bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cold Stress Resistance of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Seedlings Is Enhanced by Light Supplementation From Underneath the Canopy
Authors: Lu Tao , Song Yangfan , Yu Hongjun , Li Qiang , Xu Jingcheng , Qin Yong , Zhang Guanhua , Liu Yuhong , Jiang Weijie
Published: April 2022

Adverse environmental conditions, such as low temperature (LT), greatly limit the growth and production of tomato. Recently, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with specific spectra have been increasingly used in horticultural production facilities. The chosen spectrum can affect plant growth, development, and resistance, but the physiological regulatory mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of LED light supplementation (W:B = 2:1, light intensity of 100 μmol⋅m–2⋅s–1, for 4 h/day from 9:00 to 13:00) from above and below the canopy on tomato resistance under sub-LT stress (15/8°C). The results showed that supplemental lighting from underneath the canopy (USL) promoted the growth of tomato seedlings, as the plant height, stem diameter, root activity, and plant biomass were significantly higher than those under LT. The activity of the photochemical reaction center was enhanced because of the increase in the maximal photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and photochemical quenching (qP), which distributed more photosynthetic energy to the photochemical reactions and promoted photosynthetic performance [the maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pmax) was improved]. USL also advanced the degree of stomatal opening, thus facilitating carbon assimilation under LT. Additionally, the relative conductivity (RC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were decreased, while the soluble protein content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were increased with the application of USL under LT, thereby causing a reduction in membrane lipid peroxidation and alleviation of stress damage. These results suggest that light supplementation from underneath the canopy improves the cold resistance of tomato seedlings mainly by alleviating the degree of photoinhibition on photosystems, improving the activity of the photochemical reaction center, and enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes, thereby promoting the growth and stress resistance of tomato plants.
Development of a Genome-Edited Tomato With High Ascorbate Content During Later Stage of Fruit Ripening Through Mutation of SlAPX4
Authors: Do Ju Hui , Park Seo Young , Park Se Hee , Kim Hyun Min , Ma Sang Hoon , Mai Thanh Dat , Shim Jae Sung , Joung Young Hee
Published: April 2022

Ascorbate is an essential antioxidant substance for humans. Due to the lack of ascorbate biosynthetic enzyme, a human must intake ascorbate from the food source. Tomato is one of the most widely consumed fruits, thus elevation of ascorbate content in tomato fruits will improve their nutritional value. Here we characterized Solanum lycopersicum ASCORBATE PEROXIDASE 4 (SlAPX4) as a gene specifically induced during fruit ripening. In tomatoes, ascorbate accumulates in the yellow stage of fruits, then decreases during later stages of fruit ripening. To investigate whether SlAPX is involved in the decrease of ascorbate, the expression of SlAPXs was analyzed during fruit maturation. Among nine SlAPXs, SlAPX4 is the only gene whose expression was induced during fruit ripening. Mutation of SlAPX4 by the CRISPR/Cas9 system increased ascorbate content in ripened tomato fruits, while ascorbate content in leaves was not significantly changed by mutation of SlAPX4. Phenotype analysis revealed that mutation of SlAPX4 did not induce an adverse effect on the growth of tomato plants. Collectively, we suggest that SlAPX4 mediates a decrease of ascorbate content during the later stage of fruit ripening, and mutation of SlAPX4 can be used for the development of genome-edited tomatoes with elevated ascorbate content in fruits.
Comparative Analysis of Anthocyanin Compositions and Starch Physiochemical Properties of Purple-Fleshed Sweetpotato “Xuzishu8” in Desert Regions of China
Authors: Yan Hui , Zhang Yungang , Ahmad Muhammad Qadir , Liu Yaju , Kou Meng , Ma Meng , Li Chen , Arisha Mohamed Hamed , Tang Wei , Wang Xin , Gao Runfei , Song Weihan , Li Zongyun , Li Qiang
Published: April 2022

The present study was undertaken to determine the scope of sweetpotato cultivation in arid regions of China. For this purpose, we investigated yield, anthocyanin compositions and physicochemical properties of starch in purple-fleshed sweetpotato (PFSP) “Xuzishu8” under humid (zi8-X) and arid (zi8-D) environments of China. The experiment was conducted in three replications in both environments during 2019 and 2020. The yield and anthocyanidins contents of PFSP were significantly higher in the arid conditions as compared to humid. Zi8-X and zi8-D both revealed the presence of three anthocyanidins, namely, cyanidin (Cy), peonidin (Pn), and pelargonidin (Pg). Cy and Pn accounted for 36.40 and 63.54% of the total anthocyanidins in zi8-X, while in zi8-D, they were found as 26.13 and 73.80%, respectively. The quantitative analysis of these anthocyanins was performed using HPLC-ESI-MS/MS which revealed eighteen anthocyanins such as nine Cy, eight Pn and one Pg. Out of which, eleven anthocyanins showed a significant difference under both conditions. Starch and amylopectin contents were found to be increased by 15.39 and 4.71%, respectively, while the amylose concentration was reduced by 15.54% under the arid environment. The diameter of the starch granule and the peak viscosity were significantly higher under arid as compared to humid conditions. On the basis of results of this study, it seems quite practicable to develop PFSP cultivation in desert regions.
Recent Advances in the Analysis of Cold Tolerance in Maize
Authors: Zhou Xuemei , Muhammad Imran , Lan Hai , Xia Chao
Published: April 2022

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an annual grass that originated in tropical and subtropical regions of the New World. Maize is highly sensitive to cold stress during seed gemination and the seedling phase, which can lead to reductions in plant vigor and grain production. There are large differences in the morphological and physiological changes caused by cold stress among maize varieties. In general, cold tolerant varieties have a stronger ability to maintain such changes in traits related to seed germination, root phenotypes, and shoot photosynthesis. These morphological and physiological characteristics have been widely used to evaluate the cold tolerance of maize varieties in genetic analyses. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in elucidating the mechanisms of maize in response to cold tolerance. Several QTL, GWAS, and transcriptomic analyses have been conducted on various maize genotypes and populations that show large variations in cold tolerance, resulting in the discovery of hundreds of candidate cold regulation genes. Nevertheless, only a few candidate genes have been functionally characterized. In the present review, we summarize recent progress in molecular, physiological, genetic, and genomic analyses of cold tolerance in maize. We address the advantages of joint analyses that combine multiple genetic and genomic approaches to improve the accuracy of identifying cold regulated genes that can be further used in molecular breeding. We also discuss the involvement of long-distance signaling in plant cold tolerance. These novel insights will provide a better mechanistic understanding of cold tolerance in maize.
Not My Job, I Do Not Want to Do It: The Effect of Illegitimate Tasks on Work Disengagement
Authors: Zong Shuwei , Han Yi , Li Min
Published: April 2022

As a prevalent source of work stress, illegitimate tasks (IT) offend employees’ professional identity and threaten individual self-view, then create many negative organizational outcomes. However, current studies have paid inadequate attention to the impact of IT on work disengagement (WD) and its influencing path, failing to comprehensively identify the negative effects of illegitimate tasks. Based on stress-as-offense-to-self (SOS) theory and ego depletion (ED) theory, the influencing path of illegitimate tasks on WD is explored, and coworker emotional support (CES) and leisure crafting (LC) are introduced to explore the intervention conditions on the impact of illegitimate tasks. By analyzing data from a survey of 260 employees, this study reveals the following findings: illegitimate tasks have a significantly positive impact on work disengagement; ED fully transmits the positive impact of illegitimate tasks on work disengagement; CES and LC not only attenuate the effect of illegitimate tasks on ego depletion, but also negatively moderate the indirect effect of illegitimate tasks on work disengagement through ego depletion.
Effect of Neuromuscular Training Program on Quality of Life After COVID-19 Lockdown Among Young Healthy Participants: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Marinkovic Dragan , Macak Drazenka , Madic Dejan M. , Sporis Goran , Kuvacic Dalija , Jasic Dajana , Petric Vilko , Spehnjak Marijan , Projovic Aleksandra , Gojkovic Zoran
Published: April 2022

Study in the period of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown and the effect of different exercise training programs on the quality of life (QoL) dimension are limited. This randomized control study as a part of which the impact of an 8-week neuromuscular training program on the 90 healthy young individuals’ QoL after COVID-19 lockdown was assessed using a short form of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire comprising of four domains (physical health, psychological health, social relations, and the environment). The intervention group (NT) (n = 47) took part in a neuromuscular training program consisting of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization and whole-body vibration training. In contrast, the control group (CG) (n = 43) did not participate in any programmed physical activity. From pre- to post-intervention test, the NT group significantly and substantially improved [mean change (95% CI)] all the QoL domains, physical for 12.78 scores (8.89, 16.64), psychological for 13.12 scores (9.51, 16.74), social relationships for 20.57 scores (16.12, 25.02), and environmental for 24.40 scores (21.45, 27.35). These results suggest that the NT program could enhance QoL in young and healthy participants following COVID-19 lockdown.
Self-Ascribed Paranormal Ability: Reflexive Thematic Analysis
Authors: Drinkwater Kenneth Graham , Dagnall Neil , Walsh Stephen , Sproson Lisa , Peverell Matthew , Denovan Andrew
Published: April 2022

This study investigated personal perceptions (involvements) and comprehensions (interpretations) of self-ascribed paranormal abilities. Twelve participants with supposed supernatural powers took part in semi-structured interviews exploring the origin, phenomenology, and nature of their powers. Interview transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA), a qualitative method that identifies patterns within data. Four major themes expressed meanings and representations held by participants: Formative Influences (sub-themes: Gifted Family Members and Anomalous Occurrence), (Inter) Subjective Paranormal Experience (sub-themes: Transcendental/Mystic and Extra-Sensory Perception), Embodied Processes (sub-theme: Control), and Perception of Reality (two sub-themes: Self-Awareness and Fantastic/Surreal Perceptions). Consideration of themes identified an inextricable link between perception, interpretation, and belief in ability. Within narratives, interviewees outlined, contextualised, and established the validity of their powers. They drew upon supporting autobiographical evidence from their life histories and obfuscated and/or discounted conventional explanations. Generally, accounts reflected individual attempts to comprehend and justify the nature and experience of professed abilities. The authors discuss these processes and suggest ways to extend and develop ensuing research.
Current Discussions on Employees and Organizations During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Mun Soyeon , Moon Yoosun , Kim Hayeseul , Kim Namhee
Published: April 2022

New concerns have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic that greatly impact employees and many other aspects in organizations. We have highlighted the major organizational issues during COVID-19 and classified the relevant research findings based on 45 recent articles. Main themes identified include (1) work setting, (2) perceptions of COVID-19, (3) employee wellbeing, (4) organizational strategies, and (5) influences on career behaviors. Employees have faced challenges due to work conditions that have shifted from traditional commuting to telework. Employees have also become aware of the negative current situation, so their overall wellbeing has been threatened. In response, organizations have strived to promote positive psychological capital for employees as they attempt to cope with this crisis. Organizations have tried to maintain and manage both their employees and their business. People tended to adjust their career-related behaviors based on how they perceived their own wellbeing and organizational strategies.
A Domain-General Monitoring Account of Bilingual Language Control in Recognition: The Role of Language Dominance and Bilingual Experience
Authors: Wu Ruilin , Struys Esli
Published: April 2022

The ability of bilingual individuals to manage two competing languages is assumed to rely on both domain-specific language control and domain-general control mechanisms. However, previous studies have reported mixed findings about the extent and nature of cross-domain generality. The present study examined the role of language dominance, along with bilingual language experience, in the relationship between word recognition and domain-general cognitive control. Two single-language lexical decision tasks (one in L1 and another in L2) and a domain-general flanker task were administered to bilinguals who live in the sociolinguistic context of a minority and a majority language, namely, Uyghur (L1) and Chinese (L2), respectively. The results showed a diversity in language dominance patterns with better performance in L2 than L1 in the recognition modality, even for participants who self-identified as globally being dominant in L1. This finding reflected all bilinguals’ self-evaluation that their preferred language for reading was L2, suggesting that language dominance is dynamic, depending on what language modality is measured. Furthermore, it was found that an earlier onset age of L2 acquisition (but not recent exposure) and a higher across-modality dominance in L2 were related to faster L2 word recognition. When self-reported language dominance was operationalised as a grouping variable, it was further found that both across-modality L1- and L2-dominant bilingual participants demonstrated a significant relationship between L2 word recognition and domain-general monitoring control, while only L1-dominant bilinguals additionally tapped into inhibitory control, indexed by the flanker effect during L2 word recognition. These findings suggest that language dominance has an impact on the extent and nature of the overlap in control mechanisms across specific linguistic and domain-general cognitive domains and add evidence to a domain-general monitoring account of bilingual word recognition.
The Effect of Teachers’ Self-Efficacy and Creativity on English as a Foreign Language Learners’ Academic Achievement
Authors: Ma Yuanyuan
Published: April 2022

Since learners’ academic achievement is the ultimate goal of any system of education, multitudes of studies have been conducted on this variable and its determinants. That is, several scholars have explored the effects of student-related and teacher-related factors on learners’ academic achievement. Notwithstanding, a few researchers have investigated the effects of teachers’ self-efficacy and creativity on learners’ academic achievement. Furthermore, no study has reviewed the role of these teacher-related factors in learners’ achievement. Therefore, the present study seeks to bridge the lacunas by delving into the influence of teachers’ self-efficacy and creativity on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ academic achievement. The beneficial effects of self-efficacy beliefs and creative teaching were outlined through the existing evidence. This seems to be illuminative for EFL teachers. Given the positive consequences of teachers’ self-efficacy for students’ achievement, EFL teachers should believe in themselves and their abilities to lead their students to academic success. Additionally, with regard to the positive impact of teachers’ creativity on learners’ achievement, EFL teachers are expected to teach the course content creatively.
Aberrant Salience and Disorganized Symptoms as Mediators of Psychosis
Authors: Ceballos-Munuera Celia , Senín-Calderón Cristina , Fernández-León Sandra , Fuentes-Márquez Sandra , Rodríguez-Testal Juan Fco.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Ideas of reference (IR) are frequent in psychopathology, mainly in psychotic disorders. The frequency of IR and preoccupation about them are related to the psychotic dimension, and to a lesser extent, to negative or emotional disorganized dimensions. Aberrant salience (AS), has been proposed as an indicator of the onset of psychosis, particularly of schizophrenia. This study analyzed the mediating role of AS, disorganized symptoms and preoccupation about IR in the relationship between IR and the psychotic dimension.

Method

The sample consisted of 330 participants (116 university students and 214 clinically active patients), 62.4% of whom were women aged 18–79. The Referential Thinking Scale, the Aberrant Salience Inventory, and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale were administered.

Results

Evidence of a partial mediation model showed that the relationships between IR and the psychotic dimension were mediated jointly by AS and the disorganized dimension, and preoccupation about IR no longer had a role. This relationship was significantly influenced by participant age. The variables in the model explained 54.16% of the variance.

Conclusion

The model proposed enabled a set of vulnerabilities (unusual thought content) to be predicted that could lead to a high-risk general pathological state and proneness to psychosis in particular. These findings are discussed with regard to early detection and prevention of psychosis.
Models of Dynamic Belief Updating in Psychosis—A Review Across Different Computational Approaches
Authors: Katthagen Teresa , Fromm Sophie , Wieland Lara , Schlagenhauf Florian
Published: April 2022

To understand the dysfunctional mechanisms underlying maladaptive reasoning of psychosis, computational models of decision making have widely been applied over the past decade. Thereby, a particular focus has been on the degree to which beliefs are updated based on new evidence, expressed by the learning rate in computational models. Higher order beliefs about the stability of the environment can determine the attribution of meaningfulness to events that deviate from existing beliefs by interpreting these either as noise or as true systematic changes (volatility). Both, the inappropriate downplaying of important changes as noise (belief update too low) as well as the overly flexible adaptation to random events (belief update too high) were theoretically and empirically linked to symptoms of psychosis. Whereas models with fixed learning rates fail to adjust learning in reaction to dynamic changes, increasingly complex learning models have been adopted in samples with clinical and subclinical psychosis lately. These ranged from advanced reinforcement learning models, over fully Bayesian belief updating models to approximations of fully Bayesian models with hierarchical learning or change point detection algorithms. It remains difficult to draw comparisons across findings of learning alterations in psychosis modeled by different approaches e.g., the Hierarchical Gaussian Filter and change point detection. Therefore, this review aims to summarize and compare computational definitions and findings of dynamic belief updating without perceptual ambiguity in (sub)clinical psychosis across these different mathematical approaches. There was strong heterogeneity in tasks and samples. Overall, individuals with schizophrenia and delusion-proneness showed lower behavioral performance linked to failed differentiation between uninformative noise and environmental change. This was indicated by increased belief updating and an overestimation of volatility, which was associated with cognitive deficits. Correlational evidence for computational mechanisms and positive symptoms is still sparse and might diverge from the group finding of instable beliefs. Based on the reviewed studies, we highlight some aspects to be considered to advance the field with regard to task design, modeling approach, and inclusion of participants across the psychosis spectrum. Taken together, our review shows that computational psychiatry offers powerful tools to advance our mechanistic insights into the cognitive anatomy of psychotic experiences.
Childhood Maltreatment, Stressful Life Events, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies, and Non-suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescents and Young Adults With First-Episode Depressive Disorder: Direct and Indirect Pathways
Authors: Qian Hong , Shu Chang , Feng Li , Xiang Junyi , Guo Ying , Wang Gaohua
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Childhood maltreatment (CM), stressful life events (SLE), and cognitive emotion regulation strategies (CERS) have been considered crucial in the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and major depressive disorder (MDD), but the pathways of this association are not clear. We aim to identify direct effects of CM and SLE on NSSI and depression severity and its indirect effects via CERS in adolescents and young adults with a diagnosis of MDD.

Methods

A total of 114 patients (aged 14–24 years) with first episode MDD were included and further divided into the NSSI group (n = 56) and non-NSSI group (n = 58) according to the DSM-5 criteria. Diagnostic interviews and self-report measures were conducted to assess CM, SLE, CERS, and diagnose NSSI. Severity of depressive symptoms was measured using the Hamilton Rating Scale (HAMD). The structural equation model was used to assess the pathways.

Results

MDD patients with NSSI had more frequent family history of mental illness, more experience of CM and SLE, more serious depression, less use of adaptive CERS, and more use of maladaptive CERS. In the final structural equation model (χ2 = 4.82, df = 6, p = 0.57, CFI = 1.0, TLI = 1.10, and RMSEA = 0), the experience of CM and SLE showed a significant indirect effect on NSSI through adaptive CERS. CM and SLE only had direct effects on depression severity.

Conclusions

NSSI are prevalent in adolescents and young adults with MDD and highly intertwined with CM, SLE, and CERS. Adaptive CERS, not maladaptive CERS may be a possible mechanism relating CM and SLE to NSSI in MDD patients.
RETRACTED: Psychometric Assessment of the Persian Translation of the Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale With Undergraduate Students
Authors: Abdollahi Abbas , Vadivel Balachandran , Huy Dinh Tran Ngoc , Opulencia Maria Jade Catalan , Van Tuan Pham , Abbood Abbas Abd Ali , Nasirova Zarina , Chupradit Supat , Allen Kelly A. , Bykanova Olga
Published: April 2022

Interpersonal mindfulness is a construct that significantly contributes to social interaction. To date, no validated measure assessing interpersonal mindfulness has been developed in Iran. Therefore, the aim of this study was to translate and validate the Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale (IMS) among Iranian undergraduate students. Participants in the study (370 undergraduate students; 220 females) from the Azad University completed the translated IMS, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, and the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems Scale. The translated measure demonstrated acceptable face validity. All items had acceptable content validity and were deemed essential to the scale. The results of a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) confirmed a scale with four subscales (presence, awareness of self and others, non-judgmental acceptance, and non-reactivity), with acceptable internal consistency. The findings support the psychometric properties of the Persian translated Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale, which could be used to measure interpersonal mindfulness among undergraduate students in Iran.
The Dialectics of Altered Experience: How to Validly Construct a Phenomenologically Based Diagnosis in Psychiatry
Authors: Messas Guilherme , Fukuda Lívia , Fulford K. W. M.
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we present how a dialectical perspective on phenomenological psychopathology, called Dialectical Phenomenology (DPh), can contribute to current needs of psychiatric diagnosis. We propose a three-stage diagnostic methodology: first- and second-person stages, and synthetic hermeneutics stage. The first two stages are divided into a pre-dialectical and a dialectical phase. The diagnostic process progresses in a trajectory of increasing complexity, in which knowledge obtained at one level is dialectically absorbed and intertwined into the next levels. Throughout the article, we offer some examples of each step. In overall, the method starts off from the patient's own narrative, proceeds to two stages of phenomenological reduction designed to guarantee the scientific validity of the object, and concludes with a hermeneutical narrative synthesis that is dialectically composed of the patient's and psychopathologist's shared narratives. At the end of this process, the initial first-person narrative is transformed into a specific scientific object, a full dialectical phenomenological psychiatric diagnosis. This form of diagnosis constitutes a comprehensive alternative for an integral assessment of the complexities of human psychological alteration, bringing together both the interpretation of the suffering person and the scientific categories of psychiatry.
Prognosticating COVID Therapeutic Responses: Ambiguous Loss and Disenfranchised Grief
Authors: Kaur-Aujla Harjinder , Lillie Kate , Wagstaff Christopher
Published: April 2022

Conventionally, therapeutic assessments, interventions, and treatments have focussed on death-related “losses and grief” responses. It is purported that the COVID-19 aftermath has resulted in losses that cannot always be encapsulated using this method. In search of reasoning, models and theories that explain the sweeping mass destruction that COVID-19 has caused, key concepts arise in terms of how we should deal with losses and in turn support patients in the health and social care sector, (notwithstanding formal therapeutic services). There is a crucial need to embrace ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief into everyday terminology and be acquainted with these issues, thereby adapting how services/clinicians now embrace loss and grief work. Integral to this process is to recognize that there has been a disproportionate impact on Black and minority ethnic communities, and we now need to ensure services are “seriously culturally competent.” Primary Care services/IAPT/health and social care/voluntary sector are all likely to be at the forefront of delivering these interventions and are already established gatekeepers. So, this article discusses the prognostic therapeutic response to non-death related losses and grief, not restricted to the formal echelons of therapeutic provision.
Education, Income, and Happiness: Evidence From China
Authors: Yang Dongliang , Zheng Ge , Wang Haoran , Li Mingna
Published: April 2022

Happiness is the continuous joy that people experience when they are satisfied with their lives long term, and is the ultimate goal pursued by all citizens. In this study, we investigate the relationship between education, income, and happiness in the migrant population in China. Using 1,31,186 individuals in the 2012 China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS) as research samples, the estimated results of ordinal logistic regression show that education, including secondary education and higher education, has a significant and direct impact on individual happiness, and that the impact of education on happiness can also be mediated by income as an intermediary mechanism. In addition, factors such as gender, flow distance, flow time, employment status, type of housing, number of children, degree of preference for the city, and degree of discrimination by locals have obvious effects on happiness. This work provides important insights for countries seeking to implement an active education policy in order to increase economic income and thus achieve the development goal of universal happiness among their citizens.
Influence of Internet Celebrity Medical Experts on COVID-19 Vaccination Intention of Young Adults: An Empirical Study From China
Authors: Wei Jianliang , Zhao Minjun , Meng Fei , Chen Jingjing , Xu Yingying
Published: April 2022

With the continuous expansion of COVID-19, many medical experts with the characteristics of “Internet Celebrities” are increasingly influencing people's vaccination behavior, which is crucial for overall social welfare. To explore the influence of Internet celebrity medical experts on people's vaccination against COVID-19, this study constructed a conceptual model of COVID-19 vaccination intention based on the professionalism, morality, interaction dimension, and information content of Internet celebrity medical experts, to generate perceived value by establishing a trusting relationship between them and the influenced people. The empirical analysis shows that interactivity and information content are important factors determining the influence of Internet celebrity medical experts. In the context of high demands for COVID-19 vaccines, it is more effective to influence vaccination intention through strong demand than through generating trust. The empirical analysis shows that Internet celebrity medical experts have a significant role in COVID-19 vaccination, and interactivity and information content are two important factors determining the influence. Through the connection of information-demand, Internet celebrity medical experts can greatly influence the perceived value, by coaction with trust to influence the final intention. Therefore, the COVID-19 vaccination persuasion information released by Internet celebrity medical experts should be elaborately organized and demonstrated, especially from the demand aspect, and government could put more resources to support the information to spread.
Volunteering In Monitoring Bird Behavior: Accuracy Matters!
Authors: Gegendorfer Gudrun , Rittenschober Julia , Vesely Helene , Frigerio Didone
Published: April 2022

Imagine you have some special strong interest, such as observing birds. Would you expect scientists to be interested in your observations? Well, they may be! Many volunteers help scientists to perform important tasks as part of scientific projects. These volunteers are called citizen scientists. Over the past years, we have invited adults and students to participate in our research projects. In this article, we describe how citizen scientists contributed to our observations of bird behavior by collecting accurate data. We learned that good communication and detailed training sessions can help the volunteers to collect good quality, accurate data that can be used in the study and shared with the wider scientific community. We are confident that both the citizen scientists and the scientists profit from this collaboration and, most importantly, they all have fun doing it!
Watch and Learn: Athletes Can Improve by Observing the Actions of Others
Authors: Bruton Adam M. , Wright David J.
Published: April 2022

Athletes spend a lot of time and effort practicing skills to get better at their sports. In addition to physical practice, athletes can use a technique called action observation to help themselves improve. Action observation is the process of watching movement. Humans naturally learn how to perform movements by watching the movements of other people. For example, from an early age, children learn important skills such as walking, throwing, and kicking by seeing other people perform those actions. Research has shown that watching movements activates similar parts of the brain to those that are involved in performing movement. This means watching sports performance might help athletes improve by strengthening the brain areas used when actions are performed. Coaches and sport psychologists use action observation methods, such as live demonstrations and video footage, to help athletes improve their techniques, develop their confidence, and get better at their sports.
Intellectual Property Rights in China—A Literature Review on the Public's Perspective
Authors: Muehlfeld Katrin , Wang Mei
Published: April 2022

Despite significant advances in terms of the adoption of formal Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection, enforcement of and compliance with IPR regulations remains a contested issue in one of the world's major contemporary economies—China. The present review seeks to offer insights into possible reasons for this discrepancy as well as possible paths of future development by reviewing prior literature on IPR in China. Specifically, it focuses on the public's perspective, which is a crucial determinant of the effectiveness of any IPR regime. It uncovers possible differences with public perspectives in other countries and points to mechanisms (e.g., political, economic, cultural, and institutional) that may foster transitions over time in both formal IPR regulation and in the public perception of and compliance with IPR in China. On this basis, the review advances suggestions for future research in order to improve scholars' understanding of the public's perspective of IPR in China, its antecedents and implications.
Skill-Related Adaptive Modifications of Gaze Stabilization in Elite and Non-Elite Athletes
Authors: van der Veen Susanne M. , Stamenkovic Alexander , Thomas James S. , Pidcoe Peter E.
Published: April 2022

The vestibular ocular reflex (VOR) provides gaze stability during head movements by driving eye movements in a direction opposing head motion. Although vestibular-based rehabilitation strategies are available, it is still unclear whether VOR can be modulated by training. By examining adaptations in gaze stabilization mechanisms in a population with distinct visuomotor requirements for task success (i.e., gymnasts), this study was designed to determine whether experience level (as a proxy of training potential) was associated with gaze stabilization modifications during fixed target (VOR promoting) and fixed-to-head-movement target (VOR suppressing) tasks. Thirteen gymnasts of different skill levels participated in VOR and VOR suppression tasks. The gain between head and eye movements was calculated and compared between skill levels using an analysis of covariance. Across experience levels, there was a similar degradation in VOR gain away from −1 at higher movement speeds. However, during the suppression tasks, more experienced participants were able to maintain VOR gain closer to 0 across movement speeds, whereas novice participants showed greater variability in task execution regardless of movement speed. Changes in adaptive modifications to gaze stability associated with experience level suggest that the mechanisms impacting gaze stabilization can be manipulated through training.
Effects of Different Hangboard Training Intensities on Finger Grip Strength, Stamina, and Endurance
Authors: Devise Marine , Lechaptois Clément , Berton Eric , Vigouroux Laurent
Published: April 2022

Climbing-specific training programs on hangboards are often based on dead-hang repetitions, but little is known about the real intensity applied during such effort. The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the effects of different training intensities (maximal, high submaximal, and low submaximal intensities) on the fingers' physiological capabilities using a hangboard fitted with force sensors. In total, 54 experienced climbers (13 women and 41 men) were randomly divided into four groups, with each group following different training intensity programs: maximal strength program performed at 100% of the maximal finger strength (MFS; F100), intermittent repetitions at 80% MFS (F80), intermittent repetitions at 60% MFS (F60), and no specific training (control group). Participants trained on a 12 mm-deep hold, twice a week for 4 weeks. The MFS, stamina, and endurance levels were evaluated using force data before and after training. Results showed similar values in the control group between pre- and post-tests. A significantly improved MFS was observed in the F100 and F80 groups but not in the F60 group. Significantly higher stamina and endurance measurements were observed in the F80 and F60 groups but not in the F100 group. These results showed that a 4-week hangboard training enabled increasing MFS, stamina and endurance, and that different improvements occurred according to the level of training intensity. Interestingly, the different intensities allow improvements in the targeted capacity (e.g., stamina for the F80 group) but also in the adjacent physiological capabilities (e.g., MFS for the F80 group).
COVID-19 and Acute Cholecystitis Management: A Systematic Review of Current Literature
Authors: Stavridis Konstantinos , Liosis Ioannis , Konstantinidis Michael K. , Kondylis Georgios , Ioannidis Argyrios
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients with clinically acute presentations have been approached differently. The fear of viral transmission along with the short period of study made patients delay their hospital visits and doctors reassess the approach of certain acute situations. This study aimed to assess the changes in the management of patients with acute cholecystitis before and during COVID-19.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature using PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases was performed until 01 September 2021. Totally, two kinds of studies were included, those assessing the management of acute cholecystitis during COVID-19 and those comparing the periods before and during the pandemic. The outcomes recorded include management approaches, complications, and mean length of stay.

Results

A number of 15 eligible articles were included in the study. During the pandemic, six studies revealed a shift toward conservative management of acute cholecystitis and five of them reported that conservative management was opted in 73% of the patients. On the contrary, data from all studies revealed that the surgical approach was preferred in only 29.2% of patients. Furthermore, when comparing the periods before vs. during COVID-19, the conservative approach was reported in 36.3 and 43.2% before vs. during COVID-19, respectively, whereas surgical intervention was performed in 62.5% of patients before COVID-19 and 55.3% during the pandemic. The length of stay was delayed when a non-surgical approach was selected in most studies. Complications, mainly classified by the Clavien-Dindo scale, were higher in the pandemic period.

Conclusion

A tendency toward more conservative approaches was observed in most studies, reversing the previously used surgical approach in most cases of acute cholecystitis. In most of the examined cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, antibiotic treatment and percutaneous cholecystostomy were much more considered and even preferred.
Methodological Challenges of Digital PCR Detection of the Histone H3 K27M Somatic Variant in Cerebrospinal Fluid
Authors: Zaytseva Margarita , Usman Natalia , Salnikova Ekaterina , Sanakoeva Agunda , Valiakhmetova Andge , Chervova Almira , Papusha Ludmila , Novichkova Galina , Druy Alexander
Published: April 2022

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in body fluids is invaluable for cancer diagnostics. Despite the impressive potential of liquid biopsies for the diagnostics of central nervous system (CNS) tumors, a number of challenges prevent introducing this approach into routine laboratory practice. In this study, we adopt a protocol for sensitive detection of the H3 K27M somatic variant in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by using digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR). Optimization of the protocol was carried out stepwise, including preamplification of the H3 target region and adjustment of dPCR conditions. The optimized protocol allowed detection of the mutant allele starting from DNA quantities as low as 9 picograms. Analytical specificity was tested using a representative group of tumor tissue samples with known H3 K27M status, and no false-positive cases were detected. The protocol was applied to a series of CSF samples collected from patients with CNS tumors (n = 18) using two alternative dPCR platforms, QX200 Droplet Digital PCR system (Bio-Rad) and QIAcuity Digital PCR System (Qiagen). In three out of four CSF specimens collected from patients with H3 K27M-positive diffuse midline glioma, both platforms allowed detection of the mutant allele. The use of ventricular access for CSF collection appears preferential, as lumbar CSF samples may produce ambiguous results. All CSF samples collected from patients with H3 wild-type tumors were qualified as H3 K27M-negative. High agreement of the quantitative data obtained with the two platforms demonstrates universality of the approach.
A Truly Robust Signal Temporal Logic: Monitoring Safety Properties of Interacting Cyber-Physical Systems under Uncertain Observation
Authors: Finkbeiner Bernd , Fränzle Martin , Kohn Florian , Kröger Paul
Published: April 2022

Signal Temporal Logic is a linear-time temporal logic designed for classifying the time-dependent signals originating from continuous-state or hybrid-state dynamical systems according to formal specifications. It has been conceived as a tool for systematizing the monitoring of cyber-physical systems, supporting the automatic translation of complex safety specifications into monitoring algorithms, faithfully representing their semantics. Almost all algorithms hitherto suggested do, however, assume perfect identity between the sensor readings, informing the monitor about the system state and the actual ground truth. Only recently have Visconti et al. addressed the issue of inexact measurements, taking up the simple model of interval-bounded per-sample error that is unrelated, in the sense of chosen afresh, across samples. We expand their analysis by decomposing the error into an unknown yet fixed offset and an independent per-sample error and show that in this setting, monitoring of temporal properties no longer coincides with collecting Boolean combinations of state predicates evaluated in each time instant over best-possible per-sample state estimates, but can be genuinely more informative in that it infers determinate truth values for monitoring conditions that interval-based evaluation remains inconclusive about. For the model-free as well as for the linear model-based case, we provide optimal evaluation algorithms based on affine arithmetic and SAT modulo theory, solving over linear arithmetic. The resulting algorithms provide conclusive monitoring verdicts in many cases where state estimations inherently remain inconclusive. In their model-based variants, they can simultaneously address the issues of uncertain sensing and partial observation.
Analysis of the Influence of the Channel Layout and Size on the Hydraulic Performance of Emitters
Authors: Du Peisen , Li Zhiqin , Wang Cuncai , Ma Juanjuan
Published: April 2022

In this paper, a split-flow channel layout with one (group) inlet and two (group) outlets is adopted, based on computational fluid dynamics technology, and compared with the current commonly used channel with one (group) inlet and one (group) outlet emitter. On the premise of the same outlet spacing, the pressure–flow relationship curve and slope of the split-flow emitter were analyzed under the three channel layouts of non-return, single-sided re-entry, and bilateral re-entry, with different channel widths and lengths. When exploring the influence of the channel layout and size on the hydraulic performance of split-flow emitters, the results showed that when the split-flow emitter with a non-return channel is adopted and the hydraulic performance is not reduced, the single-side channel length is half that of the one-in-one-out emitter, meaning the channel width needs to be reduced by 15%. When the channel layout is a single-sided channel re-entry, the hydraulic performance is better than that of the one-in-one-out emitter; if the hydraulic performance of the two remains unchanged, the channel width can be increased by 10% or the single-sided channel length can be reduced by 20%. When the channel layout is a bilateral channel re-entry, the channel width can be increased by nearly 30% if the hydraulic performance of the 2 is consistent, and the single-side channel length is increased by about 50%. When the split-flow emitter adopts a non-return channel layout, the channel width needs to be reduced to ensure the hydraulic performance is consistent. If the layout of single-sided channel re-entry or bilateral channel re-entry is adopted, the hydraulic performance is better than that of the one-in-one-out emitter and the hydraulic performance of the two is consistent. Thus, the channel length can be reduced or the channel width increased, which is beneficial for improving the anti-clogging performance of the emitter.
Assessment of the Stabilization of Mercury Contaminated Soil Using Starfish
Authors: Moon Deok Hyun , Jung Sokhee P. , Koutsospyros Agamemnon
Published: April 2022

Approximately 50% of the 2600 decommissioned mines in South Korea are implicated in toxic metal/metalloid releases. One of the problems experienced in orchards situated near abandoned mines is the transport of heavy metals including mercury (Hg) into the plants. Due to high levels of Hg observed in orchard soils, heavy metal remediation is needed. The stabilization process is one of the widely used techniques to immobilize heavy metals in contaminated soil and waste. In this study, two types of starfish, Asterias amurensis (ASF) and Asterina pectinifera (PSF), were considered as stabilizing materials for remediating Hg-contaminated soil. In addition to natural starfish, the Hg immobilization effectiveness of calcined forms (CASF and CPSF) was also evaluated comparatively. The effect of particle size reduction on Hg immobilization was assessed for the ASF treatment. Total dosages of less than 10 wt% of ASF and PSF and less than 5 wt% of CASF and CPSF were applied to the Hg contaminated soil. Following treatment and curing for 28 days, the effectiveness of the stabilization process was evaluated using 1N HCl extraction tests. Overall, the stabilization results showed a decrease in Hg leachability with increasing dosages of ASF, PSF, CASF and CPSF. Generally, ASF outperformed the PSF treatments and calcined forms (CASF, CPSF) were more effective than natural forms (ASF, PSF). A reduction of approximately 79% was attained in Hg leachability for the 10 wt% ASF treatments. The -#20 mesh materials were more effective on Hg immobilization than the -#10 mesh materials. The Hg immobilization effectiveness exhibited the following increasing order: PSF (-#10 mesh) < ASF (-#10 mesh) < CPSF (-#10 mesh) < ASF (-#20 mesh) < CASF (-#10 mesh). It was found that effective Hg immobilization was most probably associated with the existing sulfur content in the starfish. The results of scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) indicated that a HgS compound and pozzolanic reaction products were responsible for effective Hg immobilization.