bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and evaluation of passenger assistance system concepts to reduce passenger discomfort
Authors: Ittner Sandra , Mühlbacher Dominik , Vollrath Mark , Weisswange Thomas H.
Published: February 2023

The front seat passenger is often neglected when developing support systems for cars. There exist few examples of systems that provide information or interaction possibilities specifically to those passengers. Previous research indicated that the passive role of the passenger can frequently lead to a feeling of discomfort, potentially caused by missing information and missing control with respect to the driving situation. This paper investigates if and how different aspects of cognitive processes as defined in a previously published model can be approached with a technical system to reduce discomfort in passengers. Five prototypical passenger assistance systems are created which provide missing information (for example about the attentiveness of the driver) or the possibility to have more influence as a passenger. In a static simulator study with N = 40 participants, these systems were investigated with respect to their influence on measures of discomfort. Participants experienced in a counterbalanced order car following and braking scenarios on the highway with different time headways (within-subjects), with and without one of the passenger assistance systems (between-subjects). Based on the subjective measures for each experienced situation, three systems were identified as particularly useful in reducing discomfort. These displayed the attentiveness of the driver, the safety distance to a vehicle in front or provided the possibility to signal the driver that the recent safety distance is too small. These best proposals significantly reduced passenger discomfort in the tested Following and Braking scenarios for different time headways. In the post inquiry, more than 64% of the passengers confirmed the helpfulness of the rated system in reducing their discomfort in each case and about 75% of the passengers reported an interest in using it in their vehicle. This demonstrates opportunities to improve the everyday driving experience beyond classical assistance systems by explicitly considering the needs of passengers.
Does congruence between a descendant entrepreneur’s personality traits and family business values matter for succession?
Authors: Ahmad Zeshan , Chan Wai Meng , Oon Elaine Yen Nee
Published: February 2023

Purpose

In this paper, we investigate two research queries pertaining to the success of small family business succession. First, we examine how the Big-5 personality traits of descendant entrepreneurs influence the success of their family business succession. Second, we investigate whether descendant entrepreneurs whose personality traits are congruent with the values of their family business, would lead to the success of their family business succession, through the mediating role of descendant entrepreneur-family business value congruence (DE-FBVC).

Methodology

We rely on the person-organization fit theory for our conceptual framework and we collected primary data from 124 respondents designated as chairman and managing directors in small family businesses.

Results

Our results show that a descendant entrepreneur’s openness, extroversion, conscientiousness, and agreeableness traits are likely to lead to successful family business succession, but a descendant entrepreneur with neuroticism trait is unlikely to do so. In addition, our results reveal that the DE-FBVC mediates the relationship between openness and extroversion traits with succession success positively, but between neuroticism trait and succession success negatively. By contrast, we find that DE-FBVC does not mediate the relationship between conscientiousness and agreeableness traits with succession success.

Originality

The findings of our study suggest that while four of the Big-5 personality traits matter for the success of small family business succession, specific personality traits of descendant entrepreneurs which are found to be congruent with the values of their family business, will also lead to succession success.
Analyzing motivating functions of consumer behavior: Evidence from attention and neural responses to choices and consumption
Authors: Pawar Sanchit , Fagerstrøm Asle , Sigurdsson Valdimar , Arntzen Erik
Published: February 2023

Academia and business have shown an increased interest in using neurophysiological methods, such as eye-tracking and electroencephalography (EEG), to assess consumer motivation. The current research contributes to this literature by verifying whether these methods can predict the effects of antecedent events as motivating functions of attention, neural responses, choice, and consumption. Antecedent motivational factors are discussed, with a specific focus on deprivation as such a situational factor. Thirty-two participants were randomly assigned to the experimental and control conditions. Water deprivation of 11–12 h was used as an establishing operation to increase the reinforcing effectiveness of water. We designed three experimental sessions to capture the complexity of the relationship between antecedents and consumer behavior. Experimental manipulations in session 1 established the effectiveness of water for the experimental group and abolished it for the control group. Results from session 2 show that participants in the experimental group had significantly higher average fixation duration for the image of water. Their frontal asymmetry did not provide significant evidence of greater left frontal activation toward the water image. Session 3 demonstrated that choice and consumption behavior of the relevant reinforcer was significantly higher for participants in the experimental group. These early findings highlight the potential application of a multi-method approach using neurophysiological tools in consumer research, which provides a comprehensive picture of the functional relationship between motivating events, behavior (attention, neural responses, choice, and consumption), and consequences.
Perceived organizational support and organizational citizenship behavior–A study of the moderating effect of volunteer participation motivation, and cross-level effect of transformational leadership and organizational climate
Authors: Kao Jui-Chung , Cho Cheng-Chung , Kao Rui-Hsin
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between perceived organizational support and organizational citizenship behavior, and to explore the moderating effect of volunteer participation motivation on the relationship between the variables, as well as the cross-level effect of transformational leadership and organizational climate. In this study, the front-liners of Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency were the study subjects. A total of 289 employee questionnaires were filled out and returned. It was found that employees’ POS had a positive effect on OCB, while volunteer participation motivation had a moderating effect on the relationships between the variables. Furthermore, transformational leadership and organizational climate were found to have a cross-level effect on enhancing employees’ POS, boosting their motivation to volunteer, and triggering more OCB in employees. The results of this study provide the organization with development measures to encourage its employees to convey more OCB, and improve their service performance. Moreover, based on research evidence that an organization encourages employees to actively participate in voluntary work, and should promote cooperation between the employees and the public by enhancing their sense of public responsibility, improving their services to the public, creating a harmonious work climate for the employees, and offering more opportunities for the public to engage with the employees.
The bittersweet smell of success: Malicious online responses to others achievements
Authors: Hornik Jacob , Ofir Chezy , Rachamim Matti , Grossman Ori
Published: February 2023

A prominent recurring theme in social comparison is the concept that individuals are not indifferent to the results that others achieve, and typically seek pleasure while avoiding pain. However, in some cases they behave atypically–counter to this principle. The purpose of this research is to investigate one atypical response, namely gluckschmerz–a negative response to information about others’ success (feeling bad at others’ fortunes). To advance objectives, a mixed-mode of two studies were conducted using a combination of primary and secondary analyzes, and qualitative and quantitative methods. Findings reveal that this aversive feeling encourages consumers to share online “positive” information with others but using negative malicious word-of-mouth narratives. They provide compelling evidence supporting the theory that some of the positive commercial information conveyed through electronic media triggers negative word-of mouth in the form of online firestorms driven by the discordant atypical sentiment of gluckschmerz.
Russian heritage language development in narrative contexts: Evidence from pre- and primary-school children in Norway, Germany, and the UK
Authors: Rodina Yulia , Bogoyavlenskaya Alexandra , Mitrofanova Natalia , Westergaard Marit
Published: February 2023

The present study aims at obtaining a comprehensive picture of language development in Russian heritage language (RHL) by bringing together evidence from previous investigations focusing on morphosyntax and global accent as well as from a newly conducted analysis of a less-studied domain–lexical development. Our investigation is based on a narrative sample of 143 pre- and primary-school bilinguals acquiring RHL in Norway, Germany, and the United Kingdom. We performed a multiple-way analysis of lexical production in RHL across the different national contexts, across both languages (heritage and societal), also comparing bilinguals and monolinguals. The results revealed a clear and steady increase with age in narrative length and lexical diversity for all bilingual groups in both of their languages. The variation in lexical productivity as well as the differences between the bilingual groups and between bilinguals and monolinguals were attributed to input factors with language exposure in the home and age of starting preschool as the major predictors. We conclude that, overall, the results from lexical, grammatical, and phonological acquisition in RHL support the view that having longer exclusive or uninterrupted exposure to a heritage language in early childhood is beneficial for its development across domains.
Non-green influencers promoting sustainable consumption: Dynamic norms enhance the credibility of authentic pro-environmental posts
Authors: Buvár Ágnes , Zsila Ágnes , Orosz Gábor
Published: February 2023

Social media influencers can raise awareness for sustainability, and establish norms related to a more sustainable lifestyle. Although non-green influencers can reach a wider audience, they might face credibility issues when communicating about sustainable consumption. In the present 2×2 online mixed method experiment (N = 386), we explored the effect of two credibility-enhancing strategies (authenticity vs. referring to experts) and the presence (vs. lack of) of dynamic norms (information about how other people's behavior is changing over time) on the perceived credibility of the post. Results indicated that referring to expert opinion enhanced perceived post credibility. However, if an authentic message was combined with dynamic norms, it reduced the frequency of mentions of the lack of credibility. Both credibility measures were positively associated with the persuasiveness of the message. These findings can contribute to the growing literature of credibility-enhancing strategies and dynamic norms. The study also provides practical suggestions for non-green influencers on effective communication of sustainable consumption.
Social identity loss and reverse culture shock: Experiences of international students in China during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Raja Rameez , Ma Jianfu , Zhang Miwei , Li Xi Yuan , Almutairi Nayef Shabbab , Almutairi Aeshah Hamdan
Published: February 2023

Background

International students are often exposed to various challenges during life transitions. The ‘mindsponge’ mechanism suggests that individuals absorb and integrate new cultural values that are compatible with their core values while rejecting those of lesser importance. On the basis of this notion, this article explores the experiences of international students in China regarding their unplanned return to their home countries during the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of the mindsponge mechanism.

Aim

This article aims to highlight the experiences of international students in China who are going through life transitions due to the global pandemic. The study focuses on the experiences of two groups of international students: (1) Those who remained in China during the pandemic, and (2) those who had left China and were stranded in their home countries due to a ban on international travel amid COVID-19.

Method

This qualitative study comprised of in-depth semi structured in-person and online interviews. Thematic Analysis was used to analyze the data in order to generate study themes.

Results

The results revealed that students who remained in China experienced challenges which included anxiety, closure of campuses, lockdown, their parents’ concern regarding health issues, and not being able to meet with friends. On the other hand, students who had left China during the pandemic were confined to their home countries. This group of students experienced more severe problems than the students who remained in China. Since the transition to home countries was “unplanned,” they were not ready to readjust to their native culture and were vulnerable to severe reverse culture shock. Upon returning to their home countries, international students faced a number of challenges, including readjustment to their home countries and changes in their lives in host and home countries. In addition, they lost social and academic resources, such as the disruption of study environment, losing important group memberships, financial constraints, visa expiry, graduation delay, and academic suspension.

Conclusion

This study concluded that the international students experienced cultural problems after unplanned transition to their home countries during the pandemic. They described effects of reverse culture shock as being more distressing. They perceived dissatisfaction due to loss of previously held social identities and sense of belonging to the traditional society they left behind. There is a need of future studies on the long-term effect of unplanned transition on psychological, social and professional experiences. The process of readjustment has proven to be a challenging endeavor.
Associations between theory of mind and clinical symptoms in recent onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Authors: Cayouette Audrey , Thibaudeau Élisabeth , Cellard Caroline , Roy Marc-André , Achim Amélie M.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

People with schizophrenia often present with Theory of mind (ToM) deficits, and the link between these deficits and clinical symptoms remains to be refined, for instance through the use of more recent assessment methods. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between a psychometrically sound ToM task and the clinical symptoms of schizophrenia as measured with the five dimensions of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) namely positive, negative, cognitive/disorganization, depression/anxiety and excitability/hostility, while controlling for non-social cognitive abilities.

Methods

Seventy participants with recent-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) were assessed for ToM using the Combined stories task (COST) and for clinical symptoms using the PANSS.

Results

The results revealed significant correlations between ToM and the positive (r= −0.292,p= 0.015) and cognitive/disorganization (r= −0.480,p< 0.001) dimensions when controlling for non-social cognitive abilities. In contrast, the negative symptoms dimension was only significantly correlated with ToM when non-social cognitive abilities were not controlled for (r= −0.278,p= 0.020).

Discussion

Very few prior studies used the five-dimensions of the PANSS to examine the link with ToM and this study is the first to rely on the COST, which includes a non-social control condition. This study highlights the importance of taking non-social cognitive abilities into account when considering the relationship between ToM and symptoms.
Examining concurrent validity and item selection of the Session Wants and Needs Outcome Measure (SWAN-OM) in a children and young people web-based therapy service
Authors: De Ossorno Garcia Santiago , Edbrooke-Childs Julian , Salhi Louisa , Ruby Florence J. M. , Sefi Aaron , Jacob Jenna
Published: February 2023

Background

Single-session mental health interventions are frequently attended by children and young people (CYP) in both web-based and face-to-face therapy settings. The Session “Wants” and “Needs” Outcome Measure (SWAN-OM) is an instrument developed in a web-based therapy service to overcome the challenges of collecting outcomes and experiences of single-session therapies (SSTs). It provides pre-defined goals for the session, selected by the young person prior to the intervention, on which progress toward achievement is scored at the end of the session.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the instrument's psychometric properties, including concurrent validity against three other frequently used outcome and experience measures, at a web-based and text-based mental health service.

Methods

The SWAN-OM was administered for a period of 6 months to 1,401 CYP (aged 10–32 years; 79.3% white; 77.59% female) accessing SST on a web-based service. Item correlations with comparator measures and hierarchical logistic regressions to predict item selection were calculated for concurrent validity and psychometric exploration.

Results

The most frequently selected items were “Feel better” (N = 431; 11.61%) and “Find ways I can help myself” (N = 411; 11.07%); unpopular items were “Feel safe in my relationships” (N = 53; 1.43%) and “Learn the steps to achieve something I want” (N = 58; 1.56%). The SWAN-OM was significantly correlated with the Experience of Service Questionnaire, particularly the item “Feel better” [rs(109) = 0.48, p < 0.001], the Youth Counseling Impact Scale, particularly the item “Learn the steps to achieve something I want” [rs(22) = 0.76, p < 0.001], and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, particularly the items “Learn how to feel better” [rs(22) = 0.72, p < 0.001] and “Explore how I feel” [rs(70) = −0.44, p < 0.001].

Conclusion

The SWAN-OM demonstrates good concurrent validity with common measures of outcome and experience. Analysis suggests that lesser-endorsed items may be removed in future iterations of the measure to improve functionality. Future research is required to explore SWAN-OM's potential to measure meaningful change in a range of therapeutic settings.
Altered hierarchical organization between empathy and gambling networks in disordered gamblers
Authors: Zhou Hui , He Yuwen , Yuan Zhen , Zhou Yuan , Yin Jingwen , Chark Robin , Fong Davis Ka Chio , Fong Lawrence Hoc Nang , Wu Anise M. S.
Published: February 2023

Background

Despite the demonstrated association between empathy and gambling at the behavioral level, limited neuroimaging research on empathy and gambling disorder (GD) has been conducted. Whether and how the brain network of empathy and that of gambling interact in disordered gamblers has not been investigated. This study aimed to address this research gap by examining the hierarchical organizational patterns, in which the differences of causal interactions of these networks between disordered gamblers and healthy controls were revealed.

Methods

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of 32 disordered gamblers and 56 healthy controls were included in the formal analysis. Dynamic causal modeling was used to examine the effective connectivity within and between empathy and gambling networks among all participants.

Results

All participants showed significant effective connectivity within and between empathy and gambling networks. However, compared with healthy controls, disordered gamblers displayed more excitatory effective connectivity within the gambling network, the tendency to display more excitatory effective connectivity from the empathy network to the gambling network, and reduced inhibitory effective connectivity from the gambling network to the empathy network.

Conclusion

The exploratory study was the first to examine the effective connectivity within and between empathy and gambling networks among disordered gamblers and healthy controls. These results provided insights into the causal relationship between empathy and gambling from the neuroscientific perspective and further confirmed that disordered gamblers show altered effective connectivity within and between these two brain networks, which may be considered to be a potential neural index for GD identification. In addition, the altered interactions between empathy and gambling networks may also indicate the potential targets for the neuro-stimulation intervention approach (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation).
Hospital organizational change: The importance of teamwork culture, communication, and change readiness
Authors: Ellis Louise A. , Tran Yvonne , Pomare Chiara , Long Janet C. , Churruca Kate , Saba Maree , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: February 2023

Background

Hospital organizational change can be a challenging time, especially when staff do not feel informed and ready for the change to come. A supportive workplace culture can mitigate the negative effects allowing for a smooth transition during hospital organizational change. In this paper, we test an exploratory path model by which teamwork culture influences staff attitudes in feeling informed and ready for change, and which are ultimately related to reduced staff burnout. We also examined different types of change communication, identifying the channels that were perceived as most useful for communicating organizational change.

Methods

In 2019, a cross-sectional online and paper-based survey of all staff (clinical and non-clinical) was conducted at a hospital undergoing major organizational change in Sydney, Australia. The survey included items regarding teamwork culture, communication (feeling informed, communication channels), change readiness (appropriateness, change efficacy), and burnout. With a sample size of 153 (62% clinical staff), regression and path analyses were used to examine relationships between variables.

Results

The total effects between teamwork culture and burnout was significant [β (Total) = −0.37, p < 0.001) and explained through a serial mediation. This relationship was found to be mediated by three factors (feeling informed, appropriateness of change and change efficacy) in a full mediation. Further, change readiness (appropriateness of change and change efficacy) mediated the relationship between feeling informed and burnout. The most useful channels of change communication included face-to-face informal communication, emails, and a newsletter specifically about the change.

Conclusion

Overall, the results supported the predicted hypotheses and were consistent with past research. In the context of large hospital change, staff with a positive teamwork culture who feel informed are more likely to feel change-ready, heightening the chances of successful organizational change and potentially reducing staff burnout. Understanding the pathways on how culture and communication related to burnout during organizational change provides an explanatory pathway that can be used to heighten the chances of a smooth change transition with minimal disruption to staff and patient care.
Interpreting the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain impacting Italian and Peruvian dentists likewise: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Macrì Monica , Flores Natali V. Galindo , Stefanelli Riccardo , Pegreffi Francesco , Festa Felice
Published: February 2023

Background

Musculoskeletal pain is a frequent condition among dental practitioners due to working in prolonged static isometric/eccentric contraction. The study aimed to describe musculoskeletal pain prevalence and the interplay between environmental conditions, lifestyle, and drugs consumed among Italian and Peruvian dentists.

Methods

A 18 multiple choice questionnaire was administered to Peruvian and Italian dental care practitioners. A total of 187 questionnaires were submitted. One hundred sixty-seven questionnaires were selected for the analysis, including 86 questionnaires from Italy, and 81 from Perú. The study examined musculoskeletal pain presence in dental practitioners. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain presence was analyzed considering different parameters: gender, age, type of dental practitioners, specialization in dentistry, hours of work per day, years of work, physical activity, localization of musculoskeletal pain and the influence of musculoskeletal pain on the performance on work.

Results

The selected questionnaires for analysis were 167 (67 from Italy and 81 from Perú). Male and female participants were numerically equal. Most of the dental practitioners were dentists. The percentage of dentists who present musculoskeletal pain is 87.2% in Italy and 91.4% in Perú (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Musculoskeletal pain represents a very diffused condition in dental practitioners. The results about the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain show how the two populations (Italian and Peruvian) are very similar despite the geographical distance. Nevertheless, the high percentages of musculoskeletal pain in dental practitioners translate into the need to use solutions to reduce its onsets, such as improving ergonomics and physical activity.
Moderated by personal perception: The preventive relationship between home HIIT dance and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in China
Authors: Hu Yifan , Son KwanJung , Yang Zheng , Mao Yufei
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic were believed to greatly increase the risk of depression among isolated residents in both China and in Western countries. How to effectively reduce this risk has become one of the key issues in the field of public mental health.

Methods

The present study seeks to examine the preventive relationship between doing home HIIT dance—which became popular during Shanghai's COVID-19 lockdown in 2022—and depression, and how such a preventive relationship has been mediated by different personal perception factors using an online survey with 528 samples.

Results

The preventive relationship between doing home HIIT dance and depression was differently mediated by residents' personal perception factors, such as perceived benefits, severity, and self-efficacy, based on the health belief model.

Discussion

These results deepen the research on the psychological effects of doing home HIIT dance on preventing depression, especially in the COVID-19 lockdown period, emphasizing the possible moderation effects of different self-perception factors.
The mediating role of incentives in association between leadership attention and self-perceived continuous improvement in infection prevention and control among medical staff: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Wang Lu , Zhang Dandan , Liu Junjie , Tang Yuqing , Zhou Qian , Lai Xiaoquan , Zheng Feiyang , Wang Qianning , Zhang Xinping , Cheng Jing
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Promoting improvement in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is an important part of improving the quality of care. The influence of leadership attention and incentives on the self-perceived continuous improvement in IPC has drawn a lot of attention, but relevant academic research is still lacking. The objective of this study is to explore the effect of leadership attention on self-perceived continuous improvement in IPC among medical staff and its underlying mechanisms.

Method

The 3,512 medical staff from 239 health facilities in Hubei, China, were surveyed online during September 2020. Data on leadership attention, incentives, and improvement in Infection Prevention and Control were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between leadership attention, incentives, and improvement in Infection Prevention and Control. Amos 24.0 was used to analyze the mediating role.

Results

The scores of leadership attention, incentives and self-perceived continuous improvement in Infection Prevention and Control were all high. The score of leadership attention was the highest (4.67 ± 0.59), followed by self-perceived continuous improvement (4.62 ± 0.59) and incentives in Infection Prevention and Control (4.12 ± 0.83). Leadership attention positively affected self-perceived continuous improvement in Infection Prevention and Control (β = 0.85, 95% CI = [0.83, 0.87]). Moreover, incentives partially mediated the effect of leadership attention on self-perceived continuous improvement in Infection Prevention and Control among medical staff (β = 0.13, 95% CI = [0.12, 0.15]).

Conclusion

Leadership attention positively affects self-perceived continuous improvement in Infection Prevention and Control among medical staff, and incentives mediates this relationship. The present study has valuable implications for self-perceived continuous improvement in Infection Prevention and Control from the perspective of leadership attention and incentives.
Repurposing inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase as adjuvant therapeutics for bacterial infections
Authors: Fleeman Renee
Published: February 2023

The rise in antimicrobial resistance and the decline in new antibiotics has created a great need for novel approaches to treat drug resistant bacterial infections. Increasing the burden of antimicrobial resistance, bacterial virulence factors allow for survival within the host, where they can evade host killing and antimicrobial therapy within their intracellular niches. Repurposing host directed therapeutics has great potential for adjuvants to allow for more effective bacterial killing by the host and antimicrobials. To this end, phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors are FDA approved for cancer therapy, but also have potential to eliminate intracellular survival of pathogens. This review describes the PI3K pathway and its potential as an adjuvant target to treat bacterial infections more effectively.
Gliders for passive acoustic monitoring of the oceanic environment
Authors: Cauchy Pierre , Heywood Karen J. , Merchant Nathan D. , Risch Denise , Queste Bastien Y. , Testor Pierre
Published: February 2023

Ocean gliders are quiet, buoyancy-driven, long-endurance, profiling autonomous platforms. Gliders therefore possess unique advantages as platforms for Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) of the marine environment. In this paper, we review available glider platforms and passive acoustic monitoring systems, and explore current and potential uses of passive acoustic monitoring-equipped gliders for the study of physical oceanography, biology, ecology and for regulatory purposes. We evaluate limiting factors for passive acoustic monitoring glider surveys, such as platform-generated and flow noise, weight, size and energy constraints, profiling ability and slow movement. Based on data from 34 passive acoustic monitoring glider missions, it was found that <13% of the time spent at sea was unsuitable for passive acoustic monitoring measurements, either because of surface communications or glider manoeuvre, leaving the remainder available for subsequent analysis. To facilitate the broader use of passive acoustic monitoring gliders, we document best practices and include workarounds for the typical challenges of a passive acoustic monitoring glider mission. Three research priorities are also identified to improve future passive acoustic monitoring glider observations: 1) Technological developments to improve sensor integration and preserve glider endurance; 2) improved sampling methods and statistical analysis techniques to perform population density estimation from passive acoustic monitoring glider observations; and 3) calibration of the passive acoustic monitoring glider to record absolute noise levels, for anthropogenic noise monitoring. It is hoped this methodological review will assist glider users to broaden the observational capability of their instruments, and help researchers in related fields to deploy passive acoustic monitoring gliders in their studies.
Time-frequency catalogue: JSON implementation and python library
Authors: Cecconi Baptiste , Louis Corentin K. , Bonnin Xavier , Loh Alan , Taylor Mark B.
Published: February 2023

TFCat (Time-Frequency Catalogue) is a data interchange format based on JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), which has been initially designed for exchanging low frequency radio events and features. It defines several types of JSON objects and how they are combined to represent data related to temporal-spectral features of a time spectrogram (a.k.a., dynamic spectrum), their properties, and their temporal and spectral extents. This implementation is inheriting from the GeoJSON file format. The TFCat python library is implementing this specification and provides a software interface permitting to create, update and validate TFCat objects efficiently.
Becoming agroecologists: A pedagogical model to support graduate student learning and practice
Authors: Nicklay Jennifer A. , Perrone Sharon V. , Wauters Vivian M.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Agroecology has multiple beginnings in diverse knowledge systems, growing practices, and social movements which, as a whole, seek systemic transformation to build just food system futures. As graduate students, we have been inspired by agroecological movements and practitioners and endeavored to build our knowledge and capacities as agroecologists. Over the course of seven years, we have worked collectively with an evolving cohort to build relationships, understand critical lineages, and practice participatory processes that we found necessary for our development as agroecologists at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Building on this work, we sought to refine an emergent understanding of the necessary components of an agroecological pedagogy.

Methods

We thus hosted a series of workshops in summer 2019 to facilitate collective reflection and development of a pedagogy, which we further refined through collective autoethnography.

Results

The resulting model contains five key components: a cohort at the heart of the model to facilitate collective learning; critical inquiry as the foundation of knowledge production; relational centering as the basis for building and maintaining care-based relationships with self and others; participatory practice as a space for taking action through and within relationships; and situated knowledge to recognize the unique and incomplete knowledge that each individual brings to their work.

Discussion

We imagine this model as the basis for a dedicated agroecology graduate program, and we close by sharing ongoing implementation efforts, key areas for further development, and our hopes for continued integration with broader movements. Ultimately, we have experienced this process as a transformational agroecological space and hope others are inspired to adapt, imagine, and enact the process, model, and principles in their own places and communities.
Comparative effectiveness of transvaginal repair vs. hysteroscopic resection in patients with symptomatic uterine niche
Authors: Xia Wei , Wang Xiaofeng , Wang Yang , Tian Yuan , He Chuqing , Zhu Chenfeng , Zhu Qian , Huang Hefeng , Shi Liye , Zhang Jian
Published: February 2023

Objective

To compare the efficacy of transvaginal repair and hysteroscopic resection in improving niche associated postmenstrual spotting.

Methods

The improvement rate of postmenstrual spotting in women who underwent transvaginal repair or hysteroscopic resection treatment was assessed retrospectively in patients accepted at the Niche Sub-Specialty Clinic in International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital between June 2017 and June 2019. Postoperative spotting symptom within one year after surgery, pre- and postoperative anatomical indicators, women' satisfaction with menstruation and other perioperative parameters were compared between the two groups.

Results

68 patients in the transvaginal group and 70 patients in the hysteroscopic group were included for analysis. The improvement rate of postmenstrual spotting in the transvaginal group at the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months after surgery was 87%, 88%, 84%, and 85%, significantly higher than 61%, 68%, 66%, and 68% in the hysteroscopic group, respectively (P < 0.05). The total days of spotting improved significantly at the 3rd month after surgery but did not change over time within one year in each group (P > 0.05). After surgery, the disappearance rates of the niche are 68% in transvaginal group and 38% in hysteroscopic group, however, hysteroscopic resection had shorter operative time and hospitalization duration, less complications, and lower hospitalization costs.

Conclusion

Both treatments can improve the spotting symptom and anatomical structures of uterine lower segments with niches. Transvaginal repair is better in thickening the residual myometrium than hysteroscopic resection, however, hysteroscopic resection has shorter operative time and hospitalization duration, less complications, and lower hospitalization costs.
Clonal abundance patterns in hematopoiesis: Mathematical modeling and parameter estimation
Authors: Pan Yunbei , D’Orsogna Maria R. , Tang Min , Stiehl Thomas , Chou Tom
Published: February 2023

Hematopoiesis has been studied via stem cell labeling using barcodes, viral integration sites (VISs), or in situ methods. Subsequent proliferation and differentiation preserve the tag identity, thus defining a clone of mature cells across multiple cell type or lineages. By tracking the population of clones, measured within samples taken at discrete time points, we infer physiological parameters associated with a hybrid stochastic-deterministic mathematical model of hematopoiesis. We analyze clone population data from Koelle et al. (Koelle et al., 2017) and compare the states of clones (mean and variance of their abundances) and the state-space density of clones with the corresponding quantities predicted from our model. Comparing our model to the tagged granulocyte populations, we find parameters (stem cell carrying capacity, stem cell differentiation rates, and the proliferative potential of progenitor cells, and sample sizes) that provide reasonable fits in three out of four animals. Even though some observed features cannot be quantitatively reproduced by our model, our analyses provides insight into how model parameters influence the underlying mechanisms in hematopoiesis. We discuss additional mechanisms not incorporated in our model.
Comparison of growth performance and rumen metabolic pathways in sheep and goats under the same feeding pattern
Authors: Lin Xueyan , Ju Lin , Cheng Qianjin , Jiang Yue , Hou Qiuling , Hu Zhiyong , Wang Yun , Wang Zhonghua
Published: February 2023

Diet and species are important factors affecting the rumen microbiota, with roughage stimulating rumen development and concentrate feeds being broken down by the decomposition of Ruminal flora to provide the organism with a large amount of energy. This study aimed to explore the effects of host and dietary factors on rumen flora composition and diversity, as well as on host metabolism. The study reports the research conducted on 5-month-old male Small-tail Han sheep and 5-month-old male Boer goat, each with an average weight of 33.87 ± 1.70 kg. Five animals of each species were divided into two groups, namely, the S group (Small-tail Han sheep) and the B group (Boer goat). The experiment was carried out in two various periods, namely, X and Y for groups S and B, respectively. The rations were fed with concentrate-to-roughage ratios of 3:7 and 5:5, respectively. Growth performance was measured by the weight increase index. The results showed that, under the same raising conditions, the ratio between body weight increases and the amount of feed was lower in the S group than in the B group, but the differences were not significant. According to the analysis of the apparent digestibility ratio of nutrition ingredients, the XS group had a significantly higher apparent digestibility ratio for acid detergent fiber than the XB group (p < 0.05). Even though the analysis of rumen fermentation parameters showed that the rumen pH has no significant differences between the XS and XB groups, it was significantly lower in the YS group than in the YB group. The XS group contained a significantly lower content of total volatile fatty acids than the XB group (p < 0.05). Analysis of the 16S rDNA sequencing results revealed that, compared to the B group, the S group was highly enriched with the following bacteria: Proteobacteria, γ-proteobacteria, Aeromonadales, and Succinivibrionaceae. Thus, the host species affected the abundance and diversity of rumen bacteria. Feed utilization efficiency of Small-tail Han sheep was higher than Boer goats, which might be specifically associated with Succinivibrionaceae. The results from this study show that animals belonging to the same family but different genera and species can differ in metabolic pathways even when they are provided with the same animal feed.
Prevalence and associated risk factors for Lawsonia intracellularis infection in farmed rabbits: A serological and molecular cross-sectional study in South Korea
Authors: Yeh Jung-Yong
Published: February 2023

Lawsonia intracellularis is the etiological agent of proliferative enteropathy, which is globally considered an important enteric disease in pigs and horses. Experimental studies suggest that the organism spreads by subclinical infection of many animals, including rabbits. Despite the importance of rabbits in the epidemiology of L. intracellularis, the extent of exposure to L. intracellularis in the rabbit population is poorly defined and remains unclear. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the seroprevalence and shedding of L. intracellularis in farmed rabbits. Furthermore, we aimed to identify risk factors associated with seropositivity. Sera from the rabbits were used to measure L. intracellularis-specific antibodies by immunoperoxidase monolayer assay, and rectal swabs were used to detect L. intracellularis DNA using a real-time PCR assay. Antibodies against L. intracellularis were detected in 12.3% of farms (20/163) and 6.3% of rabbits (49/774). Lawsonia intracellularis DNA in rectal swabs was detected in 3.8% of farms (6/156) and 1.2% of rabbits (8/667). The risk factor analysis showed that the presence of pigs or horses on the farm or the neighboring farm was associated with an increase in the risk of seropositivity (p < 0.05). We observed significantly increased odds of positivity for L. intracellularis in rabbits with a history of digestive trouble (diarrhea) on the farm during the 3 months before the samples were obtained (p < 0.05). Collectively, these findings demonstrated that L. intracellularis infection was evident among farmed rabbits and that rabbits might serve as an important reservoir for L. intracellularis epidemiology.
Bone quality changes as measured by Raman and FTIR spectroscopy in primiparous cows with humeral fracture from New Zealand
Authors: Wehrle-Martinez Alvaro , Waterland Mark R. , Naffa Rafea , Lawrence Kevin , Back Penny J. , Rogers Chris W. , Dittmer Keren
Published: February 2023

The occurrence of spontaneous humeral fractures in primiparous dairy cows from New Zealand prompted the study of bone material from affected cows to further characterize this condition and to outline a likely pathogenesis. Previous studies indicate that these cows developed osteoporosis due to periods of suboptimal bone formation followed by increased bone resorption during the period of lactation complicated by copper deficiency. We hypothesized that there are significant differences in the chemical composition/bone quality in bones from cows with spontaneous humeral fracture compared to cows without humeral fractures. In this study, Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy band ratios were, for the first time, measured, calculated, and compared in bone samples from 67 primiparous dairy cows that suffered a spontaneous fracture of the humerus and 14 age-matched post-calving cows without humeral fractures. Affected bone showed a significantly reduced mineral/matrix ratio, increased bone remodeling, newer bone tissue with lower mineralization and, lower carbonate substitution, and reduced crystallinity. As such, is likely that these have detrimentally impacted bone quality and strength in affected cows.
Construction of a model of endometritis in domestic rabbits using equine-derived pathogens and evaluation of therapeutic effect of sensitive drugs
Authors: Ding Xuanpan , Cui Xiao , Shi Jinlian , Cheng Xiaoli , Yao Dan , Gao Yujin , Zhang Yong
Published: February 2023

Pathogenic bacteria were isolated from the uterine lavage fluid of a mare with endometritis. After identification and purification, the pathogenic bacteria were injected into the uterus of rabbits to induce endometritis. Then, anatomical, blood routine, chemical examination, and histopathological examinations were performed on the rabbits. Rabbit uterus was collected, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the rabbit uterus. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the uterine concentrations of the inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Western Blot was used to detect the protein expressions of NF-kB, IkBα, and TNF-α in the NF-kB pathway. An antibiotic treatment group was also set up to verify the accuracy of the results. The clinical examination results showed that there was a significant increase of leukocytes in the blood of the rabbits in the model group (P< 0.01). The uterus was congested, enlarged, and purulent. The integrity of the uterine lining was destroyed, and there was a significant increase of lymphocytes in the uterus (P< 0.01). The qPCR and ELISA results showed that the expressions of the inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the uterus of rabbits were significantly increased (P< 0.01). Western blot results showed that the inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α play a role in promoting inflammation through the NF-kB pathway. The results of the test provide a simple, economical, and reliable means of studying the occurrence, development, prevention, and treatment of equine endometritis.