bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revealing the Moderating Role of Organizational Support in HR Professionals’ Competencies, Willingness, and Effectiveness Relationship: Empirical Evidence From a Developing Economy
Authors: Ahmad Aqeel , Fareed Muhammad , Isa Mohd Faizal Mohd , Salleh Sri Sarah Maznah Mohd
Published: July 2022

Human resources management is essential to ensure the success of any organization which is based on the belief that an organization gains competitive advantage by using its people effectively and efficiently. But HR professionals need organizational support to make the employees more committed and passionate about their work. In this study, the researchers aim to examine the moderating effect of organizational support in the relationship between human resource (HR) professionals’ competencies, HR professionals’ willingness, and HR professionals’ effectiveness. HR Professionals’ competencies such as credible activist, talent manager, culture and change steward, strategy architect, business ally, and operational executor nurture HR professionals’ effectiveness. Besides, HR professionals’ willingness is a significant predictor of HR professionals’ effectiveness. To test the relationships, the researcher collected data through survey questionnaire from 183 managers from commercial banks of Pakistan. For statistical analysis, Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is used to analyze the data and test the hypotheses. The findings reveal the positive and significant impact of HR professionals’ competencies and HR professionals’ willingness on HR professionals’ effectiveness. Additionally, the moderating impact of organizational support was also significant among HR professionals’ competencies, HR professionals’ willingness, and HR professionals’ effectiveness relationship. The study contributes in the literature of HR professionals’ effectiveness and organizational support in the banking sector of local context. The study also discusses the implications and future directions. One of them is that the research framework provides guidelines for HR professionals about what competencies are needed to enhance HR professional effectiveness. The present study recommends HR professionals of the banking sector to be involved in strategic planning and implementation in their organization.
Engagement Mediates the Relationship Between Emotion and Achievement of Chinese EFL Learners
Authors: Feng Enhao , Hong Gang
Published: July 2022

Since the coming of Positive Psychology in the field of second language acquisition (SLA), the significance of emotion, especially positive emotion, has been well recognized by researchers. Educational research has indicated that both emotion and engagement play fundamental roles in learning process and psychological wellbeing, but research on their relationship is scant in SLA. The present study contributed to the development of Positive Psychology in SLA by investigating the relationships between achievement emotions, behavioral engagement, and self-reported English achievements. 633 students from four senior high schools in China participated in the study. Data collected through questionnaires revealed: (1) Participants reported a medium to high level of foreign language enjoyment (FLE), foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA), and behavioral engagement; females had a higher level of FLE and behavioral engagement than males; the participants reported more anxiety and less enjoyment than western samples; (2) significant correlations were found between FLE, FLCA, behavioral engagement, and self-reported achievement; (3) significant mediating effects of behavioral engagement were found between both achievement emotions and self-reported achievement, and the mediating effect of engagement was stronger between FLCA and self-reported achievement. The findings extended the nomological network of achievement emotions, developed our insights into the complex relationships between emotions, learner engagement and language achievement, and revealed the mediating effects of behavioral engagement. Finally, directions for future study and implications for foreign language educators were provided.
Two Sides of the Same Coin: Punishment and Forgiveness in Organizational Contexts
Authors: Van Houwelingen Gijs , Van Dijke Marius , Hoogervorst Niek , Meijs Lucas , De Cremer David
Published: July 2022

Punishment and forgiveness are two very different responses to a moral transgression that both have been argued to restore perceptions of moral order within an organization. Unfortunately, it is currently unclear what motivates organizational actors to punish or forgive a norm transgressor. We build on social cognitive theory to argue that punishment and forgiveness of a transgressor are both rooted in self-regulatory processes. Specifically, we argue that organizational actors are more likely to respond to intentional transgressions with punishment, and to unintentional transgressions with forgiveness. However, these effects of transgressor intentionality should be found in particular among actors for whom moral identity is central (vs. peripheral). We find support for these predictions in a laboratory experiment and a field study among organizational leaders. By simultaneously studying punishment and forgiveness in organizational settings, we provide crucial insight in their shared motivational bases, as well as into important differences between the two.
Theta-Burst Stimulation Combined With Virtual-Reality Reconsolidation Intervention for Methamphetamine Use Disorder: Study Protocol for a Randomized-Controlled Trial
Authors: Wen Yatong , Hao Xuemin , Chen Xijing , Qiao Siyue , Li Qianling , Winkler Markus H. , Wang Fenglan , Yan Xiaoli , Wang Fang , Wang Liang , Jiang Feng , Pauli Paul , Dong Xinwen , Li Yonghui
Published: July 2022

Background

Craving associated with drug-related memory is one of the key factors that induce the relapse of methamphetamine (MA). Disruption or modulation of the reconsolidation of drug-related memory may serve as an option for clinical treatment of MA addiction. This protocol proposes to use virtual reality (VR) to retrieve drug-associated memory and then use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at the neural circuit that encodes the reward value of drug cues to provide a non-invasive intervention during reconsolidation. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of TMS treatment after VR retrieval on the reduction of cue reactivity and craving of MA.

Methods

This is a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel group trial, targeting participants with MA use disorder aged from 18 to 45 years old. Forty-five eligible volunteers in Shanxi Drug Rehabilitation Center will be recruited and be randomly allocated into three parallel groups, receiving either 1) MA-related cues retrieval in VR combined with active TMS (MA VR scene + TBS) or 2) sham TMS (MA VR scene + sham TBS), or 3) neutral cues retrieval in VR combined with active TMS (neutral VR scene + TBS). Two sessions of post-VR-retrieval TBS will be scheduled on two separate days within 1 week. The primary outcome will detect the memory-related activity by the electroencephalography (EEG) reactivity to drug cues in VR scenes. Secondary outcomes are the self-reported MA craving in VR scene, the physiological parameter (cue-induced heart rate) and the scores of psychological questionnaires including anxiety, depression, and mood. All primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 1-week, and 1-month post-intervention. Assessments will be compared between the groups of 1) MA VR scene + TBS, 2) MA VR scene + sham TBS and 3) neutral VR scene + TBS.

Discussion

This will be the first study to examine whether the TMS modulation after VR retrieval can reduce self-reported craving and drug-related cue reactivity. It will promote the understanding of the neural circuit mechanism of the reconsolidation-based intervention and provide an effective treatment for MA use disorder patients.

Clinical Trial Registration

[Chinese Clinical Trial Registry], identifier [ChiCTR1900026902]. Registered on 26 October 2019.
Defining and Assessing the Syndrome of Moral Injury: Initial Findings of the Moral Injury Outcome Scale Consortium
Authors: Litz Brett T. , Plouffe Rachel A. , Nazarov Anthony , Murphy Dominic , Phelps Andrea , Coady Alanna , Houle Stephanie A. , Dell Lisa , Frankfurt Sheila , Zerach Gadi , Levi-Belz Yossi ,   The Moral Injury Outcome Scale Consortium
Published: July 2022

Potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) entail acts of commission (e.g., cruelty, proscribed or prescribed violence) or omission (e.g., high stakes failure to protect others) and bearing witness (e.g., to grave inhumanity, to the gruesome aftermath of violence), or being the victim of others' acts of commission (e.g., high stakes trust violations) or omission (e.g., being the victim of grave individual or systemic failures to protect) that transgress deeply held beliefs and expectations about right and wrong. Although there is a proliferation of interest in moral injury (the outcome associated with exposure to PMIEs), there has been no operational definition of the putative syndrome and no standard assessment scheme or measure, which has hampered research and care in this area. We describe an international effort to define the syndrome of moral injury and develop and validate the Moral Injury Outcome Scale (MIOS) in three stages. To ensure content validity, in Stage I, we conducted interviews with service members, Veterans, and clinicians/Chaplains in each country, inquiring about the lasting impact of PMIEs. Qualitative analysis yielded six operational definitions of domains of impact of PMIEs and components within domains that establish the parameters of the moral injury syndrome. From the domain definitions, we derived an initial pool of scale items. Stage II entailed scale refinement using factor analytic methods, cross-national invariance testing, and internal consistency reliability analyses of an initial 34-item MIOS. A 14-item MIOS was invariant and reliable across countries and had two factors: Shame-Related (SR) and Trust-Violation-Related (TVR) Outcomes. In Stage III, MIOS total and subscale scores had strong convergent validity, and PMIE-endorsers had substantially higher MIOS scores vs. non-endorsers. We discuss and contextualize the results and describe research that is needed to substantiate these inaugural findings to further explore the validity of the MIOS and moral injury, in particular to examine discriminant and incremental validity.
Quality of Life and Mental Health Status Among Cancer Patients With Metastatic Spinal Disease
Authors: Liu Yaosheng , Cao Xuyong , Zhao Xiongwei , Shi Xiaolin , Lei Mingxing , Qin Haifeng
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to investigate the quality of life and mental health status and further to identify relevant risk factors among advanced cancer patients with spine metastases. This study prospectively included and analyzed 103 advanced cancer patients with spine metastases. Patient's basic information, lifestyles, comorbidities, tumor characteristics, therapeutic strategies, economic conditions, quality of life, anxiety, and depression were collected. Patient's quality of life was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General Scale (FACT-G), and anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Subgroup analysis was performed based on different age groups, and a multivariate analysis was performed to test the ability of 20 potential risk factors to predict quality of life, anxiety, and depression. The mean total FACT-G score was only 61.38 ± 21.26. Of all included patients, 52.43% had skeptical or identified anxiety and 53.40% suffered from skeptical or identified depression. Patients had an age of 60 or more and <70 years had the lowest FACT-G score (54.91 ± 19.22), highest HADS anxiety score (10.25 ± 4.22), and highest HADS depression score (10.13 ± 4.94). After adjusting all other potential risk factors, age was still significantly associated with quality of life (OR = 0.57, 95%CI: 0.38–0.86, p < 0.01) and depression (OR = 1.55, 95%CI: 1.00–2.42, p = 0.05) and almost significantly associated with anxiety (OR = 1.52, 95%CI: 0.94–2.43, p = 0.08). Besides, preference to eating vegetables, time since knowing cancer diagnosis, surgical treatment at primary cancer, hormone endocrine therapy, and economic burden due to cancer treatments were found to be significantly associated with the quality of life. A number of comorbidities and economic burden due to cancer treatments were significantly associated with anxiety. Advanced cancer patients with spine metastases suffer from poor quality of life and severe anxiety and depression, especially among patients with an age of 60 or more and <70 years. Early mental health care and effective measures should be conducted to advanced cancer patients with spine metastases, and more attention should be paid to take care of patients with an age of 60 or more and <70 years in terms of their quality of life and mental health status.
Association Between Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and the Risks of Type-Specific Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Mao Yuanyuan , Hu Wenbin , Xia Bin , Liu Li , Han Xia , Liu Qin
Published: July 2022

Objective

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been linked to subsequent overall cardiovascular diseases. However, evidence on the associations of GDM with type-specific cardiovascular diseases is lacking, and findings on the potential impact of type 2 diabetes on the associations are not consistent. This study aimed to explore the associations between GDM and the risks of type-specific cardiovascular diseases.

Methods

Data were from 12,025 women (≥20 years) who had delivered at least one live birth in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2018. GDM history and type-specific cardiovascular diseases including coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure and stroke were defined by self-report. We also combined our results with those from previously related publications on the associations between GDM and risks of type-specific cardiovascular diseases with a random-effect model.

Results

Compared with women without GDM, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 1.82 (1.21–2.72) for CHD, 1.43 (0.80–2.53) for heart failure, and 1.19 (0.76–1.86) for stroke among women with a history of GDM. Type 2 diabetes was associated with 43.90, 67.44, and 63.16% of the excess odds of CHD, heart failure and stroke associated with GDM, respectively. Combining results from this study with those from previously related studies yielded odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.81 (1.60–2.05) for CHD (12 studies, 7,615,322 participants, I2= 72.6%), 1.66 (1.25–2.21) for heart failure (5 studies, 4,491,665 participants, I2= 88.6%), and 1.25 (1.07–1.46) for cerebrovascular disease (9 studies, 6,090,848 participants, I2= 77.8%).

Conclusions

GDM showed stronger associations with coronary heart diseases and heart failure than cerebrovascular disease, and the excess risks are attributable, in part, to type 2 diabetes.
Design of Electrical Stimulation Waveform for Enhancing Saltiness and Experiment on Low-Sodium Dieters
Authors: Kaji Yoshinobu , Sato Ai , Miyashita Homei
Published: July 2022

Electric tastes can present various taste modulation effects using stimulation waveforms. Presenting and stopping cathodal stimulation or presenting anodal stimulation, for example, can enhance the saltiness of foods and drinks. If the taste of low-sodium foods improves because of these effects, it can provide low-sodium dieters with both mental satisfaction and nutritional health benefits. However, no studies on the effect of saltiness enhancement on electric taste in low-sodium dieters have been conducted. In this study, we first designed and investigated a stimulation waveform suitable for saltiness enhancement of low-sodium foods. This stimulation waveform combined the effects of presenting and stopping cathodal stimulation and presenting anodal stimulation and showed a saltier enhancement than the existing waveforms. Next, we conducted an experiment with individuals who were or had been on a low-sodium diet. In this experiment, the effect of saltiness enhancement on the proposed stimulation waveform was investigated using saltwater gel samples with the same saltiness as low-sodium and ordinary foods. The results suggest that presenting the proposed stimulation waveform when eating foods with a 30% reduction in salt content can present a saltiness equivalent to that of ordinary foods. Furthermore, the discomfort caused by electrical stimulation was not severe enough to be a problem for most participants. Finally, assuming the use of electric tastes in daily life, this study attempted to qualitatively analyze the changes in saltiness intensity and flavor of low-sodium miso soup.
Effect of Polydimethylsiloxane Oil Lubrication on the Friction of Cross-Country UHMWPE Ski Bases on Snow
Authors: Buene Audun Formo , Auganæs Sondre Bergtun , Klein-Paste Alex
Published: July 2022

Silicone oils are known for their excellent lubricating properties, low toxicity and are ice-, snow-, and hydrophobic. With the upcoming ban on fluorine-containing glide products imposed by the International Ski Federation (FIS), novel glide enhancers for skis are desperately needed. Here, the effect of four silicone oil viscosities (10, 20, 50, and 100 cSt) have been evaluated at three temperatures and snow conditions ranging from −10 °C dry snow to +5 °C wet snow. In dry snow conditions, the shear forces introduced by the silicone oil film increased friction significantly compared to a ski without any treatment. On wet snow, the increased hydrophobicity from the silicone oils reduced the friction by 10%. While commercial glide wax outperformed the silicone oils, this study reports the silicone oils do have desirable friction reducing properties for wet conditions.
Robot-Assisted Kyphoplasty Improves Clinical and Radiological Features Better Than Fluoroscopy-Assisted Kyphoplasty in the Treatment of Vertebral Compression Fractures: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yu Hongwei , Luo Gan , Yu Bin , Sun Tianwei , Tang Qiong , Jia Yutao
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether patients treated with robot-assisted kyphoplasty for vertebral compression fractures have superior clinical and radiographic improvement than those treated with fluoroscopy.

Methods

A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) databases was conducted to find randomized control trials (RCTs) or observational cohort studies that compared robotic-assisted kyphoplasty (RA-kyphoplasty) with fluoroscopy-assisted kyphoplasty (FA-kyphoplasty) in treating vertebral compression fractures. Preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up data on vertebral height (VH), vertebral kyphosis angle (VKA), visual analog scale (VAS) for back pain, and cement leakage rate were collected from eligible studies for meta-analysis. Patients were divided into RA and FA groups depending on whether the operation was robotically or fluoroscopically guided.

Results

We included 6 cohort studies with 491 patients and 633 vertebrae. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the RA group had a higher VH than the FA group at both postoperation (p < 0.001) and final follow-up (p < 0.001); the VKA in the RA group was lower than that in the FA group at postoperation (p < 0.001) and final follow-up (p < 0.001); the back pain VAS score was lower in the RA group than in the FA group at postoperation (p = 0.01) and final follow-up (p = 0.03); and the cement leakage rate in the RA group was lower than those in the FA group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrated that RA-kyphoplasty outperformed FA-kyphoplasty in vertebral height restoration, kyphosis angle correction, VAS score reduction for back pain, and lower cement leakage rate in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures.
Case Report: Unable to Jump Like a Kangaroo Due to Myositis Ossificans Circumscripta
Authors: Huenerfauth Enrice I. , Molnár Viktor , Rosati Marco , Ciurkiewicz Malgorzata , Söbbeler Franz J. , Harms Oliver , Hildebrandt Robert , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Tipold Andrea , Volk Holger A. , Nessler Jasmin
Published: July 2022

A male 10-year-old captive red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) was presented with a chronic progressive pelvic limb lameness and reluctance to jump. The general examination revealed a palpable induration of the lumbar epaxial muscles. Magnetic resonance imaging performed under general anesthesia revealed bilateral almost symmetric, well-circumscribed mass lesions in superficial erector spinae muscles. The lesions had irregular to multilobulated appearance with hyper-, hypo-, and isointense areas in T2- and T1-weighted (w) sequences without contrast enhancement. On computed tomography, a peripheral rim of mineralization was apparent. Histopathological analysis of a muscle biopsy showed osseous trabeculae with rare clusters of chondrocytes indicating metaplasia of muscle tissue to bone. No indications of inflammation or malignancy were visible. The clinical, histopathological, and imaging workup of this case was consistent withmyositis ossificans circumscripta. This disorder is particularly well-known among human professional athletes such as basketball players, where excessive, chronic-repetitive force or blunt trauma causes microtrauma to the musculature. Metaplasia of muscle tissue due to abnormal regeneration processes causes heterotopic ossification. The kangaroo's clinical signs improved with cyto-reductive surgery, cage rest, weight reduction, and meloxicam without further relapse.
Quercetin Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Response in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells by Suppressing TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Jiang Maocheng , Lv Ziyao , Huang Yinghao , Cheng Zhiqiang , Meng Zitong , Yang Tianyu , Yan Qi , Lin Miao , Zhan Kang , Zhao Guoqi
Published: July 2022

Bovine mastitis is one of the most common clinical diseases in dairy cows, causing huge economic losses to the dairy industry. Quercetin is an important flavonoid existing in many food resources, which has attracted widespread attention as a potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. However, the molecular mechanism of quercetin on inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) remains unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of quercetin on inflammation responses, oxidative stress, and barrier function of BMEC induced by LPS. Our results showed that BMEC viability was not affected by treatment with 50 and 100 μg/ml of quercetin and 1 μg/ml of LPS compared with control group. The results of oxidative stress indicators and related genes of barrier function indicated that 100 μg/ml of quercetin effectively protected the BMECs from damage of oxidative and barrier induced by 1 μg/ml of LPS. Moreover, the messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and chemokines CXCL2, CXCL5, CCL5, and CXCL8 were markedly decreased in the LPS-treated bovine retinal endothelial cells (BRECs) with 100 μg/ml of quercetin relatively to LPS alone. More importantly, the mRNA expressions of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), CD14, myeloid differential protein-2 (MD2), and myeloid differentiation primary response protein (MyD88) genes involved in TLR4 signal pathway were significantly attenuated by the addition of quercetin in LPS-treated BMEC, suggesting that quercetin can inhibit the TLR4 signal pathway. In addition, immunocytofluorescence showed that quercetin significantly inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in BMEC induced by LPS. Therefore, the protective effects of quercetin on inflammatory responses in LPS-induced BMEC may be due to its ability to suppress the TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings suggest that quercetin can be used as an anti-inflammatory reagent to treat mastitis induced by exogenous or endogenous LPS release.
Microbial Genes of Agricultural Importance in Maize Rhizosphere Unveiled Through Shotgun Metagenomics
Authors: Omotayo Oluwadara Pelumi , Igiehon Ozede Nicholas , Babalola Olubukola Oluranti
Published: July 2022

Genes possessed by microbes in the rhizosphere influence the metabolic activities that occur in this zone. Although the maize rhizosphere has been reported to be a hotspot of genes, these genes remain under-investigated. Hence, this study aimed at identifying putative microbial genes with plant beneficial functions in the underexplored maize rhizosphere microbiome using a shotgun metagenomics approach. Sampling was done at the flowering stage of the maize plants and both the rhizosphere and bulk soils were collected in triplicates. The metagenomes of the examined rhizosphere and bulk soils revealed genes involved in carbon fixation, nitrogen fixation, iron acquisition, heat and cold shock, phosphorus solubilization and utilization, sulfur cycling, and siderophore production. The beta diversity analysis showed significant variations (p <0.05) in these genes across the examined rhizosphere and bulk soils which was further confirmed by the distinct separations between the samples as seen on the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) plot. Contrarily, no significant difference was observed in diversity within the habitats (p= 0.99). The predominance of significant genes of agricultural importance such as thenifH,nifA, groES,andcspAin the rhizosphere metagenomes signifies that this region is endowed with beneficial organisms with potential for improving plant growth, mitigating stress, and reducing the effect of extreme temperatures, which can be optimized in developing biofertilizers. Therefore, the development of strategies that will help in cultivating these organisms, which are mostly unculturable, is encouraged. This would make them readily available for use as bio-inoculants and in other biotechnological applications.
Identification of Time Variations of Moving Loads Applied to Plates Resting on Viscoelastic Foundation Using a Meshfree Method
Authors: Behradnia Sogol , Khosravifard Amir , Hematiyan Mohammad-Rahim , Shiah Yui-Chuin
Published: July 2022

Dynamic identification of the intensity of the moving loads applied to structures is an important task in aerospace, marine, and transportation industries. In the present work, a general technique is presented for identification of the time variations in moving loads applied to plate structures resting on viscoelastic foundation. The identification problem is formulated as an inverse problem, which utilizes dynamic responses. The direct analyses required for the identification problem are performed by a meshfree method based on the moving node technique. In this technique, a node, which travels with the applied force, is utilized in the meshfree method. Since there is no connectivity between the nodes of meshfree methods, this technique can be implemented easily, while reducing the computational labor. Another benefit of this technique is that any simple or complicated trajectory of the moving load can be handled without any additional concerns. Two numerical example problems are solved and the effects of several parameters, including the measurement error, and number of sensors on the accuracy of the results are investigated. Through the examples, it is shown that the presented technique can identify the time variations in moving loads efficiently and accurately.
No Morphological Integration of Dorsal Profiles in the Araucanian Horse (Colombia)
Authors: Salamanca-Carreño Arcesio , Parés-Casanova Pere M. , Rangel-Pachón David Eduardo , Bentez-Molano Jannet , Vélez-Terranova Oscar Mauricio
Published: July 2022

The aim of this research was to determine if the division between the cervical, dorsal, and croup profiles (three regions commonly assessed for descriptive profile purposes) has a modular basis as well as a morphological integration. For this, a total of 135 digital photographs were obtained, in a lateral view, of adult horses (14 females and 121 geldings; age range: 2–20 years), of the Araucanian breed, an equine population typical of the flooded savannah of Arauca, NE Colombia. From each image, 25 reference points (semi-landmarks) were obtained at the dorsal level of the neck, back, and croup. The hypothesis of the modularity of different body profiles based on differentiated regions was tested using the RV coefficient, and an analysis of two blocks of partial least-squares allowed the evaluation of the level of morphological integration. The results showed that each alloidic group reflected high integration but low modularity. The covariation between the modules was centered mainly on the withers, the loin, and the croup. For the studied profile blocks, no module can be considered. The absence of the fragmentation of the alloidic sets would promote the adaptive capacity of the breed by linking coordinated functional responses to similar selection pressures, e.g., field work. Although the integration between the neck, back, and croup profiles was proven, their modular covariation was low.
Large-Scale Climatic Patterns Have Stronger Carry-Over Effects than Local Temperatures on Spring Phenology of Long-Distance Passerine Migrants between Europe and Africa
Authors: Remisiewicz Magdalena , Underhill Les G.
Published: July 2022

Earlier springs in temperate regions since the 1980s, attributed to climate change, are thought to influence the earlier arrival of long-distance migrant passerines. However, this migration was initiated weeks earlier in Africa, where the Southern Oscillation, Indian Ocean Dipole, North Atlantic Oscillation drive climatic variability, and may additionally influence the migrants. Multiple regressions investigated whether 15 indices of climate in Africa and Europe explained the variability in timing of arrival for seven trans-Saharan migrants. Our response variable was Annual Anomaly (AA), derived from standardized mistnetting from 1982–2021 at Bukowo, Polish Baltic Sea. For each species, the best models explained a considerable part of the annual variation in the timing of spring’s arrival by two to seven climate variables. For five species, the models included variables related to temperature or precipitation in the Sahel. Similarly, the models included variables related to the North Atlantic Oscillation (for four species), Indian Ocean Dipole (three), and Southern Oscillation (three). All included the Scandinavian Pattern in the previous summer. Our conclusion is that climate variables operating on long-distance migrants in the areas where they are present in the preceding year drive the phenological variation of spring migration. These results have implications for our understanding of carry-over effects.
The Promises of Speeding Up: Changes in Requirements for Animal Studies and Alternatives during COVID-19 Vaccine Approval–A Case Study
Authors: Ritskes-Hoitinga Merel , Barella Yari , Kleinhout-Vliek Tineke
Published: July 2022

On 21 December 2020, the European Commission granted conditional marketing authorisation for the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine ‘Comirnaty’, produced by Pfizer/BioNTech. This happened only twelve months after scientists first identified SARS-CoV-2. This stands in stark contrast with the usual ten years needed for vaccine development and approval. Many have suggested that the changes in required animal tests have sped up the development of Comirnaty and other vaccine candidates. However, few have provided an overview of the changes made and interviewed stakeholders on the potential of the pandemic’s pressure to achieve a lasting impact. Our research question is: how have stakeholders, including regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies, dealt with requirements concerning in vivo animal models in the expedited approval of vaccine candidates such as ‘Comirnaty’? We interviewed key stakeholders at the Dutch national and European levels (n = 11 individuals representing five stakeholder groups in eight interviews and two written statements) and analysed relevant publications, policy documents and other grey literature (n = 171 documents). Interviewees observed significant changes in regulatory procedures and requirements for the ‘Comirnaty’ vaccine compared to vaccine approval in non-pandemic circumstances. Specifically, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) actively promoted changes by using an accelerated assessment and rolling review procedure for fast conditional marketing authorisation, requiring a reduced number of animal studies and accepting more alternatives, allowing pre-clinical in vivo animal experiments to run in parallel with clinical trials and allowing re-use of historical data from earlier vaccine research. Pharmaceutical companies, in turn, actively anticipated these changes and contributed data from non-animal alternative sources for the development phase. After approval, they could also use in vitro methods only for all batch releases due to the thorough characterisation of the mRNA vaccine. Pharmaceutical companies were optimistic about future change because of societal concerns surrounding the use of animals, adding that, in their view, non-animal alternatives generally obtain faster, better, and cheaper results. Regulators we interviewed were more hesitant to permanently implement these changes as they feared backlash regarding safety issues and uncertainty surrounding adverse effects. Our analysis shows how the EMA shortened its approval timeline in times of crisis by reducing the number of requested animal studies and promoting alternative methods. It also highlights the readiness of pharmaceutical companies to contribute to these changes. More research is warranted to investigate these promising possibilities toward further replacement in science and regulations, contributing to faster vaccine development.
An Analytical Model to Predict Foot Sole Temperature: Implications to Insole Design for Physical Activity in Sport and Exercise
Authors: Nemati Hossain , Naemi Roozbeh
Published: July 2022

Foot sole temperature, besides its importance in thermal comfort, can be considered an important factor in identifying tissue injuries due to heavy activities or diseases. Hyperthermia, which is a raise in the foot temperature, increases the risk of diabetic ulcers considerably. In this study, a model is proposed to predict the foot sole temperature with acceptable accuracy. This model for the first time considers both the thermal and mechanical properties of the shoe sole, the intensity of the activity, the ambient condition, and sweating, which are involved in the thermal interaction between the sole of the foot and footwear. Furthermore, the proposed model provides the opportunity to estimate the contributions of different parameters in foot thermal regulation by describing the interaction of activity, duration, and intensity as well as sweating in influencing the foot sole temperature. In doing so it takes into account the relative importance of heat capacitance and the thermal conductivity. The results of this study revealed that sweating is not as effective in cooling the ball area of the foot while it is the principal contributor to thermal regulation in the arch area. The model also showed the importance of trapped air in keeping the foot warm, especially in cold conditions. Based on the simulation results, in selecting the shoe sole, and in addition to the conductivity, the thermal capacity of the sole of the shoe needs to be considered. The developed analytical model allowed the investigation of the contribution of all the involved parameters in foot thermal regulation and has shown that a different foot temperature can be achieved when the amount of material versus air is changed in the insole design. This can have practical implications in the insole design for a variety of conditions such as hypo and hyper-thermia in physical activities in sports and exercise settings.
A Surrogate Model Based Multi-Objective Optimization Method for Optical Imaging System
Authors: Sheng Lei , Zhao Weichao , Zhou Ying , Lin Weimeng , Du Chunyan , Lou Hongwei
Published: July 2022

An optimization model for the optical imaging system was established in this paper. It combined the modern design of experiments (DOE) method known as Latin hypercube sampling (LHS), Kriging surrogate model training, and the multi-objective optimization algorithm NSGA-III into the optimization of a triplet optical system. Compared with the methods that rely mainly on optical system simulation, this surrogate model-based multi-objective optimization method can achieve a high-accuracy result with significantly improved optimization efficiency. Using this model, case studies were carried out for two-objective optimizations of a Cooke triplet optical system. The results showed that the weighted geometric spot diagram and the maximum field curvature were reduced 5.32% and 11.59%, respectively, in the first case. In the second case, where the initial parameters were already optimized by Code-V, this model further reduced the weighted geometric spot diagram and the maximum field curvature by another 3.53% and 4.33%, respectively. The imaging quality in both cases was considerably improved compared with the initial design, indicating that the model is suitable for the optimal design of an optical system.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy as an Analytical Tool for the Prediction of the Dynamic Charge Acceptance of Lead-Acid Batteries
Authors: Bauknecht Sophia , Kowal Julia , Bozkaya Begüm , Settelein Jochen , Karden Eckhard
Published: July 2022

The subject of this study is test cells extracted from industrially manufactured automotive batteries. Each test cell either had a full set of plates or a reduced, negative-limited set of plates. With these test cells the predictability of the dynamic charge acceptance (DCA) by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is investigated. Thereby, the DCA was performed according to EN 50342-6:2015 standard. The micro cycling approach was used for the EIS measurements to disregard any influencing factors from previous usage. During the evaluation, Kramers-Kronig (K-K) was used to avoid systematic errors caused by violations of the stationarity, time-invariance or linearity. Furthermore, the analysis of the distribution of relaxation times (DRT) was used to identify a usable equivalent circuit model (ECM) and starting values for the parameter prediction. For all cell types and layouts, the resistance R1, the parameter indicating the size of the first/high-frequency semicircle, is smaller for cells with higher DCA. According to the literature, this semicircle represents the charge transfer reaction, thus confirming that current-enhancing additives may decrease the pore diameter of the negative electrode.
Residential Building Envelope Energy Retrofit Methods, Simulation Tools, and Example Projects: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Kamel Ehsan , Memari Ali
Published: July 2022

As one of the biggest energy consumers, buildings are the focus of the energy conservation market, and the building envelope, which has the highest impact on heating and cooling loads, is one of the main targets in retrofit projects. Several materials, systems, methods, and simulation tools are used in these projects, and it is critical to understand the impact of these methods in different locations, their frequency of use, and the effectiveness of market-ready new solutions. In that context, it is necessary to review the energy conservation measures (ECMs) that are suitable for residential building envelope retrofitting, and that are commercially available or under research and development. This paper provides an overview of these ECMs. A literature review was conducted on different building envelope ECMs, including traditional and innovative energy retrofit methods, such as aerogel and phase change materials on opaque and transparent components of existing buildings. Results show that the most effective retrofit projects include bundles of ECMs, and the traditional ECMs can be as effective as more innovative solutions in terms of energy saving. Moreover, computer energy models were created for a typical residential building in the US for cold and warm climate zones to determine the impact of different retrofit approaches based on a sensitivity analysis. Results show that envelope ECMs have higher energy saving potentials in cold climate zones, of up to around 30%, and reducing the air infiltration has the highest impact in both cold and warm climate zones in a typical small residential building.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer circRNAome Reveals Hsa_circ_0072309 as a Potential Risk Biomarker
Authors: Magalhães Leandro , Ribeiro-dos-Santos André M. , Cruz Rebecca L. , Nakamura Kivvi Duarte de Mello , Brianese Rafael , Burbano Rommel , Ferreira Sâmio Pimentel , Oliveira Ewaldo Lúcio Foro de , Anaissi Ana Karyssa Mendes , Nahúm Márcia Cristina de Sousa , Demachki Samia , Vidal Amanda F. , Carraro Dirce Maria , Ribeiro-dos-Santos Ândrea
Published: July 2022

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of long non-coding RNAs that have the ability to sponge RNA-Binding Proteins (RBPs). Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has very aggressive behavior and poor prognosis for the patient. Here, we aimed to characterize the global expression profile of circRNAs in TNBC, in order to identify potential risk biomarkers. For that, we obtained RNA-Seq data from TNBC and control samples and performed validation experiments using FFPE and frozen tissues of TNBC patients and controls, followed by in silico analyses to explore circRNA-RBP interactions. We found 16 differentially expressed circRNAs between TNBC patients and controls. Next, we mapped the RBPs that interact with the top five downregulated circRNAs (hsa_circ_0072309, circ_0004365, circ_0006677, circ_0008599, and circ_0009043) and hsa_circ_0000479, resulting in a total of 16 RBPs, most of them being enriched to pathways related to cancer and gene regulation (e.g., AGO1/2, EIF4A3, ELAVL1, and PTBP1). Among the six circRNAs, hsa_circ_0072309 was the one that presented the most confidence results, being able to distinguish TNBC patients from controls with an AUC of 0.78 and 0.81, respectively. This circRNA may be interacting with some RBPs involved in important cancer-related pathways and is a novel potential risk biomarker of TNBC.
Pre-Surgery Demographic, Clinical, and Symptom Characteristics Associated with Different Self-Reported Cognitive Processes in Patients with Breast Cancer
Authors: Allemann-Su Yu-Yin , Vetter Marcus , Koechlin Helen , Paul Steven M. , Cooper Bruce A. , Oppegaard Kate , Melisko Michelle , Levine Jon D. , Conley Yvette , Miaskowski Christine , Katapodi Maria C.
Published: July 2022

Cancer related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a common and persistent symptom in breast cancer patients. The Attentional Function Index (AFI) is a self-report measure that assesses CRCI. AFI includes three subscales, namely effective action, attentional lapses, and interpersonal effectiveness, that are based on working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. Previously, we identified three classes of patients with distinct CRCI profiles using the AFI total scores. The purpose of this study was to expand our previous work using latent class growth analysis (LCGA), to identify distinct cognitive profiles for each of the AFI subscales in the same sample (i.e., 397 women who were assessed seven times from prior to through to 6 months following breast cancer surgery). For each subscale, parametric and non-parametric statistics were used to determine differences in demographic, clinical, and pre-surgical psychological and physical symptoms among the subgroups. Three-, four-, and two-classes were identified for the effective action, attentional lapses, and interpersonal effectiveness subscales, respectively. Across all three subscales, lower functional status, higher levels of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbance, and worse decrements in energy were associated with worse cognitive performance. These and other modifiable characteristics may be potential targets for personalized interventions for CRCI.
Clonal Myeloproliferative Disorders in Patients with Down Syndrome—Treatment and Outcome Results from an Institution in Argentina
Authors: Pennella Carla L. , Cassina Tamara Muñoz , Rossi Jorge G. , Baialardo Edgardo M. , Rubio Patricia , Deu María A. , Peruzzo Luisina , Guitter Myriam R. , Sanchez de La Rosa Cristian G. , Alfaro Elizabeth M. , Felice María S.
Published: July 2022

Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at an increased risk of developing clonal myeloproliferative disorders. The balance between treatment intensity and treatment-related toxicity has not yet been defined. We analyzed this population to identify risk factors and optimal treatment. This single-center retrospective study included 78 DS patients <16 years-old with Transient Abnormal Myelopoiesis (TAM, n = 25), Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia (DS-AML, n = 41) of which 35 had classical Myeloid Leukemia associated with DS (ML-DS) with megakaryoblastic immunophenotype (AMKL) and 6 sporadic DS-AML (non-AMKL). Patients with DS-AML were treated according to four BFM-based protocols. Classical ML-DS vs. non-DS-AMKL were compared and the outcome of ML-DS was analyzed according to treatment intensity. Only four patients with TAM required cytoreduction with a 5-year Event-Free Survival probability (EFSp) of 74.4 (±9.1)%. DS-AML treatment-related deaths were due to infections, with a 5-year EFSp of 60.6 (±8.2)%. Megakaryoblastic immunophenotype was the strongest good-prognostic factor in univariate and multivariate analysis (p = 0.000). When compared ML-DS with non-DS-AMKL, a better outcome was associated with a lower relapse rate (p = 0.0002). Analysis of administered treatment was done on 32/33 ML-DS patients who achieved CR according to receiving or not high-dose ARA-C block (HDARA-C), and no difference in 5-year EFSp was observed (p = 0.172). TAM rarely required treatment and when severe manifestations occurred, early intervention was effective. DS-AML good outcome was associated with AMKL with a low relapse-rate. Even if treatment-related mortality is still high, our data do not support the omission of HDARA-C in ML-DS since we observed a trend to detect a higher relapse rate in the arm without HDARA-C.
Regulation of Tissue Factor by CD44 Supports Coagulant Activity in Breast Tumor Cells
Authors: Villard Amélie V. , Genna Anthony , Lambert Justine , Volpert Marianna , Noël Agnès , Hollier Brett , Polette Myriam , Vanwynsberghe Aline M. , Gilles Christine
Published: July 2022

Previous work identified Tissue Factor (TF), a key activator of the coagulation cascade, as a gene induced in cellular contexts of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transitions (EMTs), providing EMT+ Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) with coagulant properties that facilitate their metastatic seeding. Deciphering further molecular aspects of TF regulation in tumor cells, we report here that CD44 and TF coexpress in EMT contexts, and that CD44 acts as a regulator of TF expression supporting procoagulant properties and metastatic seeding. A transcriptional regulatory mechanism bridging CD44 to TF expression was further evidenced. Comparing different TF –promoter luciferase reporter constructs, we indeed found that the shortest -111 pb TF promoter fragment harboring three Specificity Protein 1 (Sp1) binding sites is still responsive to CD44 silencing. The observation that (i) mutation within Sp1 binding sites decreased the basal activity of the -111 pb TF promoter construct, (ii) CD44 silencing decreased Sp1 protein and mRNA levels and (iii) Sp1 silencing diminished TF expression further points to Sp1 as a key mediator linking CD44 to TF regulation. All together, these data thus report a transcriptional regulatory mechanism of TF expression by CD44 supporting procoagulant activity and metastatic competence of CTCs.