bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurofilament light as a biomarker for motor decline in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Liu Yumei , Dou Kaixin , Xue Ling , Li Xiaoyuan , Xie Anmu 
Published: September 2022

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine whether neurofifilament light (NfL) could reflect motor decline and compare the predictive values of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum NfL in individuals with PD.MethodsCSF/serum samples were collected from patients with PD and healthy controls (HCs) with motor assessments at baseline and after three years of follow-up from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Multiple linear regression models and linear mixed-effects models were used to investigate the associations of motor assessments with baseline and longitudinal CSF/serum NfL. Associations between the change rates of motor assessments and CSF/serum NfL were further investigated via multiple linear regression models. Mediating effect analysis was used to research whether CSF alpha-synuclein (α-syn) acts as the mediator between NfL and motor assessments.ResultsWe found patients with PD had higher baseline CSF/serum NfL levels than HCs. Both baseline CSF/serum NfLs and their change rates predicted measurable motor decline in PD assessed by different motor scores. Baseline serum NfL and its rate of change were strongly associated with CSF NfL levels in patients with PD (P &lt; 0.001). Besides, there were also significant differences in CSF/serum NfL levels and predicted values of motor decline between men and women with PD. Mediating effect analysis showed CSF α-syn mediated the effect of CSF NfL on total Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores and UPDRSIII with 30.6 and 20.2% mediation, respectively.ConclusionOur results indicated that NfL, especially serum NfL concentration, could serve as an easily accessible biomarker to monitor the severity and progression of motor decline in individuals with PD, especially in men with PD. Besides, CSF α-syn acts as a mediator between NfL and motor progression.
Therapeutic effects of herbal-medicine combined therapy for COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Chien Tsai-Ju , Liu Chia-Yu , Chang Yuan-I , Fang Ching-Ju , Pai Juo-Hsiang , Wu Yu-Xuan , Chen Shuoh-Wen 
Published: September 2022

Background/Aim: Since 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a devastating disease affecting global health to a great extent. Some countries have added on herbal medicines as a complementary treatment for combating COVID-19 due to the urgency of stopping the spread of this viral disease. However, whether these herbal medicines are effective is uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of herbal medicine combined therapy in the treatment of COVID-19.Methods: A literature search was performed following the PRISMA Statement and without language restrictions. Seven databases were searched from inception through December 2021. All selected studies were randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Comparing the effects of herbal medicine combined therapy with conventional western medicine, including improvement of clinical symptoms, chest CT images, viral conversion rate, C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6. Cochrane criteria were applied to examine the methodological quality of the enrolled trials; and meta-analysis software (RevMan 5.4.1) was used for data analysis.Results: In total, the data of 5,417 participants from 40 trials were included in this systematic review; and 28 trials were qualified for meta-analysis. The trials had medium-to-high quality based on GRADE system. Meta-analysis showed that combining herbal medicine vs conventional treatment in 1) coughing (1.43 95% CI:1.21, 1.71, p = 0.0001), 2) fever (1.09 95% CI:1.00, 1.19, p = 0.06), 3) fatigue (1.21 95% CI:1.10, 1.33, p = 0.0001); 4) CT images (1.26 95% CI:1.19, 1.34, P ≤ 0.00001), 5) viral conversion rates (1.22 95% CI:1.06, 1.40, p = 0.005) and 6) viral conversion times (−3.72 95% CI: −6.05, −1.40, p = 0.002), 7) IL6 change (1.97 95% CI: −0.72, 4.66, p = 0.15) and 8) CRP change (−7.92 95% CI: −11.30, −4.53, P ≤ 0.00001).Conclusion: Herbal medicine combined therapy significantly reduces COVID-19 clinical symptoms, improving CT images and viral conversion rates. Reported adverse events are mild. However, for certain biases in the included studies, and the need for further study on effective components of herbal medicine. Further large trials with better randomized design are warranted to definite a more definite role of herbal medicine.
Structural and optical properties of narrowband Sc/Si multilayer at 46.5 nm
Authors: Wu Jiali , Qi Runze , Zhang Zhong , Wang Zhanshan 
Published: September 2022

The Ne VII line is an intense solar line emitted from the solar transition region located at 46.5 nm with a temperature of approximately 0.5 MK. The observation of a Ne VII line is important to deepen the understanding of solar physics. For observing the Ne VII line at 46.5 nm, we have proposed a narrowband Sc/Si multilayer that could avoid the other solar emission lines going to the observatory instrument. In this article, Sc/Si multilayers with a Sc thickness ratio of 0.35 (conventional design) and 0.65 (narrowband design) were deposited. The microstructures of both multilayers were measured by grazing incidence X-ray reflectometry, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the interdiffusion at the Si-on-Sc interface was more significant than that at the Sc-on-Si interface in both multilayer. Compared with the conventional multilayer, the narrowband multilayer had a thinner Si-on-Sc interface width. The measured reflectivity of the Sc/Si multilayer with a Sc thickness ratio of 0.65 was 37.9% at 45.5 nm with a near-normal incident angle of 4.60°. The bandwidth was 3.68 nm, which is narrow enough to observe the Ne VII solar line.
The influence of sports on proactive personality and academic achievement of college students: The role of self-efficacy
Authors: Li Xinnan , Liu Min , Yu Haofei , Zhang Zhanjia , He Zhonghui 
Published: September 2022

ObjectiveTo explore the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between the proactive personality and academic performance of college students in different sports groups.MethodsA questionnaire survey is used to study 552 college students. The research tools include the proactive personality scale, the self-efficacy scale table (general, academic, and self-regulation efficacy scale tables), and the academic performance self-report scale table. This research employs SPSS 11.0 statistical software to carry out correlation analysis, regression analysis, and t-tests on the data collected, while the test of mediating effect is carried out by AMOS 22.0.Results(1) The degree of self-efficacy and academic performance of college students participating in physical activities is significantly greater than that of the non-sports group; (2) the proactive personality level of the sports group is significantly higher than the non-sports group in the dimension of “conscientiousness”; (3) a confirmatory factor analysis of the mediating effect hypothesis model, using the structural equation model, found that self-efficacy plays a full mediating role in the relationship between proactive personality and academic performance; the direct effect of self-efficacy on the proactive personality and academic performance of college students in different sports groups is not significant.ConclusionCollege students involved in sports exercise have higher scores on some items about proactive personality than non-sports groups; girls’ self-efficacy level is higher than that of boys; self-efficacy plays a full mediating role in the relationship between proactive personality and academic performance; self-efficacy had no significant effect on proactive personality and gender in different sports groups.
Impact of early Kasai portoenterostomy on short-term outcomes of biliary atresia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Changzhen , Ke Meng , Zhou Yan , Xu Hang , Diao Mei , Li Long 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundGood outcomes of biliary atresia (BA) are conventionally achieved after early Kasai portoenterostomy (KP). However, in some recent pieces of literature, there are discrepancies in the influence of age in Kasai procedure on postoperative short-term prognosis. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effects of earlier KP on short-term surgical prognosis of BA and clarify these discrepancies in recent studies.MethodsTo identify related studies, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database were searched up to March 2022. Data for the impact of age at KP on clinical prognosis were extracted, including jaundice clearance rate (JCR) and native liver survival rate (NLSR).ResultsA total of 14 articles were included in the present study, which involve a total of 3,276 patients with BA who underwent Kasai procedure. Compared with patients older than 91 days of age, patients 90 days of age or younger exhibited significantly better JCR [odds ratio (OR), 3.05; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.23–4.17; P &lt; .001] and a more favorable NLSR (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.37–2.15; P &lt; .001). The NLSR of patients younger than 60 days of age was significantly higher than those of patients from 61 to 90 days of age (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.18–1.68; P &lt; .001). There was no significant difference in JCRs between patients aged 60 days of age or younger and those aged 61–90 days of age (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.95–1.81; P = 0.10). Among patients 30 days of age or younger, 31–45 days of age, and 46–60 days of age, there were also no significant differences in JCR.ConclusionA significantly better short-term JCR and NLSRs were achieved among patients with BA treated using a KP procedure at ≤90 days of age compared with those treated at &gt;90 days of age. There was no further improvement in the short-term JCR when the procedure was performed at ≤60 days compared with those treated at 61–90 days of age. However, treatment at ≤60 days of age was associated with a significant improvement in NLSR. Therefore, the timing of KP does exert an important effect on short-term clinical outcomes of patients with BA.
A Key Study on Pollen-Specific SFB Genotype and Identification of Novel SFB Alleles from 48 Accessions in Japanese Apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.)
Authors: Coulibaly Daouda , Hu Guofeng , Ni Zhaojun , Ouma Kenneth Omondi , Huang Xiao , Iqbal Shahid , Ma Chengdong , Shi Ting , Hayat Faisal , Karikari Benjamin , Gao Zhihong 
Published: September 2022

Self-incompatibility (SI) is a common strategy to avoid inbreeding and, consequently, keep genetic diversity within a species. In its mechanism, pollen rejection happens in the style when the single multiallelic locus (SFB in prunus species) of the haploid pollen matches one of the S-alleles existing in the diploid pistil. The SFB gene for the pollen S gene has been identified in many Prunus species. However, Japanese apricot is a species with a typical gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI), and its SFB alleles available are limited, although they are required for studying GSI. Therefore, we used an AS-PCR amplification method, sequencing, and the pair primers SFB-C1F and Pm-Vb designed based on the conserved region of the Prunus SFB gene to identify SFB genotypes of 48 Japanese apricot (P. mume) accessions. Eleven novel SFB alleles were isolated from these accessions and shared typical structural features with SFB alleles from other Prunus species. These novel SFB alleles were uniquely expressed in pollen. Hence, we concluded that these 11 PmSFB were pollen S determinants of P. mume. This current study offers the novel SFB genes of the P. mume S locus, which could be a useful potential resource for studies on pollen SI mechanisms.
Development of a Novel Underactuated Robotic Fish with Magnetic Transmission System
Authors: Romano Donato , Wahi Akshat , Miraglia Marco , Stefanini Cesare 
Published: September 2022

In this study, a robotic fish inspired to carangiform swimmers has been developed. The artifact presents a new transmission system that employs the magnetic field interaction of permanent magnets to ensure waterproofness and prevention from any overload for the structure and the actuating motor. This mechanism converts the rotary motion of the motor into oscillatory motion. Such an oscillating system, along with the wire-driven mechanism of the tail, generates the required traveling wave in the robotic fish. The complete free swimming robotic fish, measuring 179 mm in length with a mass of only 77 g, was able to maintain correct posture and neutral buoyancy in water. Multiple experiments were conducted to test the robotic fish performance. It could swim with a maximal speed of 0.73 body lengths per second (0.13 m/s) at a tail beat frequency of 3.25 Hz and an electric power consumption of 0.67 W. Furthermore, the robotic fish touched the upper bound of the efficient swimming range, expressed by the dimensionless Strouhal number: 0.43 at 1.75 Hz tail beat frequency. The lowest energy to travel 1 meter was 4.73 Joules for the final prototype. Future works will focus on endowing the robot with energy and navigation autonomy, and on testing its potential for real-world applications such as environmental monitoring and animal–robot interaction.
Diagnóstico bioclimático para produção de melão no município de Patos – PB
Authors: Silva Ricardo de Sousa , Xavier Lucimere Maria da Silva , Batista Aíla Rosa Ferreira , Soares Maria Geisa da Silva Soares , Silva Dayane Gomes da , Brito Larissa Albuquerque , Mello Daniela Rosario de , Almeida Robevania da Silva Alves 
Published: September 2022

A condições ambientais que possibilitam o cultivo do meloeiro estão relacionadas, sobretudo, aos fatores climáticos, tais como temperatura, luminosidade, umidade relativa do ar e características do solo e, a junção dessas condições pode favorecer ao meloeiro aumentar a produtividade de frutos e qualidade comercial. A pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar as condições climatológicas e verificar a viabilidade da produção de melão cantaloupe no município de Patos, região semiárida paraibana. Os dados meteorológicos utilizados foram obtidos no Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET), no período de 2000 a 2020, sendo os elementos meteorológicos avaliados às temperaturas máximas, medias e mínimas e umidade relativa do ar, confrontando-se os dados obtidos com os dados ideais para a produção do melão. instalações para seu cultivo. Constatou-se que no município de Patos apresenta durante o ano temperaturas máximas acima das exigidos pelo melão em todas as fases produtivas, sendo que temperaturas acima de 35 °C, como ocorre nos meses de Outubro a Janeiro.
Uma abordagem interdisciplinar utilizando a arte de confeccionar fantoches com materiais recicláveis e sua aplicação como recurso pedagógico em educação ambiental
Authors: Vasconcelos Yara Nantes , Predes Fabricia de Souza , Fortes Fabiane 
Published: September 2022

O brinquedo em uma de suas interfaces, é um material pedagógico importante no processo de ensino e aprendizagem, uma vez que explora uma determinada área de interesse da criança ou do jovem, sendo amplamente abrangente em suas aplicações. Dentro desse contexto está o teatro de fantoches, que foi utilizado nesse estudo como recurso pedagógico interdisciplinar, conciliando a educação ambiental por meio da reciclagem de materiais na sua confecção e a educação artística básica utilizada no processo de construção. Idealizada e realizada pelos alunos do primeiro ano do curso de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Estadual do Paraná (UNESPAR), a oficina foi aplicada durante o I Simpósio Virtual e I Encontro do Programa Institucional de Bolsa de Iniciação à Docência (PIBID) e Residência Pedagógica (RP). Os materiais utilizados foram coletados com antecedência, higienizados e separados. A oficina teve início com uma exposição teórica sobre a importância da reciclagem, da educação ambiental estar atrelada aos currículos escolares e um breve tutorial acerca da confecção de um fantoche. No momento “mão na massa”, os participantes construíram seus próprios fantoches. Para concluir de forma interativa, cada grupo apresentou uma rápida peça de teatro com seus respectivos bonecos, numa competição amistosa e divertida. Os resultados indicaram que o teatro pode ser aplicado em qualquer ambiente, para um público diversificado tanto em idade, como em condições particulares de aprendizagem. A confecção de fantoches juntamente com a reciclagem de materiais demonstrou ser um recurso didático muito eficaz, despertando a conscientização, reflexões sobre cuidados com o meio ambiente através da reciclagem, despertando desta forma a atenção para sua conservação.
Estrategias que están realizando los organismos de la Salud Pública del Ecuador para disminuir la desnutrición crónica infantil
Authors: Aviles Gema Lisseth Macías , Santana Nancy Toledo 
Published: September 2022

El presente artículo trata sobre las estrategias que realiza las instituciones gubernamentales de salud pública en el Ecuador para disminuir la desnutrición crónica infantil, teniendo en cuenta que esta se define como el retraso en el crecimiento o retardo de altura para la edad, debido principalmente a un déficit de calorías dentro de la dieta y falta de nutrientes esenciales para el desarrollo físico y mental de los niños. Desde el punto de vista metodológico, se realizó un estudio cualitativo y documental, tomando como instrumento de recolección de datos a la matriz bibliográfica, a partir de un análisis acerca de las estrategias que han utilizado los organismos gubernamentales del Ecuador para disminuir la desnutrición crónica infantil. Los resultados obtenidos entre el período 2014-2018, así como los indicadores mencionados en el Plan estratégico intersectorial para la prevención y reducción de la desnutrición crónica (2021), evidencian las falencias en el diseño, desarrollo e implementación de estrategias gubernamentales a favor de la erradicación de este mal. Se concluye que la desnutrición crónica infantil es un problema que posee un origen multifactorial, en donde diversas estructuras deben de unificarse o trabajar de manera conjunta para brindar una solución holística e integradora.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Climate Comfort for Tourism Development in Jordan
Authors: Bani Domi Mohammad , Hazaymeh Khaled , Alzghoul Yousof 
Published: September 2022

Tourism is one of the major sectors that influences the gross domestic product of countries. In this study, Thom’s Discomfort Index (DI) is used to evaluate the long-term climate comfort of humans in a spatiotemporal context in Jordan. Geospatial models were created to generate the distribution maps of climate variables and the DI for each month of the year. The maps were classified into eight comfort levels. The monthly long-term average of one-day visitors (2005-2018) was used for evaluation of the climate comfort. Results showed clear spatiotemporal variations in climate comfort levels in the country.
The cold sensation was found from December to March in the highlands and the desert plateau, the moderate climate comfort level concentrated in April, May, and September in most of the country, and the hot comfort levels were found in Jordan Valley and the desert plateau in July and August.
Rastros e ruínas da mercantilização da natureza
Authors: Cunha Brunno Victor Freitas , Ferraz Izabela Santarelli 
Published: September 2022

O projeto de construção da Usina Hidrelétrica de Belo Monte foi caracterizado, desde o início de sua formulação, pela discricionariedade em torno de sua implementação e questionamentos sobre sua viabilidade. Desse modo, este artigo tem como objetivo compreender como a construção da Usina Hidrelétrica de Belo Monte operou de modo a expandir o capital para a Amazônia brasileira por meio de políticas estatais, tornando o Estado aliado da expansão capitalista, degradação ambiental e da destruição dos modos de vida dos povos indígenas, ribeirinhos e da população local. Assim, perpassa-se inicialmente a análise do papel do Estado no sistema capitalista e o posicionamento do Estado brasileiro perante a Amazônia. Em segundo momento, busca-se compreender a atuação do Estado na degradação ambiental no território amazônico, especialmente durante os períodos da ditadura empresarial-militar e nos governos do Partido dos Trabalhadores (2002-2016). Por fim, procura-se compreender a construção de Belo Monte a partir do papel de protagonismo do Estado e da destruição do meio ambiente natural e social amazônico, o que é realizado através de análise de fontes primárias, como relatórios do PAC, e secundárias. Conclui-se que o processo envolveu a pilhagem, a degradação ambiental, controle do território e violência sistemática, auxiliando na expansão do capital.
Hephaestus: Modelling, Analysis, and Performance Evaluation of Cross-Chain Transactions
Authors: Belchior Rafael , Somogyvari Peter , Pfannschmid Jonas , Vasconcelos André , Correia Miguel 
Published: September 2022

<p>Ecosystems of multiple blockchains are now a reality. Multi-chain applications and protocols are perceived as necessary to enable scalability, privacy, and composability. Despite being a promising emerging area, we have been witnessing devastating attacks on cross-chain bridges that have caused billions of dollars in losses, and no apparent solution seems to emerge from the ongoing chaos. In this paper, we present our contribution to minimizing bridge attacks, by monitoring a <em>cross-chain model</em>. In particular, we aggregate <em>cross-chain events</em> into <em>cross-chain transactions</em>, and verify if they follow a set of <em>cross-chain rules</em>, which then generate a model.</p>
<p>We propose <strong>Hephaestus</strong>, the first cross-chain model generator that captures the operational complexity of cross-chain applications. <strong>Hephaestus</strong> can generate cross-chain models from local transactions in different ledgers, realizing arbitrary cross-chain use cases and allowing operators to monitor their applications. Monitoring helps identify outliers and malicious behavior, which can enable programmatically stopping attacks (``a circuit breaker''), including bridge hacks. </p>
<p>We conduct a detailed evaluation of our system, where we implement a cross-chain bridge use case. Our experimental results show that <strong>Hephaestus</strong> can process 600 cross-chain transactions in less than 5.5 seconds in an environment with two blockchains using sublinear storage, paving the way for more resilient bridge designs.</p>