bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robot Voices in Daily Life: Vocal Human-Likeness and Application Context as Determinants of User Acceptance
Authors: Schreibelmayr Simon , Mara Martina
Published: May 2022

The growing popularity of speech interfaces goes hand in hand with the creation of synthetic voices that sound ever more human. Previous research has been inconclusive about whether anthropomorphic design features of machines are more likely to be associated with positive user responses or, conversely, with uncanny experiences. To avoid detrimental effects of synthetic voice design, it is therefore crucial to explore what level of human realism human interactors prefer and whether their evaluations may vary across different domains of application. In a randomized laboratory experiment, 165 participants listened to one of five female-sounding robot voices, each with a different degree of human realism. We assessed how much participants anthropomorphized the voice (by subjective human-likeness ratings, a name-giving task and an imagination task), how pleasant and how eerie they found it, and to what extent they would accept its use in various domains. Additionally, participants completed Big Five personality measures and a tolerance of ambiguity scale. Our results indicate a positive relationship between human-likeness and user acceptance, with the most realistic sounding voice scoring highest in pleasantness and lowest in eeriness. Participants were also more likely to assign real human names to the voice (e.g., “Julia” instead of “T380”) if it sounded more realistic. In terms of application context, participants overall indicated lower acceptance of the use of speech interfaces in social domains (care, companionship) than in others (e.g., information & navigation), though the most human-like voice was rated significantly more acceptable in social applications than the remaining four. While most personality factors did not prove influential, openness to experience was found to moderate the relationship between voice type and user acceptance such that individuals with higher openness scores rated the most human-like voice even more positively. Study results are discussed in the light of the presented theory and in relation to open research questions in the field of synthetic voice design.
“Now You See Me, Now You Don’t”: How Digital Consumers Manage Their Online Visibility in Game-Like Conditions
Authors: Duus Rikke , Cooray Mike , Lilley Simon
Published: May 2022

Organizations continue to create digital interfaces and infrastructure that are designed to heighten consumers’ online visibility and encourage them to part with their data. The way these digital systems operate and the rules they are governed by are often opaque, leaving consumers to deploy their own strategies for managing their online information sharing with organizations. In this study, we draw upon Erving Goffman’s metaphor of expression games and three forms of concealment or cover moves to explore how consumers, who have been well socialized as digital natives, engage in dynamic and game-like interactions with organizations in an attempt to manage their level of online visibility and information sharing in relation,inter alia, to the ‘convenience’ and ‘benefits’ that are afforded to them. Our research is based on in-depth interviews in combination with photo-elicitation with 20 participants. Based on the insight generated, we offer a new framework, ‘Propensity to Game’ (P2G), which present the processual dynamics that characterize these consumers’ evolving and game-like engagements with organizations. These areGame Awareness,Rule Familiarization,Player CommitmentandGame Play.Our work contributes with new insight into how these consumers actively engage in the orchestration of their online visibility by surfacing the nuanced and multifaceted decision-making and thought processes that they engage in when they, situation-by-situation, decide on the tactics and methods to use in their efforts to manage the data and information they share with organizations.
Investigating the Relationship Among English Language Learning Strategies, Language Achievement, and Attitude
Authors: Habók Anita , Magyar Andrea , Molnár Gyöngyvér
Published: May 2022

The main objective of the study was to ascertain whether English as a Foreign Language learners with various levels of English language achievement differ significantly in applying foreign language learning strategies. We also aimed to explore strategy use frequency in connection with attitude toward English language learning. Data were collected from 1,653 lower secondary students in Hungary through a revised version of the previously developed online Self-Regulated Foreign Language Learning Strategy Questionnaire (SRFLLSQ) based on Oxford’s Strategic Self-Regulation (S2R) Model. The findings point to statistically significant differences in the frequency of English language strategy use among more and less proficient learners. Quantitative analyses also reported that, in spite of the students stated low or moderate levels of strategy use, it turned out as a statistically significant predictor of foreign language attitude and language achievement. The results draw attention to the relevance of strategy research in foreign language teaching as well as encourages strategy teaching within language instruction.
Relationship Between Team Identification and Consumption Behaviors: Using a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kwon Hyungil , Pyun Do Young , Lim Seung Hyun
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive literature review and a meta-analysis on team identification, particularly its relation to two outcome variables: intention to attend games and intention to purchase licensed merchandise. Past literature was searched through several electronic databases, including SPORTDiscus, using relevant keywords. Thirteen studies for team identification and intention to attend sport games and nine studies for team identification and intention to purchase licensed merchandise meeting all selection criteria were identified. A random-effect model was used to conduct a meta-analysis. Funnel plot and Egger's test were conducted to test publication bias, followed by fail-safe N to examine the stability of the estimates. The results showed that the total effect size values for the relationships between team identification and intentions to attend games and to purchase licensed merchandise were 0.39 and 0.42, respectively, which indicates a medium-large effect size. The study confirms the predictive power of team identification when it pertains to sport consumption behaviors and provides insights into practical implications in utilizing team identification as a potential driver of promoting consumer behaviors by the way of achieving marketing objectives.
Psychological Antecedents of the Intention to Open the Windows at Home and Exposure to a Ventilation Recommendation
Authors: Durand François , Bonnefoy Barbara , Marchand Dorothée , Meyer Thierry
Published: May 2022

Objective

The psychological antecedents of the intention to open the windows at home were explored through the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), supplemented with Habits regarding the behavior and contextual factors.

Design

A four-treatment design compared the effect of an exposure to a recommendation about home ventilation and the effect of one’s own awareness odors (negative vs. positive) as a manipulated variable. Two quasi-experimental online surveys were conducted. A student sample (Study 1; N = 159) was replicated with a general population sample (Study 2; N = 338).

Results

Multiple hierarchical regression models were conducted (3 for Study 1; 3 for Study 2). The extended TPB model provided stable predictors explaining around sixty percent of variance. Attitude and Habits were the main predictors of window openings, Perceived Behavioral control as a secondary predictor. Perceived Behavioral Control contributed significatively with a negative interaction with Attitudes. Odor awareness decreased Intention to manually ventilate. No effect of recommendation was observed.

Discussion

The results filled a gap in the literature about the willingness to manually ventilate at home and efficacy of a recommendation. Practical implications argue that beyond a generic recommendation, effective messages need to be tailored regarding the determinants of willingness to open the windows.
Examining the Impact of COVID-19 Experiences on Reported Psychological Burden Increase in Older Persons: The Effects of Illness Severity and Social Proximity
Authors: Heidinger Theresa , Richter Lukas
Published: May 2022

Previous findings have provided indications that experience of COVID-19 illness of self and other affect mental health unfavorably. However, prior studies do not satisfactorily differentiate according to severity of COVID-19 illness or social proximity, which are both hypothesized to be relevant factors for increased psychological burden. This study provides an in-depth examination of the impact of Covid-19 experience of self and other on mental health, considering illness severity as well as proximity to the infected person (self, close and distant network). It used data on an older population (50+ years) from 28 European countries (n > 40 000 persons) surveyed in summer of 2021 using the Survey of Health and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Aside from bivariate analyses, a logistic regression model was computed to test the effects of illness severity by personal proximity over and above other stressors of life in the pandemic. Severity of illness was shown to be a contributor to psychological burden increase with the strongest effects among persons who reported own illness experiences or experiences in the close network. Regression analysis confirmed the impact of severe Covid-19 experience in self, close and distant relations. Moreover, even a less severe course impacted burden unfavorably when experienced in the own person and more distant relations. These results prove troubling. Psychological burden is impacted by infection, with experiences in self or close persons being strongest, while even ‘lighter' experiences in the distant network also have an unfavorable effect, emphasizing the need to gain control of the present pandemic.
On-Screen Texts in Audiovisual Input for L2 Vocabulary Learning: A Review
Authors: Wei Rong , Fan Lin
Published: May 2022

Audiovisual input has received increasing attention from the Second Language Acquisition (SLA) and the Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) domains during the past few decades due to its vividness, authenticity, and easy accessibility. Videos with on-screen texts, as a widespread way of audiovisual input in second language (L2) teaching and learning, influence L2 learners’ performance in various aspects, including their vocabulary learning. The wide application and profound influence of such kind of input call for a systemic review on this important domain of research. Accordingly, this paper reviews the empirical studies on the effects of on-screen texts on L2 vocabulary learning. Specifically, it seeks to evaluate the role of different types of on-screen texts (i.e., subtitles, captions, and dual subtitles) and various modes of captions (i.e., full captions, keyword captions, glossed captions, annotated captions, and enhanced captions) in L2 vocabulary development. It also discusses other factors that concur with on-screen texts and influence L2 vocabulary gains from audiovisual input, such as learners’ vocabulary size, L2 proficiency, frequency of occurrence, number of viewing, instructional strategy, and test time. Finally, some suggestions are provided for future research.
The Impact of Government Social Media Information Quality on Public Panic During the Infodemic
Authors: Zhai Shanshan , Li Yuanxiang John , Chi Maomao
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the first global “Infodemic” in the era of social media. Understanding how governments deal with the negative impacts of the infodemic (e.g., public panic) has become a priority. This paper uses the theoretical framework of the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) to explore mechanisms for alleviating panic associated with the infodemic. It considers, in particular, the quality of information circulated on Government Social Media (GSM) as the central route and local government trust as the peripheral route. An empirical study was conducted using data from a focus group interview and a questionnaire survey collected within the first three weeks following the citywide lockdown of Wuhan, China. The results show that as: (1) Quality of GSM information does not significantly reduce public panic, but local government trust significantly increases people’s pandemic prevention knowledge; (2) Pandemic prevention knowledge is a critical mediator between information quality of GSM and public panic, as well as local government trust and public panic; and (3) Information quality of GSM significantly increases people’s trust in local governments. This paper contributes to the literature on infodemic and government social media and provides implications for practice.
A Case of Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus With Hair Loss as the First Diagnostic Symptom
Authors: He Xun , Duan Xi-Ling , Liu Jing-Song
Published: May 2022

Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus is a serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. A 33-year-old female patient had repeated hair loss for more than 3 years. A dermatologic examination showed several pieces of irregularly shaped hair loss patterns in the center of the patient's scalp. The systemic treatment included oral hydroxychloroquine, aspirin enteric-coated tablets and prednisone, and intrathecal injection of dexamethasone and methotrexate. The local treatment included intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide and lidocaine in the lesion area, 0.1% tacrolimus ointment for external use. After 2-month treatment, hair regrew in a non-scarring patchy alopecia region with no further hair loss.
Family Resilience Scale Short Form (FRS16): Validation in the US and Chinese Samples
Authors: Chow Tak Sang , Tang Catherine So Kum , Siu Tiffany Sok U. , Kwok Helen Sin Hang
Published: May 2022

Family resilience, which refers to the processes through which a family adapts to and thrives from adversities, has growing importance in recent years. In response to the need for further research on family resilience, the present research aims to abbreviate and validate Sixbey's Family Resilience Assessment Scale (FRAS) into a 16-item version Family Resilience Scale Short Form in the US (FRS16) and Chinese (FRS16_C) samples. The samples included 1,236 (Study 1) and 1,135 (Study 2) participants from the US and China, respectively. Results of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the proposed three-factor structure of FRS16: Family Communication and Connectedness, Positive Framing, and External Support across two samples. Overall, the reliability and validity of full and subscales of FRS16 and FRS16_C were satisfactory. Multi-group CFA revealed that both configural and metric invariance are supported, suggesting that participants in the US and Chinese samples assign comparable meaning to the latent factors of FRS16. Results suggested that FRS16 and FRS16_C are valid instruments for family resilience in the US and Chinese samples.
Exploring Association Between Serotonin and Neurogenesis Related Genes in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Chinese Han People: Promising Association Between DMRT2, miR-30a-5p, and Early-Onset Patients
Authors: Deng Miaohan , Wang Yuan , Yu Shunying , Fan Qing , Qiu Jianyin , Wang Zhen , Xiao Zeping
Published: May 2022

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a deliberating disorder with complex genetic and environmental etiologies. Hypotheses about OCD mainly include dysregulated neurotransmitters, especially serotonin, and disturbed neurodevelopment. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) association studies regarding OCD are often met with inconsistent results. However, stratification by age of onset may sometimes help to limit the heterogenicity of OCD patients. Therefore, we conducted a stratified SNP association study enrolling 636 patients and 612 healthy controls. Patients were stratified by age of onset as early-onset (EO-OCD) and late-onset (LO-OCD). Blood extracted from the patients was used to genotype 18 loci, including serotonin system genes, Slitrk1, Slitrk5, and DMRT2 and related miRNA genes. Logistic regression was used to compare allele and genotype frequencies of variants. A general linear model was used to evaluate the association between variants and trait anxiety. In our study, rs3824419 in DMRT2 was associated with EO-OCD, G allele was the risk allele. Rs2222722 in miR-30a-5p was associated with EO-OCD, with the C allele being the risk allele. Rs1000952 in HTR3D was found associated with trait anxiety in OCD patients. The significance disappeared after FDR correction. Our results supported neurodevelopment-related genes, DMRT2 and miR-30a-5p, to be related to EO-OCD. However, we cannot prove serotonin genes to be directly associated with EO-OCD. While an association between HTR3D and trait anxiety was discovered, comparisons based on biological or clinical traits may be helpful in future studies. As our detective powers were limited, more large-scale studies will be needed to confirm our conclusion.
Conspiratorial Beliefs About COVID-19 Pandemic - Can They Pose a Mental Health Risk? The Relationship Between Conspiracy Thinking and the Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression Among Adult Poles
Authors: Dȩbski Paweł , Boroń Adrianna , Kapuśniak Natalia , Dȩbska-Janus Małgorzata , Piegza Magdalena , Gorczyca Piotr
Published: May 2022

The aim of the study was to describe the relationship between the tendency to believe in false information about the COVID-19 pandemic, tendency to believe in conspiracy theories and the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms among the surveyed Poles. The study was conducted via the Internet in a group of 700 people aged 24.8 ± 6.3 years (mean ± SD). 585 females and 110 males were involved. Scales such as Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale (GCBS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the original questionnaire COVID-19 Conspiratorial Beliefs Scale (COVID-19 CBS) designed to measure the tendency to believe in false information about COVID-19 pandemic were used. A positive correlation was observed between the tendency to believe in false information about the COVID-19 pandemic (COVID-19 CBS) and the tendency to believe in general conspiracy theories (GCBS) (r = 0.768; p < 0.001). Moreover, both COVID-19 CBS and GCBS positively correlated with the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms in the study group. For COVID-19 CBS, the correlation coefficients were 0.087 (p < 0.021) and.108 (p < 0.004) for depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively, while for GCBS the coefficients were 0.132 (p < 0.001) and 0.147 (p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that the increased tendency to believe in false beliefs about the COVID-19 pandemic may be associated with an increase in the severity of anxiety (b = 0.04; p = 0.021) and depression (b = 0.06; p < 0.001) symptoms. It can be hypothesized that the tendency to believe in false information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is positively associated with the tendency to general belief in conspiracy theories. False beliefs about the COVID-19 pandemic may, at least to some extent, influence the development of anxiety and depression symptoms.
Prevalence and Factors Associated With the Risk of Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder in Japanese Youth
Authors: Tomishima Sayaka , Komada Yoko , Tanioka Kosuke , Okajima Isa , Inoue Yuichi
Published: May 2022

Background

Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD) is more prevalent among the younger generation. However, the prevalence of this disorder in Asia, particularly Japan, has not yet been elucidated. Furthermore, the impact of DSWPD morbidity on daytime functioning and factors associated with the presence of the disorder remain unclear.

Methods

A web-based survey was conducted among youth aged 15–30 years. In total, 7,810 individuals completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire included items on sociodemographic variables as well as the Japanese version of the Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry self-report (J-BRIAN-SR), which assesses the risk of DSWPD, sleep behaviors and possibly related lifestyle variables, productivity loss [WHO Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (HPQ)], and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The risk of DSWPD was indicated by a J-BRIAN-SR score greater than or equal to 40 points and days of absence ≥4 days per month. After comparing these variables for participants at risk of DSWPD and those who were not, the factors associated with the risk of DSWPD were examined using logistic regression analysis, with sociodemographic and lifestyle variables as independent variables.

Results

The overall prevalence of participants at risk DSWPDs was 4.3%. Compared with participants without DSWPD, those at risk of DSWPD presented significantly worse HPQ and HRQOL scores. The risk of DSWPD was positively associated with the presence of currently treated diseases, length of nighttime liquid crystal display (LCD) viewing, and being a high school/university students. It was negatively associated with habitual exercise.

Conclusion

The risk of DSWPD seemed to be consistent with reports from Western countries, and individuals possibly affected by the disorder were thought to have deteriorated daytime functioning. In addition, lifestyle specific to youth, such as long-term LCD viewing at night and relatively loose social constraints, could be associated with the presence of DSWPD in this generation.
Influence of Work Values on the Prescribing Behavioral Intentions Regarding Antibiotic Use Among Primary Physicians in Hubei, China
Authors: Lu Junyu , Liu Chenxi , Wang Dan , Zhang Xinping
Published: May 2022

Objective

Primary physicians have been an important cause of global antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study is to identify the influence of primary physicians' work values on prescribing behavioral intentions regarding antibiotic use (behavioral intentions).

Methods

A total of 656 primary physicians' work values and behavioral intentions were collected by a stratified cluster sampling from 67 primary care facilities in Hubei Province of China. Work values included 5 dimensions, namely intrinsic values, extrinsic values, reward values, social values and altruistic values. Behavioral intentions included 2 dimensions of the intentions to reduce antibiotic prescriptions and the intentions to prescribe antibiotics. A Likert five-point scale was used and higher scores meant greater intentions to prescribe antibiotics. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was employed to model the influence of work values on behavioral intentions.

Results

Primary physicians' behavioral intention was 2.01 averagely. Intrinsic values negatively influenced overall intentions to prescribe more antibiotics (β = −0.098, P = 0.010). Whereas lower social values perception (β = 0.248, P < 0.001), less pursuit of reward values (β = 0.194, P < 0.001), and less emphasis on altruistic values (β = 0.180, P < 0.001) positively influenced lower overall intentions to prescribe antibiotic prescriptions. Besides, extrinsic values were not found influencing the behavioral intentions (β = 0.001, P = 0.961).

Conclusions

Primary physicians' work values influenced their behavioral intentions regarding antibiotic use. Training and education of work values may be an entry point for intervention on improving antibiotic prescribing.
Association Between Antioxidant Nutrients, Oxidative Stress-Related Gene Polymorphism and Skeletal Fluorosis in Guizhou, China
Authors: Tao Na , Li Lianhong , Chen Qing , Sun Zhongming , Yang Qinglin , Cao Dafang , Zhao Xun , Zeng Fangfang , Liu Jun
Published: May 2022

Background

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of endemic fluorosis. We analyzed associations between oxidative stress-related gene polymorphisms (PON1 rs662, CAT rs769217, rs2300182, and SOD2 rs11968525) and skeletal fluorosis, and examined potential gene–environment interactions with dietary vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium intake.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Zhijin County, Guizhou Province of China. Skeletal fluorosis was identified according to the Chinese Diagnostic Criteria of Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis. Dietary information was assessed through face-to-face interviews by trained interviewers using a 75-item food frequency questionnaire. The genotype was detected by high throughput TaqMan-MGB RT-PCR technology. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated using an unconditional logistic regression model.

Results

Intake of vitamin E, zinc, and selenium was found to be inversely associated with the risk of skeletal fluorosis. The multivariable-adjusted ORs were 0.438 (95% CI: 0.268 to 0.715, P-trend < 0.001) for vitamin E, 0.490 (95% CI: 0.298 to 0.805, P-trend = 0.001) for zinc, and 0.532 (95% CI: 0.324 to 0.873, P-trend = 0.010) for selenium when comparing the highest with the lowest quartile. The relationship for vitamin C was not observed after adjustment for risk factors. Furthermore, participants with PON1 rs662 AA genotype had a significantly decreased risk of skeletal fluorosis compared with those with the GG genotype (OR = 0.438, 95% CI: 0.231 to 0.830). GG + AG genotype carriers were 2.212 times more likely to have skeletal fluorosis than AA carriers (OR = 2.212, 95% CI: 1.197 to 4.090). Compared with AA carriers, AG carriers had a 2.182 times higher risk of skeletal fluorosis (OR = 2.182, 95% CI: 1.143 to 4.163). Although we observed the risk of skeletal fluorosis was higher with a lower intake of antioxidant nutrients, the potential interactions between nutrient intake and genetic polymorphisms were not observed.

Conclusion

Participants with a higher intake of vitamin E, zinc, and selenium have a lower likelihood of skeletal fluorosis. In addition, the PON1 rs662 polymorphism is related to skeletal fluorosis.
Designing and Implementing a Curriculum to Support Health Equity Research Leaders: The Interdisciplinary Research Leaders Experience
Authors: Gollust Sarah E. , Call Kathleen T. , Moon J. Robin , Cluxton Bonnie , Bailey Zinzi
Published: May 2022

Health inequities in the United States are well-documented. However, research that is focused on solutions, rather than just describing the problem, and research that is designed explicitly to inform needed policy and practice change, is still too rare. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Interdisciplinary Research Leaders (IRL) program launched in 2016 with the goal of filling this gap: to generate community-engaged research to catalyze policy action in communities, while promoting leadership among researchers and community partners. In this paper, we describe the creation and implementation of a curriculum for IRL program participants over the first 5 years of the program. The curriculum—spanning domains of leadership, policy, communication, community engagement, and research methodologies—was designed to cultivate leaders who use research evidence in their efforts to promote change to advance health equity in their communities. The curriculum components implemented by IRL might be applied to other educational programs or fellowships to amplify and accelerate the growth of leaders nationwide who can use research and action to respond to grave and ongoing threats to community health.
Polarimeter + Lidar–Derived Aerosol Particle Number Concentration
Authors: Schlosser Joseph S. , Stamnes Snorre , Burton Sharon P. , Cairns Brian , Crosbie Ewan , Van Diedenhoven Bastiaan , Diskin Glenn , Dmitrovic Sanja , Ferrare Richard , Hair Johnathan W. , Hostetler Chris A. , Hu Yongxiang , Liu Xu , Moore Richard H. , Shingler Taylor , Shook Michael A. , Thornhill Kenneth Lee , Winstead Edward , Ziemba Luke , Sorooshian Armin
Published: May 2022

In this study, we propose a simple method to derive vertically resolved aerosol particle number concentration (Na) using combined polarimetric and lidar remote sensing observations. This method relies on accurate polarimeter retrievals of the fine-mode column-averaged aerosol particle extinction cross section and accurate lidar measurements of vertically resolved aerosol particle extinction coefficient such as those provided by multiwavelength high spectral resolution lidar. We compare the resulting lidar + polarimeter vertically resolved Na product to in situNa data collected by airborne instruments during the NASA aerosol cloud meteorology interactions over the western Atlantic experiment (ACTIVATE). Based on all 35 joint ACTIVATE flights in 2020, we find a total of 32 collocated in situ and remote sensing profiles that occur on 11 separate days, which contain a total of 322 cloud-free vertically resolved altitude bins of 150 m resolution. We demonstrate that the lidar + polarimeter Na agrees to within 106% for 90% of the 322 vertically resolved points. We also demonstrate similar agreement to within 121% for the polarimeter-derived column-averaged Na. We find that the range-normalized mean absolute deviation (NMAD) for the polarimeter-derived column-averaged Na is 21%, and the NMAD for the lidar + polarimeter-derived vertically resolved Na is 16%. Taken together, these findings suggest that the error in the polarimeter-only column-averaged Na and the lidar + polarimeter vertically resolved Na are of similar magnitude and represent a significant improvement upon current remote sensing estimates of Na.
The Role of NGF and Its Receptor TrKA in Patients With Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Stabile Anna Maria , Illiano Ester , Pistilli Alessandra , Rende Mario , Trama Francesco , Bartolini Desiree , Zucchi Alessandro , Costantini Elisabetta
Published: May 2022

The aim of our study was to investigate the plasma NGF concentration and TrkA/p75NTR receptor expression on white blood cells (WBCs), in peripheral and corpus cavernosum blood isolated from patients with erectile dysfunction and metabolic syndrome (ED/MetS). This was a pilot case–control study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: men 18–65 years with ED and MetS and healthy subjects. The first sampling was performed at the level of the cubital vein (VC). Subsequently, 20 μg of intracavernous alprostadil was administered, and a second blood draw from the corpora cavernosa (CC) was performed once erection was achieved. Subsequently, the third blood sample was repeated at the level of the VC. We enrolled 8 cases with ED/MetS and 8 controls. There was no significant difference between the case and control group in terms of mean age (49.3 ± 5.9 and 53.13 ± 8.9, respectively). The case group had a lower IIEF score compared to the control group (14 ± 3.2 versus 27.3 ± 2.1; p < 0.05). Decreased NGF and TrKA expression on WBC and thiols were found in the plasma of ED/MetS patients compared to control. The study showed that patients with ED/MetS had a decrease in plasma NGF and thiol concentration, and they had a decrease in TrKA expression on WBCs.
Understanding the Role of Stigma and Misconceptions in the Experience of Epilepsy in India: Findings From a Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Gosain Kritika , Samanta Tannistha
Published: May 2022

It is surprising that although 12 million people in India suffer from epilepsy this remains a thoroughly under-researched area in the sociology of health and practice. We address this intellectual and policy neglect by reviewing the social, psychological and legal challenges governing the lives of people living with epilepsy (PWE) by paying particular attention to negotiations in arranged marriages and employment. Drawing on the analytical frameworks of the sociological study of stigma, critical race theory and paying attention to the cultural models of health and suffering, this study utilized a combination of (online) survey data (N = 100) and in-depth qualitative interviews (N = 10) with PWE and their families. The online survey was administered to map the level of awareness about epilepsy and its clinical management among the general population, whereas the in-depth interviews were conducted to understand the experience, self-perception and everyday struggles of those diagnosed with the condition. Findings from the survey on non-PWE suggest a general lack of awareness and fearful misconceptions around epilepsy related seizures. In-depth interviews with PWEs revealed concealment (of the illness) as a dominant coping strategy to attenuate the social alienation and rejection associated with epilepsy. Further, PWE participants reported persistent discrimination, harassment and prejudiced understanding of diminished cognitive capacities at workplaces as a result of cultural myths and popular representations of epilepsy-related seizures. The study also demonstrated the significance of institutional support groups in assisting PWE to cope with symbolic violence and forge solidarities. We conclude with reflections on the ethical dilemmas faced by medical practitioners while dealing with social-medical interventions of epilepsy treatment. Overall, results from this study undergird the significance to revisit the social-moral as well as legal frameworks that persistently restrict opportunities for PWE in India. In an attempt to reimagine inclusive futures regardless of disease, disability and affliction, we attempt to move beyond the biomedical gaze and instead privilege stories of individual personhood, struggles and aspirations.
Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Cavernous Malformations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Yousefi Omid , Sabahi Mohammadmahdi , Malcolm James , Adada Badih , Borghei-Razavi Hamid
Published: May 2022

Background

Microsurgical resection of intracranial cavernous malformations (CM) is regarded as the standard treatment, but in recent years, there has been a trend toward minimally invasive procedures like ablation of such lesions by using laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT).

Methods

A systematic search using keywords ‘laser interstitial thermal therapy’ OR ‘LITT’ AND ‘cavernoma’ OR ‘cavernous angiomas’ OR ‘cavernous malformations’ was conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane electronic bibliographic databases and studies reporting the outcome of LITT procedure on intracranial CM were included. The demographic data, symptoms of patients, location and size of the lesion, and surgical outcome were extracted from the articles.

Result

Six studies, reporting the outcome of 33 patients were included in this review. In 26 patients, CM was identified as the epileptogenic foci and in others, CM was the source of headache or focal neurological deficits. LITT led to a satisfactory outcome in all patients except for three who achieved improvement in symptoms after the open resection of the lesion. Most of the post-operative complications were transient and resolved at the time of the last follow up. Cyst formation at the previous ablated CM site was reported as the long-term complication of LITT in one case.

Conclusion

LITT can provide a comparable outcome to the open resection of CMs, by having less invasiveness, even in deep and eloquent area lesions, and complications that are often temporary and disappear gradually. However, technical issues, such as thermal monitoring during the procedure, are considered a challenge for this procedure in CMs. Further studies with a larger population are needed to report this method's long-term outcome and complications on CMs.
Rabies Virus Exploits Cytoskeleton Network to Cause Early Disease Progression and Cellular Dysfunction
Authors: Liu Xilin , Nawaz Zeeshan , Guo Caixia , Ali Sultan , Naeem Muhammad Ahsan , Jamil Tariq , Ahmad Waqas , Siddiq Muhammad Usman , Ahmed Sarfraz , Asif Idrees Muhammad , Ahmad Ali
Published: May 2022

Rabies virus (RABV) is a cunning neurotropic pathogen and causes top priority neglected tropical diseases in the developing world. The genome of RABV consists of nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), matrix protein (M), glycoprotein (G), and RNA polymerase L protein (L), respectively. The virus causes neuronal dysfunction instead of neuronal cell death by deregulating the polymerization of the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton and subverts the associated binding and motor proteins for efficient viral progression. These binding proteins mainly maintain neuronal structure, morphology, synaptic integrity, and complex neurophysiological pathways. However, much of the exact mechanism of the viral-cytoskeleton interaction is yet unclear because several binding proteins of the actin-microtubule cytoskeleton are involved in multifaceted pathways to influence the retrograde and anterograde axonal transport of RABV. In this review, all the available scientific results regarding cytoskeleton elements and their possible interactions with RABV have been collected through systematic methodology, and thereby interpreted to explain sneaky features of RABV. The aim is to envisage the pathogenesis of RABV to understand further steps of RABV progression inside the cells. RABV interacts in a number of ways with the cell cytoskeleton to produce degenerative changes in the biochemical and neuropathological trails of neurons and other cell types. Briefly, RABV changes the gene expression of essential cytoskeleton related proteins, depolymerizes actin and microtubules, coordinates the synthesis of inclusion bodies, manipulates microtubules and associated motors proteins, and uses actin for clathrin-mediated entry in different cells. Most importantly, the P is the most intricate protein of RABV that performs complex functions. It artfully operates the dynein motor protein along the tracks of microtubules to assist the replication, transcription, and transport of RABV until its egress from the cell. New remedial insights at subcellular levels are needed to counteract the destabilization of the cytoskeleton under RABV infection to stop its life cycle.
Bromide Dose in Dogs With Epilepsy Living Close to Coastal Areas and Living More Inland: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Lichtenauer Esther A. , Evers Bas , van den Broek Jan , Mandigers Paul J. J.
Published: May 2022

Potassium bromide is a frequently used antiseizure medication with a half-life time of over 25 days. Oral intake of sodium chloride as well as renal function influence this half-life time and may have an influence on the needed dose toget proper serumlevels. The hypothesis is that dogs living close to coastal areas require a greater potassium bromide dose than dogs living more inland. The main study objective was to determine the relationship between bromide dose, serum bromide concentration, treatment duration, type of food, concurrent therapies and the proximity of the dog's residency to a coastal area. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed. A total of 658 bromide serum measurements were retrieved from the veterinary faculty's laboratory archive, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. Information on the bromide dose, renal function, treatment period, type of food, concurrent therapies and residence was obtained retrospectively from owners of all dogs using a postal survey. A dataset of 220 unique study units was created. The dogs were grouped based on their residence (proximity to the coast > or <50 km). Differences between the groups of dogs regarding bromide dose, serum bromide concentration, treatment duration, type of food and concurrent therapies were analyzed to evaluate the effect of residence on bromide dose and serum concentration.

Results

Although not statistically significant there is a trend that dogs living in close proximity to the sea may require a higher dose of potassium bromide to maintain therapeutic concentrations compared to dogs living more inlands. Additional studies are needed to further explore this observation.
Pandemic Fatigue and Anxiety Sensitivity as Associated Factors With Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among University Students in South Korea During the Prolonged COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kim Hee Jun , Meeker Timothy J. , Tulloch Ingrid K. , Mullins Jake , Park Jin-Hee , Bae Sun Hyoung
Published: May 2022

Objectives: The global impact of COVID-19 driven by new variants may add to the negative mental health consequences of the prolonged pandemic, including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). University students may be prone to develop a series of PTSS due to life plan disruptions as well as increased uncertainty caused by the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between pandemic fatigue, anxiety sensitivity (AS), and PTSS among university students in South Korea.

Methods: Using convenience sampling, 400 students participated in this cross-sectional online survey. Descriptive statistics and linear mixed models were used to examine factors associated with PTSS.

Results: About one-third (32.3%) of the participants reported clinically significant levels of PTSS. Multivariate analyses revealed that pandemic fatigue (β = 0.124, p < 0.001) and AS (β = 0.212, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with PTSS while controlling for other study variables.

Conclusion: Young adults who feel more fatigue related to the COVID-19 pandemic and with high AS should be given access to mental health resources to better manage their mental health and reduce PTSS.
Comparing Deceased Organ Donation Performance in Two Countries that Use Different Metrics: Comparing Apples With Apples
Authors: Milross Luke , Brown Chloe , Gladkis Laura , Downes Kylie , Goodwin Melissa , Madden Susanna , McDonald Mark , Barry Lucinda , Opdam Helen , Manara Alex , Gardiner Dale
Published: May 2022

Organ donation networks audit and report on national or regional organ donation performance, however there are inconsistencies in the metrics and definitions used, rendering comparisons difficult or inappropriate. This is despite multiple attempts exploring the possibility for convergently evolving audits so that collectives of donation networks might transparently share data and practice and then target system interventions. This paper represents a collaboration between the United Kingdom and Australian organ donation organisations which aimed to understand the intricacies of our respective auditing systems, compare the metrics and definitions they employ and ultimately assess their level of comparability. This point of view outlines the historical context underlying the development of the auditing tools, demonstrates their differences to the Critical Pathway proposed as a common tool a decade ago and presents a side-by-side comparison of donation definitions, metrics and data for the 2019 calendar year. There were significant differences in donation definition terminology, metrics and overall structure of the audits. Fitting the audits to a tiered scaffold allowed for reasonable comparisons however this required substantial effort and understanding of nuance. Direct comparison of international and inter-regional donation performance is challenging and would benefit from consistent auditing processes across organisations.
A Parallelizable Integer Linear Programming Approach for Tiling Finite Regions of the Plane with Polyominoes
Authors: Garvie Marcus R. , Burkardt John
Published: May 2022

The general problem of tiling finite regions of the plane with polyominoes is NP-complete, and so the associated computational geometry problem rapidly becomes intractable for large instances. Thus, the need to reduce algorithm complexity for tiling is important and continues as a fruitful area of research. Traditional approaches to tiling with polyominoes use backtracking, which is a refinement of the ‘brute-force’ solution procedure for exhaustively finding all solutions to a combinatorial search problem. In this work, we combine checkerboard colouring techniques with a recently introduced integer linear programming (ILP) technique for tiling with polyominoes. The colouring arguments often split large tiling problems into smaller subproblems, each represented as a separate ILP problem. Problems that are amenable to this approach are embarrassingly parallel, and our work provides proof of concept of a parallelizable algorithm. The main goal is to analyze when this approach yields a potential parallel speedup. The novel colouring technique shows excellent promise in yielding a parallel speedup for finding large tiling solutions with ILP, particularly when we seek a single (optimal) solution. We also classify the tiling problems that result from applying our colouring technique according to different criteria and compute representative examples using a combination of MATLAB and CPLEX, a commercial optimization package that can solve ILP problems. The collections of MATLAB programs PARIOMINOES (v3.0.0) and POLYOMINOES (v2.1.4) used to construct the ILP problems are freely available for download.
Multi-Chain Collaboration-Based Information Management and Control for the Rice Supply Chain
Authors: Peng Xiangzhen , Zhang Xin , Wang Xiaoyi , Li Haisheng , Xu Jiping , Zhao Zhiyao
Published: May 2022

The issue of food quality and safety is a major concern. Rice is considered one of the three staple foods. Rice quality and safety problems have occurred frequently, which seriously affect human health. The rice supply chain is characterized by complex links, discrete data, and numerous types of hazardous substances. Strengthening the information management and control capabilities of the rice supply chain is an important means to ensure the quality and safety of rice. Based on multi-chain collaboration, we have conducted research on information management and control of the rice supply chain. First, a multi-chain collaborative model of “blockchain + sub-chain” is designed. Based on this model, the following four mechanisms are designed: a trusted chain mechanism, a multi-level sub-chain encryption mechanism, a trusted supervision mechanism, and a hierarchical consensus mechanism. These mechanisms jointly serve the multi-chain collaborative management and control of the rice supply chain information. Secondly, smart contracts and operating procedures are designed, and a comparative analysis of them is executed. Finally, the design and implementation of the prototype system is carried out, and an example is verified and analyzed in a grain enterprise. Results show that this model serves the information supervision of the rice supply chain by studying the multi-chain collaboration. The study solves the real-time data interaction problem between each link of the rice supply chain. The credible management of information and control of the rice supply chain is accomplished. This study applies new information technology to the coordination and resource sharing of the food supply chain and provides ideas for the digital transformation of the food industry.