bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting Farmers' Adoption of and Willingness to Pay for Biodegradable Mulch Films in China
Authors: Yang Wei , Qi Jianling , Lu Yao , Tantiwat Waranan , Guo Jin , Arif Muhammad 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Biodegradable mulch films (BDMs) technology is an environmentally-friendly substitute to traditional plastic mulch films in agricultural production. Given the high price and it is new to the market, it is not easy for farmers to accept and adopt it. This paper aims to explore the key factors affecting farmers’ adoption of and willingness to pay for BDMs to understand the complex process of farmers’ decision-making. This paper employs a double hurdle model to explore the multi-stage decision-making process in the adoption of BDMs using the sample of 1247 observations from Yunnan province China, where two mechanisms of decision-making (i.e., direct rejection of technology and lack of resources) were used to capture zero willingness to pay (WTP) for BDMs. The results indicate the two-stage decision-making process, where the role of technology-specific characteristics is more important than adopter-specific characteristics in the adoption of BDMs in China – training for understanding and using the technology has a positive effect on both the adoption and willingness to pay. The paper is the first attempt that empirically analyses the determinants of farmers’ WTP for BDMs. It contributes to the literature on adoption analysis by 1) considering farmers’ adoption choices as a two-step process by using a hurdle model and 2) addressing the importance of technology-specific characteristics on farmers’ WTP for BDMs. Understanding the role of factors on different stages of farmers’ decision-making could assist policymakers in designing programs, specifically tackling difficulties confronting farmers at different stages of decision-making.
Thalamic and medial prefrontal cortical circuits mediate social defeat stress-induced depression-like behaviors
Authors: Li Fang , Wang Hanjie , Meng Lianghui , Chen Meiying , Zheng Xuefeng , Hui Yuqing , Liu Danlei , Li Yifei , Xie Keman , Zhang Jifeng , Guo Guoqing 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The mediodorsal thalamus (MD) is interconnected with the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and works together to promote some forms of behavioral flexibility. But the relationship between the MD-mPFC circuit and depression is remain unknown. Here, we show that in male susceptible mice, MDGLU neuronal calcium signaling activity is reduced. Chemogenetic inhibition of MDGLU neuronal in male C57BL/J mice resulted in behavioral abnormalities, whereas in susceptible mice, activation of MDGLU neuronal ameliorated depression-like behavior. Brain slice electrophysiology and fiber optic recordings reveal elevated excitability of mPFCGLU neurons in male susceptible mice. Furthermore, we found that in susceptible mice, mPFCGLU neurons exhibited decreased inhibitory postsynaptic currents and unchanged excitatory postsynaptic currents, and increased E/I ratios, whereas activation of MDGLU neurons restored these electrophysiological properties abnormal. Optogenetic activation of the MD-mPFC circuit ameliorates depression-like behaviors in susceptible mice. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the MD-mPFC circuit controls distinct aspects of depression-like behavior.
Supercapsular Percutaneously-Assisted Approach Versus Conventional Posterolateral Approach For Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gan Feng-Ping , Yang Ke-Qin , Zhang Qi-Biao , Lin Xin-Xin , Xie Zhao-Lin , Luo Xiang , Zeng YiRong 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: Supercapsular percutaneously-assisted total hip (SuperPATH) arthroplasty has been proposed to be minimally invasive and tissue sparing, with possible superior postoperative outcomes compared with conventional approaches for total hip arthroplasty (THA).The SuperPATH approach accesses the hip jiont maintaining integrity of the external rotators and capsule.The purpose of this study was to compare the SuperPATH approach with the conventional posterolateral approach in terms of early outcomes and radiological results.Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients who underwent unilateral primary THA between March 2018 and December 2019.The demographic data,perioperative status [operative time, incision length, total blood loss, serum marker, and length of hospital stay (LHS)], pain visual analog scale (VAS), and Harris Score (HS) were evaluated and compared between the groups.Results: Compared with the PLA group, the SuperPATH group had a shorter incision length, lower pain VAS sores within 1 months and better HS within 3 months after operation,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).However, the SuperPATH group had a longer operative time ,more total blood loss,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The mean complication rate , blood transfusion rate and LHS were similar between two groups(P>0.05).The VAS and HS were similar between the two groups at 1 year after surgery(P>0.05). Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and creatine kinase(CK) (within 2 weeks postoperatively) were similar between the groups(P>0.05). The SuperPATH group had a larger acetabular inclination and anteversion(P<0.05),but it was all within Lewinnek’s safe zone.Leg length discrepancy >1 cm were more common in the SuperPATH group,but the difference was not significant(P>0.05).Conclusion: This study reveals that the SuperPATH technique was associated with lower pain levels, and higher physical function than conventional posterolateral approach .However, it had a longer operative time and more blood loss.
Complete genome sequencing and comparison of two nitrogen- metabolizing bacteria isolated from Antarctic deep-sea sediment
Authors: Liu Wenqi , Cong Bailin , Zhao Linlin , Liu Shenghao 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: As global warming brings challenges, carbon neutralization, controlling CO2 emissions and the carbon peak are receiving increasing attention. The pelagic realm of the dark ocean represents a key site for the remineralization of organic matter, long-term carbon storage and carbon burial in the biosphere. In this paper, we explored the mechanisms of inorganic carbon fixation by deep-sea microorganisms at the genetic level.Results: In this paper, the basic genomic information of two strains was obtained by whole genome sequencing. The Cobetia amphilecti N-80 genome size is 4,160,095 bp, with a GC content of 62.5%. The Halomonas profundus 13 genome size is 5,251,450 bp, with a GC content of 54.84%. Through a comparison of the genomes and functional analyses, we predicted the C and N metabolic pathways of the two strains and determined that Halomonas profundus 13 can use more carbon sources than Cobetia amphilecti N-80. The main genes associated with N metabolism in Halomonas profundus 13 are narG, narY, narI, nirS, norB, norC, nosZ, and nirD. However, nirD, using NH4+ for energy, plays a main role in Cobetia amphilecti N-80. Cobetia amphilecti N-80 and Halomonas profundus 13 have the same genes for fixing inorganic carbon: icd, ppc, fdhA, accC, accB, accD, and accA.Conclusion: In this study, the whole genomes of two strains were sequenced to clarify the basic characteristics of their genomes, laying the foundation for further studying nitrogen-metabolizing bacteria. Halomonas profundus 13 can utilize more carbon sources than Cobetia amphilecti N-80, as indicated by API as well as COG and KEGG prediction results. Finally, through the analysis of the nitrification and denitrification abilities as well as the inorganic carbon fixation ability of the two strains, the related genes were identified, and the possible metabolic pathways were predicted. Together, these results provide molecular markers and theoretical support for the mechanisms of inorganic carbon fixation by deep-sea microorganisms.
Association between playing cards/mahjong and risk of incident dementia among the Chinese older adults: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Tian Gang , Li Rui , Zhou Tong , Shi Yan , Cheng Gang , Yan Yan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Studies have shown that late-life frequent participation in cognitively stimulating activities are associated with decreased risk of developing dementia, but prospective evidences regarding an association are limited. We used the prospective cohort study of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), and included 11821 community-living Chinese individuals age 65 years or older at 2008 baseline who were free of dementia, and were followed up every 2–3 years until 2018. A total of 821 participants developed incident dementia during the 10-year follow-up. The mean age of the participants was 89 and 90 years old in dementia and non-dementia older adults, respectively. Compared to participants with rarely or never playing cards/mahjong, those who almost every day playing cards/mahjong had a significant lower risk of dementia (HR = 0.63; 95%CI, 0.42–0.95) after multivariable-adjusted model. Similar results were observed in subgroup analyses based on sex (male:HR = 0.52, 0.28–0.96; female:HR = 0.62, 0.36–0.98), age(< 85years:HR = 0.55, 0.32–0.89), regularly exercise (yes: HR = 0.44, 0.28–0.87) and MMSE score [above median (25): HR = 0.66, 0.41–0.92]. Active participation in playing cards/mahjong may contribute to a reduction of risk of dementia in Chinese older persons over 65 years old.
Sensitivity of simulated mesoscale convective systems over East Asia to the treatment of convection in a high-resolution GCM
Authors: Li Puxi , Muetzelfeldt Mark , Schiemann Reinhard , Chen Haoming , Li Jian , Furtado Kalli , Zhuang Moran 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) downstream of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) exhibit unique precipitation features. These MCSs can have damaging impacts and there is a critical need for improving the representation of MCSs in numerical models. However, most global climate models are typically run at resolutions that are too coarse to reasonably resolve MCSs, and it is still unclear how well higher-resolution global models can reproduce the precipitation characteristics of MCSs. In this study, the sensitivity of MCSs simulated by a global high resolution (~ 10km), atmosphere-only climate model to different treatments of convection (with and without parametrized convection, and a hybrid representation of convection) have been investigated. The results show that explicit convection (i.e., non-parameterized) can better reproduce the observed pattern of MCS precipitation over the East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM) region. In general, explicit convection better simulates the diurnal variability of MCSs over the eastern China, and is able to represent the distinctive diurnal variations of MCS precipitation over complex terrain particularly well, such as the eastern TP and the complex terrain of central-northern China. It is shown that explicit convection is better at simulating the timing of initiation and subsequent propagating features of the MCS, resulting in better diurnal variations and further a better spatial pattern of summer mean MCS precipitation. All three experiments simulate MCS rainfall areas which are notably smaller than those in observations, but with much stronger rainfall intensities, implying that these biases in simulated MCS morphological characteristics are not sensitive to the different treatment of convection.
Secular trends in Gastrointestinal cancers mortality across China, Japan, the U.S., and India: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis and Join- point
Authors: Cui Yiran , Cheng Gang , Tian Gang , He Simin , Yan Yan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Objective: Colon cancer, esophageal cancer, and stomach cancer are the common cause of morbidity and mortality in China, Japan, the U.S. and India. The current study was aimed to assess and compare secular trends of Gastrointestinal cancers mortality during the period (1990-2017) in age-specific, time period and birth cohort effects.Method: We used Joinpoint model to collect age-standardized mortality rates for four countries. And we designed an age-period-cohort (APC) analysis to estimate the independent effects on mortality of three cancers. Result: Joinpoint model shows that in addition to esophageal cancer death rate in Japan, the age-standardized death rate (ASDR) of esophageal cancer and stomach cancer in other countries declined rapidly. APC analysis presented a similar pattern of age effect between four countries for colon cancer and stomach cancer, which increased from 20-89 age groups. Differently, the period effect rapidly increased for esophageal cancer and stomach cancer in U.S., the period effect of China presented a declining volatility, showing its highest value in 2007. The future forecast highest mortality trends were found in China. Conclusion: Therefore, the obvious increase in colon cancer recommended that earlier tactics must be performed to reduce the mortality from specific cause from 2018 to 2027.
Clinical features of Kawasaki disease with atlantoaxial rotatory fixation
Authors: Michihata Nobuaki , Suzuki Takanori , Honda Akira , Oka Itsuhiro , Yoshikawa Tetsushi , Saito Kazuyoshi , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Yasunaga Hideo 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) is a rare complication of acute Kawasaki disease (KD). Early diagnosis and intervention are important for AARF because delayed diagnoses may incur neurological sequelae. However, previous studies on AARF associated with KD are limited, and its clinical characteristics and course are unknown. This study aimed to examine the clinical features and treatment course of KD with AARF using a Japanese national inpatient database.
Methods
Using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we identified KD patients who received Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment between July 2010 and March 2020. The clinical characteristics of KD patients with AARF and their risk factors were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. We also examined the relationship between AARF, the proportion of coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs), IVIG resistance, length of stay, and medical costs.
Results
We identified 71,913 patients with KD, 166 of whom had AARF. The AARF group had older age, heavier bodyweight, and atypical KD. In multivariable analysis, AARF was associated with older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19–1.29), lower body mass index (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82–0.96), and atypical KD (OR, 1.95; 95%CI, 1.12–3.40). AARF was not associated with CAAs (OR, 0.73; 95%CI, 0.23–2.32) and IVIG resistance (OR, 1.05; 95%CI, 0.74–1.49). However, AARF was associated with higher medical costs (difference, US$1064; 95%CI, 346–1781) and longer hospital stay (difference, 3.1 days; 95%CI 1.7–4.4).
Conclusion
AARF in patients with acute KD should be considered if cervical symptoms present in older patients with atypical KD.
Synthesis and characterization of α-Fe2O3 hollow-spheres through a new hard-template strategy
Authors: Oliveira D. M. , Milani R. , Padron-Hernandez E. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
A new route to manufacture α-Fe2O3 hollow spheres with 142 nm in diameter was presented. The proposal is based on the methodology described by Yoshikawa in combination with the paper published by Kobayashi and using polystyrene spheres (PS with 200 nm in diameter) as a hard template. The transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and UV-Vis analyses, indicated the intermediate stage with product formed by a spherical 12 nm shell (α-FeOOH) supported on the PS surface (YK200a sample). At the final stage, the α-Fe2O3 hollow spheres without PS template showed some traces of alpha iron hydroxide (YK200b sample). The detection of crystalline phase was possible by using X-ray diffraction combined and Raman spectroscopy.
Is Letrozole During Ovarian Stimulation Useful In Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Fertility Preservation To Reduce Early Luteal Progesterone Levels Following Gnrh-Agonist Trigger?
Authors: Lalami Imane , Labrosse Julie , Cedrin-Durnerin Isabelle , Comtet Marjorie , Vinolas Claire , Krief Fabien , Sifer Christophe , Peigne Maeliss , Grynberg Michael 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: In absence of contraindication, breast cancer patients of reproductive age can undergo fertility preservation with controlled ovarian stimulation for oocyte/embryo cryopreservation before the administration of potentially gonadotoxic treatments. High hormonal levels induced by ovarian stimulation might have an adverse impact on hormone-positive breast cancer. Whether letrozole supplementation during ovarian stimulation (COSTLES) reduces serum progesterone levels after GnRHa trigger remains unknown. We aimed to determine whether COSTLES might be useful for breast cancer patients undergoing fertility preservation to reduce early luteal progesterone levels following GnRH-agonist (GnRHa)trigger.Methods: All women who underwent COS with GnRH antagonist protocol with GnRHa trigger were included. Serum progesterone level measured 12 hours after GnRHa trigger was compared between patients undergoing COS with letrozole supplementation (COSTLES group) and patients undergoing COS without letrozole (Control group) for fertility preservation purposes. Results: A total of 246 patients were included, of which 84 patients (34.1%) in the COSTLES group and 162 patients (65.6%) in the Control group. All patients in the COSTLES group were BC patients (n=84, 100%), while the Control group included 77 BC patients (47.5%). Patients in the two groups were comparable. The mean number of oocytes recovered and vitrified at metaphase 2 stage did not significantly differ between the two groups. Serum progesterone levels on the day after GnRHa trigger were significantly lower in the COSTLES group (8.6 ± 0.7 vs. 10.5 ± 0.5 ng/mL, respectively, p< 0.03), as well as serum E2 levels (650.3 ± 57.7 vs. 2451.4.0 ± 144.0 pg/mL, respectively, p< 0.01). However, the GnRHa-induced LH surge was significantly higher in in the COSTLES group (71.9 ± 4.6 vs. 51.2 ± 2.6 UI/L, respectively, p< 0.01). Conclusions: Our results show that COSTLES for fertility preservation in breast cancer patients using GnRHa trigger reduces serum progesterone levels compared to ovarian stimulation without letrozole. These findings encourage the use of COSTLES in this context to decrease the potential deleterious effect of elevated hormonal levels on hormone-positive breast cancer.
Detection of burned areas with extreme gradient boosting algorithm in a multi-temporal setting (MBAGB)
Authors: Militino Ana , Goyena Harkaitz , Pérez-Goya Unai , Ugarte Maria Dolores 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Wildland fires are one of the most important disturbances on Earth ecosystems, where the combination of remote sensing data and modern machine learning techniques offer a great potential for detection and monitoring of burned areas. Many algorithms have been developed in parallel to locate burned areas at local and global scales, but more accurate methodologies are still needed to provide precise and valuable information to climate users, environmentalists and public administrations. Gradient boosting-based methodologies have shown a good performance when dealing with segmentation of burned areas.

In this paper, we propose a new method, called MBAGB, based on these methodologies for detecting and mapping burned areas in a multi-temporal setting of satellite imagery.

We illustrate the procedure with the fires occurred in October 2017 in a region covering the North-Central Portugal and the North-West of Spain. Daily satellite images used for the definition of spectral indexes are taken from MODIS satellite products, between September and November 2017. The MBAGB accuracy metrics show the overall goodness of this method, and in particular, a very small number of false negatives in the identification of burned areas.
Respiratory Entrainment of Units in the Mouse Parietal Cortex Depends on Vigilance State
Authors: Jung Felix , Yanovsky Yevgenij , Brankačk Jurij , Tort Adriano BL , Draguhn Andreas 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Synchronous oscillations are essential for coordinated activity in neuronal networks and, hence, for behavior and cognition. While most network oscillations are generated within the central nervous system, recent evidence shows that rhythmic body processes strongly influence activity patterns throughout the brain. A major factor is respiration, which entrains multiple brain regions at the mesoscopic (local field potential) and single-cell levels. However, it is largely unknown how such respiration-driven rhythms interact or compete with internal brain oscillations, especially those with similar frequency domains. In mice, respiration and theta (θ) oscillations have overlapping frequencies and co-occur in various brain regions. Here we investigated the effects of respiration and θ on neuronal discharges in the mouse parietal cortex during four behavioral states which either show prominent θ (REM sleep and active waking (AW)) or lack significant θ (NREM sleep and waking immobility (WI)). We report a pronounced state-dependence of spike modulation by both rhythms. During REM sleep, θ effects on unit discharges dominate, while during AW respiration has a larger influence, despite the concomitant presence of θ oscillations. In most states, unit modulation by θ or respiration increases with mean firing rate. The preferred timing of respiration-entrained discharges (inspiration versus expiration) varies between states, indicating state-specific and different underlying mechanisms. Our findings show that neurons in an associative cortex area are differentially and state-dependently modulated by two fundamentally different processes: brain-endogenous θ oscillations and rhythmic somatic feedback signals from respiration.
Diverse Functions Associate With Non-Coding Polymorphisms Shared Between Humans and Chimpanzees
Authors: Velazquez-Arcelay Keila , Benton Mary Lauren , Capra John A. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Long-term balancing selection (LTBS) can maintain allelic variation at a locus over millions of years and through speciation events. Variants shared between species in the state of identity-by-descent, hereafter “trans-species polymorphisms”, can result from LTBS, often due to host-pathogen interactions. For instance, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus contains TSPs present across primates. Several hundred candidate LTBS regions have been identified in humans and chimpanzees; however, because many are in non-protein-coding regions of the genome, the functions and potential adaptive roles for most remain unknown.
Results
We integrated diverse genomic annotations to explore the functions of 60 previously identified regions with multiple shared polymorphisms (SPs) between humans and chimpanzees, including 19 with strong evidence of LTBS. We analyzed genome-wide functional assays, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS) for all the regions. We identify functional annotations for 59 regions, including 58 with evidence of gene regulatory function from GTEx or functional genomics data and 19 with evidence of trait association from GWAS or PheWAS. As expected, the SPs associate in humans with many immune system phenotypes, including response to pathogens, but we also find associations with a range of other phenotypes, including body size, alcohol intake, cognitive performance, risk-taking behavior, and urate levels.
Conclusions
The diversity of traits associated with non-coding regions with multiple SPs support previous hypotheses that functions beyond the immune system are likely subject to LTBS. Furthermore, several of these trait associations provide support and candidate genetic loci for previous hypothesis about behavioral diversity in human and chimpanzee populations, such as the importance of variation in risk sensitivity.