and food security costs. It collects scattered food from the farming community into centralized storage and circulates it, thereby realizing asset mobilization and appreciation. This article first elaborates on the definition, function, and evolution of China’s grain banks through a literature review. Then, we used survey data of face-to-face interviews and field visits to a grain bank company in Hubei Province to analyze the economic rationale of grain bank development, including micro and macro conditions of grain bank development and its operating mechanisms. In addition, from the perspective of key stakeholders such as farmers, grain bank companies, and the government, we also studied the challenges of grain banks. We found that, in addition to providing many economic and social benefits in the form of food security and improved farmer income, grain banks still face many challenges in the new era. These include the ambiguity of property rights, lack of institutional structure, low efficiency of state-owned grain banks, and exploitation of loopholes by grain dealers. We propose to implement the supply-side reforms, clarify property rights, improve the supervision and management of grain banks, promote the privatization of grain banks, and take advantage of rural finance to realize the industrialization of the whole sector.
Impact of Climate Change on the Production of Coffea arabica at Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Authors: Wagner Sigrun , Jassogne Laurence , Price Elizabeth , Jones Martin , Preziosi Richard
Published: January 2021

Adapting coffee production to climate change is a significant challenge requiring a detailed understanding of local climatic change patterns and the consequences, both real and perceived, for coffee production. To this end, we examined changes in precipitation at Mt. Kilimanjaro over the last two decades and conducted twelve focus group discussions to obtain farmers’ perceptions on climate change, the impact of extreme weather events on coffee production and the potential of shade trees as an adaptation strategy. Despite an increase in total annual precipitation, farmers are still confronted with droughts due to a shift in seasons. We found a delayed onset of the main rainy season and showed that a positive Indian Ocean Dipole contributes to the increase in precipitation during the short rainy season. Farmers clearly described the impacts of drought or excess rainfall on coffee production during flowering, maturation, and harvest. Thus, adaptation strategies need to be tailored such that specific coffee development stages are buffered against the effects of droughts, shorter wet seasons, and less frequent but heavier rainfall events. To develop the potential of shade trees as an effective adaptation strategy, optimum shade density, specific tree species, and management practices need to be identified.
Examining the Input and Output Linkages in Agricultural Production Systems
Authors: Suh Dong Hee , Moss Charles B.
Published: January 2021

This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of the agricultural sector’s resource allocation and production decisions. This paper uses the differential systems with quasi-fixity to evaluate the complete agricultural production system, which examines the input and output linkages in terms of elasticities. The differential systems are estimated using the maximum likelihood estimation technique based on the two-step profit-maximizing procedure in theory. The results reveal that livestock production requires more intermediate inputs, but crop production depends on all the inputs, such as labor, capital, and intermediate inputs. In addition, the results show that input demand is inelastic, indicating that the agricultural sector has little flexibility in adjusting the demand for inputs in response to changes in input prices. Substitutable relationships among labor, capital, and intermediate inputs exist, which may reduce the pressures on production costs when input prices rise. Regarding the quasi-fixed input, land expansion changes the composition of labor and intermediate inputs, showing that the agricultural sector reduces the intensive margin when it pursues the extensive margin. Furthermore, the results show that agricultural supply is not very responsive to the respective price changes. Along with the inelastic output supply, there exist substitutable relationships between livestock and crop supply, showing that relative price changes can alter output composition in supply. The agricultural sector also reallocates more land areas into crop production rather than livestock production.
Morpho-Physiological Characterization of Diverse Rice Genotypes for Seedling Stage High- and Low-Temperature Tolerance
Authors: Reddy Kambham Raja , Seghal Akanksha , Jumaa Salah , Bheemanahalli Raju , Kakar Naqeebullah , Redoña Edilberto D. , Wijewardana Chathurika , Alsajri Firas Ahmed , Chastain Daryl , Gao Wei , Taduri Shasthree , Lone Ajaz A.
Published: January 2021

Extreme temperatures are considered one of the main constraints that limit the growth and development of rice. We elucidated the root and shoot developmental plasticity of 64 rice genotypes during early seedling establishment, using the sunlit plant growth chambers at 22/14 (low), 30/22 (optimum), and 38/30 °C (high) day/night temperatures. Low temperature severely inhibited 23 traits, such as shoot (68%), root (57%), and physiological (35%) attributes. On the contrary, the high temperature positively affected most of the shoot (48%) and root (31%) traits, except root diameter and root/shoot ratio, compared with the optimum. Alternatively, leaf chlorophyll fluorescence-associated parameters declined under low (34%) and high (8%) temperatures. A weak correlation between cumulative high-temperature response index (CHTRI) and cumulative low-temperature response index (CLTRI) indicates the operation of different low- and high-temperature tolerance mechanisms at the early seedling stage. Groups of distinct rice genotypes associated with low or high-temperature tolerance were selected based on CHTRI and CLTRI. The genotypes that commonly performed well under low and high temperatures (IR65600-81-5-2-3, CT18593-1-7-2-2-5, RU1504114, RU1504122, Bowman, and INIA Tacuari) will be valuable genetic resources for breeders in developing early-season high- and low-temperature-tolerant genotypes for a broad range of both tropical and temperate rice-growing environments.
Incidence and Ramifications of Armed Conflict in Countries with Major Desert Locust Breeding Areas
Authors: Showler Allan , Lecoq Michel
Published: January 2021

Despite many areas of progress in recent years, desert locust surveillance and control is impaired by many obstacles, the most intractable of which is insecurity. Insecurity involves rebellions, insurgencies, civil and international war, banditry, terrorism, and minefields. Obstruction of desert locust operations in breeding areas by ongoing armed conflict and landmines constitutes “direct” insecurity. “Indirect” insecurity, although less obvious, is arguably more broadly deleterious by debilitating government function and diverting funds, personnel, and equipment from desert locust management. Indirect “active” insecurity is armed conflict and civil unrest that is occurring at the same time as a desert locust episode, but not in the breeding areas. Indirect “inactive” insecurity refers to the after-effects of insecurity, including weak funding because of prior inattention to capacity maintenance during times of direct and indirect active insecurity, disabled or militarily-appropriated vehicles and other resources, destruction of infrastructure, and deployment of mines. We provide examples of direct and indirect insecurity across 35 years, from 1986 through May 2020, in 13 African and Asian countries (Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Western Sahara, and Yemen) with desert locust breeding areas to illustrate the complexity, pervasiveness, and chronic occurrence of insecurity. The upsurge of 2020 is used to show how direct insecurity still contributes to the genesis and expansion of desert locust episodes. Possible mitigation of direct insecurity effects on some desert locust operations is discussed.
Meat Consumers’ Opinion Regarding Unhealthy Pigs: Should They Be Treated with Antibiotics or Euthanized on Farm?
Authors: Lemos Teixeira Dayane , Enriquez-Hidalgo Daniel , Estay Espinoza Tamara , Bas Fernando , Hötzel Maria José
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of meat consumers (n = 1780) on on-farm management of unhealthy pigs, whether support for treatment with antibiotics varies according with chance of recovery, and the effect of knowledge on the use of antibiotics on these opinions. Most participants believed that the use of antibiotics was the best solution for unhealthy pigs, and this was associated with a low level of knowledge about antibiotics. Increasing the probability of recovery after treatment increased support for treating pigs with antibiotics. However, the majority of participants rejected the consumption of meat from animals housed in “hospital pens”. After price, concern with food safety was the second main factor that influenced participants’ choice when buying meat. Support for the use of antibiotics to deal with unhealthy pigs in “hospital pens”, as well as for consumption of the meat from these animals, was higher among participants involved in agriculture. This shows that consumers are unaware of the potential negative repercussions for animal welfare associated with banning or reducing the use of antibiotics in livestock production, which is an important concern for the industry.
Carriage of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales in Adult Patients Admitted to a University Hospital in Italy
Authors: Barbadoro Pamela , Bencardino Daniela , Carloni Elisa , Omiccioli Enrica , Ponzio Elisa , Micheletti Rebecca , Acquaviva Giorgia , Luciani Aurora , Masucci Annamaria , Pocognoli Antonella , Orecchioni Francesca , D’Errico Marcello Mario , Magnani Mauro , Andreoni Francesca
Published: January 2021

The emerging spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) strains, in particular, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, has become a significant threat to hospitalized patients. Carbapenemase genes are frequently located on plasmids than can be exchanged among clonal strains, increasing the antibiotic resistance rate. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CPE in patients upon their admission and to analyze selected associated factors. An investigation of the antibiotic resistance and genetic features of circulating CPE was carried out. Phenotypic tests and molecular typing were performed on 48 carbapenemase-producing strains of K. pneumoniae and E. coli collected from rectal swabs of adult patients. Carbapenem-resistance was confirmed by PCR detection of resistance genes. All strains were analyzed by PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed on a representative isolate of each PBRT profile. More than 50% of the strains were found to be multidrug-resistant, and the blaKPC gene was detected in all the isolates with the exception of an E. coli strain. A multireplicon status was observed, and the most prevalent profile was FIIK, FIB KQ (33%). MLST analysis revealed the prevalence of sequence type 512 (ST512). This study highlights the importance of screening patients upon their admission to limit the spread of CRE in hospitals.
Activated Porous Carbon Derived from Tea and Plane Tree Leaves Biomass for the Removal of Pharmaceutical Compounds from Wastewaters
Authors: Liakos Efstathios V. , Rekos Kyriazis , Giannakoudakis Dimitrios A. , Mitropoulos Athanasios C. , Fu Jie , Kyzas George Z.
Published: January 2021

The aim of the present study is the synthesis of activated carbon (AC) from different agricultural wastes such as tea and plane tree leaves in order to use them for the removal of pramipexole dihydrochloride (PRM) from aqueous solutions. Two different carbonization and synthetic activation protocols were followed, with the herein-proposed ultrasound-assisted two-step protocol leading to better-performing carbon, especially for the tea-leaf-derived material (TEA(char)-AC). Physicochemical characterizations were performed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), N2 physisorption, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). TEA(char)-AC presented the highest surface area (1151 m2/g) and volume of micro and small mesopores. Maximum capacity was found at 112 mg/g for TEA(char)-AC at an optimum pH equal to 3, with the Langmuir isotherm model presenting a better fitting. The removal efficiency of TEA(char)-AC is higher than other biomass-derived carbons and closer to benchmark commercial carbons.
Counteracting Effects of Glutathione on the Glutamate-Driven Excitation/Inhibition Imbalance in First-Episode Schizophrenia: A 7T MRS and Dynamic Causal Modeling Study
Authors: Limongi Roberto , Jeon Peter , Théberge Jean , Palaniyappan Lena
Published: January 2021

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. While free radicals produced by glutamatergic excess and oxidative metabolism have damaging effects on brain tissue, antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH) counteract these effects. The interaction between glutamate (GLU) and GSH is centered on N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. GSH levels increase during glutamate-mediated excitatory neuronal activity, which serves as a checkpoint to protect neurons from oxidative damage and reduce excitatory overdrive. We studied the possible influence of GSH on the glutamate-mediated dysconnectivity in 19 first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients and 20 healthy control (HC) subjects. Using ultra-high field (7 Tesla) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we measured GSH and GLU levels in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and blood-oxygenation level-dependent activity in both the dACC and the anterior insula (AI). Using spectral dynamic causal modeling, we found that when compared to HCs, in FES patients inhibitory activity within the dACC decreased with GLU levels whereas inhibitory activity in both the dACC and AI increased with GSH levels. Our model explains how higher levels of GSH can reverse the downstream pathophysiological effects of a hyperglutamatergic state in FES. This provides an initial insight into the possible mechanistic effect of antioxidant system on the excitatory overdrive in the salience network (dACC-AI).
Hydrogen-Generating Silica Material Prevents UVA-Ray-Induced Cellular Oxidative Stress, Cell Death, Collagen Loss and Melanogenesis in Human Cells and 3D Skin Equivalents
Authors: Xiao Li , Mochizuki Mai , Nakahara Taka , Miwa Nobuhiko
Published: January 2021

Ultraviolet-A (UVA) irradiation induces harmful effects on skin cells and accelerates skin aging through oxidative stress. In this study, the effects of a hydrogen-generating silica material named ULH-002 against UVA injuries in human cells and 3D skin equivalents were investigated. The oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) assay showed that both freshly prepared ULH-002 solutions and 7-day-old solutions exhibited equal peroxyl radical (ROO·) scavenging activities concentration-dependently. CellROX® green/orange staining showed that ULH-002 could reduce UVA-induced oxidative stress in human keratinocytes HaCaT and human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). ULH-002 significantly prevented UVA-induced apoptotic/necrotic cell death and cell-viability decline in HGFs and keratinocytes, as shown by Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay and PrestoBlue assay, respectively. Immunostaining showed that ULH-002 prevented the UVA-induced deterioration of expression of both type IV and I collagens in the 3D skin equivalents, and similarly in monolayer HGFs. UVA-enhanced melanogenesis was observed in human melanocytes HMV-II and HMV-II cell-containing 3D skin equivalents, but markedly prevented by ULH-002 as demonstrated by Fontana–Masson’s staining. In conclusion, our data suggested that ULH-002 could protect human keratinocytes and fibroblasts from UVA-induced injuries, prevent the loss of type IV and I collagens, as well as reduce melanogenesis. ULH-002 might be developed as a skin care reagent in the cosmetic industry.
Quercetin and Egg Metallome
Authors: Zoidis Evangelos , Pappas Athanasios C. , Goliomytis Michael , Simitzis Panagiotis E. , Sotirakoglou Kyriaki , Tavrizelou Savvina , Danezis George , Georgiou Constantinos A.
Published: January 2021

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of the natural flavonoid quercetin dietary supplementation on the alteration of egg metallome by applying the basic principles of elemental metabolomics. One hundred and ninety-two laying hens were allocated into 4 treatment groups: the control (C) group that was fed with a commercial basal diet and the other experimental groups that were offered the same diet further supplemented with quercetin at 200, 400 and 800 mg per kg of feed (Q2, Q4 and Q8 group, respectively) for 28 days. The diets contained the same vitamin and mineral premix, thus all birds received the same amount of elements since no differences on feed intake existed. The egg elemental profile consisted of As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, V, Zn and was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Quercetin supplementation altered the elemental profile. Most notably, quercetin altered the element concentrations predominantly in egg shell and albumen. It increased the concentration of Sb while reduced that of Cr and Se in both egg shell and albumen. Moreover, it increased As, Cd in albumen and V in yolk, while compared to the control, reduced As, Cd, Cr, Cu and V and also raised Ca, Fe, Mg and Ni in egg shell. The presence of quercetin led to differentiation of the deposition of certain trace minerals in egg compartments compared to that of hens fed a basal diet, possibly indicating that tailor made eggs for specific nutritional and health requirements could be created in the future.
Plant Extracts for Type 2 Diabetes: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery
Authors: Lee Jinjoo , Noh Seungjin , Lim Suhyun , Kim Bonglee
Published: January 2021

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the largest public health problems worldwide. Insulin resistance-related metabolic dysfunction and chronic hyperglycemia result in devastating complications and poor prognosis. Even though there are many conventional drugs such as metformin (MET), Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), sulfonylureas (SUF), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, side effects still exist. As numerous plant extracts with antidiabetic effects have been widely reported, they have the potential to be a great therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes with less side effects. In this study, sixty-five recent studies regarding plant extracts that alleviate type 2 diabetes were reviewed. Plant extracts regulated blood glucose through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of plant extracts suppressed c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways, which induce insulin resistance. Lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation, which are also associated with insulin resistance, are regulated by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. This review focuses on discovering plant extracts that alleviate type 2 diabetes and exploring its therapeutic mechanisms.
Role of Phytochemicals in Perturbation of Redox Homeostasis in Cancer
Authors: Gaikwad Shreyas , Srivastava Sanjay K.
Published: January 2021

Over the past few decades, research on reactive oxygen species (ROS) has revealed their critical role in the initiation and progression of cancer by virtue of various transcription factors. At certain threshold values, ROS act as signaling molecules leading to activation of oncogenic pathways. However, if perturbated beyond the threshold values, ROS act in an anti-tumor manner leading to cellular death. ROS mediate cellular death through various programmed cell death (PCD) approaches such as apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, etc. Thus, external stimulation of ROS beyond a threshold is considered a promising therapeutic strategy. Phytochemicals have been widely regarded as favorable therapeutic options in many diseased conditions. Over the past few decades, mechanistic studies on phytochemicals have revealed their effect on ROS homeostasis in cancer. Considering their favorable side effect profile, phytochemicals remain attractive treatment options in cancer. Herein, we review some of the most recent studies performed using phytochemicals and, we further delve into the mechanism of action enacted by individual phytochemicals for PCD in cancer.
Proniosomal Gel for Topical Delivery of Rutin: Preparation, Physicochemical Characterization and In Vitro Toxicological Profile Using 3D Reconstructed Human Epidermis Tissue and 2D Cells
Authors: Pinzaru Iulia , Tanase Alina , Enatescu Virgil , Coricovac Dorina , Bociort Flavia , Marcovici Iasmina , Watz Claudia , Vlaia Lavinia , Soica Codruta , Dehelean Cristina
Published: January 2021

Rutin (Rut) is a natural flavonol, well-known for its broad-spectrum of therapeutic effects, including antioxidant and antitumoral activities; still, it has a reduced clinical outcome due to its limited solubility in aqueous solutions. To overcome this drawback, this study proposes a novel formulation for rutin as a proniosomal gel for cutaneous applications. The gel was prepared by coacervation phase-separation method and complies with the standard requirements in terms of particle size (140.5 ± 2.56 nm), zeta potential (−27.33 ± 0.09 mV), encapsulation capacity (> 50%), pH (7.002 ± 0.18) and rheological properties. The results showed high biocompatibility of the gel on the 3D reconstructed human epidermis model characterized by increased viability of the cells and a lack of irritant and phototoxic potential. The evaluations on 2D cells confirm the preferential cytotoxic effect of Rut on melanoma cells (IC50 value = 8.601 µM, nuclear fragmentation) compared to normal keratinocytes. Our data suggest that the proniosomal gel is a promising drug carrier for Rut in the management and prevention of skin disorders.