bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of imaging in pediatric bronchopulmonary foregut malformations with literature review: case reports
Authors: Ji Shaohua , Zhang Hong , Guan Yan , Song Chen , Han Meirong 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundBronchopulmonary foregut malformation (BPFM) is an uncommon condition, with few case reports documented in both national and international literature. This scarcity underscores the importance of utilizing effective imaging techniques to improve our understanding and diagnostic precision concerning this disorder.Case descriptionIn the first case report, a neonate, born at full term and aged 15 days, presented with symptoms including dyspnea, coughing, wheezing, cyanosis, and vomiting. Initial diagnostic evaluations, which included chest radiography and upper gastrointestinal tract radiography, led to an erroneous initial diagnosis of a left-sided diaphragmatic hernia, accompanied by a suspicion of infection. In the second case report, another neonate, also born at full term but aged 5 days, exhibited symptoms such as coughing, choking, and mild vomiting. Utilizing a combination of computed tomography (CT) scans (plain, enhanced, and reconstructed), chest x-ray, and upper gastrointestinal tract radiography, the diagnosis of BPFM was accurately determined.ConclusionComprehensive imaging examinations play a crucial role in reducing misdiagnosis and diagnostic oversights in cases of BPFM. Given its rarity, BPFM often manifests as a sequestered lung accompanied by gastrointestinal abnormalities. Hence, the integration of CT scans with gastrointestinal tract radiography can substantially improve diagnostic precision in such cases.
Increase in potato yield by the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer: key role of rhizosphere microbial diversity
Authors: Hou Jianwei , Xing CunFang , Zhang Jun , Wang Zuhua , Liu Min , Duan Yu , Zhao Hui 
Published: May 2024

PurposeThe large-scale planting of potatoes leads to soil degradation, thus limiting the potato yield. An effective method of improving soil quality involves the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer. However, the proportion of biochar and organic fertilizer at which potato yield can be improved, as well as the improvement mechanism, remain unclear.MethodsA combined application experiment involving biochar (B) and organic fertilizer (O) with four concentration gradients was conducted using the equal carbon ratio method. On this basis, rhizosphere soil fertility, bacterial community composition, and bacterial diversity in potato crops, as well as the potato yield difference under different combined application ratios, were investigated. Then, the direct and indirect effects of these factors on potato yield were analyzed.ResultsThe results suggest that soil fertility was improved by the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer, with the best effect being achieved at a ratio of B:O=1:2. The dominant bacterial communities in the potato rhizosphere included Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes. When compared to the control, the relative abundance and diversity index of soil bacteria were significantly improved by the treatment at B:O=1:2, which exerted a stronger effect on improving the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria. Soil available phosphorus (AP), soil pH (SpH), and soil organic carbon (SOC) explained 47.52% of the variation in bacterial composition. Among them, the main factor was the content of soil available nutrients, while SpH generated the weakest effect. The bacterial diversity index showed a significant positive correlation with soil AP, SOC, available potassium (AK), total nitrogen (TN), and C/N ratio, and a significant negative correlation with SpH. Bacterial diversity directly affected the potato yield, while soil fertility indirectly affected potato yield by influencing the soil bacterial diversity.ConclusionThe combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer elevates potato yield mainly by improving the diversity of bacterial communities in potato rhizosphere soil, especially the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer at a 1:2 ratio (biochar 0.66 t ha-1+organic fertilizer 4.46 t ha-1), which made the largest contribution to increasing potato yield.
Decomposing the variance in early maladaptive schemas: the major role of one general factor, the minor role of domains, and their differential relations to facial emotion recognition
Authors: Tabesh Sajedeh , Zia-Tohidi Ali , Firoozi Manijeh , Farahani Hojjatollah 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionDespite the growing interest in the early maladaptive schemas, the progress in understanding their impacts is decelerated by a lack of clear understanding of their structure. Different composite scores are calculated without a solid ground or a clarified meaning. Here we explain that the schema variance can be theoretically decomposed into three components: schema-specific, domain-specific due to the unmet core needs, and the common variance we call general susceptibility; each can differentially correlate with other substantive variables. Using this framework, we empirically examine the structure of schemas and their relationships to facial emotion recognition, a crucial ability that can widely affect our social interactions.MethodsA sample of adults completed an emotion recognition task and the Young Schema Questionnaire. Using different factor models, the specific and shared variance across schemas was analyzed. Then, the relation of these variance components to facial emotion recognition was explored.ResultsA general factor explained 27%, 40%, and 64% of the total variance in items, schemas, and domains, respectively. Partialling out the common variance, there was little domain-specific variance remained. Regarding facial emotion recognition, they were not correlated with specific schemas; however, the general susceptibility factor was correlated with anger recognition.DiscussionThe variance decomposition approach to schemas, which uses the bifactor model, may offer a clearer way to explore the impacts of schemas. While domain scores are widely used, their reliability, validity, and meaning are questionable. The generic factor, which is consistently extractable from empirical data, requires further attention.
Effects of coach-delivered verbal encouragement on the physiological and psychological responses of adolescent players in small-sided basketball games
Authors: Khayati Ala , Sahli Faten , Ghouili Hatem , Labbadi Rabeh , Selmi Okba , Sahli Hajer , Jebabli Nidhal , Romdhani Amir , Zghibi Makram , Haddad Monoem 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionThe confluence of physiological and psychological dynamics is fundamental to athletic performance, particularly in basketball, where physical skill and mental resilience are imperative. While the role of verbal encouragement (VE) as a catalyst for enhancing performance has been explored in various sports disciplines, its specific effects within the basketball have not been adequately examined. Addressing this gap, the current study zeroes in on the influence of coach-delivered VE on the physiological and psychological responses of adolescent basketball players engaged in small-sided games (SSG), providing a focused analysis of how directed encouragement can modulate performance and experience in young athletes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of coach-delivered verbal encouragement on the psychological and physiological responses of adolescent basketball players.MethodsSixteen male participants (age: 16.93 ± 0.36 years; height: 176.8 ± 0.8 cm; body mass: 73.43 ± 12.57 kg; BMI: 21.70 ± 3.55) were allocated to a Verbal Encouragement Group (VEG, n = 8, mean age: 16.80 ± 0.44) and a Control Group (CG, n = 8, mean age: 17.06 ± 0.26). Each participant engaged in four sessions of small-sided games (SSGs) consisting of four players per side in a 14 × 10 m pitch.ResultsThe findings revealed significant benefits of coach-delivered verbal encouragement on both the physical and psychophysiological responses of the players (p &lt; 0.05), including increased physical enjoyment, positive mood state, lower heart rate, and higher physical activity intensity level.DiscussionCoaches should incorporate verbal encouragement strategies during SSGs to enhance player performance and optimize both psychological and physiological adaptations.
Who spoke that language? Assessing early face-language associations in monolingual and bilingual infants
Authors: Marcet Laia , Birulés Joan , Bosch Laura , Pons Ferran 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionIn bilingual communities, knowing the language each speaker uses may support language separation and, later, guide language use in a context-appropriate manner. Previous research has shown that infants begin to form primary associations between the face and the language used by a speaker around the age of 3 months. However, there is still a limited understanding of how robust these associations are and whether they are influenced by the linguistic background of the infant. To answer these questions, this study explores monolingual and bilingual infants’ ability to form face-language associations throughout the first year of life.MethodsA group of 4-, 6-, and 10-month-old Spanish and/or Catalan monolingual and bilingual infants were tested in an eye-tracking preferential-looking paradigm (N = 156). After the infants were familiarized with videos of a Catalan and a Spanish speaker, they were tested in two types of test trials with different task demands. First, a Silent test trial assessed primary face-language associations by measuring infants’ visual preference for the speakers based on the language they had previously used. Then, two Language test trials assessed more robust face-language associations by measuring infants’ ability to match the face of each speaker with their corresponding language.ResultsWhen measuring primary face-language associations, both monolingual and bilingual infants exhibited language-based preferences according to their specific exposure to the languages. Interestingly, this preference varied with age, with a transition from an initial familiarity preference to a novelty preference in older infants. Four-month-old infants showed a preference for the speaker who used their native/dominant language, while 10-month-old infants preferred the speaker who used their non-native/non-dominant language. When measuring more robust face-language associations, infants did not demonstrate signs of consistently matching the faces of the speakers with the language they had previously used, regardless of age or linguistic background.DiscussionOverall, the results indicate that while both monolingual and bilingual infants before the first year of life can form primary face-language associations, these associations remain fragile as infants seemed unable to maintain them when tested in a more demanding task.
Move for Life an intervention for inactive adults aged 50 years and older: a cluster randomised feasibility trial
Authors: Woods Catherine B. , O’Regan Andrew , Doyle Ciaran , Hayes Grainne , Clifford Amanda , Donnelly Alan E. , Gillespie Paddy , Glynn Liam , Murphy Andrew W. , Sheikhi Ali , Bengoechea Enrique García 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundMove for Life (MFL) is a theory-informed intervention that was developed to augment established physical activity (PA) programmes and enable inactive adults aged 50 years and older to be more active. This study examined the feasibility of MFL and sought to provide evidence of its potential for improving PA and associated health outcomes.MethodsA 3-arm cluster randomised feasibility trial compared MFL intervention, usual provision (UP) and control (CON) groups at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1, at 8, 10 or 12- weeks) and 6-month follow up (T2). We used purposive sampling strategies to recruit participants according to characteristics of interest. Feasibility outcomes assessed recruitment, fidelity, adherence, retention and data completion rates based on pre-set criteria. Primary outcomes were accelerometer-based moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) and self-reported compliance with physical activity guidelines (PAGL). Secondary outcomes included light intensity PA (LiPA), standing time, sedentary time, body composition (adiposity), physical function and psychological well-being. We used linear mixed models (continuous outcomes) or generalized estimated equations (categorical outcomes) to estimate group differences over time in the study outcomes.ResultsProgression criteria for feasibility outcomes were met, and 733 individuals were recruited. Considering a 6-month period (T0-T2), while self-reported compliance with PAGL increased in MFL relative to UP and CON and in UP relative to CON, standing time decreased in MFL relative to CON and sedentary time increased in the latter compared to UP. Waist circumference decreased in MFL relative to UP and CON. MFL outperformed UP in the Timed Up and Go Test while MFL and UP increased the distance covered in the Six-Minute Walk Test compared to CON. Psychological well-being increased in MFL relative to CON (all p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionFindings show that MFL is feasible, while data are promising with regards to the potential of improving community PA programmes for adults aged 50 or more years.Clinical trial registrationhttps://www.isrctn.com/Registration#ISRCTN11235176.
Multilevel analysis of discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS and associated factors in Ghana: demographic health survey of 2022 Ghana data
Authors: Melkam Mamaru , Fente Bezawit Melak 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionThe negative effects of stigma and discrimination in communities and families include medication non-adherence, heightened psychological distress, verbal and physical abuse, a lack of social support, isolation, and dangerous health behaviors such as hiding prescriptions. Despite the huge burden of HIV/AIDS discriminatory attitudes, limited studies were conducted in Ghana. Therefore, this study examines the burden of discriminatory attitudes and their determinant factors on people who are living with HIV/AIDS in Ghana.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of discriminatory attitudes and associated factors among people who are living with HIV/AIDS in Ghana based on recent DHS data.MethodSecondary data analysis was used for this multilevel logistic regression analysis based on the Ghana Demographic Health Survey of 2022. Data extraction, cleaning, and analysis were conducted using Stata version 14. The community of Ghana, from the 15 to 49 age group, was used for this study, with a final sample size of 22,058 participants. Four separate models were fitted, incorporating individual and community levels. Multilevel logistic regression models were calibrated to determine the associated factors at the individual and community level with discriminatory attitudes, with a 95% CI and AOR.ResultsThe prevalence of discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS was 60.92%, with a 95% CI (60.13, 61.70) among Ghana DHS. Lower wealth status, having no comprehensive knowledge of HIV, low educational status at the individual level, and low wealth status at the community level, poorest and poorer [AOR =2.03; 95% CI: (1.04, 3.94)] and [AOR = 2.09; 95% CI: (1.84, 8.65)], respectively, no comprehensive knowledge [AOR = 3.42; 95% CI: (1.74, 6.73)], no and primary education [AOR = 3.18; 95% CI: (2.48, 5.51)] and [AOR = 3.78; 95% CI: (2.68, 5.92)], respectively, at the individual level and low wealth status [AOR = 1.58; 95% CI: (1.00, 2.46)] community level were the associated factors.ConclusionThe prevalence of discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS was high (60.92%) in Ghana’s DHS. The associated factors for this study were lower wealth status, having no comprehensive knowledge of HIV, and low educational status at the individual level.
Computed tomographic heterogeneous enhancement of spleen in healthy cats: comparing with diffuse infiltrative splenic lesions
Authors: Lee Yooyoung , Chang Dongwoo , Kim Sojin , Oh Miju , Ban Jiyoung , Lee Minju , Chang Jinhwa , Ahn Jisoo , An Taegeon 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionContrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the spleen in dogs and cats often displays a heterogeneous enhancement pattern. This study aimed to describe the CT appearances and duration of heterogeneous splenic enhancement in clinically healthy cats and to compare those enhancements with diffuse infiltrative splenic lesions (DISL).MethodsSpleens of 14 healthy cats were imaged using contrast-enhanced CT protocols which were obtained at 10, 25, and 45 s, and then every 40 s thereafter until 245 s had past from the initiation of contrast medium injection. The presence of transient splenic heterogeneity was evaluated. In addition, the relationships of certain variables including age, weight, systolic blood pressure, and splenic volume to the duration and the degree of splenic enhancement were determined. Also, medical records and CT images of five cats with DISL were retrospectively evaluated.ResultTransient heterogeneous enhancement of the spleen was observed in all 14 healthy cats, and the maximum heterogeneity was observed 25 s after the injection. Splenic heterogeneity lasted more than 5 min in nine of 14 cats (64.3%). No statistically significant relationships were seen between the duration and degree of splenic heterogeneity in the images taken 25 s after the injection and variables including weight, age, systolic blood pressure, and splenic volume.DiscussionCompared to the healthy group, early homogeneous splenic enhancement along with generalized splenomegaly was observed in all cats with DISL. Transient splenic heterogeneity is highly common in cats undergoing contrast-enhanced CT even in the generally scanned delayed phases, which can help with the interpretation of CT images of feline spleens. In addition, our results suggest that homogeneous splenic enhancement in post-contrast CT scans along with splenomegaly on CT images could be useful as a diagnostic indicator of DISL in cats.
Overexpression of NB-LRR Gene AtRPM1(D505V) Improved Drought and Salt Resistance and Decreased Cold Tolerance in Transgenic Rice
Authors: Li Zhaowu , Zhou Xiaojie , Liu Xiaoxiao , Wu Xiaoqiu , He Zhiming , Gao Zhiyong , Wang Zhangying 
Published: May 2024

Abiotic stimuli severely restrict the growth and development of plants, resulting in massive losses in the quality and yield of crops. Exploring genes that can improve crop tolerance to abiotic stress is important. In a previous study, we found that overexpression of the Arabidopsis nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat (NB-LRR) gene AtRPM1(D505V) increased disease resistance in rice. In this research, we found that AtRPM1(D505V) transgenic plants were more sensitive to abscisic acid (ABA) than wild type (WT) plants. Abiotic-stress resistance in AtRPM1(D505V) transgenic plants was investigated. We found that AtRPM1(D505V) transgenic plants exhibited improved resistance to drought and salt stress; the phonotype and survival rates of transgenic rice were better than WT plants. The expression of stress responsive genes including OsDREB2A, OsDREB2B, OsRD22, and OsRD29A were significantly upregulated in AtRPM1(D505V) overexpressed plants than in WT plants. Moreover, the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) were significantly increased in AtRPM1(D505V) overexpressed plants than in WT plants under drought and salt stress. Under cold stress, the expression of stress responsive genes and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in AtRPM1(D505V) transgenic plants were significantly lower than in WT plants. Our research demonstrated that AtRPM1(D505V) confers drought and salt resistance to transgenic rice. Therefore, AtRPM1(D505V) could act as a potential candidate gene to cultivate drought- and salt-tolerant plants.
Updates on Impact Ionisation Triggering of Thyristors
Authors: del Barrio Montañés Alicia Ana , Senaj Viliam , Kramer Thomas , Sack Martin 
Published: May 2024

High voltage (HV) generators are used in multiple industrial and scientific facilities. Recent publications have demonstrated that triggering industrial thyristors (relatively slow switching devices) in overvoltage mode, also called impact ionization mode, significantly enhances their dU/dt and dI/dt characteristics. This novel triggering methodology necessitates the application of substantial overvoltage between the thyristor’s anode and cathode, delivered with a swift slew rate exceeding 1 kV/ns. The adoption of compact pulse generators constructed from commercially available off-the-shelf components (COTS) opens up avenues for deploying this technology across various domains, including the implementation of high-speed kicker generators in particle accelerators. In our methodology, we employed commercially available high-voltage SiC MOSFETs along with a custom-designed fast gate driver. This driver was conceptualized based on the recent development of gate boosting techniques, featuring a driving voltage exceeding 600 V. The gate driver for these MOSFETs comprises three key components: a level-shifter with NMOS and PMOS transistors, a compact Marx generator with two avalanche transistors, and a GaN HEMT in a high input and low output impedance configuration. The proposed gate-boosting driver achieves a slew rate exceeding 1 kV/ns for the driving pulse. Furthermore, we demonstrate that with this driver, a 1.7 kV rated SiC MOSFET can produce an output pulse of 1.45 kV and a maximum slew rate of ≈2.5 kV/ns. This gate-boosting driver aims to minimize commutation times, achieves a slew rate of over 1 kV/ns, and handle higher loads, making it ideal for impact ionization triggering of industrial thyristors.
Design of a New Neuro-Generator with a Neuronal Module to Produce Pseudorandom and Perfectly Pseudorandom Sequences
Authors: Rivas Becerra María de Lourdes , Panduro Juan José Raygoza , Ortega Cisneros Susana , Becerra Álvarez Edwin Christian , Rios Arrañaga Jaime David 
Published: May 2024

This paper presents the design of a new neuro-generator of pseudorandom number type PRNG Pseudorandom Number Generator, which produces complex sequences with an adequate bit distribution. The circuit is connected to a neuronal module with six impulse neurons with different behaviors: spike frequency adaptation, phasic spiking, mixed mode, phasic bursting, tonic bursting and tonic spiking. This module aims to generate a non-periodic signal that becomes the clock signal for one of the LFSRs Linear Feedback Shift Register that the neuro-generator has. To verify its correct operation, the neuro-generator was subjected to a series of tests where the frequencies of the impulse neurons were modified. This modification allows the generation of a greater number of pulses at the output of the neuronal module, to obtain sequences with different characteristics that pass different NIST statistical tests (National Institute of Standards and Technology of U.S.). The results show that the new neuro-generator maintains pseudo-randomness in the sequences obtained with different frequencies and it can be implemented on a reconfigurable FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array Virtex 7 xc7vx485t-2ffg1761 device. Therefore, it can be used for applications such as biological systems.