bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gut microbiota alterations in children and their relationship with primary immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Li Xiangyu , Zhang Minna , He Le , Zhou Jingfang , Shen Peng , Dai Weijie , Yang Xiaozhong , Yuan Yufang , Zhu Haiyan , Wang Honggang
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Gut microbiota reportedly play a critical role in some autoimmune diseases by maintaining immune homeostasis. Only a few studies have examined the correlation between gut microbiota and the onset of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), especially in children. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the composition and diversity of the fecal microbiota of children with ITP, as well as the correlation between such microbiota and the onset of ITP.

Methods

Twenty-five children newly diagnosed with ITP and 16 healthy volunteers (controls) were selected for the study. Fresh stool samples were collected to identify changes in the composition and diversity of gut microbiota as well as for potential correlation analysis.

Results

In ITP patients, the phyla that were most frequently encountered were Firmicutes (54.3%), followed by Actinobacteria (19.79%), Bacteriodetes (16.06%), and Proteobacteria (8.75%). The phyla that were predominantly found in the controls were, Firmicutes (45.84%), Actinobacteria (40.15%), Bacteriodetes (3.42%), and Proteobacteria (10.23%). Compared with those of the controls, the proportions of Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes in the gut microbiota of ITP patients were increased while the proportions of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were decreased. Furthermore, gut microbiota in ITP patients varied by age group, showed specific changes in diversity, and were correlated with antiplatelet antibodies. IgG levels were significantly positively correlated with Bacteroides (P<0.01).

Conclusions

The gut microbiota of children with ITP are imbalanced, as shown by the increase in Bacteroidetes, which was positively correlated with IgG. Thus gut microbiota may contribute to ITP pathogenesis via IgG.

Clinical Trial Registration

The clinical trial were registered and approved by the Institutional Review Committee of The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Ethics number KY-2023-106-01.
Grafts vs. flaps: a comparative study of Bracka repair and staged transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty for proximal hypospadias with severe ventral curvature
Authors: Zhang Youtian , Wang Xin , Wu Yong , Li Shengbin , Zhang Dongzheng , Ma Xiong , Wang Cong , Zhang Zhenhua , Ma Yukun , Wei Baolong , Guan Yong
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Bracka repair and staged transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty are both significant methods in treating proximal hypospadias. They utilize the flap and graft techniques, respectively, to achieve a satisfactory success rate. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of these 2 methods in the treatment of proximal hypospadias with severe ventral curvature.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 117 cases of proximal hypospadias with severe ventral curvature who had undergone either Bracka repair (n = 62) or staged transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty (n = 55). All operations were performed by a single surgeon, and the choice of method was determined by the surgeon's preference based on his experience. Cosmetic outcome was evaluated with Pediatric Penile Perception Score (PPPS). Patients' characteristics including age, penis length, glans diameter, length of the urethral defect and ventral curvature degree, cosmetic outcomes, and complication rates were all compared.

Results

There was no significant difference in age, penis length, glans diameter, length of the urethral defect, or ventral curvature degree. In the Bracka group, there were 5 patients with fistula, 1 patient with stricture, and 1 case of dehiscence. In the staged transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty group, there were 4 patients with fistula, 1 with stricture, and 2 with diverticulum. The scores of shaft skin and general appearance were consistently higher in the Bracka group than in the staged transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty group. The differences in complication rate and cosmetic outcome were not statistically different (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Bracka repair and staged transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty are both satisfactory staged surgical options for proximal hypospadias with severe ventral curvature and have similar complication rates. Bracka repair may create a better appearance, but more studies are needed to confirm this finding. Pediatric surgeons should consider additional factors, such as the patient's specific condition, parents' inclination, and personal experience, rather than safety, to make the best choice between the 2 methods.
Potential role of gut microbes in the efficacy and toxicity of immune checkpoints inhibitors
Authors: Ma Jingxin , Wei Qi , Cheng Xin , Zhang Jie , Zhang Zhongtao , Su Jianrong
Published: June 2023

In recent years, Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been extensively used in the treatment of a variety of cancers. However, the response rates ranging from 13% to 69% depending on the tumor type and the emergence of immune-related adverse events have posed significant challenges for clinical treatment. As a key environmental factor, gut microbes have a variety of important physiological functions such as regulating intestinal nutrient metabolism, promoting intestinal mucosal renewal, and maintaining intestinal mucosal immune activity. A growing number of studies have revealed that gut microbes further influence the anticancer effects of tumor patients through modulation of the efficacy and toxicity of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Currently, faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) have been developed relatively mature and suggested as an important regulator in order to enhance the efficacy of treatment. This review is dedicated to exploring the impact of differences in flora composition on the efficacy and toxicity of immune checkpoint inhibitors as well as to summarizing the current progress of FMT.
The regulatory role of bile acid microbiota in the progression of liver cirrhosis
Authors: Zhu Feng , Zheng Shudan , Zhao Mei , Shi Fan , Zheng Lihong , Wang Haiqiang
Published: June 2023

Bile acids (BAs) are synthesized in liver tissue from cholesterol and are an important endocrine regulator and signaling molecule in the liver and intestine. It maintains BAs homeostasis, and the integrity of intestinal barrier function, and regulates enterohepatic circulation in vivo by modulating farnesoid X receptors (FXR) and membrane receptors. Cirrhosis and its associated complications can lead to changes in the composition of intestinal micro-ecosystem, resulting in dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota. These changes may be related to the altered composition of BAs. The BAs transported to the intestinal cavity through the enterohepatic circulation are hydrolyzed and oxidized by intestinal microorganisms, resulting in changes in their physicochemical properties, which can also lead to dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota and overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, induction of inflammation, and damage to the intestinal barrier, thus aggravating the progression of cirrhosis. In this paper, we review the discussion of BAs synthesis pathway and signal transduction, the bidirectional regulation of bile acids and intestinal microbiota, and further explore the role of reduced total bile acid concentration and dysregulated intestinal microbiota ratio in the development of cirrhosis, in order to provide a new theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of cirrhosis and its complications.
Overexpression of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) AhGRFi gene enhanced root growth inhibition under exogenous NAA treatment in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Zhang Zhou , Gangurde Sunil S. , Chen Songbin , Mandlik Rushil Ramesh , Liu Haiyan , Deshmukh Rupesh , Xu Jialing , Wu Zhongkang , Hong Yanbin , Li Yin
Published: June 2023

The 14-3-3 protein is a kind of evolutionary ubiquitous protein family highly conserved in eukaryotes. Initially, 14-3-3 proteins were reported in mammalian nervous tissues, but in the last decade, their role in various metabolic pathways in plants established the importance of 14-3-3 proteins. In the present study, a total of 22 14-3-3 genes, also called general regulatory factors (GRF), were identified in the peanut (Arachis hypogaea) genome, out of which 12 belonged to the ε group, whereas 10 of them belonged to the non- ε-group. Tissue-specific expression of identified 14-3-3 genes were studied using transcriptome analysis. The peanut AhGRFi gene was cloned and transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana. The investigation of subcellular localization indicated that AhGRFi is localized in the cytoplasm. Overexpression of the AhGRFi gene in transgenic Arabidopsis showed that under exogenous 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) treatment, root growth inhibition in transgenic plants was enhanced. Further analysis indicated that the expression of auxin-responsive genes IAA3, IAA7, IAA17, and SAUR-AC1 was upregulated and GH3.2 and GH3.3 were downregulated in transgenic plants, but the expression of GH3.2, GH3.3, and SAUR-AC1 showed opposite trends of change under NAA treatment. These results suggest that AhGRFi may be involved in auxin signaling during seedling root development. An in-depth study of the molecular mechanism of this process remains to be further explored.
Dealing with information overload: a comprehensive review
Authors: Arnold Miriam , Goldschmitt Mascha , Rigotti Thomas
Published: June 2023

Information overload is a problem that is being exacerbated by the ongoing digitalization of the world of work and the growing use of information and communication technologies. Therefore, the aim of this systematic literature review is to provide an insight into existing measures for prevention and intervention related to information overload. The methodological approach of the systematic review is based on the PRISMA standards. A keyword search in three interdisciplinary scientific databases and other more practice-oriented databases resulted in the identification of 87 studies, field reports, and conceptual papers that were included in the review. The results show that a considerable number of papers have been published on interventions on the behavioral prevention level. At the level of structural prevention, there are also many proposals on how to design work to reduce information overload. A further distinction can be made between work design approaches at the level of information and communication technology and at the level of teamwork and organizational regulations. Although the identified studies cover a wide range of possible interventions and design approaches to address information overload, the strength of the evidence from these studies is mixed.
Effect of the personality traits of healthy Japanese workers on depressive symptoms and social adaptation, and on the achievement rate of exercise therapy to prevent major depression
Authors: Ikenouchi Atsuko , Okamoto Naomichi , Matsumoto Tomomi , Yoshimura Reiji
Published: June 2023

Background

This study determined the effects of personality traits on depressive symptoms and social adaptation in healthy workers, and the effects of depressive symptoms or social adaptation before and after exercise therapy, and personality traits before exercise therapy on the achievement rates of exercise therapy aimed at preventing major depression.

Methods

Two hundred fifty healthy Japanese workers were given an eight-week walking program as exercise therapy. After excluding 35 participants who had dropped or provided incomplete information, 215 were included in the analysis. The Japanese version of the NEO five-factor inventory was used to assess participants’ personality traits before the exercise therapy. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Japanese version of the Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS-J) and social adaptation was evaluated using the Japanese version of the social adaptation self-evaluation scale (SASS-J) before and after the exercise therapy.

Results

The SDS-J scores correlated with neuroticism and negatively correlated with extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness before the exercise therapy. The SDS-J was also negatively correlated with openness in women, but not in men, while the SASS-J was associated with extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, and negatively correlated with neuroticism. There was no significant change in levels of depression before and after exercise therapy; however, social adaptation increased significantly in men. No association was found between SDS-J and SASS-J scores before the exercise therapy and the achievement rate. The achievement rates of exercise therapy were negatively correlated with SDS-J or SASS-J after exercise therapy in women. The SDS-J after exercise therapy was correlated with neuroticism in men and negatively correlated with extraversion in women. The SASS-J after exercise therapy was negatively correlated with neuroticism and correlated with extraversion and openness in men. In contrast, the SASS-J after exercise therapy correlated with openness and agreeableness in women. Conscientiousness was correlated with the achievement rate of exercise therapy in men, but not with the various personality traits in women.

Conclusion

Depressive symptoms and social adaptation were differently associated with personality traits and achievement rates before and after exercise therapy. Conscientiousness before exercise therapy predicted a higher achievement rate for exercise therapy in men.
Economic evaluations of interventions focusing on child abuse and neglect in high-income countries: a systematic review
Authors: Kugener Tom , Wiethoff Isabell , van Mastrigt Ghislaine , van den Berg Bram , Evers Silvia M. A. A.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Child abuse and neglect are together considered to be an important public health problem with a high individual and societal burden. Different interventions have been developed to prevent, diagnose, or treat maltreatment. While their effectiveness has been synthesized in prior reviews, the analysis of their cost-effectiveness is less common. The aim of this study is to synthesize and analyse economic evaluations of interventions focusing on child abuse and neglect in high-income countries.

Methods

A systematic literature review was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, EconLit, PsycInfo and NHS EED. This study follows the PRISMA guidelines and double scoring was performed. The review includes trial- and model-based economic evaluations of preventive, diagnostic, and treatment related interventions in children up to 18 years or their caregivers. Risk of bias was assessed using the CHEC-extended checklist. The results are presented in a cost-effectiveness plane.

Results

Of 5,865 search results, the full texts of 81 were analyzed, resulting in the inclusion of 11 economic evaluations. Eight of the included studies focus on prevention of child abuse and neglect, one study on diagnosis, and two on treatment. The heterogeneity between studies did not allow for the quantitative pooling of results. Most interventions were cost-effective, with the exception of one preventive and one diagnostic intervention.

Conclusion

This study was subject to some limitations, as no gray literature was included, and the selection of studies may have been arbitrary due to varying terminologies and methodologies in the field. However, the quality of studies was high, and several interventions showed promising results.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021248485, identifier: CRD42021248485.
Ethical principles, challenges and opportunities when conducting genetic counselling for schizophrenia
Authors: Zingela Zukiswa , Sokudela Funeka , Thungana Yanga , van Wyk Stephan
Published: June 2023

Ethical challenges of genetic counselling for schizophrenia include effective communication of critical scientific information in an easily understood manner by patients and relatives, and the ability to ensure communication is unencumbered by medical jargon. Levels of literacy in the target population may limit this process, making it difficult for patients to attain the desired levels of informed consent to make crucial decisions during genetic counselling. Multilingualism in target communities may further complicate such communication. This paper outlines the ethical principles, challenges and opportunities facing clinicians when conducting genetic counselling for schizophrenia and how these might be met, drawing on lessons from South African studies. The paper draws on reflections of clinician and researcher experiences gained from clinical practice or research on the genetics of schizophrenia and psychotic disorders in South Africa. The context of genetic studies in schizophrenia is used to illustrate the ethical challenges in genetic counselling for schizophrenia, both in clinical and research settings. Attention is also drawn to multicultural and multilingual populations, particularly where the preferred language lacks a well-developed scientific language of communication for some of the genetic concepts that have to be presented during the genetic counselling process. The authors describe the ethical challenges and how to address these to empower patients and relatives to make well-informed decisions despite these obstacles. Principles applied by clinicians and researchers during the genetic counselling are described. Potential solutions, including the establishment of community advisory boards to address potential ethical challenges inherent to the genetic counselling process, are also shared. Genetic counselling for schizophrenia still faces ethical challenges which require a balance of principles of beneficence, autonomy, informed consent, confidentiality and distributive justice, while striving to present accuracy in the science that guides the process. Evolution in language and cultural competency therefore needs to occur alongside scientific advances in genetic research. Key stakeholders need to partner and build capacity and expertise in genetic counselling through the provision of funding and resources. The goal of partnerships is to empower patients, relatives, clinicians and researchers to share scientific information in a manner guided by empathy while retaining scientific accuracy.
Fast and accurate assessment of depression based on voice acoustic features: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study
Authors: Wang Yang , Liang Lijuan , Zhang Zhongguo , Xu Xiao , Liu Rongxun , Fang Hanzheng , Zhang Ran , Wei Yange , Liu Zhongchun , Zhu Rongxin , Zhang Xizhe , Wang Fei
Published: June 2023

Background

Depression is a widespread mental disorder that affects a significant portion of the population. However, the assessment of depression is often subjective, relying on standard questions or interviews. Acoustic features have been suggested as a reliable and objective alternative for depression assessment. Therefore, in this study, we aim to identify and explore voice acoustic features that can effectively and rapidly predict the severity of depression, as well as investigate the potential correlation between specific treatment options and voice acoustic features.

Methods

We utilized voice acoustic features correlated with depression scores to train a prediction model based on artificial neural network. Leave-one-out cross-validation was performed to evaluate the performance of the model. We also conducted a longitudinal study to analyze the correlation between the improvement of depression and changes in voice acoustic features after an Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (ICBT) program consisting of 12 sessions.

Results

Our study showed that the neural network model trained based on the 30 voice acoustic features significantly correlated with HAMD scores can accurately predict the severity of depression with an absolute mean error of 3.137 and a correlation coefficient of 0.684. Furthermore, four out of the 30 features significantly decreased after ICBT, indicating their potential correlation with specific treatment options and significant improvement in depression (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Voice acoustic features can effectively and rapidly predict the severity of depression, providing a low-cost and efficient method for screening patients with depression on a large scale. Our study also identified potential acoustic features that may be significantly related to specific treatment options for depression.
The role of only-child status in the effect of childhood trauma and parental rearing style on depressive symptoms in Shanghai adolescents
Authors: Zhong Yingyan , Huang Xinxin , Chen Jianhua , Li Yuting , Li Yan , Chen Rumeng , Cong Enzhao , Xu Yifeng
Published: June 2023

Introduction

After decades of the one-child policy, China changed its rules to allow two children in 2016, which altered family dynamics. Few studies have examined the emotional problems and the family environment of multi-child adolescents. This study aims to explore the role of only-child status in the impact of childhood trauma and parental rearing style on depressive symptoms of adolescents in Shanghai, China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 4,576 adolescents (M = 13.42 years, SD = 1.21) from seven middle schools in Shanghai, China. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, the Short Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran, and Children’s Depression Inventory were used to evaluate childhood trauma, perceived parental rearing style, and depressive symptoms of adolescents, respectively.

Results

Results showed that girls and non-only children reported more depressive symptoms, while boys and non-only children perceived more childhood trauma and negative rearing styles. Emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and father’s emotional warmth significantly predicted depressive symptoms in both only children and non-only children. Father’s rejection and mother’s overprotection were related to adolescents’ depressive symptoms in only-child families, but not non-only child families.

Discussion

Therefore, depressive symptoms, childhood trauma, and perceived negative rearing styles were more prevalent among adolescents in non-only child families, while negative rearing styles were especially associated with depressive symptoms in only children. These findings suggest that parents pay attention to their impacts on only children and give more emotional care to non-only children.
Relating movement markers of schizophrenia to self-experience—a mixed-methods study
Authors: Martin Lily A. L. , Melchert David , Knack Monika , Fuchs Thomas
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Basic self-disorders on the one hand and motor symptoms on the other hand are discussed as endophenotypes of schizophrenia psychopathology. However, the systematic interaction between motor symptoms and the self-experience of patients is rarely studied.

Methods

In a previous study we defined motor markers of schizophrenia via a data-driven analysis of patients' gait patterns. In this study, we related the movement markers to measures of basic self-disorder obtained with EASE interviews. We substantiated the correlations with a qualitative content analysis of the interviews of a subset of four patients. We related qualitative and quantitative data on an intra- and interpersonal level.

Results

Our results suggest an association between the previously defined, theory-independent movement markers and basic self-disorders, specifically in the domain of cognition, self-experience and bodily experiences. While movement marker manifestation was not precisely reflected in the individuals' descriptions of anomalous self- and body experience, we found clear trends of more and more intense descriptions with increasing movement marker scores, when looking at specific experiences, such as hyper reflexivity.

Discussion

These results foster an integrated view of the patient and could stimulate therapeutic approaches aiming at an improvement of self- and body-experience of patients with schizophrenia.
Myopia in elementary school students in Eastern China during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Huang Shuaishuai , Shen Fanhan , Zhou Fujun , Gong Qinghai , Liu Kui , Feng Wei , Cen Dong
Published: June 2023

Background

Myopia is an increasingly serious public concern, particularly among primary school students. The prevalence of myopia and its influencing factors in primary school pupils in Eastern China during the COVID-19 pandemic had not been explored.

Methods

A randomly clustered sampling method was performed, and selected pupils from grade 1 to grade 3 in 15 primary schools in the Fenghua District of Zhejiang Province were included and given myopia screening and uniform questionnaire survey 1 year later.

Results

A total of 4,213 students completed the myopia screening and questionnaire survey. Myopia was diagnosed in 1,356 pupils, with a myopia incidence of 32.19%. The spherical equivalent (SE) refraction of the included pupils decreased on average by 0.50 ± 2.15 D 1 year later. The myopia rate was positively correlated with the increase of grade, in which the myopia rate among grade 3 students was the highest at 39.69%. The myopia rate among female students was higher than that among male students. Students residing in urban areas had a higher myopia rate than in rural areas. Maintaining an near work distance ≥33 cm was a significant protective factor (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.74–0.96). Students with two myopic parents had a higher risk of myopia (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.34–1.92).

Conclusion

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the myopia rate among early primary school students in Eastern China was high. More attention and implementation of interventions from health and education departments, such as training the development of good eye behavior, should be considered to strengthen the intervention of myopia in primary school students.
The effects of height-for-age and HIV on cognitive development of school-aged children in Nairobi, Kenya: a structural equation modelling analysis
Authors: Maina Rachel , He Jia , Abubakar Amina , Perez-Garcia Miguel , Kumar Manasi , Wicherts Jelte M.
Published: June 2023

Background

Empirical evidence indicates that both HIV infection and stunting impede cognitive functions of school-going children. However, there is less evidence on how these two risk factors amplify each other’s negative effects. This study aimed to examine the direct effects of stunting on cognitive outcomes and the extent to which stunting (partially) mediates the effects of HIV, age, and gender on cognitive outcomes.

Methodology

We applied structural equation modelling to cross-sectional data from 328 children living with HIV and 260 children living without HIV aged 6–14 years from Nairobi, Kenya to test the mediating effect of stunting and predictive effects of HIV, age, and gender on cognitive latent variables flexibility, fluency, reasoning, and verbal memory.

Results

The model predicting the cognitive outcomes fitted well (RMSEA = 0.041, CFI = 0.966, χ2 = 154.29, DF = 77, p < 0.001). Height-for-age (a continuous indicator of stunting) predicted fluency (β = 0.14) and reasoning (β = 0.16). HIV predicted height-for-age (β = −0.24) and showed direct effects on reasoning (β = −0.66), fluency (β = −0.34), flexibility (β = 0.26), and verbal memory (β = −0.22), highlighting that the effect of HIV on cognitive variables was partly mediated by height-for-age.

Conclusion

In this study, we found evidence that stunting partly explains the effects of HIV on cognitive outcomes. The model suggests there is urgency to develop targeted preventative and rehabilitative nutritional interventions for school children with HIV as part of a comprehensive set of interventions to improve cognitive functioning in this high-risk group of children. Being infected or having been born to a mother who is HIV positive poses a risk to normal child development.
Impact of digital health literacy on health-related quality of life in Chinese community-dwelling older adults: the mediating effect of health-promoting lifestyle
Authors: Liu Siqi , Lu Ya , Wang Dan , He Xiaochong , Ren Wei , Kong Dehui , Luo Yu
Published: June 2023

Background

In the context of aging and digitalization, the development and application of digital health can help meet the growing health needs of older adults. Improving digital health literacy of older adults may be an effective way to alleviate the shortage of public health resources and improve their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, the impact of digital health literacy on HRQoL in older adults and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. This study intends to explore whether digital health literacy has an effect on HRQoL in community-dwelling older adults, and whether health-promoting lifestyle plays a mediating role between digital health literacy and HRQoL, while providing a theoretical basis for the scientific construction of HRQoL intervention programs for older adults.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted in Chongqing, China from September 2020 to April 2021. 572 community-dwelling older adults were surveyed by stratified sampling. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, digital health literacy, health-promoting lifestyle and HRQoL were collected. Univariate analysis was used to compare the differences in HRQoL among community-dwelling older adults with different sociodemographic characteristics. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between digital health literacy, health-promoting lifestyle and HRQoL. SPSS PROCESS macro was used to examine the mediating effect of health-promoting lifestyle between digital health literacy and HRQoL.

Results

The mean score of HRQoL was 97.97 (SD 11.45). Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in HRQoL among community-dwelling older adults with different gender, age, educational level, marital status, and monthly household income per capita (p < 0.05). There were positive correlations between digital health literacy, health-promoting lifestyle and HRQoL, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.416 to 0.706 (p < 0.001). Digital health literacy was positively associated with HRQoL (β = 0.210, p < 0.001), and health-promoting lifestyle mediated the relationship between digital health literacy and HRQoL, with an indirect effect of 0.175 (95% Bootstrap CI 0.135–0.214).

Conclusion

Digital health literacy can affect HRQoL through the mediating effect of health-promoting lifestyle. It is suggested that relevant management institutions, communities and families should strengthen the cultivation of the digital health literacy of older adults, promote their development of health-promoting lifestyle, and ultimately improve HRQoL.
Long-short term memory networks for modeling track geometry in laser metal deposition
Authors: Perani Martina , Jandl Ralf , Baraldo Stefano , Valente Anna , Paoli Beatrice
Published: June 2023

Modeling metal additive manufacturing processes is of great importance because it allows for the production of objects that are closer to the desired geometry and mechanical properties. Over-deposition often takes place during laser metal deposition, especially when the deposition head changes its direction and results in more material being melted onto the substrate. Modeling over-deposition is one of the necessary steps toward online process control, as a good model can be used in a closed-loop system to adjust the deposition parameters in real-time to reduce this phenomenon. In this study, we present a long-short memory neural network to model over-deposition. The model has been trained on simple geometries such as straight tracks, spiral and V-tracks made of Inconel 718. The model shows good generalization capabilities and can predict the height of more complex and previously unseen random tracks with limited performance loss. After the addition to the training dataset of a small amount of data coming from the random tracks, the performance of the model for such additional shapes improves significantly, making this approach feasible for more general applications as well.
Exploring the Significance of Legal Status on Refugees’ and Asylum Seekers’ Access to Health Care in Germany—A Mixed-Method Study
Authors: Nowak Anna Christina , Razum Oliver , Hornberg Claudia
Published: June 2023

Objectives: The study aims to investigate the significance of legal status for well-being and access to and use of needs-based health care by asylum seekers and refugees in Germany.

Methods: Using a mixed-method-design, we first conducted a cross-sectional study to explore access to health care and unmet needs of refugees and asylum seekers and legal status. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. For the qualitative study a heterogeneous sample was recruited from the quantitative data. Interviews were analysed using a deductive-inductive approach.

Results: Quantitative results showed that health care utilisation was associated with an unsecure legal status but not with unmet care needs. The in-depth qualitative study revealed that the legal status determines experiences of structural violence that can negatively affect well-being and associated access to health care.

Conclusion: An insecure legal status can affect access to health care for refugees and asylum seekers. In order to improve health, changes in living conditions and the removal of access barriers are necessary.
Multi-Objective PSO with Variable Number of Dimensions for Space Robot Path Optimization
Authors: Kadlec Petr
Published: June 2023

This paper aims to solve the space robot pathfinding problem, formulated as a multi-objective (MO) optimization problem with a variable number of dimensions (VND). This formulation enables the search and comparison of potential solutions with different model complexities within a single optimization run. A novel VND MO algorithm based on the well-known particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is introduced and thoroughly described in this paper. The novel VNDMOPSO algorithm is validated on a set of 21 benchmark problems with different dimensionality settings and compared with two other state-of-the-art VND MO algorithms. Then, it is applied to solve five different instances of the space robot pathfinding problem formulated as a VND MO problem where two objectives are considered: (1) the minimal distance of the selected path, and (2) the minimal energy cost (expressed as the number of turning points). VNDMOPSO shows at least comparable or better convergence on the benchmark problems and significantly better convergence properties on the VND pathfinding problems compared with other VND MO algorithms.
The Vertical Price Transmission in Pork Meat Production in the Czech Republic
Authors: Sirohi Jitka , Hloušková Zuzana , Bartoňová Klára , Malec Karel , Maitah Mansoor , Koželský Robert
Published: June 2023

The paper aims at vertical price transmission of the agri-food market in the Czech Republic. It is focused on the analysis of price transmission in pork meat by investigating the short-run and long-run relationships within the product and the speed of establishing the equilibrium relationship. For this purpose, there is employed specially VECM (Vector Error Correction Model), impulse-response analysis, and decomposition of variance of VECM, which show the system’s reaction. The applied approach considers five alternatives in the Johansen approach. The results suggest that there is an existence of the equilibrium relationship in vertical markets and this relationship is simultaneous and demand-driven. The impulse-response analyses show the response of the processing price to one standard deviation shock to the agriculture price from approximately 15–20 periods reaching long-run equilibrium. The response of the agriculture price to one standard deviation shock to the processing price reaching long-run equilibrium is also from approximately 15–20 periods.
Comparison of Crushing Effect of Differently Shaped Crushing Rollers on Whole-Plant Silage Maize
Authors: Mu Xiaodong , Li Huabiao , Wang Zongyuan , Wang Qihuan , Geng Duanyang , Zhu Junke
Published: June 2023

Based on the mechanical test (shear test, compression test), the bond model of corn kernel and straw was established to explore the rolling and crushing effect of different crushing rollers. The type of crushing roller is different. The material crushing process by the force (extrusion and kneading) is different. The mechanical analysis of the crushing process reveals that the disc crushing roller (DCR) has the characteristics of large unit-length kneading area; the spiral-notched serrated crushing roller (SNSCR) has transverse shearing effect on the material; and they affect the crushing effect of the material. By means of discrete element method and simulation test, multiple regression method and variance analysis method are used to systematically analyze the data. The optimal working parameters of each roll (crushing roll speed, crushing clearance, differential ratio) were obtained. The simulation test and bench test of the crushing process of materials with different roll shapes were carried out under the optimal working parameters. The crushing effect was evaluated with a Binzhou screen and a corn silage grain-crushing score screen. The crushed materials of corn kernel can be divided into three categories according to the size (broken grains passed through 2 mm sieve; broken grains passed through 4.75 mm sieve; and broken grains that cannot pass through 4.75 mm sieve), and the crushed materials of corn stalk can be divided into four categories according to the size and thickness (broken straw through 4 mm sieve; broken straw through 8 mm sieve; broken straw through 19 mm sieve; and broken straw that cannot pass 19 mm sieve). The crushing effect and crushing classification of the simulation test and bench test were basically consistent. The results showed that the disc crushing roller group had the highest comprehensive score with straw rolling rate of 89.1% and grain crushing rate of 87.7%, which was the most suitable for harvesting whole-plant silage maize (WSM).
The Effects of Space Allowance and Toy Provision on the Growth, Spatiotemporal Distribution of Behavior, and Pen Cleanliness of Finishing Pigs
Authors: Zeng Yaqiong , Wang Hao , Hu Bin , Long Dingbiao , Zhu Jiaming , Liu Zuohua , Li Yongzhen
Published: June 2023

Excretion and lying are key behavioral factors that cause pen fouling, thereby affecting pig welfare, pathogen fecal–oral transmission, and air quality in pig housing. This study investigated the effect of space allowance and toy provision on the spatiotemporal distribution of pigs’ excreting and lying behavior, as well as the score of floor cleanliness in finishing pig pens. A total of 144 Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc hybrid fattening pigs were randomly assigned to 12 part-slatted pens at stocking densities of 0.75, 1.05, and 1.35 m2/pig with 12 pigs per pen, and 2 pens at each density level were provided with hanging chains and rubber stars as toys. The results showed that for the average daily gain (ADG) of the pigs, the main effect of space allowance was significant (p < 0.05). The ADG at the stocking density level of 1.35 m2/pig was significantly higher than 0.75 and 1.05 m2/pig (p < 0.05). The ADG of the pigs at a density of 0.75 m2/pig in the toys group was significantly higher than the no toys group (p < 0.05). When occupied space was limited, the provision of toys was beneficial to the growth performance of the pigs. Space allowance and toy provision did not affect the time-varying regularity of the pigs but had a certain impact on the areas where the two behaviors occurred. At a density of 1.35 m2/pig, the excreting rate in the corner areas of the slatted floor and the lying rate in the middle area of the solid floor were significantly higher than at a density of 0.75 and 1.05 m2/pig (p < 0.05). Under the conditions of this study, when the stocking density was 1.35 m2/pig and toys were provided, the average daily gain of the pigs was the highest, and the pigs excreted more in the defined excretion area, lay more in the lying area, and the cleanliness of the lying area was also higher. In the case of space constraints, the provision of toys can offset some of the adverse effects of space constraints on pig growth and pen cleanliness.
Towards Managing Biodiversity of European Marginal Agricultural Land for Biodiversity-Friendly Biomass Production
Authors: Burland Anna , von Cossel Moritz
Published: June 2023

The use of marginal land, especially that which has already been used for agricultural purposes in the past two decades, for biomass cultivation is seen as an important approach for the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy. Marginal land can provide many other important ecosystem services than biomass provisioning for bioenergy and biobased products such as erosion mitigation, groundwater protection and nursery services to promote biodiversity. However, marginal land is also often subject to dynamic processes, mostly soil degradation and climate change, which make its fauna and flora particularly vulnerable to land-use changes. This study provides insights into marginal land’s potential biodiversity characterization and critically discusses further steps towards applicable management approaches. Not all commonly used indicators apply to all types of marginal land, especially regarding the site-specific biophysical constraints and the landscape heterogeneity. This is because both the biodiversity and biophysical constraints are sensitive to disturbances. Therefore, when marginal lands are used for biomass production, all available measures should be taken to allow for predominantly positive impacts on local biodiversity, such as a survey of the status quo using camera traps, area mapping, or caterpillar mimics and a forecast of potential biophysical and agrobiological impacts of management.
Saudi Zero Food Waste Certification: A Novel Approach for Food Waste Management in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Sobaih Abu Elnasr E.
Published: June 2023

Saudi Arabia (SA) is categorised as one of the nations with the highest food waste globally. However, this rate of food waste encompasses a high risk to the economy, society and environment. The government has prioritised food security and environmental sustainability in its Saudi Vision 2030; hence, the government has developed some initiatives for food waste reduction. However, these efforts have not achieved the desired outcomes, as there is no evidence that food waste was reduced after such initiatives. The current research reports the results of the first phase of a wider study on food waste management (FWM), which has undertaken a novel approach towards FWM in food service organisations in SA by integrating the perspectives of stakeholders: customers, managers and academics specialised in food management/service. The results of in-depth interviews with key stakeholders identified the main causes of food waste in food service organisations. The findings confirmed that causes of food waste are all associated with each other and linked to either the absence of strategic and legal frameworks, consumer behaviour or poor management of food chains in food service organisations. Solutions for effective FWM were discussed with key stakeholders. The research showed that there is a need for an integrated approach for FWM in each sector where food waste is apparent such as food service organisations. Hence, the Saudi Zero Food Waste Certification has been introduced as a novel approach for managing food waste in food service organisations.
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization and Inoculation of Durum Wheat with Fusarium pseudograminearum on Yield, Technological Quality and Gluten Protein Composition
Authors: Sissons Mike , Egan Narelle , Simpfendorfer Steven
Published: June 2023

In Australia, adoption of reduced tillage and stubble retention cropping systems by growers to conserve soil moisture has seen an increase in the prevalence of the disease Fusarium crown rot (FCR) caused by the stubble-borne fungal pathogen Fusarium pseudograminearum. Durum wheat is particularly susceptible to FCR, exhibiting significant yield and quality losses in the presence of infection. Increasing rates of nitrogen (N) application at sowing exacerbates FCR. However, to achieve the desired grain protein and quality suited to pasta manufacturing, N application is necessary, and this creates a dilemma for growers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of FCR infection in the presence of different N fertiliser application rates in durum wheat varieties on the yield and technological quality. Two durum varieties were evaluated at the same location over two seasons (2020 and 2021). These seasons were characterised by being wetter than normal and showed different responses to FCR and N application. Three rates of FCR inoculation and five rates of N fertilizer were applied (varying according to season) at sowing. In general, the 2021 season showed better responses to applied N regarding the yield and technological properties, with no impact from FCR. The FCR inoculation, while resulting in significant infections in 2020 (15–36-fold increase) and in 2021 (~45-fold increase), had no impacts on the yield or grain quality in 2021, while in 2020, the yield was reduced (24.9%), with variable effects on the technological properties. The 2021 season showed much more responses to applied N (grain protein increased by ~24%). Jandaroi was found to maintain its kernel vitreosity at all protein levels (mean of 88.5%), obtaining the premium grade, while DBA Lillaroi did not (mean vitreosity of 76.6%) and could be downgraded if N application was insufficient. However, higher N application rates needed to achieve more than 12% protein lead to a reduction in dough strength, with Jandaroi maintaining its dough strength much better (2.7% reduction in the gluten index) than DBA Lillaroi (18.2% reduction in the gluten index). This was related to the lower glutenin/gliadin (Gli/Glu) ratio in response to applied N at sowing in Jandaroi, which helped retain kernels with a high vitreousness. This suggests genetics plays an important role in a genotype’s response to N fertilisation and should be considered when selecting a genotype where higher premium grades are desirable.
Research and Validation of Potato Late Blight Detection Method Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Feng Junzhe , Hou Bingru , Yu Chenhao , Yang Huanbo , Wang Chao , Shi Xiaoyi , Hu Yaohua
Published: June 2023

Late blight, caused by phytophthora infestans, is a devastating disease in potato production. In severe cases, this can lead to potato crop failure. To rapidly detect potato late blight, in this study, a deep learning model was developed to discriminate the degree of potato leaf diseases with high recognition accuracy and a fast inference speed. It constructed a total of seven categories of potato leaf disease datasets in single and complex backgrounds, which were augmented using data enhancement method increase to increase the number of images to 7039. In this study, the performance of the pre-trained model for fine-grained classification of potato leaf diseases was evaluated comprehensively in terms of accuracy, inference speed, and the number of parameters. The ShuffleNetV2 2× model with better generalization ability and faster inference speed was selected and improved. Three improvement strategies were proposed: introducing an attention module, reducing the depth of the network, and reducing the number of 1 × 1 convolutions. Their effects on the performance of the underlying model were explored through experiments, and the best form of improvement was determined. The loss function of the improved model converged to 0.36. This was compared to the base model, which was reduced by 34.5%. In the meantime, the improved model reduced the number of parameters, FLOPs, and model size by approximately 23%, increased classification accuracy by 0.85%, and improved CPU inference speed by 25%. Deploying the improved model to the embedded device, the overall classification precision was 94%, and the average time taken to detect a single image was 3.27 s. The method provided critical technical support for the automatic identification of potato late blight.