bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity interval rope skipping training on speed qualities in male soccer players: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wei Bo , Qiu Jiangang 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Objectives: This study was to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval jump rope training on the speed qualities of soccer players.
Design: Randomized controlled trial
Methods: T Methods: Twenty-five elite soccer players were randomly assigned to an experimental group (N=13) performing high-intensity interval jump rope training and a control group (N=12) undergoing traditional training for 12 weeks. Both groups trained two times per week. Speed qualities were assessed using 30-meter sprint, Optojump rapid frequency and visual reaction tests, T-run test, and standing long jump. Data were analyzed using Two-factor repeated measures ANOVA.）
Results: High-intensity interval rope skipping training could improve sprint speed (P=0.000***), movement speed (P=0.000**), visual reaction speed (P= 0.000**), change of direction speed (P= 0.000**), and explosive speed (P= 0.000**). Further, compared to traditional training methods, high-intensity interval rope skipping training was more effective in sprint speed(P=0.033**) and visual reaction speed(P= 0.010**).
Conclusions: High-intensity interval rope skipping training can improve the speed quality of soccer players, especially in sprint speed and visual reaction speed.
Tea extracellular vesicles attenuates NAFLD via reducing TG levels by inhibited MTTP gene methylation
Authors: Liu Liang , Wang Huan , Zou Yigui , Xu Xichao , Zeng Yinzhen , Li Wenwen , Bai Daming , Dai Dongling 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background: Therapeutic effect of traditional medicines for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is far from satisfactory. Tea has been shown to have efficacy in preventing NAFLD. We hypothesized that tea derived extracellular vesicles (TDEVs) may attenuate NAFLD.
Methods: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were isolated from fresh tea. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect the epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)in TDEVs. Oleic acid-induced HepG2 cells were treated with different doses of TDEVs. Oil red O staining and fluorescent staining were used to analyze TDEVs efficacy in NAFLD HepG2 cell model. Enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to evaluate the levels of triglycerides (TG) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Q-PCR technique was used to detect the mRNA expressions of MTTP, and Western Blotting was applied to evaluate their protein expressions. Bisulfite genomic sequencing was used to analyze the level of DNA methylation within the promoter of MTTP gene.
Results: The concentrations of EGCG in TDEVs was 1.031 ± 0.044 mg/ml, equivalent to 5.6 mg/100 g/FW. Oil red O staining and fluorescent staining demonstrated TDEVs absorbed by HepG2 cells contributed to oil droplets decomposition and a consequential decrease in TG and IL-6 levels. Q-PCR and Western Blotting showed an upregulation in MTTP gene expression by TDEVs. Bisulfite genomic sequencing analysis revealed a reduction in the methylation level of MTTP gene in TDEVs groups.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that TDEVs attenuated NAFLD via reducing TG level by inhibition of MTTP gene methylation in NAFLD cell model.
Evaluation of hydro-physical properties along a northern boreal bog peatland transect
Authors: Whittington Pete , Koiter Alex 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Advances in peatland ecohydrological modelling highlight the need for higher resolution depth profiles of important soil physical properties. Peatland soil profiles exist as a continuum from Sphagnum-dominated surface cover to highly decomposed peat at depth. We determined the bulk and particle density, porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), and von Post in a northern bog to a depth of ~ 200 cm in 5-cm intervals along a transect extending from a moderately treed to a more open area. The bulk and particle densities and von Post scores increased, and porosity decreased with depth. The particle density had a relatively abrupt shift near ~ 75 cm changing from ~ 0.8 g cm− 3 to a relatively consistent ~ 1.4 g cm− 3. The variability measured was small in the upper ~ 25 cm, larger at depths of ~ 25–125 cm, and became more moderate at depths > ~ 125 cm (but not particle density). The variability of bulk density at the deeper depths results in the observed variability of porosity as well. The larger variability in physical properties roughly coincides with the abrupt shift in the magnitude of measured properties suggesting that contemporary processes and/or past events (e.g., wildfire) could be responsible for this pattern. Bulk and particle density and porosity exhibited a relationship with the von Post score with an abrupt shift in values between von Post scores of 3 and 4. Detailed examination of peatland soil properties will improve the robustness and reliability of models and may reveal additional information on the history and processes of formation.
More than the sum of their parts: Behavioral Tractography analysis of distress wellbeing and context reveal dynamic signatures of psychosis and autism
Authors: Sandini Corrado , Imparato Andrea , Feller Clemence , Ilen Laura , Eliez Stephan , Stringaris Argyris , Schneider Maude 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Current psychiatric assessments oversimplify mental health phenomena. Ecological-Momentary-Assessment (EMA) captures richer dynamic interactions between psychological and contextual variables, but the resulting complexity currently hinders clinical translation. Here we propose an innovative approach to integrate dynamic data in clinical practice by accounting for variations within and across symptom clusters over time. We term this approach Behavioral Tractography (BT). We validate BT in independent typically-developing samples and in the clinically-challenging differential diagnosis of psychosis genetic vulnerability in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11DS) and idiopathic Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A novel 2-dimensional rationality/valence structure predicted psychological-contextual fluctuations with striking consistency across typically-developing and clinical samples. Characterizing dynamic interactions between variables within such shared coordinate system, provided an intuitive 3D-view of transdiagnostic and population-specific psychological-contextual pathways. 22q11DS and ASD presented opposite psychological-contextual dynamics, recapitulating Bayesian models of psychosis and autism, and were further differentiated by pathways mediating emergence and consequences of motivational and social wellbeing.
Sailing West: assessing the role of waterways in the Neolithization of Ebro, Po and Rhône basins
Authors: Pirrone Giada , Campus Antonio , Gattiglia Gabriele , Mazzucco Niccolò 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

An unresolved issue within the debates on Neolithization processes concerns the role played by rivers. It is known that farmers and herders were capable of navigating, even over long distances. Still, the question arises to what extent this ability was applied in penetration processes. This research investigates the relationship of early Neolithic farmers with the Ebro, Rhône, and Po rivers. The question underlying the research is to what extent waterways may have played a facilitating or hindering role in the movement from coastal areas to the inland regions of the basins. Predictive, spatial, cost-based, geostatistical, and statistical analyses were employed to answer this question. The initial phase of the research focused on studying the composition of the Neolithic groups in motion. The transported livestock consisted of different species, such as ovicaprids, pigs, and cattle with cattle facing the most difficulties. Therefore, it is likely that the pace of the entire group was adjusted to accommodate the movement of bovids. A movement function based on the characteristics of cattle was developed and integrated with different raster grids to create cost maps representing different scenarios where waterways either hindered or facilitated movement. Subsequently, these scenarios were compared and discussed using statistical analyses, which indicated that in the Ebro basin, rivers likely facilitated Neolithic movement and access to inland points. In the Rhône basin, waterways' roles were variable and less clear. In the Po basin, rivers helped Neolithic groups reach the inner Padana plain, albeit less evidently.
An Efficient Air Quality Detection System Using Sequential Forward Selection- Based ML Algorithms
Authors: Rezk Nermeen Gamal , Sayed Amged , Hemdan Ezz El-Din , El-Behery Heba 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Air pollution has thus exceeded the anticipated safety limit due to the growing usage of automobiles, the manufacturing sector, and the production of pollutants from other human activities. It is considered one of the major environmental risks to humankind on Earth. Nowadays, monitoring and forecasting air quality is significant, particularly in high-level pollution countries. In contrast to traditional methodologies, predictive technologies based on machine learning approaches be the most effective instruments for analyzing such contemporary threats. Therefore, this paper presents multiclass classification using two feature selection techniques namely Sequential Forward Selection (SFS) and Filter with different Machine Learning and Ensemble techniques to predict the air quality. Therefore, intensive research is conducted in novel techniques such as Wrapper and Filter feature selection methods to make sure that the most relevant features are on datasets for the solution of the air quality problem. The results of the considered framework reveal that the Wrapper feature selection technique provides superior performance compared to various Filter feature selection with different ML methods, including AdaBoost Classifier, Extra Tree Classifier, KNN, RF, GB, and Bagging Classifier for efficiently determining the Air Quality Index (AQI). Its important goal is to visualize the air quality datasets to understand and see the hidden sight in datasets. These models' performances are assessed and compared using predetermined performance metrics. The AdaBoost Classifier model with Filter selection has the lowest accuracy, while the Random Forest Classifier model with Wrapper feature selection achieves the highest accuracy with 78.4% and 99.99% respectively. Based on the raw data set, it was noted that the F1-score, Recall, and Precision values of the Random Forest model Wrapper Feature selection achieve 99.96%, 99.97%, and 99.98% respectively. Therefore, the experimental results undoubtedly show the supremacy of the proposed approach, providing a practical, reliable, and robust tool to effectively determine the Air Quality Index (AQI)
Physiological, biochemical and transcriptomic analyses reveal the mechanism of variation in color traits in Panax japonicus fruits
Authors: Huang Xi Lun , Jin Rui , Tang Ting ting , Liang E , Zhang Lai 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Panax japonicus C. A. Mey. is a rare and endangered Class II important protected wild medicinal plant in China with a wide range of pharmacological activities. The development of the fruit is special, only the apical capitulum can develop into fruit normally, and the colour trait changes during the maturation process showed a pattern from green to red and from red to purple-black. In order to reveal the phenomenon of colour trait changes during fruit development, this paper analyzed the correlation between colour trait changes and pigment contents (chlorophyll, carotenoids) and secondary metabolite contents (anthocyanosides, flavonoids, and total phenols) of the fruits, and used transcriptome sequencing to explore the correlation between colour trait changes and synthetic genes, and then verified the fluorescence quantification with qRT-PCR. The results showed that chlorophyll was gradually converted and carotenoids began to appear in the pericarp when the fruit entered the colour change stage from the green fruit stage; the content of anthocyanin, flavonoids and total phenolic substances gradually increased during fruit ripening. Transcriptome sequencing obtained transcriptome data of 15 samples from five periods of colour trait changes in Panax japonicus fruits 93.94 Gbp, with 462117 functionally annotated Total Unigenes; the total number of DETs generated by intercomparison of the five periods (G, Y, R, B, P) was 17895 (up-regulated 9435 and down-regulated 8460). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) indicated that 448 were hub differential genes (DETs) associated with common involvement in the colour changes (carotenoids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, total phenols) in the fruits of Duchess. GO and KEGG were enriched to participate in the photosynthesis - antenna protein pathway 19; involved in flavonoid biosynthesis a total of 205. The results of qRT-PCR fluorescence quantitative validation showed that chlorophyll degradation related 6 candidate genes PjCAB and fruit colour change flavonoid biosynthesis 6 candidate genes PjF3'H, PjCHI, PjCHS, PjDFR, PjANS, and PjC3'H at five periods were consistent with the transcriptome sequencing results.
The knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and adaptation strategies to climate change of smallholder livestock farmers in Otjombinde and Epukiro constituencies in the Omaheke Region, Namibia
Authors: Siririka Ndjipua Avihe , Charamba Vonai , Mupangwa Johnfisher , Shipandeni Maria N.T. , Kahumba Absalom 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The challenges of climate change are continuously increasing, constituting a major threat to livestock production, which is more than a socio-economic cornerstone in Namibian rural communal farmers, contributing approximately two-thirds of the country’s agricultural GDP. Climate variability, which may be in the form of drought, very high temperatures, floods and frosts has been reported to have detrimental effects on feed and water availability, leading to reduced livestock weight, growth, production and reproductive performance, and ultimately high mortality. Understanding smallholder farmers’ socio-psychological antecedents such as knowledge, attitudes and perceptions and the way they influence their level of adaptation to CC mitigation strategies needs to be assessed, as it guides CC policy formulation and intervention programmes. The study investigated CC perception and adaptation strategies for livestock farmers in Omaheke Region. Data were gathered from (n = 80) purposively sampled farmers in Epukiro and Otjombinde constituencies based on livestock ownership. The study revealed that 93.8% of the respondents were aware that the climate is changing, with attributes such as very high and very low temperatures, high and low rainfall, and drought having been noticed. Climate change has been attributed to both human and natural activity. The study observed that the implementation of CC adaptation strategies in livestock agriculture is low, thus recommends that the improvement of adaptation techniques involving employing extension services, promotion of farmer-to-farmer extension, and utilization of various information sources of climate knowledge, such as farmers' associations and social organizations, should be the future policy priority.
The Role of Extension Workers in Managing Agricultural Indigenous Knowledge in the East Showa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Gebru Workineh , Chagwiza Clarie 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The study aimed at assessing extension workers’ role in managing agricultural indigenous knowledge (IK) in East Showa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia. To do so, a concurrent survey design involving face to face semi-structured interviews and key informant interview were employed to collect data. A sample of 24 extension workers was selected through purposive sampling techniques to take part in semi-structured interview. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods were employed. For quantitative data, descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage and mean were used, while the qualitative data gathered through open-ended questions was organised, interpreted and analysed in the form of theme descriptions and tables. The result reveals that most extension workers are knowledgeable on different types of IK practices, not limited to clearing and preparing farm fields, controlling weeds and maintaining soil fertility. The study established that extension workers have been found to play a good role at preservation of IK and use a number of platforms to disseminate and promote IK utilisation among studied communities. However, most of these workers are not actively involved in the capturing and management of agricultural IK; and also they are not making use of current extension advisor approach as a platform for sharing and learning of IK with smallholder farmers. Thus, the limited engagement of extension workers with IK could have negative policy impacts related to knowledge capturing and preservation, indigenous rights, and sustainable development. Special efforts are, therefore, needed to understand, document, disseminate and utilise agricultural IK for farming activities at the grassroots level. The study further recommends the need to revisit the roles and purposes of extension workers within the current extension model and then empower them to fully participate in the formal capturing, dissemination and preservation of agricultural IK.
Prevalence and ROC curve analysis of associated factors of presbyopia among adults in southeast China: the Fujian Eye Study
Authors: Li Yang , Li Xiaoxin , Hu Yonghua , Wang Bin , Su Shengqi , Hu Qinrui 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Purpose
With the improvement of people's living standards, the demand for eye health is no longer limited to being visible, but more importantly, being able to see clearly. The aging population has led to increasing attention on presbyopia worldwide. Our study aims to reveal the prevalence and related factors of presbyopia among urban and rural adults over 50 years of Fujian Province Southern China.
Methods
A population-based cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the prevalence and related factors of presbyopia among urban and rural adults over 50 years in more than 50 communities of Fujian Province Southern China from May 2018 to October 2019. A total of 8211 residents aged over 50 years underwent a questionnaire and a series related examinations. PNVA was measured using logarithmic visual acuity chart at a distance of 30cm, and presbyopia was defined as PNVA worse than 20/50.
Results
A total of 8033 residents did the examination of near visual acuity in this study. Of these, 5509 (68.6%) had presbyopia, of whom 3428 (62.2%) were female, 3057 (55.4%) were from urban area, 4300 (78.0%) were from coastal region. The prevalence of presbyopia was 68.6%. Univariate regression showed that presbyopia was correlated with female, older age, less educated, lower income, higher spherical equivalent refraction (SE), living in rural area, smoking, alcohol consumption and tea consumption, and was independent with geographic location. While multiple regression found that presbyopia was correlated with older age, less educated, lower income and higher SE, while sex, degree of urbanization, smoking, alcohol consumption and tea consumption were not statistically significantly associated with presbyopia any more. Finally, we used ROC curves to detect the credibility of the four associated factors, and the results showed that age and SE can accurately predict presbyopia, while education and income levels have poor credibility.
Conclusion
There was a significant burden of presbyopia in southeast China, which suggested more investment in accessible services and policy to enhance eye health on elderly with refractive error.
Multimodal seed data augmentation for low-resource audio latin Cuengh languge
Authors: Jiang Lanlan , Li Jun , Zhang Jingwei , Shen Yan 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The Latin Cuengh Language is a low-resource dialect prevalent in select ethnic minority regions of China, presents unique challenges for intelligent research and preservation efforts. This is primarily due to the language's oral tradition and the limited availability of textual resources. Prior research has sought to bolster intelligent processing capabilities for Latin Cuengh through data augmentation techniques leveraging scarce textual data, with modest success. In this study, we introduce an innovative multimodal seed data augmentation model designed to significantly enhance the intelligent recognition and comprehension of the Latin Cuengh dialect. Our approach commences with the training of a pre-trained model on extensive speech data. Subsequently, we integrate a modest corpus of multilingual textual data as seed data, which is instrumental in fine-tuning the pre-trained model. Notably, we employ both Latin Cuengh and Chinese texts as bilingual seed data to enrich the multilingual aspects of our model. We refine the model parameters further by engaging it in a variety of downstream tasks. Our experimental findings demonstrate that the proposed model delivers commendable performance across both multi-classification and binary classification tasks. Moreover, the model's training efficiency has been substantially ameliorated through the strategic use of seed data augmentation. This research paves the way for more effective intelligent systems tailored to low-resource languages like Latin Cuengh.
Reclassifying Lethal Heat
Authors: Rouse Robert , Debnath Ramit , Rouse David , Tebbutt Will , Dousset Benedicte , Hosking J. Scott , McRobie Allan , Mora Camilo , Shuckburgh Emily 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

As heatwaves increase in both frequency and intensity globally, the need to develop tools to predict the human impact and develop a more comprehensive understanding of the impact mechanism at a population level is becoming more urgent. Our study provides a new taxonomy of heatwaves based on identifying sub-threshold lethal heatwaves through physiological adaptation and vulnerability. We used a classification algorithm applied to a lethal heatwave dataset, comprising 125,411 events where the temperature exceeded the 90$^{th}$ percentile across 140 cities, with combined meteorology and sociodemographic inputs to label these events. The accuracy of our model outperformed classification that relied on wet bulb temperature thresholds with a factor of 16 improvement in imbalanced classification performance. Furthermore, we found that the majority of level heatwaves within our dataset occur below high wet bulb temperature thresholds and that accurate predictions for heatwave mortality could be obtained by combining thermo-temporal differentials and population health metrics instead of absolute climatic conditions. We thus propose classifying heatwaves as either: Shock Heatwaves, where aggressive thermo-temporal differentials from a local acclimation point trigger adverse stress effects, particularly among the vulnerable; or Threshold Heatwaves, where high temperature and humidity conditions do exceed the ability to dissipate heat effectively.