bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Literary Situation and Reconstruction of the Writing Subject in Literary Education by Educational Psychology
Authors: Xu Gaonan , Li Zhaoming , Zhang Fengrui , Liu Bojing
Published: January 2022

Educational psychology focuses on the laws of change in the knowledge, skills, and individual psychology of the educatees in the process of education and teaching. Writing teaching is a key and difficult point in literature teaching. Nowadays, it is common for students to be afraid and tired of writing in school literature education. In view of these problems, the present work optimizes the teaching mode of writing from the perspective of reconstructing the writing subject. Through literature research and interdisciplinary analysis, a questionnaire is designed to analyze the literary situation and the reconstruction of writing subjects in literary education. The questionnaire is aimed at three aspects, namely the hidden educational effect of teachers’ personality charm, the influencing factors of students’ psychology and students’ learning effect, and the influencing factors of psychology of the communication between teachers and students and teachers’ teaching effect. Then, the changes of students’ performance in literary class in these three aspects before and after using the teaching strategy of writing subject reconstruction are analyzed. Finally, the changes of students’ grades in the literary course are investigated. In this experiment, a total of 400 questionnaires were distributed, and a total of 389 questionnaires were collected. The survey results show that the number of students who feel the classroom atmosphere is active increases by 10%, the number of students who listen carefully and take notes increases by 7%, and 45% of students have improved their grades. Besides, after the implementation of the teaching strategy, most students change their attitude to the literature course, become more active, and significantly improve their motivation for learning. This study has a certain reference value for the analysis of literary situations and the reconstruction of writing subjects in literary education from the perspective of educational psychology.
Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intentions of College Students: The Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and the Moderating Role of Entrepreneurial Competition Experience
Authors: Wu Lihao , Jiang Suo , Wang Xiaomin , Yu Linwei , Wang Yansu , Pan Hui
Published: January 2022

This study aims to explore effective ways to improve college students’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy and intentions through entrepreneurship education. The survey used a random sample of 804 college students in Zhejiang Province, China. The results show that: (1) In terms of the characteristics of entrepreneurial intention, there are significant differences in gender, entrepreneurial experience, entrepreneurial competition experience, and family background of self-employment. (2) There are significant differences in the characteristics of entrepreneurship education in gender, entrepreneurial competition experience, and the family background of self-employment. (3) In the relationship among entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurship education is significantly and positively related to entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy is significantly and positively associated with entrepreneurial intention. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy plays a complete mediating role between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy also has a suppressing effect on the relationship between the two. (4) Entrepreneurial competition experience moderates the second half of the mediating effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Finally, the study offers several proposals for the teaching practice of entrepreneurship education.
The Effect of Red and Blue on Gross and Fine Motor Tasks: Confirming the Inverted-U Hypothesis
Authors: Hong Xiaobin , Xu Aiai , Shi Yan , Geng Lu , Zou Rong , Guo Yuanbing
Published: January 2022

Previous studies have shown that the color red can affect basic motor functioning. However, these studies utilized simple gross motor tasks rather than those assessing complex fine motor skills. Moreover, these empirical studies were theoretically based on the threat–behavior link in human and non-human animals, and neglected the relationship between arousal and motor performance. According to the Yerkes–Dodson law and the inverted-U hypothesis in sport psychology, for simple motor tasks, high arousal (associated with the color red) is more advantageous than low arousal (associated with the color blue); for complex motor tasks, low arousal (blue color) is more advantageous than high arousal (red color). The current research examined the effect of color on different kinds of motor skills (fine motor and gross motor) based on the inverted U-hypothesis. In Experiment 1, we examined the effect of red and blue on dart-throwing performance, whereas in Experiment 2, we examined the effect of red and blue on grip strength performance. The results showed that performance of fine motor skill (dart-throwing) in the blue condition was better than in the red condition, and performance of gross motor skill (handgrip) in the red context was better than in the blue context. These results indicate that the type of motor skill assessed moderates the influence of red and blue on motor performance.
Supervised Classification of Operator Functional State Based on Physiological Data: Application to Drones Swarm Piloting
Authors: Kostenko Alexandre , Rauffet Philippe , Coppin Gilles
Published: January 2022

To improve the safety and the performance of operators involved in risky and demanding missions (like drone operators), human-machine cooperation should be dynamically adapted, in terms of dialogue or function allocation. To support this reconfigurable cooperation, a crucial point is to assess online the operator’s ability to keep performing the mission. The article explores the concept of Operator Functional State (OFS), then it proposes to operationalize this concept (combining context and physiological indicators) on the specific activity of drone swarm monitoring, carried out by 22 participants on simulator SUSIE. With the aid of supervised learning methods (Support Vector Machine, k-Nearest Neighbors, and Random Forest), physiological and contextual are classified into three classes, corresponding to different levels of OFS. This classification would help for adapting the countermeasures to the situation faced by operators.
Relational Agency of University Teachers of Chinese as a Second Language: A Personal Network Perspective
Authors: Yang Weijia , Li Citing , Gao Xuesong
Published: January 2022

Relational agency is pivotal for understanding how language teachers seek and utilize relational resources in different contexts and grow to be agents of change amid various educational challenges. This study explored how three university teachers of Chinese as a second language (CSL) enacted their relational agency to enhance their research capacity and sustain their professional development. Data on their personal network development was collected through concentric circle interviews, life-history interviews and written reflections over three months. Thematic analysis was adopted for iterative coding and interpretation of the data. The findings revealed that teachers’ personal networks provided them with value guidance, emotional support and academic support, which exerted differential levels of impact on them to make agentic choices and actions. The study suggests that personal network analysis may serve as a suitable theoretical lens to achieve a multi-layered understanding of relational agency. The study also calls for more efforts to create learning opportunities and spaces in the relational context for teachers to build their career as agentic academics in language teacher education and development programs.
Linking Emotional Intelligence to Mental Health in Chinese High School Teachers: The Mediating Role of Perceived Organizational Justice
Authors: Shen Sha , Tang Tianqi , Shu Hong , Wang Saidi , Guan Xiangli , Yan Xiangdong , Wang Yanli , Qi Yun , Feng Rui
Published: January 2022

Compare with other professions, teachers are reported to have a higher risk of poor mental health. This study examined the relationships between emotional intelligence, perceived organizational justice, and mental health among Chinese high school teachers. Three hundred and eighty-one high school teachers, with their age range between 21 and 50 years, were administered the Emotional Intelligence Scale, Perceived Organizational Justice Scale, and Mental Health Scale. The result found that emotional intelligence and perceived organizational justice directly influence the mental health of high school teachers. In addition, perceived organizational justice mediated the association between emotional intelligence and mental health. Moreover, the present study analyzes the different role of subtypes of perceived organizational justice on the relationships between emotional intelligence and mental health, and the results showed that the mediating effects of perceived distributive justice and interactive justice on emotional intelligence and mental health are not significant, only the perceived procedural justice mediated the relationships between emotional intelligence and teachers’ mental health. The results are discussed in a conceptual context.
Stress, Coping, and Psychiatric Symptoms in Pregnant Women in Outpatient Care During the 2021 Second-Wave COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Penengo Chiara , Colli Chiara , Cesco Maddalena , Croccia Veronica , Degano Matilde , Ferreghini Alessandra , Garzitto Marco , Lobel Marci , Preis Heidi , Sala Alessia , Driul Lorenza , Balestrieri Matteo
Published: January 2022

Aims: Women face many sources of stress throughout their lives, and some periods are particularly sensitive; pregnancy is one of them. The COVID-19 pandemic is a likely source of additional stress for pregnant women. Moreover, there is evidence that pregnant women have experienced high levels of anxiety and depression symptoms during the pandemic. Our study aimed to evaluate the association of pregnancy-specific stress, pandemic-related stress, and coping strategies with anxiety, depressive and obsessive-compulsive symptomatology in Italian women during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (December 2020–June 2021). We also investigated whether there were differences in these levels of psychopathology compared to a prior study conducted during the first pandemic wave (April–August 2020) in Italian pregnant women.

Methods: We assessed 325 pregnant women receiving outpatient prenatal care, using the Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (NuPDQ), Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale (PREPS), the Revised Prenatal Coping Inventory (NuPCI), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) screening. The main analysis was conducted comparing multiple logistic regression models predicting each psychopathological outcome from specific covariates and NuPDQ, PREPS, and NuPCI scores.

Results: 42.8% of the sample reported significant levels of anxiety, while 10.3% was positive on depression screening and 13.1% on OCD screening. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of high anxiety, depression, or OCD screening scores compared with the first pandemic wave. Controlling for covariates, we found that GAD-7 and PHQ-2 scores were predicted by pregnancy-specific stress; positive OCD screening was not. The model of high anxiety was improved by adding pandemic-related stress as a predictor (in particular, feeling unprepared for delivery and postpartum). Finally, coping strategies (avoidance, spiritual coping, and planning-preparation) significantly improved prediction of all three psychopathological outcomes.

Conclusions: The present study suggests the importance of pregnancy-related stress, COVID-19 pandemic stress, and of coping strategies in counteracting or contributing to psychiatric symptomatology during the current pandemic.
The Impact of Study-at-Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic on Myopia Progression in Chinese Children
Authors: Ma Dandan , Wei Shifei , Li Shi-Ming , Yang Xiaohui , Cao Kai , Hu Jianping , Peng Xiaoxia , Yan Ruohua , Fu Jing , Grzybowski Andrzej , Jin Zi-Bing , Wang Ningli
Published: January 2022

Background: To assess the impact of study-at-home during the COVID-19 pandemic on myopia development in Chinese schoolchildren.

Methods: This historical cohort involved two groups with a total of 154 children. The exposed group was formed from 77 children aged 8 to 10 years who studied at home in the 7-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic (follow-up period: January – August 2020) and did not study at home in the 7-month period before the COVID-19 outbreak (baseline period: July 2019 – January 2020). Seventy-seven children who did not undergo study-at-home (baseline period: 7 months in 2015, follow-up period: 7 months in 2016) were included in the control group. Cycloplegic refraction, axial length and uncorrected visual acuity were measured 3 times. The questionnaire mainly focused on collecting visual habits.

Results: Myopia progression was similar between the two groups in the baseline period. However, in the follow-up period the exposed group had a greater change in refraction toward myopia (−0.83 ± 0.56 D) than the control group (−0.28 ± 0.54 D; p < 0.001). In addition, the exposed group exhibited a significantly greater change in refraction toward myopia in the follow-up period (−0.83 ± 0.56 D) than in the baseline period (−0.33 ± 0.46 D; p < 0.001). Difference-in-difference analysis indicated that study-at-home accelerated the change in refraction toward myopia (t = −0.567; p < 0.001).

Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic study-at-home accelerated the change of refraction toward myopia in children.
Public Willingness to Pay for and Participate in Sanitation Infrastructure Improvement in Western China's Rural Areas
Authors: Wu Simei , Zhang Yang , He Bao-Jie
Published: January 2022

The suitability and feasibility of public-private partnership (PPP) patterns in a rural context have not been well-documented and understood. To address this research gap and practical plight, this study aims to analyze the rural resident's willingness to pay for and participate in the improvement of rural sanitation facilities, and further explore the drivers and barriers affecting their decisions. This study was performed in rural areas of three western provinces, including Shaanxi, Ningxia, and Inner Mongolia, of western China's rural areas by conducting a survey on 1,248 rural residents. In Inner Mongolia, the proportion of respondents who were willing to pay was highest, while the proportion of respondents who may provide labor was lowest among the three provinces. Respondents from Ningxia had the least willing to pay, and respondents from Shaanxi had the highest willingness to participate. Overall, respondents' rural (living) duration time, personal interest in local government notice, and the latest time when the sanitation facilities were improved could significantly affect their willingness. In Inner Mongolia, occupation and water availability could significantly influence respondents' willingness, and both gender and health conditions had significant impacts. In Ningxia, respondents' personal interest in local government notice had a notable impact on willingness, and low-income respondents showed a more notable willingness to pay and participate. In Shaanxi, occupation and water availability could significantly influence respondents' willingness. Respondents' personal interest in local government notice had a notable impact on their willingness. This study is of significant importance to understand rural resident's participation in sanitation infrastructure improvement to support relevant PPP projects, and is important to solve poverty-caused dilemmas.
Trends in Research on Traditional Chinese Health Exercises for Improving Cognitive Function: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Literature From 2001 to 2020
Authors: Li Wenlong , Weng Linman , Xiang Qiuping , Fan Tonggang
Published: January 2022

Although previous studies have investigated the ability of traditional Chinese health exercises (TCHEs) to improve cognitive function, few have utilized bibliometric analyses to address this topic. We aimed to investigate the current status of and developmental trends in this field from 2001 to 2020. We searched the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) for all research publications on cognitive function in relation to TCHEs. CiteSpace V was used to analyze the number of papers, countries, institutions, journals, authors, and citations. We identified hotspots and trends in the field by drawing co-citation reference and co-occurrence keyword maps. From 2001 to 2020, 406 relevant articles were published in the WoSCC, with a gradual increase in the annual number of publications. The three countries/regions with the most publications were the Chinese mainland, the United States, and Canada. Six universities from China and four from the United States were identified as the top 10 institutions. Most research was conducted at universities. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine was identified as the most productive journal. Together, these findings indicate that TCHEs have received increasing attention as a method for improving cognition.
Klotho: An Emerging Factor With Ergogenic Potential
Authors: Arroyo Eliott , Troutman Ashley D. , Moorthi Ranjani N. , Avin Keith G. , Coggan Andrew R. , Lim Kenneth
Published: January 2022

Sarcopenia and impaired cardiorespiratory fitness are commonly observed in older individuals and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Declines in skeletal muscle function and aerobic capacity can progress into impaired physical function and inability to perform activities of daily living. Physical function is highly associated with important clinical outcomes such as hospitalization, functional independence, quality of life, and mortality. While lifestyle modifications such as exercise and dietary interventions have been shown to prevent and reverse declines in physical function, the utility of these treatment strategies is limited by poor widespread adoption and adherence due to a wide variety of both perceived and actual barriers to exercise. Therefore, identifying novel treatment targets to manage physical function decline is critically important. Klotho, a remarkable protein with powerful anti-aging properties has recently been investigated for its role in musculoskeletal health and physical function. Klotho is involved in several key processes that regulate skeletal muscle function, such as muscle regeneration, mitochondrial biogenesis, endothelial function, oxidative stress, and inflammation. This is particularly important for older adults and patients with CKD, which are known states of Klotho deficiency. Emerging data support the existence of Klotho-related benefits to exercise and for potential Klotho-based therapeutic interventions for the treatment of sarcopenia and its progression to physical disability. However, significant gaps in our understanding of Klotho must first be overcome before we can consider its potential ergogenic benefits. These advances will be critical to establish the optimal approach to future Klotho-based interventional trials and to determine if Klotho can regulate physical dysfunction.
Self-Reported Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Stewardship Organizations and Their Activities in Southeast New England, USA
Authors: Merkle Casey , DuBois Bryce , Sayles Jesse S. , Carlson Lynn , Spalding H. Curt , Myers Ben , Kaipa Shreya
Published: January 2022

In many communities, regions, or landscapes, there are numerous environmental groups working across different sectors and creating stewardship networks that shape the environment and the benefits people derive from it. The make-up of these networks can vary, but generally include organizations of different sizes and capacities. As the Covid-19 pandemic (2020 to the present) shuts down businesses and nonprofits, catalyzes new initiatives, and generally alters the day-to-day professional and personal lives, it is logical to assume that these stewardship networks and their environmental work are impacted; exactly how, is unknown. In this study, we analyze the self-reported effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on stewardship groups working in southeast New England, USA. Stewardship organizations were surveyed from November 2020 to April 2021 and asked, among other questions, “How is Covid-19 affecting your organization?” We analyzed responses using several qualitative coding approaches. Our analysis revealed group-level impacts including changes in group capacity, challenges in managing access to public green spaces, and altered forms of volunteer engagement. These results provide insights into the varied effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and government responses such as stay-at-home orders and social distancing policies on stewardship that can inform the development of programs to reduce negative outcomes and enhance emerging capacities and innovations.
Profiling Cultivars Development in Kersting's Groundnut [Macrotyloma geocarpum (Harms) Maréchal and Baudet] for Improved Yield, Higher Nutrient Content, and Adaptation to Current and Future Climates
Authors: Coulibaly Mariam , Bodjrenou Guillaume , Akohoue Félicien , Agoyi Eric Etchikinto , Merinosy Francisco Fustelle Michée , Agossou Chaldia O. A. , Sawadogo Mahamadou , Achigan-Dako Enoch G.
Published: January 2022

Kersting's groundnut [Macrotyloma geocarpum(Harms.) Maréchal and Baudet], Fabaceae, is an important source of protein and essential amino acids. As a grain legume species, it also contributes to improving soil fertility through symbiotic nitrogen fixation. However, the crop is characterized by a relatively low yield (≤500 kg/ha), and limited progress has been made so far, toward the development of high-yielding cultivars that can enhance and sustain its productivity. Recently, there was an increased interest in alleviating the burdens related to Kersting's groundnut (KG) cultivation through the development of improved varieties. Preliminary investigations assembled germplasms from various producing countries. In-depth ethnobotanical studies and insightful investigation on the reproductive biology of the species were undertaken alongside morphological, biochemical, and molecular characterizations. Those studies revealed a narrow genetic base for KG. In addition, the self-pollinating nature of its flowers prevents cross-hybridization and represents a major barrier limiting the broadening of the genetic basis. Therefore, the development of a research pipeline to address the bottlenecks specific to KG is a prerequisite for the successful expansion of the crop. In this paper, we offer an overview of the current state of research on KG and pinpoint the knowledge gaps; we defined and discussed the main steps of breeding for KG' cultivars development; this included (i) developing an integrated genebank, inclusive germplasm, and seed system management; (ii) assessing end-users preferences and possibility for industrial exploitation of the crop; (iii) identifying biotic and abiotic stressors and the genetic control of responsive traits to those factors; (iv) overcoming the cross-pollination challenges in KG to propel the development of hybrids; (v) developing new approaches to create variability and setting adequate cultivars and breeding approaches; (vi) karyotyping and draft genome analysis to accelerate cultivars development and increase genetic gains; and (vii) evaluating the adaptability and stability of cultivars across various ecological regions.
Evaluation of Dynamic Load Reduction for a Tractor Semi-Trailer Using the Air Suspension System at all Axles of the Semi-Trailer
Authors: Ha Dang Viet , Tan Vu Van , Niem Vu Thanh , Sename Olivier
Published: January 2022

The air suspension system has become more and more popular in heavy vehicles and buses to improve ride comfort and road holding. This paper focuses on the evaluation of the dynamic load reduction at all axles of a semi-trailer with an air suspension system, in comparison with the one using a leaf spring suspension system on variable speed and road types. First, a full vertical dynamic model is proposed for a tractor semi-trailer (full model) with two types of suspension systems (leaf spring and air spring) for three axles at the semi-trailer, while the tractor’s axles use leaf spring suspension systems. The air suspension systems are built based on the GENSYS model; meanwhile, the remaining structural parameters are considered equally. The full model has been validated by experimental results, and closely follows the dynamical characteristics of the real tractor semi-trailer, with the percent error of the highest value being 6.23% and Pearson correlation coefficient being higher than 0.8, corresponding to different speeds. The survey results showed that the semi-trailer with the air suspension system can reduce the dynamic load of the entire field of speed from 20 to 100 km/h, given random road types from A to F according to the ISO 8608:2016 standard. The dynamic load coefficient (DLC) with the semi-trailer using the air spring suspension system can be reduced on average from 14.8% to 29.3%, in comparison with the semi-trailer using the leaf spring suspension system.
Development of a Mechatronic System for the Mirror Therapy
Authors: Ruggiu Maurizio , Rea Pierluigi
Published: January 2022

This paper fits into the field of research concerning robotic systems for rehabilitation. Robotic systems are going to be increasingly used to assist fragile persons and to perform rehabilitation tasks for persons affected by motion injuries. Among the recovery therapies, the mirror therapy was shown to be effective for the functional recovery of an arm after stroke. In this paper we present a master/slave robotic device based on the mirror therapy paradigm for wrist rehabilitation. The device is designed to orient the affected wrist in real time according to the imposed motion of the healthy wrist. The paper shows the kinematic analysis of the system, the numerical simulations, an experimental mechatronic set-up, and a built 3D-printed prototype.
Image Recognition of Male Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus) Plants Based on Convolutional Neural Network for UAAS Navigation Applications on Supplementary Pollination and Aerial Spraying
Authors: Sun Zhu , Guo Xiangyu , Xu Yang , Zhang Songchao , Cheng Xiaohui , Hu Qiong , Wang Wenxiang , Xue Xinyu
Published: January 2022

To ensure the hybrid oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus) seed production, two important things are necessary, the stamen sterility on the female OSR plants and the effective pollen spread onto the pistil from the OSR male plants to the OSR female plants. The unmanned agricultural aerial system (UAAS) has developed rapidly in China. It has been used on supplementary pollination and aerial spraying during the hybrid OSR seed production. This study developed a new method to rapidly recognize the male OSR plants and extract the row center line for supporting the UAAS navigation. A male OSR plant recognition model was constructed based on the convolutional neural network (CNN). The sequence images of male OSR plants were extracted, the feature regions and points were obtained from the images through morphological and boundary process methods and horizontal segmentation, respectively. The male OSR plant image recognition accuracies of different CNN structures and segmentation sizes were discussed. The male OSR plant row center lines were fitted using the least-squares method (LSM) and Hough transform. The results showed that the segmentation algorithm could segment the male OSR plants from the complex background. The highest average recognition accuracy was 93.54%, and the minimum loss function value was 0.2059 with three convolutional layers, one fully connected layer, and a segmentation size of 40 pix × 40 pix. The LSM is better for center line fitting. The average recognition model accuracies of original input images were 98% and 94%, and the average root mean square errors (RMSE) of angle were 3.22° and 1.36° under cloudy day and sunny day lighting conditions, respectively. The results demonstrate the potential of using digital imaging technology to recognize the male OSR plant row for UAAS visual navigation on the applications of hybrid OSR supplementary pollination and aerial spraying, which would be a meaningful supplement in precision agriculture.
Pistil Biology of ‘WA 38’ Apple and Effect of Pollen Source on Pollen Tube Growth and Fruit Set
Authors: Serra Sara , Roeder Stefan , Sheick Ryan , Musacchi Stefano
Published: January 2022

‘WA 38’ (‘Enterprise’ × ‘Honeycrisp’) is an apple variety that is characterized by a peculiar self-thinning trait in which most of the fruitlets naturally shed within the first 8 weeks after bloom, leaving some clusters empty, but most with 1–2 apples. This study aimed to investigate potential causes for the relatively low fruit set observed in ‘WA 38’ by investigating its flower biology. This study comprised three objectives: (1) To characterize the effective pollination period (EPP) of ‘WA 38’ by studying stigmatic receptivity, pollen tube growth, and ovule longevity in ‘WA 38’ flowers, (2) to compare the pollen tube growth of 5 fully compatible pollinizer varieties in ‘WA 38’ pistils, and (3) to evaluate fruit and seed set resulting from controlled pollinations with 5 fully compatible pollinizer varieties. The results showed ‘WA 38’ EPP was approximately 3.2 days in 2019 and 1.4 days in 2020, and that differences in pollen sources did not attribute significant differences in fertility in ‘WA 38’ flowers. The results of this study suggest mechanisms other than pollination and fertilization, such as competition among fruitlets within a cluster or hormone signaling, may have a stronger impact on ‘WA 38’ fruitlet abscission.
A Heritage Agronomic Study as a Database for Monitoring the Soil Salinity of an Irrigated District in NE Spain
Authors: Herrero Juan , Castañeda Carmen , Gómez-Báguena Rosa
Published: January 2022

This article presents and reviews the soil salinity data provided by a rescued vintage agronomic report on an irrigated area of 35,875 ha located in the center of the Ebro River basin, in the NE of mainland Spain. These data come from a soil sampling campaign conducted from May to the first half of July 1975 for the purpose of delineating saline and non-saline soils. The agronomic report was produced in response to demands from farmers to combat soil salinity, and represents the state of the art in those years for salinity studies. Our paper presents the scrubbed soil salinity data for this year, checking their consistency and locating the study sites. The main finding is the unearthing of this heritage report and the discussion of its soil salinity data. We show that the report supplies an assessment and a baseline for further soil salinity tracking by conducting new measurements either by direct soil sampling or by nondestructive techniques, providing an estimate of soil salinity at different locations. This task is feasible, as shown in our previously published articles involving nearby areas. A comparison of the salt amount in the soil over the years would provide a means to evaluate irrigation methods for sustainable land management. This comparison can be conducted simultaneously with analysis of other agricultural features described in the report for the irrigation district in 1975.
An Environmentally Friendly Soil Amendment for Enhancing Soil Water Availability in Drought-Prone Soils
Authors: Yang Ting , Xing Xuguang , Gao Yan , Ma Xiaoyi
Published: January 2022

Applying soil amendments plays a critical role in relieving water stress in arid and semiarid areas. The natural clay mineral attapulgite (ATP) can be utilized to adjust the balance of water and soil environment. In this study, we investigated four different particle size distribution typical soils in the Loess Plateau: (1) lou soil (LS), (2) dark loessial soil (DS), (3) cultivated loess soil (CS), (4) sandy soil (SS). Five ATP application rates (0, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) were selected to test the effect of ATP on the soil water retention curve, soil saturated hydraulic conductivity, and soil structure. The results showed that applied ATP significantly increased the soil clay content, and the relative change of SS with 3% ATP applied increased by 53.7%. The field water holding capacity of LS, DS, CS, and SS with 3% ATP applied increased by 8.9%, 9.6%, 18.2%, and 45.0%, respectively. Although applied ATP reduced the saturated hydraulic conductivity, the values of CS and SS were opposite when the amount of ATP applied was >3%. The relative change in the amount of 0.25–1 mm soil water-stable aggregates of SS was 155.9% when 3% ATP was applied. Applied ATP can enhance soil water retention and soil stability, which may improve limited water use efficiency and relieve soil desiccation in arid and semiarid areas or similar hydrogeological areas.
Promoting Judicious Antimicrobial Use in Beef Production: The Role of Quarantine
Authors: Santinello Matteo , Diana Alessia , De Marchi Massimo , Scali Federico , Bertocchi Luigi , Lorenzi Valentina , Alborali Giovanni Loris , Penasa Mauro
Published: January 2022

Judicious antimicrobial stewardship in livestock industry is needed to reduce the use of antimicrobials (AMU) and the associated risk of antimicrobial resistance. Biosecurity measures are acknowledged for their role against the spread of diseases and the importance in reducing AMU in different species. However, their effectiveness in beef production has been scarcely considered. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the quarantine strategy on AMU in beef cattle. A total of 1206 Charolaise animals in five farms were included in the trial. Roughly half of the animals followed the standard procedure of the fattening cycle (no-quarantine; NO-QUA group) and half followed a 30-day period of quarantine (QUA group) since their arrival. Performance and antimicrobial data were recorded and a treatment incidence 100 (TI100it) per animal was calculated. Penicillins was the most used class of antimicrobials. Differences between groups were significant for males only, with NO-QUA group having greater TI100it (3.76 vs. 3.24; p < 0.05) and lower body weight at slaughter (713.4 vs. 723.7 kg; p < 0.05) than QUA group. Results suggest that quarantine strategy can reduce AMU in males without compromising their performance, whereas further investigation is needed for females.
The Social Lives of Free-Ranging Cats
Authors: Vitale Kristyn R.
Published: January 2022

Despite the diversity of social situations in which cats live, the degree to which free-ranging cats (FRCs) are social is still debated. The aim of this review is to explore the literature on the social behavior of FRCs. A search of two major databases revealed that observations of intraspecies and interspecies social interactions have been conducted. The intraspecific social dynamics of FRCs differ based on group of cats surveyed. Some groups display strong social bonds and preferential affiliations, while other groups are more loosely associated and display little to no social interaction. Factors impacting FRC conspecific interactions include cat body size, cat social rank, cat individuality, cat age, relationship to conspecific (kin/familiar), cat sex, level of human caretaking, presence of food, the health of the individual, or sexual status of conspecifics. Interspecies interactions also occur with humans and wildlife. The human’s sex and the weather conditions on the day of interaction have been shown to impact FRC social behavior. Interactions with wildlife were strongly linked to the timing of cat feeding events. These findings support the idea that FRCs are “social generalists” who display flexibility in their social behavior. The social lives of FRCs exist, are complex, and deserve further study.
The Predictive Value of Cell Blood Count Parameters to Diagnose Pulmonary Embolism in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Control Study
Authors: Strazzulla Alessio , Abroug Ben Halima Sarra , Chouchane Ibrahim , Rezek Marwa , Pinto Stiebler Marcella , Hamrouni Sarra , Maalaoui Mohammad , Ghriss Nouha , Guedec-Ghelfi Renaud , Moini Cyrus , Monchi Mehran , Belfeki Nabil
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Acute pulmonary embolism (aPE) is frequently associated with coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19) with an incidence of more than 16%. Among the new promising biomarkers of aPE, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) showed correlations with aPE prognosis. The aim of this study was to conduct an exploratory analysis to check the possible role of cell blood count (CBC) parameters as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of aPE in COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: A case control study was conducted. Two populations were compared: (i) patients hospitalised from 31 January 2020 to 30 June 2021 with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and aPE confirmed at angio computed tomography (aCT) or pulmonary scintigraphy (COVID-19 aPE group); (ii) patients hospitalised from 31 January 2017 to 30 June 2021 without SARS-CoV-2 infection whose suspicion of aPE was excluded by aCT or pulmonary scintigraphy (no-aPE group). Results: Overall, 184 patients were included in the study, 83 in COVID-19 aPE group and 101 in no-aPE group. At the univariate analysis, COVID-19 patients with aPE had higher NLR, PLR, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts than patients without aPE (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in mean platelet volume and platelet counts. No difference in mortality rate was detected. At the multivariate analysis, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were both associated with diagnostic of aPE while no CBC parameters were associated with mortality at day#7. Conclusions: Neutrophiland lymphocyte counts could be predictors of the early detection of aPE in COVID-19 patients. The value of CBC indices as biomarkers of aPE in daily clinical practice needs to be investigated in further studies.
An Integrated NMR, LC-DAD-MS, LC-QTOF Metabolomic Characterization of Sartoria hedysaroides: Correlation of Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Activity with Chemical Composition by Multivariate Data Analysis
Authors: Dall’Acqua Stefano , Sut Stefania , Sinan Kouadio Ibrahime , Zengin Gokhan , Ferrarese Irene , Peron Gregorio , Yildiztugay Evren , Picot-Allain Carene , Mahomoodally Mohamad Fawzi
Published: January 2022

Sartoria hedysaroides Boiss and Heldr. (Fabaceae) is an endemic plant of Turkey that has received little scientific consideration so far. In the present study, the chemical profiles of extracts from the aerial part and roots of S. hedysaroides obtained using solvents with different polarities were analyzed combining integrated NMR, LC-DAD-MSn, and LC-QTOF methods. In vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities were evaluated, and the results were combined with chemical data using multivariate approaches. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, ellagitannins, and coumarins were identified and quantified in the extracts of aerial part and roots. Methanolic extract of S. hedysaroides aerial part showed the highest phenolic content and the highest antioxidant activity and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity. Dichloromethane extract of S. hedysaroides roots showed the highest inhibition of butyryl cholinesterase, while methanolic extract of S. hedysaroides aerial part was the most active tyrosinase inhibitor. Multivariate data analysis allowed us to observe a good correlation between phenolic compounds, especially caffeoylquinic derivatives and flavonoids and the antioxidant activity of extracts. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition was correlated with the presence of caffeoylquinic acids and coumarins. Overall, the present study appraised the biological potential of understudied S. hedysaroides, and provided a comprehensive approach combining metabolomic characterization of plant material and multivariate data analysis for the correlation of chemical data with results from multi-target biological assays.
Selenomethionine Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment, Decreases Hippocampal Oxidative Stress and Attenuates Dysbiosis in D-Galactose-Treated Mice
Authors: Gao Ying , Xu Yongquan , Yin Junfeng
Published: January 2022

The prevalence of age-related cognitive impairment is increasing as the proportion of older individuals in the population grows. It is therefore necessary and urgent to find agents to prevent or ameliorate age-related cognitive impairment. Selenomethionine (SeMet) is a natural amino acid occurring in yeast and Brazil nuts. It mitigates cognitive impairment in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model, however, whether it works on age-related cognitive impairment remains unknown. In this study, SeMet significantly improved the performance of D-galactose-treated mice in the novel object recognition test, passive avoidance task and Morris water maze test. SeMet reversed D-galactose-induced reduction of hippocampal acetylcholine levels, suppression of choline acetyltransferase activity and activation of acetyl cholinesterase. It decreased D-galactose-induced oxidative stress and increased the selenoprotein P levels in the hippocampus. Besides, it attenuated D-galactose-induced dysbiosis by increasing the α-diversity and modulating the taxonomic structure. Correlations between certain taxa and physiological parameters were observed. Our results provide evidence of the effectiveness of SeMet on ameliorating D-galactose-induced cognitive impairment and suggest SeMet has potential to be used in the prevention or adjuvant treatment of age-related cognitive impairment.
Induction of Paraptotic Cell Death in Breast Cancer Cells by a Novel Pyrazolo[3,4-h]quinoline Derivative through ROS Production and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Linh , Lee Chang Hoon , Lee Heesoon , Cho Jungsook
Published: January 2022

Chemotherapy has been a standard intervention for a variety of cancers to impede tumor growth, mainly by inducing apoptosis. However, development of resistance to this regimen has led to a growing interest and demand for drugs targeting alternative cell death modes, such as paraptosis. Here, we designed and synthesized a novel derivative of a pyrazolo[3,4-h]quinoline scaffold (YRL1091), evaluated its cytotoxic effect, and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms of cell death in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer (BC) cells. We found that YRL1091 induced cytotoxicity in these cells with numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles, one of the distinct characteristics of paraptosis. YRL1091-treated BC cells displayed several other distinguishing features of paraptosis, excluding autophagy or apoptosis. Briefly, YRL1091-induced cell death was associated with upregulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B, downregulation of multifunctional adapter protein Alix, and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Furthermore, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and newly synthesized proteins were also observed, subsequently causing ubiquitinated protein accumulation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Collectively, these results indicate that YRL1091 induces paraptosis in BC cells through ROS generation and ER stress. Therefore, YRL1091 can serve as a potential candidate for the development of a novel anticancer drug triggering paraptosis, which may provide benefit for the treatment of cancers resistant to conventional chemotherapy.
Thermal Stability and Inhibitory Action of Red Grape Skin Phytochemicals against Enzymes Associated with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Serea Daniela , Condurache Nina Nicoleta , Aprodu Iuliana , Constantin Oana Emilia , Bahrim Gabriela-Elena , Stănciuc Nicoleta , Stanciu Silvius , Rapeanu Gabriela
Published: January 2022

The present study focuses on heat-induced structural changes and the degradation kinetics of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of red grape skin extract. The thermal degradation of anthocyanins, flavonoids, polyphenols, and antioxidant activity followed a first-order kinetic model, increasing with temperature due to the intensification of the degradation process. The activation energy (Ea) highlighted this phenomenon. Likewise, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters certified the irreversible degradation of the bioactive compounds from the skin of the Băbească neagră grape variety. Both temperature and duration of heating had a significant impact on the content of bioactive compounds. In addition, the red grape skin extract inhibited certain enzymes such as α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase, and lipoxygenase, which are associated with metabolic syndrome and inflammation. Further knowledge on the possible inhibition mechanisms exerted by the major anthocyanins found in red grape skin extract on the metabolic syndrome-associated enzymes was gathered upon running molecular docking tests. Detailed analysis of the resulting molecular models revealed that malvidin 3-O-glucoside binds in the vicinity of the catalytic site of α-amylase and lipase, whereas no direct contact with catalytic amino acids was identified in the case of α-glucosidase and lipoxygenase.
Attenuation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH)-Mediated Pulmonary DNA Adducts and Cytochrome P450 (CYP)1B1 by Dietary Antioxidants, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, in Mice
Authors: Zhou Guodong , Jiang Weiwu , Xia Guobin , Wang Lihua , Richardson Molly , Chu Chun , Moorthy Bhagavatula
Published: January 2022

Numerous human and animal studies have reported positive correlation between carcinogen-DNA adduct levels and cancer occurrence. Therefore, attenuation of DNA adduct levels would be expected to suppress tumorigenesis. In this investigation, we report that the antioxidants omega 3-fatty acids, which are constituents of fish oil (FO), significantly decreased DNA adduct formation by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). B6C3F1 male mice were fed an FO or corn oil (CO) diet, or A/J male mice were pre-fed with omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). While the B6C3F1 mice were administered two doses of a mixture of seven carcinogenic PAHs including benzo(a)pyrene (BP), the A/J mice were treated i.p. with pure benzo[a]pyrene (BP). Animals were euthanized after 1, 3, or 7 d after PAH treatment. DNA adduct levels were measured by the 32P-postlabeling assay. Our results showed that DNA adduct levels in the lungs of mice 7 d after treatment were significantly decreased in the FO or EPA/DHA groups compared with the CO group. Interestingly, both qPCR and Western blot analyses revealed that FO, DHA and EPA/DHA significantly decreased the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1B1. CYP1B1 plays a critical role in the metabolic activation of BP to DNA-reactive metabolites. qPCR also showed that the expression of some metabolic and DNA repair genes was induced by BP and inhibited by FO or omega-3 fatty acids in liver, but not lung. Our results suggest that a combination of mechanism entailing CYP1B1 inhibition and the modulation of DNA repair genes contribute to the attenuation of PAH-mediated carcinogenesis by omega 3 fatty acids.