bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How External Environment and Altruistic Traits Drive Eco-Centric Entrepreneurial Intention Among Youth in the Post-COVID-19 Era?
Authors: Weng Yudong , Pasha Ahmad Tisman , Malik Muhammad Shaukat , Farooq Muhammad Umar , Hussain Siraj
Published: May 2022

Green entrepreneurship is a recent business phenomenon that is related to ecological issues. In the time of COVID-19, every business entity is looking for a unique way to be more resilient and noticeable. In this regard, green entrepreneurs hold the potential to manage scarce resources, fulfill social responsibility, and put forward the solution to environmental degradation in the new normal of the post-COVID-19 era. The current venture investigated the opportunity recognition and readiness behavior to execute green entrepreneurship intentions during the post-COVID-19 situation (specifically by underlining the role of market orientation). The present model examined the institutional theory. It put forward the opportunity recognition behavior in the post-COVID-19 era, which can improve youth readiness to opt for green entrepreneurship. The study collected data from 196 university graduate students via online sources by using purposive sampling. The study found that the proposed hypothesis has been proved significant while defining green entrepreneurial intentions. Particularly, the study showed that warm glow was the strongest factor to predict green entrepreneur intention. Moreover, this study can contribute to employing the institutional theory as a novel aspect in the academic sphere.
An Interaction Theory Account of (Mediated) Social Touch
Authors: Huisman Gijs
Published: May 2022

Research on mediated social touch (MST) has, either implicitly or explicitly, built on theoretical assumptions regarding social interactions that align with “theory theory” or “simulation theory” of social cognition. However, these approaches struggle to explain MST interactions that occur outside of a laboratory setting. I briefly discuss these approaches and will argue in favor of an alternative, “interaction theory” approach to the study of MST. I make three suggestions for future research to focus on.
Connecting the Dots: Exploring Psychological Network Analysis as a Tool for Analyzing Organizational Survey Data
Authors: Letouche Senne , Wille Bart
Published: May 2022

Organizations allocate considerable resources in surveys aimed at assessing how employees perceive certain job aspects. These perceptions are often modeled as latent constructs (e.g., job satisfaction) measured by multiple indicators. This approach, although useful, has several drawbacks such as a strong reliance on local independence and a lower performance in exploratory contexts with many variables. In this paper, we introduce psychological network analysis (PNA) as a novel method to examine organizational surveys. It is first argued how the network approach allows studying the complex patterns of attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors that make up an organizational survey by modeling them as elements in an interconnected system. Next, two empirical demonstrations are presented showcasing features of this technique using two datasets. The first demonstration relies on original organizational survey data (N = 4270) to construct a network of attitudes and behaviors related to innovative work behavior. In the second demonstration, drawing on archival leadership data from an organization (N = 337), the focus lies on comparing structural properties of leadership attitude networks between subsamples of supervisors and non-supervisors. We conclude this paper by discussing how PNA constitutes a promising avenue for researching organizational phenomena which typically constitute a set of interconnected elements.
Entrepreneurship Education and Social Entrepreneurial Intentions: The Mediating Effects of Entrepreneurial Social Network
Authors: Hassan H. M. Kamrul , Igel Barbara , Shamsuddoha Mohammad
Published: May 2022

Social entrepreneurship has received considerable recognition from universities in recent years. This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of the entrepreneurial social network on entrepreneurship education and social entrepreneurial intention (SEI) of students at the university level. This study adopted a cross-sectional quantitative approach. A convenience sampling method was utilized to choose 392 students studying at the public and private universities in Chattogram, Bangladesh, who then completed a self-administered survey. The data were then analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results revealed a significant positive relationship between entrepreneurship education and students’ social entrepreneurial intention on the one hand and between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial social network on the other hand. It was also found that entrepreneurial social networks had a significantly positive link with students’ SEIs. Furthermore, the study found that entrepreneurial social networks significantly mediate the relationship between entrepreneurship education and students’ SEI. Based on these outcomes, it is suggested to pay attention to entrepreneurship education further and strengthen the entrepreneurial social network to enhance SEI among students. Research findings have provided valuable insights regarding how entrepreneurship education can significantly impact SEI and emphasize the importance of entrepreneurial social networks as a mediator in social entrepreneurship. This study aims to contribute to the relevant social entrepreneurial literature by providing insights on practical issues related to the role of the entrepreneurial social network at the entrepreneurship education level.
Did Artificial Intelligence Invade Humans? The Study on the Mechanism of Patients’ Willingness to Accept Artificial Intelligence Medical Care: From the Perspective of Intergroup Threat Theory
Authors: Zhou Yuwei , Shi Yichuan , Lu Wei , Wan Fang
Published: May 2022

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become one of the core driving forces for the future development of the medical industry, but patients are skeptical about the use of AI in medical care. Based on the intergroup threat theory (ITT), this study verified that patients would regard AI as an external group, triggering the perceived threat of the external group, which results in avoidance behaviors in the treatment (experiment 1: n = 446) and diagnosis (experiment 2: n = 330) scenarios. The results show that despite AI can provide expert-level accuracy in medical care, patients are still more likely to rely on human doctors and experience more negative emotions as AI is more involved in medical care (experiment 1). Furthermore, patients pay more attention to threats at the individual level related to themselves, such as realistic threats related to privacy issues and symbolic threats related to the neglect of personal characteristics. In contrast, realistic threats and symbolic threats at the group level had less effect on patients in the medical scenario (experiment 2).
The Effect of eHMI Malfunctions on Younger and Elderly Pedestrians’ Trust and Acceptance of Automated Vehicle Communication Signals
Authors: Hensch Ann-Christin , Kreißig Isabel , Beggiato Matthias , Krems Josef F.
Published: May 2022

To ensure traffic flow and road safety in automated driving, external human–machine interfaces (eHMIs) could prospectively support the interaction between automated vehicles (AVs; SAE Level 3 or higher) and pedestrians if implicit communication is insufficient. Particularly elderly pedestrians (≥65 years) who are notably vulnerable in terms of traffic safety might benefit of the advantages of additional signals provided by eHMIs. Previous research showed that eHMIs were assessed as useful means of communication in AVs and were preferred over exclusively implicit communication signals. However, the attitudes of elderly users regarding technology usage and acceptance are ambiguous (i.e., less intention to use technology vs. a tendency toward overreliance on technology compared to younger users). Considering potential eHMI malfunctions, an appropriate level of trust in eHMIs is required to ensure traffic safety. So far, little research respected the impact of multiple eHMI malfunctions on participants’ assessment of the system. Moreover, age effects were rarely investigated in eHMIs. In the current monitor-based study, N = 36 participants (19 younger, 17 elderly) repeatedly assessed an eHMI: During an initial measurement, when encountering a valid system and after experiencing eHMI malfunctions. Participants indicated their trust and acceptance in the eHMI, feeling of safety during the interaction and vigilance toward the eHMI. The results showed a positive effect of interacting with a valid system that acted consistently to the vehicle’s movements compared to an initial assessment of the system. After experiencing eHMI malfunctions, participants’ assessment of the system declined significantly. Moreover, elderly participants assessed the eHMI more positive across all conditions than younger participants did. The findings imply that participants considered the vehicle’s movements as implicit communication cues in addition to the provided eHMI signals during the encounters. To support traffic safety and smooth interactions, eHMI signals are required to be in line with vehicle’s movements as implicit communication cues. Moreover, the results underline the importance of calibrating an appropriate level of trust in eHMI signals. An adequate understanding of eHMI signals needs to be developed. Thereby, the requirements of different user groups should be specifically considered.
How Can We Increase Pro-environmental Behavior During COVID-19 Pandemic? Focusing on the Altruistic (vs. Egoistic) Concerns
Authors: Kim Yaeri , Lee Seojin Stacey
Published: May 2022

Would the life-threatening pandemic impact pro-environmental behavior? This study demonstrates the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pro-environmental product consumption. Two experimental studies manipulated individuals’ COVID-19 concerns and the presence/absence of pro-environmental prompts. In study 1, we found that consumers indicated lower purchase intention for a product with the environmental prompts when recalling COVID-19 concerns compared to normal situations. In study 2, we disentangled egoistic COVID-19 concerns (e.g., concerns about disadvantages to individuals’ work and finances) from altruistic COVID-19 concerns (e.g., concerns about damage to the country’s economy) and investigated the effects of both these concerns on pro-environmental product consumption. The results of study 2 revealed that consumers reported an increased purchase intention toward the e-prompt products, which manipulated altruistic COVID-19 concerns. However, the presence/absence of e-prompt products did not affect consumers’ purchase intentions when recalling egoistic COVID-19 concerns. Concerns regarding environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues mediated the interaction effect between the type of COVID-19 concerns and the presence/absence of e-prompts for the products.
Increasing Chinese EFL Learners’ Grit: The Role of Teacher Respect and Support
Authors: Shen Yumin , Guo Hongyu
Published: May 2022

Owing to the pivotal role of grit in scholastic success, factors that help learners become gritty are worth to be studied. Accordingly, this research sought to inspect the impact of teacher respect and teacher support on Chinese EFL learners’ grit. In doing so, three reliable measures of the variables were sent to 613 Chinese EFL learners. Using Spearman correlation tests, strong connections were discovered between teacher respect, teacher support, and Chinese EFL learners’ grit. Multiple regression analysis was then performed to inspect the role of teacher respect and teacher support in increasing Chinese EFL learners’ grit. As a result, both teacher respect and teacher support were found to be highly influential in increased learner grit. The limitations and implications are discussed.
The Impact of Different Factors on Repeat Visits to Selected International Tourism Enterprises: Case Study From Czechia
Authors: Kajzar Patrik
Published: May 2022

The aim of this article is to identify the influence of the different factors on the repeat visits to selected international tourism enterprises based on the responses of customers in Czechia. The selected factors were divided into three main groups: service, environment, and offer, and each of these groups consists of other different factors. Primary data were analyzed using SPSS software. Statistical hypotheses were formed, reflecting the relationship between the difference in customer responses and selected quality factors, which can affect repeated visits to selected tourism enterprises. Most customers of repeat visits to selected tourism enterprises are affected by professional behavior, staff empathetic approach, offer knowledge and ability to provide as much information as possible, cleanliness and tidiness, overall atmosphere of the establishment, lighting and thermal comfort, air cleanliness, and plenty of space, taste and quality of food and ingredients, and last but not least also corresponding ratio of price/quality, good experience and attractive price level. Studying consumer behavior is important because it helps marketers understand what influences consumers’ buying decisions not only in the tourism area in the Czechia but can fill in the market gap and identify the new products and services that are needed.
Conducting Randomized Controlled Trials of Complex Interventions in Prisons: A Sisyphean Task?
Authors: Lennox Charlotte , Leonard Sarah , Senior Jane , Hendricks Caroline , Rybczynska-Bunt Sarah , Quinn Cath , Byng Richard , Shaw Jenny
Published: May 2022

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) are the “gold standard” for measuring the effectiveness of an intervention. However, they have their limitations and are especially complex in prison settings. Several systematic reviews have highlighted some of the issues, including, institutional constraints e.g., “lock-downs,” follow-ups, contamination of allocation conditions and a reliance on self-report measures. In this article, we reflect on our experiences and will describe two RCTs. People in prison are a significantly disadvantaged and vulnerable group, ensuring equitable and effective interventions is key to reducing inequality and promoting positive outcomes. We ask are RCTs of complex interventions in prisons a sisyphean task? We certainly don't think so, but we propose that current accepted practice and research designs may be limiting our understanding and ability to test complex interventions in the real-world context of prisons. RCTs will always have their place, but designs need to be flexible and adaptive, with the development of other rigorous methods for evaluating impact of interventions e.g., non-randomized studies, including pre-post implementation studies. With robust research we can deliver quality evidence-based healthcare in prisons – after all the degree of civilization in a society is revealed by entering its prisons.
Correlation Between Word Frequency and 17 Items of Hamilton Scale in Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Han Jiali , Feng Yuan , Li Nanxi , Feng Lei , Xiao Le , Zhu Xuequan , Wang Gang
Published: May 2022

Objective

To explore the correlation between word frequency and 17 items of the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) in assessing the severity of depression in clinical interviews.

Methods

This study included 70 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who were hospitalized in the Beijing Anding Hospital. Clinicians interviewed eligible patients, collected general information, disease symptoms, duration, and scored patients with HAMD-17. The words used by the patients during the interview were classified and extracted according to the HowNet sentiment dictionary, including positive evaluation words, positive emotional words, negative evaluation words, negative emotional words. Symptom severity was grouped according to the HAMD-17 score: mild depressive symptoms is 8–17 points, moderate depressive symptoms is 18–24 points and severe depressive symptoms is >24 points. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the four categories of words among the groups, and partial correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the four categories of word frequencies based on HowNet sentiment dictionary and the HAMD-17 scale to evaluate the total score. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine meaningful cut-off values.

Results

There was a significant difference in negative evaluation words between groups (p = 0.032). After controlling for gender, age and years of education, the HAMD-17 total score was correlated with negative evaluation words (p = 0.009, r = 0.319) and negative emotional words (p = 0.027, r = 0.272), as the severity of depressive symptoms increased, the number of negative evaluation and negative emotional words in clinical interviews increased. Negative evaluation words distinguished patients with mild and moderate-severe depression. The area under the curve is 0.693 (p = 0.006) when the cut-off value is 8.48, the Youden index was 0.41, the sensitivity was 55.2%, and the specificity was 85.4%.

Conclusion

In the clinical interview with MDD patients, the number of word frequencies based on HowNet sentiment dictionary may be beneficial in evaluating the severity of depressive symptoms.
Early Adolescents' Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Changes in Their Well-Being
Authors: Gadermann Anne , Thomson Kimberly , Gill Randip , Schonert-Reichl Kimberly A. , Gagné Petteni Monique , Guhn Martin , Warren Michael T. , Oberle Eva
Published: May 2022

Background

Early adolescence is a time of psychological and social change that can coincide with declines in mental health and well-being. This study investigated the psychological and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of students who responded to a survey in Grades 7 and 8 (ages 12–14) in British Columbia (BC), Canada. The objectives of this study were (i) to provide an overview on early adolescents' experiences and social-emotional well-being during the pandemic; and (ii) to examine whether changes in social experiences as well as feeling safe from getting COVID-19 at school were associated with changes in well-being outcomes over the course of a year.

Methods

A sample of n = 1,755 students from a large public school district self-reported on their life satisfaction, optimism, and symptoms of sadness across two time points: First, in their Grade 7 year (pre-pandemic; January to March, 2020) and then 1 year later in their Grade 8 year (during the pandemic; January to March, 2021). In Grade 8, students also reported on pandemic-specific experiences, including changes in mental health, social relationships, and activities, as well as coping strategies and positive changes since the pandemic. Data were collected online using the Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI), a population-based self-report tool that assesses children's social-emotional development and well-being in the context of their home, school, and neighborhood. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between pandemic-related changes in relationships and perceived safety from getting COVID-19 at school with changes in well-being outcomes.

Results

Students reported a range of experiences, with a large proportion reporting moderate concerns and impacts of the pandemic, including worries about their mental health and missing school activities. Students reported significantly lower optimism, lower life satisfaction, and higher sadness compared to the previous year. Within the sample, improvements in relationships with parents and other adults at home was associated with higher well-being during the pandemic.

Implications

Results from this study can inform decision making of policy-makers, educators, and practitioners working with youth, by providing information on students' experiences during the pandemic and identifying factors that may be protective for students' mental health during and beyond the pandemic.
Extending Postpartum Medicaid Beyond 60 Days Improves Care Access and Uncovers Unmet Needs in a Texas Medicaid Health Maintenance Organization
Authors: Wang Xiao , Pengetnze Yolande Mfondoum , Eckert Emily , Keever Graham , Chowdhry Vikas
Published: May 2022

Under longstanding federal law, pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage is only guaranteed through 60-days postpartum, at which point many women become uninsured. Barriers to care, including lack of insurance, contribute to maternal mortality and morbidity. Leveraging the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a federal law requiring that states provide continuous coverage to Medicaid enrollees during the COVID-19 pandemic as a condition of receiving enhanced federal financial support, we examine whether postpartum women seek additional care, and what types of care they use, with extended coverage. We analyze claims from the Parkland Community Health Plan (a Texas Medicaid Health Maintenance Organization) before and after implementation of the pandemic-related Medicaid extension. We find that after implementation of the coverage extension, women used twice as many postpartum services, 2 × to 10 × as many preventive, contraceptive, and mental/behavioral health services, and 37% fewer services related to short interval pregnancies within the first-year postpartum. Our findings provide timely insights for state legislators, Medicaid agencies, and members of Congress working to improve maternal health outcomes. We add empirical evidence to support broad extension of Medicaid coverage throughout the first-year postpartum.
Experience and Perceptions of Chinese University Students Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Wu Yijin , Yin Gaohui , Zhang Yichi
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a significant influence on university student's learning, life and mental health. Using the method of inductive content analysis, this study examined the experience and perceptions of Chinese university students regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Eighteen university students including seven males and eleven females were involved in this study. In this study, we identified five themes concerning experience and perceptions of Chinese university students regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, that is, emotional reactions toward the COVID-19 pandemic, the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the participant's learning, the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the participant's daily life, participants' positive responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, and China's moves toward the COVID-19 pandemic. This study elaborated on experience and perceptions of Chinese university students regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, which would provide us a better understanding of how university students perceive the COVID-19 pandemic and to what extent the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced their learning and daily lives.
Constrained Retrievals of Aerosol Optical Properties Using Combined Lidar and Imager Measurements During the FIREX-AQ Campaign
Authors: Midzak Natalie , Yorks John , Zhang Jianglong , Limbacher James , Garay Michael , Kalashnikova Olga
Published: May 2022

Smoke aerosols arise from a variety of regional sources and fuel types dependent on the properties of the fire, leading to spatial variability in smoke composition and optical properties. After emission, these aerosols age and mix in the atmosphere with other aerosol species, such as sulfates, altering the optical, and microphysical properties of the smoke aerosols over time. Thus, lidar ratio (extinction to backscatter ratio) derived from lidar sensors exhibit spatiotemporal variability for smoke. Traditional backscatter lidar processing algorithms employ a signal loss method that utilizes the reduction of signals below and above cloud layers, enabling simultaneous retrievals of both layer-averaged lidar ratio and particulate extinction, which avoids the need for assigning lidar ratios based on layer type as is typically used for backscatter lidar algorithms. In this study, the signal loss method, which is traditionally designed for cloud property retrievals, is attempted for elevated smoke plume property retrievals using NASA’s Cloud Physics Lidar (CPL) observations from the 2019 Fire Influence on Regional to Global Environments and Air Quality (FIREX-AQ) field campaign. Good agreement (linear correlation coefficient of 0.67) is found between aerosol optical depth (AOD) derived from the signal loss method and the constrained method, utilizing collocated GOES MAGARA AOD values as constraints for lidar ratio retrievals, for the Williams Flats smoke event. Differences in derived lidar ratios from the signal loss method and the constrained method (13.6 and 7.4%) are found to be smaller than the expected signal loss lidar ratio error estimate of ∼17–23%. A good agreement is also found in lidar ratios derived from this study and from using Differential Absorption Lidar-High Spectral Resolution Lidar (DIAL-HSRL) measurements for the Williams Flats Fire. The lidar ratio statistics of smoke plumes presented in this analysis (51 ± 13 sr) also compare favorably with lidar ratio values found in previous studies; however, they remain lower than the assumed smoke lidar ratio of 70 sr (at 532 nm) used by CALIPSO and CPL, and vary with plume transport distance. These findings suggest lidar ratio is likely to be regionally specific and evolve with plume transport. Thus, innovative methods for simultaneous retrieval of lidar ratio and aerosol extinction, such as the signal loss method proposed in this study, are needed for accurate aerosol retrievals from standard backscatter lidars in the future.
Head-Mounted Display-Based Virtual Reality and Physiological Computing for Stroke Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Amini Gougeh Reza , Falk Tiago H.
Published: May 2022

Virtual reality (VR)-mediated rehabilitation is emerging as a useful tool for stroke survivors to recover motor function. Recent studies are showing that VR coupled with physiological computing (i.e., real-time measurement and analysis of different behavioral and psychophysiological signals) and feedback can lead to 1) more engaged and motivated patients, 2) reproducible treatments that can be performed at the comfort of the patient’s home, and 3) development of new proxies of intervention outcomes and success. While such systems have shown great potential for stroke rehabilitation, an extensive review of the literature is still lacking. Here, we aim to fill this gap and conduct a systematic review of the twelve studies that passed the inclusion criteria. A detailed analysis of the papers was conducted along with a quality assessment/risk of bias evaluation of each study. It was found that the quality of the majority of the studies ranked as either good or fair. Study outcomes also showed that VR-based rehabilitation protocols coupled with physiological computing can enhance patient adherence, improve motivation, overall experience, and ultimately, rehabilitation effectiveness and faster recovery times. Limitations of the examined studies are discussed, such as small sample sizes and unbalanced male/female participant ratios, which could limit the generalizability of the obtained findings. Finally, some recommendations for future studies are given.
Mapping Knowledge Structure and Themes Trends of Post-operative Rehabilitation of Hip Fractures in the Elderly: A Bibliometrics and Visualization Study
Authors: Hu Liuchao , Wei Qiushi , Luo Ziheng , Wang Bin , Wu Zhifang , He Mincong , He Xiaoming , Luo Yiwen
Published: May 2022

Background

Hip fractures are a common type of fracture in the elderly and are characterized by many complications and high mortality. Many topics concerning postoperative rehabilitation of hip fracture in elderly people still remain controversial, and the global research trend in this field has not yet been well studied. The aim of the present study was to illustrate the overall knowledge structure, development trends, and research hot spots of postoperative rehabilitation of hip fracture in elderly people.

Methods

Articles and reviews regarding postoperative rehabilitation of hip fracture in elderly people from 2001 to 2021 were identified from the Web of Science database. An online bibliometric platform, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer software were used to generate visualization knowledge maps, including annual trends of publications, contributions of countries, institutions, authors, funding agencies, and journals, and clustering of keywords.

Results

A total of 1,724 publications were identified from Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). In the past 20 years, the number of published studies on the rehabilitation of hip fracture in the elderly has exhibited an overall upward trend. The USA was the leading contributor in this field, with the largest number of publications (354, 20.65%) and the most citations (13,786 times). The international cooperation map among relevant countries/regions indicated that the USA collaborated most closely with Canada and China. The University of Maryland and Professor Marcantonio were the most prolific institution and influential author, respectively. Injury: International Journal of the Care of the Injured was the most productive journal concerning the research of postoperative rehabilitation of hip fracture in elderly people. The keyword co-occurrence analysis identified six clusters: quality of life study, rehabilitation and outcomes study, cognitive impairment study, operative approaches study, mortality study, and osteoporosis study.

Conclusions

There will be an increasing number of publications on the research of postoperative rehabilitation of hip fracture in elderly people, and the United States will stay ahead in this field. Our findings could offer practical sources for scholars to understand the current status and trend of studies on rehabilitation of hip fracture in the elderly and provide references and suggestions for the development of related research in future.
Optic Pathway Glioma in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Multidisciplinary Entity, Posing Dilemmas in Diagnosis and Management Multidisciplinary Management of Optic Pathway Glioma in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Authors: Lohkamp Laura-Nanna , Parkin Patricia , Puran Allan , Bartels Ute Katharina , Bouffet Eric , Tabori Uri , Rutka James Thomas
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) has an incidence of 1 in 2,000 to 3,000 individuals and in 15% is associated with optic pathway glioma (OPG). Given the variability in clinical presentation and related morbidity, a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis and management of children with NF1 and OPG is required, but often lacks coordination and regular information exchange. Herein we summarize our experience and describe the care pathways/network provided by a multidisciplinary team. The role of the distinct team members is elucidated as well as the care amendments made over time.

Methods

We performed a retrospective single-center observational study, including children treated at our institution between 1990 and 2021. Inclusion criteria were clinical diagnosis of NF1, radiographic and/or histopathological diagnosis of OPG and age below 18 years. Patients being treated elsewhere were excluded from the study. Data was abstracted from each child’s health record using a standardized data collection form. Characteristics of children with NF1 and OPG were described using means (SD) and percentages. Outcomes were determined using Kaplan-Meier estimates.

Results

From 1990 to 2021, 1,337 children were followed in our institution. Of those, 195 were diagnosed with OPG (14.6%), including 94 (48.21%) females and 101 (51.79%) males. Comprehensive data were available in 150 patients. The mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 5.31(4.08) years (range: 0.8–17.04 years). Sixty-two (41.3%) patients remained stable and did not undergo treatment, whereas 88 (58.7%) patients required at least one treatment. The mean (SD) duration of follow up was 8.14 (5.46) years (range: 0.1–25.9 years; median 6.8 years). Overall survival was of 23.6 years (±1.08), comprising 5 deaths. A dedicated NF clinic, including pediatricians and a nurse, provides regular follow up and plays a central role in the management of children with NF1, identifying those at risk of OPG, coordinating referrals to Neuroradiology and other specialists as indicated. All children are assessed annually by Ophthalmology. Comprehensive care was provided by a multidisciplinary team consisting of Dermatology, Genetics, Neuro-oncology, Neuroradiology, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology and Pediatrics.

Conclusions

The care of children with NF1 and OPG is optimized with a multidisciplinary team approach, coordinated by a central specialty clinic.
Explore the Value of Dual Source Computer Tomography Automatic Tube Current Regulation in Reducing the Radiation Dose of CTA in Lower Extremity Vessels
Authors: Hu Xin , Yu Yi
Published: May 2022

Objective

To investigate the value of dual source computer tomography automatic tube current regulation in reducing the radiation dose of CTA in lower limb vessels.

Methods

From February 2020 to December 2021, 64 patients with lower limb artery CTA were selected in our hospital because of the symptoms of foot ischemia. According to the random number table, patients were divided into control group (treated with fixed tube current technology) and observation group (treated with automatic tube current regulation technology), with 32 cases in each group. All patients underwent a dual source computer tomography scan. Control group: tube voltage 120 kV, tube current 250 mA; Observation group: tube voltage was 80 kV, and reference tube current was 80–380 mA. Other scanning conditions of patients in the two groups were the same. CTDIvol, DLP and calculated SNR and CNR were recorded to obtain the ED.

Results

The values of CTDIvol, DLP and ED in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in CT value, SD value, SNR value and CNR value of the femoral artery segment, popliteal artery segment and posterior tibial artery segment between the two groups (P > 0.05). The image quality scores of patients in the control group were slightly higher than those in the observation group, but there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The application of dual source computer tomography automatic tube current adjustment technology in CTA examination of lower limb vessels can automatically adjust the compensation output and realize the output of different tube currents in different thicknesses, densities and angles. On the premise of not affecting the image quality, the radiation dose in the scanning process to the maximum extent, and reasonably protect the examined patients.
Ethical Analysis of the Application of Assisted Reproduction Technologies in Biodiversity Conservation and the Case of White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) Ovum Pick-Up Procedures
Authors: Biasetti Pierfrancesco , Hildebrandt Thomas B. , Göritz Frank , Hermes Robert , Holtze Susanne , Galli Cesare , Lazzari Giovanna , Colleoni Silvia , Pollastri Ilaria , Spiriti Maria Michela , Stejskal Jan , Seet Steven , Zwilling Jan , Ngulu Stephen , Mutisya Samuel , Kariuki Linus , Lokolool Isaac , Omondo Patrick , Ndeereh David , de Mori Barbara
Published: May 2022

Originally applied on domestic and lab animals, assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) have also found application in conservation breeding programs, where they can make the genetic management of populations more efficient, and increase the number of individuals per generation. However, their application in wildlife conservation opens up new ethical scenarios that have not yet been fully explored. This study presents a frame for the ethical analysis of the application of ART procedures in conservation based on the Ethical Matrix (EM), and discusses a specific case study—ovum pick-up (OPU) procedures performed in the current conservation efforts for the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni)—providing a template for the assessment of ART procedures in projects involving other endangered species.
Ethnoveterinary Medicine and Ethnopharmacology in the Main Transhumance Areas of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain)
Authors: Rivera Diego , Verde Alonso , Fajardo Rodríguez José , Ríos Segundo , Alcaraz Francisco , Cárceles Carlos , Ortíz Juana , Valdés Arturo , Ruíz-Gallardo Jose Reyes , García-Flores Aida , Palazón José Antonio , Obón Concepción
Published: May 2022

In this study, we document the practices of ethnoveterinary medicine and ethnopharmacology in the context of traditional transhumance routes that cross Castilla La Mancha from north to south. Transhumance is a type of grazing system that allows advantage to be taken of winter pastures (wintering places) and summer pastures by seasonal movement, twice a year, of cattle and their shepherds. Our study is based on over 200 interviews (from 1994 to 2021) conducted in 86 localities along eight major transhumance routes “cañadas reales” and 25 other minor transhumance routes, and involved 210 informants, 89 single and 121 groups, and 562 individuals, of which the majority were men. Sixty-three recorded pathologies and their treatments are discussed. Two hundred and two species and substances, belonging to 92 different families, have been recorded from the interviews, of which most are plants. Amid the toxic plant species, the most cited in the interviews areErophaca baetica(L.) Boiss.,Lupinus angustifolius L., andOenanthe crocataL. Some of the species reported as toxic were reservoirs of pathogens or markers for dangerous areas. One of the fields most widely covered in our study is that of prevention, protection, and control of endo- and ectoparasites. This control is carried out mainly by means of aromatic plants. As a polyvalent species,Daphne gnidiumL. is outstanding, and it contributes one-tenth of the records of our study. Among the species of fundamentally therapeutic use,Cistus ladaniferL. stands out by far. Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) based on the repertories of ingredients, separates the routes whose most important sections run through siliceous terrain with its characteristic flora, especially in the provinces of Ciudad Real and Toledo, from the routes that run through the limestone terrain of Albacete and Cuenca, and link the Eastern Mancha and the “Serranía de Cuenca” with Andalusia and the Spanish Levant.
Kidney Transplantation From Hepatitis-C Viraemic Donors:Considerations for Practice in the United Kingdom
Authors: Doherty Daniel T. , Athwal Varinder , Moinuddin Zia , Augustine Titus , Prince Martin , van Dellen David , Khambalia Hussein A.
Published: May 2022

Background: Donor hepatitis-C (HCV) infection has historically represented a barrier to kidney transplantation (KT). However, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications have revolutionised treatment of chronic HCV infection. Recent American studies have demonstrated that DAA regimes can be used safely peri-operatively in KT to mitigate HCV transmission risk.

Methods: To formulate this narrative review, a comprehensive literature search was performed to analyse results of existing clinical trials examining KT from HCV-positive donors to HCV-negative recipients with peri-operative DAA regimes.

Results: 13 studies were reviewed (11 single centre, four retrospective). Outcomes for 315 recipients were available across these studies. A sustained virological response at 12 weeks (SVR12) of 100% was achieved in 11 studies. One study employed an ultra-short DAA regime and achieved an SVR12 of 98%, while another achieved SVR12 of 96% due to treatment of a missed mixed genotype.

Conclusion: HCV+ KT is safe and may allow increased utilisation of organs for transplantation from HCV+ donors, who often have other favourable characteristics for successful donation. Findings from US clinical trials can be applied to the United Kingdom transplant framework to improve organ utilisation as suggested by the NHSBT vision strategy “Organ Donation and Transplantation 2030: meeting the need”.
Effects of the Installation Location of a Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuator on the Active Passage Vortex Control of a Turbine Cascade at Low Reynolds Numbers
Authors: Matsunuma Takayuki
Published: May 2022

Because axial flow turbines are widely used as the main components of jet engines and industrial gas turbines, their energy reduction effect is significant, even with a slight performance improvement. These turbines operate over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. However, at low Reynolds numbers below 1 × 105, the aerodynamic characteristics deteriorate greatly, due to the flow separation of the boundary layer on the blade suction surface and an increase in the secondary flow. In this study, an experiment to reduce the passage vortex was conducted using a dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator, which is expected to operate with a new innovative active flow control technology. The plasma actuator was installed on the endwall of a linear turbine cascade in the test section of a wind tunnel. From the velocity distribution measured using particle image velocimetry, the secondary flow vector, turbulence intensity, and vorticity were analyzed. The input voltage and frequency of the plasma actuator were fixed at 12 kVp-p and 10 kHz, respectively. In particular, the optimum installation location of the plasma actuator was examined from upstream to mid-passage positions of the turbine cascade (normalized axial location of Z/Cax = −0.35 to 0.51). In addition, the effect of the Reynolds number was examined by varying it between Reout = 1.8 × 104 and 3.7 × 104. From the experimental results, it was found that the optimum location of the plasma actuator was immediately before the blade leading edge (Z/Cax = −0.20 to −0.06). This is because the inlet boundary layer can be accelerated near the blade leading edge, weakening the horseshoe vortex which initially causes the passage vortex. At a higher Reynolds number, the passage vortex suppression effect of the plasma actuator is weakened, because the flow induced by the plasma actuators becomes relatively weaker as the mainstream velocity increases with an increase in the Reynolds number.
Parameters Optimization and Test of an Arc-Shaped Nail-Tooth Roller-Type Recovery Machine for Sowing Layer Residual Film
Authors: Zhang Zhiyuan , Li Jingbin , Wang Xianfei , Zhao Yongman , Xue Shuaikang , Su Zipeng
Published: May 2022

The aim of this paper is to optimize the working parameters of the arc-shaped nail-tooth roller-type recovery machine for sowing layer residual film. Firstly, the tooth roller device of the residual film recovery machine is designed, and the main working parameters affecting the operation of the machine and the value range of each parameter are determined through the analysis of the operation process. Secondly, virtual simulation technology is used to establish a virtual simulation model of the interaction process between the tooth roller device and soil. At the same time, taking the soil-hilling quantity as the index, we build a quadratic regression mathematical model with three factors—the forward speed, rotation speed, and working depth—using the Box–Behnken method. Consequently, the analysis of the simulation results show that the order of the most significant factors is working depth, rotation speed, and forward speed. The optimal combination of working parameters are as follows: a forward speed of 4.5 km/h, a rotation speed of 43.2 r/min, and a working depth of 100.0 mm. Meanwhile, the predicted value of the soil-hilling quantity is 23.1 kg. Finally, we carried out field tests using the optimal combination parameters; the results show that the normal residual film collection rate is 66.8%, the soil-hilling quantity is 24.2 kg, and the relative error between the test value and the predicted value is 4.8%. This indicates that the devised DEM simulation model can be used to predict the operational performance of the tooth roller device in the working process. This study provides a reference that can be used in the planning and boundary enhancement of agricultural machinery and equipment.
Changes in Proteins in Saliva and Serum in Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome Using a Proteomic Approach
Authors: Muñoz-Prieto Alberto , Contreras-Aguilar Maria Dolores , Cerón Jose Joaquín , Ayala Ignacio , Martin-Cuervo Maria , Gonzalez-Sanchez Juan Carlos , Jacobsen Stine , Kuleš Josipa , Beletić Anđelo , Rubić Ivana , Mrljak Vladimir , Tecles Fernando , Hansen Sanni
Published: May 2022

Changes in the salivary proteome in 12 horses with the two diseases included in equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) (n = 6) and equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) (n = 6), were evaluated using a high-resolution LC-MS/MS analysis of TMT-labelled peptides and compared to 10 healthy control horses. Serum was also analysed for comparative purposes. The comparison between the horses with EGGD and controls showed significant changes in 10 salivary proteins, whereas 36 salivary proteins were differently abundant between ESGD and control groups. The most upregulated proteins in the case of EGGD were related to immune activation whereas, in horses with ESGD, the most significantly changed proteins were associated with squamous cell regulation and growth. Compared to serum, saliva showed a higher number of proteins with significant changes and a different pattern of changes. The proteins identified in our study, in addition to providing new information about the pathophysiological mechanisms in these diseases, could have the potential to be novel biomarkers for the diagnosis or monitoring of EGGD and ESGD.
A High-Energy Diet and Spirulina Supplementation during Pre-Gestation, Gestation, and Lactation do Not Affect the Reproductive and Lactational Performance of Primiparous Sows
Authors: Lugarà Rosamaria , Grześkowiak Łukasz , Zentek Jürgen , Meese Susanne , Kreuzer Michael , Giller Katrin
Published: May 2022

Feeding high-energy (HED) or high-fat diets during gestation and lactation to pigs may help cover the energy requirements of high-prolific sows but may also adversely affect their reproductive performance. The microalga Arthrospira plantensis (Sp), rich in bioactive compounds, has been described to exert beneficial health effects. The present study investigated the effects of HED and Sp intake during gestation and lactation in pigs. Twenty-four primiparous crossbred sows were fed either a HED or a control diet. Half of the sows per group were supplemented with 20 g/day of Sp. Despite a higher gross energy intake, consuming the HED did not affect the sows’ reproductive and lactational performance but significantly modified the colostrum fatty acid (FA) composition and tended to decrease the number of weaned piglets. The Sp supplementation did not affect the reproduction and lactation traits, but slightly affected the colostrum FA composition. A trend was observed for an interaction of diet and Sp in terms of offspring sex ratio with a 50% lower male-to-female ratio in the HED group compared to all other animals. These findings suggest that an HED and Sp intake hardly influence reproduction in sows. However, the HED modified the colostrum FA composition, whereas the Sp had only fewer effects, which may potentially affect offspring performance.