bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polysaccharide Peptide Extract From Coriolus versicolor Increased Tmax of Tamoxifen and Maintained Biochemical Serum Parameters, With No Change in the Metabolism of Tamoxifen in the Rat
Authors: Razmovski-Naumovski Valentina , Kimble Benjamin , Laurenti Daunia , Nammi Srinivas , Norimoto Hisayoshi , Chan Kelvin
Published: April 2022

Background: Polysaccharide peptide (PSP) extract of Coriolus versicolor (L.) Quél. (1886) (Trametes; Polyporaceae) is increasingly used in cancer to support the immune system. However, its interaction with tamoxifen is unknown.

Aim of the study: To investigate the effect of a PSP extract on the pharmacokinetics, biochemical parameters, and depletion of tamoxifen.

Methods: The pharmacokinetic and biochemical parameters of tamoxifen (20 mg/mL oral single dose and repeated dosing for 12 days) was investigated in female Sprague Dawley rats with or without PSP (340 mg/kg orally for 7 days) (n = 5 per group). Tamoxifen (5 µM) depletion rate with PSP (10–100 μg/mL) was measured in female rat hepatic microsomes in vitro.

Results: Compared to tamoxifen alone, the time to reach maximum concentration (Tmax) significantly increased by 228% (4.15 ± 1.15 versus 13.6 ± 2.71 h) in the single tamoxifen dose with PSP and 93% (6 ± 2.17 versus 11.6 ± 0.4 h) in the repeated tamoxifen dosing with PSP (p < 0.05). No significant changes in the area-under-curve and maximum concentration were observed in the single dose and repeated tamoxifen dosing plus PSP compared to tamoxifen alone. Pharmacodynamically, the repeated tamoxifen dosing with PSP maintained 19 out of 23 hepatic, renal and cardiac biochemical serum parameters in rats compared to untreated rats (p > 0.05). PSP extract did not significantly alter in vitro intrinsic clearance of tamoxifen compared to tamoxifen control.

Conclusion: With the increased use of PSP as an adjunct therapy, this study highlights the importance of clinician’s knowledge of its interaction with tamoxifen to avoid compromising clinical actions and enhancing clinical therapy.
Polarization Reconstruction Algorithm of Target Based on the Analysis of Noise in Complex Underwater Environment
Authors: Song Qiang , Liu Xiao , Huang Honglian , Ti Rufang , Sun Xiaobing
Published: March 2022

How to effectively eliminate interference such as scattering, absorption, and attenuation is a hot topic of underwater photoelectric detection at present. Around the hot issues, this paper carries out studying the method of polarization-imaging recovery in a dynamic complex underwater environment from the theory of underwater radiation transfer, and numerical simulation of imaging interference characteristics to the simulation of underwater environment experiment. First, by conducting the analysis and simulation of scattering characteristics of underwater suspension particles and bubble by using the theory of radiation transfer, and taking advantage of quantitative description on changing tendency of radiation intensity and polarization properties of light waves in turbid water under the condition of scattering interference. Second, by constructing an underwater target polarization reconstruction model on the basis of the Mueller matrix analysis, and taking target polarization characteristic into reconstruction model on the basis of classical Schechner’s model, automatically estimating polarization information of target by the method of covariance. Finally, by building a polarization imaging system in the simulated complex underwater environment that contains bubble and suspended particles, obtaining reconstructed results with different underwater environments and different materials of target. According to experiment results, and compared with other traditional methods, using the proposed method in this paper can get higher resolution and higher contrast of target in the reconstructed result.
Physical Simulation Experiment Study on Injection-Production Characteristics of Off-Surface Reservoirs in Sapu Oil Layer in Xing-6 Area
Authors: Liu Ruhao , Wang Xinrui , He Xin , Song Baoyu
Published: April 2022

Based on the information of dense cored wells and by analyzing off-surface reservoir data, we determined the type of off-surface reservoirs in the area, the characteristics of off-surface reservoir microfacies (vertical), the planar distribution characteristics of off-surface reservoirs, the off-surface reservoir rocks, facies features, etc., so as to extract the matching pattern of the well pattern and the sand body. Based on the core analysis of the cored well area and the analysis of the matching relationship between injection and production between wells, five typical conventional off-surface and high-quality strip sand body injection and production modes between wells were extracted, and five corresponding core physical models and numerical models were constructed. Through physical simulation displacement experiment and numerical simulation displacement experiment analysis, the research shows that conventional off-surface reservoirs can be exploited separately and can be produced well, with a recovery rate of 40%; conventional off-surface reservoirs are combined with high-quality strip sand bodies (Lu et al., Journal of Xi’an Shiyou University (Natural Science Edition), 2019, 34(4): 60–66 and Cheng et al., Oil and Gas Reservoir Evaluation and Development, 2019, 9(02): 56–59). Under mining conditions, there is serious interlayer interference; under the condition of tandem mining of conventional off-surface reservoirs and high-quality strip sand bodies, the production level of off-surface reservoirs can be effectively improved. Experiments show that the contribution rate of conventional off-surface reservoirs reaches 62% under the conditions of pin-out mining with high-quality sand bodies. The research results lay the foundation for further refined development and improvement of the economic and effective utilization of reserves.
Targeting Cell-Specific Molecular Mechanisms of Innate Immunity in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Sauter M. , Langer H. F.
Published: April 2022

Mechanisms of innate immunity contribute to inflammation, one of the major underlying causes of atherogenesis and progression of atherosclerotic vessel disease. How immune cells exactly contribute to atherosclerosis and interact with molecules of cholesterol homeostasis is still a matter of intense research. Recent evidence has proposed a potential role of previously underappreciated cell types in this chronic disease including platelets and dendritic cells (DCs). The pathophysiology of atherosclerosis is studied in models with dysfunctional lipid homeostasis and several druggable molecular targets are derived from these models. Specific therapeutic approaches focussing on these immune mechanisms, however, have not been successfully introduced into everyday clinical practice, yet. This review highlights molecular insights into immune processes related to atherosclerosis and potential future translational approaches targeting these molecular mechanisms.
Effects of Chronological Age, Relative Age, and Maturation Status on Accumulated Training Load and Perceived Exertion in Young Sub-Elite Football Players
Authors: Teixeira José Eduardo , Alves Ana Ruivo , Ferraz Ricardo , Forte Pedro , Leal Miguel , Ribeiro Joana , Silva António J. , Barbosa Tiago M. , Monteiro António M.
Published: March 2022

The aims of this study were 1) to analyze the influence of chronological age, relative age, and biological maturation on accumulated training load and perceived exertion in young sub-elite football players and 2) to understand the interaction effects amongst age grouping, maturation status, and birth quartiles on accumulated training load and perceived exertion in this target population. A 6-week period (18 training sessions and 324 observation cases) concerning 60 young male sub-elite football players grouped into relative age (Q1 to Q4), age group (U15, U17, and U19), and maturation status (Pre-peak height velocity (PHV), Mid-PHV, and Post-PHV) was established. External training load data were collected using 18 Hz global positioning system technology (GPS), heart-rate measures by a 1 Hz short-range telemetry system, and perceived exertion with total quality recovery (TQR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). U17 players and U15 players were 2.35 (95% CI: 1.25–4.51) and 1.60 (95% CI: 0.19–4.33) times more likely to pertain to Q1 and Q3, respectively. A negative magnitude for odds ratio was found in all four quartile comparisons within maturation status (95% CI: 6.72–0.64), except for Mid-PHV on Q2 (95% CI: 0.19–4.33). Between- and within-subject analysis reported significant differences in all variables on age group comparison measures (F = 0.439 to 26.636, p = 0.000 to 0.019, η2 = 0.003–0.037), except for dynamic stress load (DSL). Between-subject analysis on maturity status comparison demonstrated significant differences for all training load measures (F = 6.593 to 14.424, p = 0.000 to 0.037, η2 = 0.020–0.092). Interaction effects were found for age group x maturity band x relative age (Λ Pillai’s = 0.391, Λ Wilk’s = 0.609, F = 11.385, p = 0.000, η2 = 0.391) and maturity band x relative age (Λ Pillai’s = 0.252, Λ Wilk’s = 0.769, F = 0.955, p = 0.004, η2 = 0.112). Current research has confirmed the effects of chronological age, relative age, and biological maturation on accumulated training load. Perceived exertion does not seem to show any differences concerning age group or maturity status. Evidence should be helpful for professionals to optimize the training process and young football players’ performance.
Using Deep Learning to Identify Costa Rican Native Tree Species From Wood Cut Images
Authors: Figueroa-Mata Geovanni , Mata-Montero Erick , Valverde-Otárola Juan Carlos , Arias-Aguilar Dagoberto , Zamora-Villalobos Nelson
Published: April 2022

Tree species identification is critical to support their conservation, sustainable management and, particularly, the fight against illegal logging. Therefore, it is very important to develop fast and accurate identification systems even for non-experts. In this research we have achieved three main results. First, we developed—from scratch and using new sample collecting and processing protocols—an dataset called CRTreeCuts that comprises macroscopic cross-section images of 147 native tree species from Costa Rica. Secondly, we implemented a CNN for automated tree species identification based on macroscopic images of cross-sections of wood. For this CNN we apply the fine-tuning technique with VGG16 as a base model, pre-trained with the ImageNet data set. This model is trained and tested with a subset of 75 species from CRTreeCuts. The top-1 and top-3 accuracies achieved in the testing phase are 70.5% and 80.3%, respectively. The Same-Specimen-Picture Bias (SSPB), which is known to erroneously increase accuracy, is absent in all experiments. Finally, the third result is Cocobolo, an Android mobile application that uses the developed CNN as back-end to identify Costa Rican tree species from images of cross-sections of wood.
Genome-wide Identification of Metal Tolerance Protein Genes in Peanut: Differential Expression in the Root of Two Contrasting Cultivars Under Metal Stresses
Authors: Wang Xueqin , Wang Chaohui , Zhang Zheng , Shi Gangrong
Published: April 2022

Metal tolerance proteins (MTP) are Me2+/H+(K+) antiporters that play important roles in the transport of divalent cations in plants. However, their functions in peanut are unknown. In the present study, a total of 24 AhMTP genes were identified in peanut, which were divided into seven groups belonging to three substrate-specific clusters (Zn-CDFs, Zn/Fe-CDFs, and Mn-CDFs). All AhMTP genes underwent whole genome or segmental gene duplication events except AhMTP12. Most AhMTP members within the same subfamily or group generally have similar gene and protein structural characteristics. However, some genes, such as AhMTP1.3, AhMTP2.4, and AhMTP12, showed wide divergences. Most of AhMTP genes preferentially expressed in reproductive tissues, suggesting that these genes might play roles in metal transport during the pod and seed development stages. Excess metal exposure induced expressions for most of AhMTP genes in peanut roots depending on cultivars. By contrast, AhMTP genes in the root of Fenghua 1 were more sensitive to excess Fe, Cd, and Zn exposure than that of Silihong. Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the percentage of Fe in shoots significantly and positively correlated with the expression of AhMTP4.1, AhMTP9.1, and AhMTPC4.1, but negatively correlated with that of AhMTPC2.1 and AhMTP12. The expression of AhMTP1.1 showed a significant and negative correlation with the percentage of Mn in shoots. The percentage of Zn in shoots was significantly and positively correlated with the expression of AhMTP2.1 but was negatively correlated with that of AhMTPC2.1. The differential responses of AhMTP genes to metal exposure might be, at least partially, responsible for the different metal translocation from roots to shoots between Fenghua 1 and Silihong.
Foliar P-Fractions Allocation of Karelinia caspia and Tamarix ramosissima Are Driven by Soil and Groundwater Properties in a Hyper-Arid Desert Ecosystem
Authors: Gao Yanju , Zhang Zhihao , Zhang Bo , Yin Hui , Chai Xutian , Xu Mengqi , Tariq Akash , Zeng Fanjiang
Published: March 2022

The allocation patterns of foliar phosphorus (P) fractions across various vegetation types generally reflect the adaptability to P-impoverished environments. However, the allocation of foliar-P fractions within the desert herb Karelinia caspia (K. caspica) and shrub Tamarix ramosissima (T. ramosissima) in soils with different environment-P availability and the impact of soil and groundwater properties on foliar-P fractions allocation remain unclear. The foliar-P fractions (metabolites-P, nucleic acid-P, structural-P, and residual-P) of K. caspica and T. ramosissima and the properties of 0–60 cm deep soil under their canopy and groundwater were determined at four different environment-P sites. Results found that as environment-P availability decreased, both plants allocated the higher proportions of foliar-P to nucleic acid-P than to metabolites-P and structural-P. With the exception of residual-P, foliar-P fractions were markedly higher for K. caspica than T. ramosissima. Soil Olsen-P, NO3–-N, soil water content, electrical conductivity (EC), groundwater EC, and total dissolved solids (TDSs) played an important role in allocating foliar P-fractions for both K. caspica and T. ramosissima. Compared with K. caspica, the foliar-P fractions of T. ramosissima were more tightly bounded to groundwater than soil properties. Overall, these findings show how desert plants flexibility take advantage of the foliar-P in low environment-P availability and illustrate the foliar-P fractions allocation of desert plants is driven by soil and groundwater properties.
Plant Breeding for Intercropping in Temperate Field Crop Systems: A Review
Authors: Moore Virginia M. , Schlautman Brandon , Fei Shui-zhang , Roberts Lucas M. , Wolfe Marnin , Ryan Matthew R. , Wells Samantha , Lorenz Aaron J.
Published: March 2022

Monoculture cropping systems currently dominate temperate agroecosystems. However, intercropping can provide valuable benefits, including greater yield stability, increased total productivity, and resilience in the face of pest and disease outbreaks. Plant breeding efforts in temperate field crops are largely focused on monoculture production, but as intercropping becomes more widespread, there is a need for cultivars adapted to these cropping systems. Cultivar development for intercropping systems requires a systems approach, from the decision to breed for intercropping systems through the final stages of variety testing and release. Design of a breeding scheme should include information about species variation for performance in intercropping, presence of genotype × management interaction, observation of key traits conferring success in intercropping systems, and the specificity of intercropping performance. Together this information can help to identify an optimal selection scheme. Agronomic and ecological knowledge are critical in the design of selection schemes in cropping systems with greater complexity, and interaction with other researchers and key stakeholders inform breeding decisions throughout the process. This review explores the above considerations through three case studies: (1) forage mixtures, (2) perennial groundcover systems (PGC), and (3) soybean-pennycress intercropping. We provide an overview of each cropping system, identify relevant considerations for plant breeding efforts, describe previous breeding focused on the cropping system, examine the extent to which proposed theoretical approaches have been implemented in breeding programs, and identify areas for future development.
Metabolite Profiling and Transcriptome Analysis Unveil the Mechanisms of Red-Heart Chinese Fir [Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook] Heartwood Coloration
Authors: Cao Sen , Deng Houyin , Zhao Ye , Zhang Zijie , Tian Yanting , Sun Yuhan , Li Yun , Zheng Huiquan
Published: April 2022

Red-heart Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) has the advantages of high density and attractive color, making it popular in the market. To date, most studies about stems of woody plants have only been reported at the cytological level because of few living cells. In this study, the xylem was successfully partitioned into three effective sampling areas: sapwood, transition zone, and heartwood. Secondary metabolites, cell survival, and differentially expressed genes in the three sampling areas were, respectively, investigated. First, we identified the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways closely related to color. Based on the chemical structure of secondary metabolites in pathways, two notable directions had been found. Luteolin’s glycosylation products might be the key substances that regulated the color of heartwood in red-heart Chinese fir because of the 1,000-fold difference between red-heart and white-heart. We also found pinocembrin and pinobanksin in Chinese fir, which were rarely reported before. At the cytological level, we believed that the transition zone of red-heart Chinese fir was a critical region for color production because of the fewer living ray parenchyma cells. In addition, transcriptome and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) proved that genes regulating the entire phenylpropanoid pathway, upstream of the flavonoid pathway, and some glycosyltransferases were significantly upregulated in the transition zone of red-heart and then colored the heartwood by increasing metabolites. This is the first report on the color-related secondary metabolites regulated by differential genes in red-heart Chinese fir. This study will broaden our knowledge on the effects of metabolites on coloring woody plant xylems.
The Common Bean V Gene Encodes Flavonoid 3′5′ Hydroxylase: A Major Mutational Target for Flavonoid Diversity in Angiosperms
Authors: McClean Phillip E. , Lee Rian , Howe Kevin , Osborne Caroline , Grimwood Jane , Levy Shawn , Haugrud Amanda Peters , Plott Chris , Robinson Melanie , Skiba Ryan M. , Tanha Tabassum , Zamani Mariam , Thannhauser Theodore W. , Glahn Raymond P. , Schmutz Jeremy , Osorno Juan M. , Miklas Phillip N.
Published: March 2022

The classic V (violet, purple) gene of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) functions in a complex genetic network that controls seed coat and flower color and flavonoid content. V was cloned to understand its role in the network and the evolution of its orthologs in the Viridiplantae. V mapped genetically to a narrow interval on chromosome Pv06. A candidate gene was selected based on flavonoid analysis and confirmed by recombinational mapping. Protein and domain modeling determined V encodes flavonoid 3′5′ hydroxylase (F3′5′H), a P450 enzyme required for the expression of dihydromyricetin-derived flavonoids in the flavonoid pathway. Eight recessive haplotypes, defined by mutations of key functional domains required for P450 activities, evolved independently in the two bean gene pools from a common ancestral gene. V homologs were identified in Viridiplantae orders by functional domain searches. A phylogenetic analysis determined F3′5′H first appeared in the Streptophyta and is present in only 41% of Angiosperm reference genomes. The evolutionarily related flavonoid pathway gene flavonoid 3′ hydroxylase (F3′H) is found nearly universally in all Angiosperms. F3′H may be conserved because of its role in abiotic stress, while F3′5′H evolved as a major target gene for the evolution of flower and seed coat color in plants.
Authentic Leadership, Trust (in the Leader), and Flourishing: Does Precariousness Matter?
Authors: Kleynhans Deon J. , Heyns Marita M. , Stander Marius W. , de Beer Leon T.
Published: April 2022

Orientation

This study employed a second stage moderated mediation analysis to investigate the influence of authentic leadership on employee flourishing via trust in the leader (mediating variable) and job overload (moderating variable).

Research Purpose

To explore the relationship between authentic leadership and flourishing by considering the indirect effect of trust in the leader as potentially moderated by job overload.

Motivation for the Study

An authentic leadership style, trust in the leader, and job overload may impact employee flourishing. A deeper understanding of the potential interaction effect of trust in the leader and job overload in the relationship between authentic leadership and flourishing may improve individual and organizational productivity.

Research Approach/Design and Method

This study used a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design and PROCESS for moderated mediation. The sample consisted of 314 employees in a prominent steel manufacturing organization in South Africa. The Authentic Leadership Inventory, Workplace Trust Survey (WTS), Flourishing-at-Work Scale, and the Job Demands-Resources Scale were utilized.

Main Findings

The study found that authentic leadership was a significant predictor of flourishing through trust in the leader. Job overload did not moderate the relationship between trust in the leader and employee flourishing.

Practical/Managerial Implications

This study emphasizes the potential role of authentic leadership in fostering a trustful relationship between employees and their leaders. It might result in the increased flourishing of employees. The non-significant influence of job overload on trusting relationships in precarious work contexts was also illuminated.

Contribution/Value-Add

Through the analysis of these relations, organizations may be favorably equipped to optimize the resources required to improve performance. Moreover, the investigation into trust in the leader combined with job overload increases our understanding of supporting and promoting employee flourishing at work.
The Impact of Scenarios on the Performance of Entrepreneurial Imaginativeness: Evidence From an Experiment
Authors: Chen Yang , Wang Min , Liu Yawen , Lu Ruoyu
Published: March 2022

With the advent of the era of artificial intelligence, “scenario” frequently appears in new product development and has gradually become an effective tool for analyzing user needs. However, the reasons for this phenomenon have not been explored in depth. New product development is a creative activity that requires product designers to imagine how people will live in the near future. So, we speculated that a familiar scenario that matches designers’ background (including knowledge, expertise, and experience) can spark their entrepreneurial imaginativeness by empathic simulation and conducted an experiment to research the impact of scenarios on the performance of entrepreneurial imaginativeness. Results of this study confirmed that a familiar scenario did indeed inspire entrepreneurial imaginativeness more than an unfamiliar scenario, especially for high entrepreneurial imaginativeness. This study provided a new respective for understanding the relationship between the empathy process and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition and evaluation processes and had practical implications for entrepreneurial practice, especially those that make human life better based on new digital technologies. Finally, we gave some suggestions on enhancing individuals’ entrepreneurial imaginativeness through different familiar scenarios and improving the team performance on creative tasks.
Mindfulness as a Protective Factor Against Depression, Anxiety and Psychological Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Emotion Regulation and Insomnia Symptoms as Mediators
Authors: Mamede André , Merkelbach Inge , Noordzij Gera , Denktas Semiha
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Research has linked mindfulness to improved mental health, yet the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not well understood. This study explored the mediating role of emotion regulation strategies and sleep in the relationship between mindfulness and symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

As detailed in this study’s pre-registration (osf.io/k9qtw), a cross-sectional research design was used to investigate the impact of mindfulness on mental health and the mediating role of emotion regulation strategies (i.e., cognitive reappraisal, rumination and suppression) and insomnia. A total of 493 participants from the general population answered an online survey and were included in the final analysis. The online survey consisted of the short form of the Five-Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-SF), the Impact of Event Scale-revised (IES-R), the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), the short form of the Rumination Response Scale (RSS-SF), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).

Results

Structural equation modelling revealed that mindfulness was related to lower symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress, both directly and indirectly. Mindfulness was negatively associated with rumination and insomnia. As hypothesised, models revealed that the associations between mindfulness and depression, anxiety and psychological distress were significantly mediated by its negative associations with rumination and insomnia. Our findings also demonstrated that rumination was related to increased insomnia symptoms, which in turn was associated with increased mental health problems, indicating a mediated mediation. Mindfulness was also positively associated with cognitive reappraisal and negatively associated with suppression, which were, respectively, negatively and positively associated with depressive symptoms, and thus functioned as specific mediators of the association between mindfulness and depression.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that rumination and insomnia operate transdiagnostically as interrelated mediators of the effects of mindfulness on mental health, whereas cognitive reappraisal and suppression function as specific mediators for depression. These insights emphasise the importance of targeting emotion regulation and sleep in mindfulness interventions for improving mental health. Limitations and implications for practice are discussed.
Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms in Adolescents With and Without Experiences of Physical Parental Violence, a Latent Profile Analysis on Violence Resilience
Authors: Aksoy Dilan , Favre Céline A. , Janousch Clarissa , Ertanir Beyhan
Published: March 2022

Questionnaire data from a cross-sectional study on social resilience in adolescence, with a sample ofN= 1,974 Swiss seventh grade high school students ages 12–14 (M= 11.76;SD= 0.65) was used to identify and compare violence resilience profiles. Person-centered latent profile analysis (LPA) was applied and allowed for the grouping of adolescents into profiles of internalizing (depression/anxiety, dissociation) and externalizing symptoms (peer aggression, peer victimization, classroom disruption) and differentiation of adolescents with (n= 403) and without (n= 1,571) physical parental violence experiences. Subsequently, a multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to further investigate the sociodemographic predictors of violence resilience profiles. With LPA, we identified four distinct profiles for both adolescent groups (with and without parental physical violence experiences). The results showed three particularly burdened profiles of adolescents, one withhigher externalizingand one withhigher internalizingsymptoms, which did not occur simultaneously to the same extent. Furthermore, the third profile contained adolescents with both elevated internalizing and externalizing symptoms, thecomorbidprofile. The fourth profile consisted of the majority of adolescents, who exhibited little or no internalizing and externalizing symptoms, the so-calledno/low symptomaticprofile. A differentiated view of the symptoms can create added value regarding the understanding of violence resilience. Moreover, in the multinomial logistic regression, significant associations were found between the profiles and adolescents’ gender in the group of adolescents with parental physical violence experiences, but none were found in relation to sociocultural status and migration background.
Precursors of Openness to Provide Online Counseling: The Role of Future Thinking, Creativity, and Innovative Behavior of Future Online Therapists
Authors: Alt Dorit , Boniel-Nissim Meyran , Naamati-Schneider Lior , Meirovich Adaya
Published: April 2022

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for online counseling to preserve therapeutic processes that have begun face to face and to provide service to others in need during lockdowns. Previous studies underscored the importance of providing updated training as counselors frequently hesitate to use technological advances in therapeutic sessions. This study aims at reducing such barriers by revealing personal characteristics of future professionals that might inhibit or encourage their openness toward providing online counseling. To this end, this study is focused on several precursors of openness to provide online counseling: preference to communicate emotions online, identification of emotional expressiveness advantages in providing online counseling, innovative behavior, creativity, and future problem-solving thinking skills. The question at focus is which constructs would be found contributive to students’ openness to provide online counseling. The sample included 277 undergraduate students (future counselors) who filled out questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. Our findings pointed to the centrality of students’ preference to communicate their emotions online in explaining their openness to conducting online counseling. This study might help pinpointing the adjustments curriculum designers should address to better reflect the intensive changes within the counseling field that necessitate transferring face-to-face skills to online settings.
Exploring the Influence of Determinants on Behavior Intention to Use of Multiple Media Kiosks Through Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model
Authors: Peng Michael Yao-Ping , Yan Xin
Published: March 2022

The use of multiple media kiosks (MMKs) is witnessing an increasingly strong uptrend in 24-h chain convenient stores in developed countries. However, as the functions of MMKs intensifies and increases, how to retain consumers has been a topic that raises concerns of managers and researchers. In this study, we adopt the integrated technology acceptance model, which combines technology readiness and acceptance model with interactivity that serves as the moderating factor, with the purpose of discussing the relationships among all these variables and their impacts on behavior intention to use. Through the cross-sectional survey and purposive sampling, a total of 623 copies of questionnaire from Taiwan were collected in this study. Smart-PLS for PLS-SEM was applied in the structural model to conduct a verification of the hypotheses and comparative analysis in this study. The results show that all hypotheses were significantly supported; technology readiness has a positive impact on perceived ease to use and perceived usefulness; and interactivity also positively moderates the relationship among perceived ease to use, perceived usefulness and attitude toward using. Our results will offer more insights and advice concerning theories of service technology.
Allocation of Credit Resources and “Borrow to Lend” Activities: Evidence From Chinese-Listed Companies
Authors: Zhao Shangmei , Wang Huibo , Li Wei
Published: March 2022

Credit distribution is uneven in the domestic financial market since it is relatively easy for listed companies, mainly state-owned enterprises, to obtain banks’ funds. Unbalanced credit distribution has caused some listed companies to participate in “Borrow to Lend” activities. Based on the traditional “financing priority” theory and credit rationing theory, this paper studies the “Borrow to Lend” shadow banking activities of China’s non-financial listed companies based on the 2007–2018 financial statement data of Chinese-listed companies and discusses the micro-level and macro-level related factors behind this activity. The empirical results show that China’s non-financial listed companies, especially the state-owned enterprises, are participating in obvious “Borrow to Lend” activities. The real economy’s rate of return shows a negative relationship with “Borrow to Lend” activities at the level of individual companies and their industries. This article uses the exogenous growth part of M2 growth to measure monetary policy tightness in terms of macro and credit policies. It uses the ratio of state-owned enterprise loans to total corporate loans as an approximate indicator of the credit distribution structure. The empirical results indicate that state-owned enterprises’ “Borrow to Lend” activities have shifted in the same direction as the tightening of monetary policy after the financial crisis. The proportion of state-owned enterprise loans positively correlates with state-owned enterprises’ “Borrow to Lend” activities.
A Matching Study on the Influence of Advertised Information Expression and Product Type on Consumer Purchase Intention
Authors: Yang Qiang , Liu Shanshan , Li Yao , Kang Haifeng
Published: April 2022

Due to extensive product differentiation and the personalized aesthetic needs of consumers, modern enterprises need different expressions of information to attract consumers’ interest and improve their purchase intention. This study draws from the elaboration likelihood model, anchoring theory, and media richness theory to explore how the expression of advertised information can be effectively matched to the product type to enhance consumers’ purchase intention. The mediating effect of information-processing fluency and moderating effect of consumers’ personal involvement on this relationship is also explored. Data from experiments and questionnaires involving 1,292 participants were analyzed. The results show that direct expression of advertised information is more suitable for advertising search products, while metaphorical expressions of advertised information are more suitable for advertising experience products. These combinations of product type and expression of advertised information can effectively improve consumers’ purchase intention. Meanwhile, the main combined effect of the product type and expression of advertised information is mediated by consumers’ information-processing fluency, and moderated by consumers’ personal involvement positively.
Medical Cannabis and Past-Year Cannabis Use Disorder Among Adult Recreational Users in the United States: Results From a Nationally Representative Sample
Authors: Rubin-Kahana Dafna Sara , Hassan Ahmed Nabeel , Sanches Marcos , Le Foll Bernard
Published: April 2022

Introduction

With the increasing number of cannabis users and more jurisdictions allowing medical cannabis, more evidence-based knowledge about the prevalence of cannabis use disorder (CUD) among medical users is greatly needed.

Objectives

To examine and compare the prevalence and severity of CUD and the prevalence of different CUD criteria among two groups: those who combine recreational and medical use vs. those who exclusively use cannabis recreationally. To examine the association between CUD and sociodemographic characteristics, medical conditions, and psychiatric comorbidities between these two groups.

Methods

The National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions III data were used, a US nationally representative in-person interview of 36,309 adults aged ≥18 years collected in 2012–2013. The statistical examination included proportion comparison hypothesis testing and linear regressions, all using complex survey design analysis procedures.

Results

Recreational users who used cannabis also for medical purposes had a higher prevalence of CUD in general, as well as mild and moderate CUD than users who used cannabis only for recreational purposes. CUD is more prevalent in recreational, medical users with the following characteristics: young, male, non-white, living in the Midwest, using a greater amount of cannabis, having a concurrent mental disorder, and had CUD before the past year.

Conclusion

Recreational, medical cannabis users have a higher likelihood of having CUD. Although the results should be taken with caution, given the lack of established validity of CUD among medical users, health care professionals who prescribe or recommend the use of cannabis for medical purposes should take this into consideration while evaluating the risks/benefits ratio of cannabis. They need to assess patients' recreational cannabis use, screen for CUD, and educate users about the possible complications caused by cannabis use.
Comparison of Peripheral Biomarkers and Reduction of Stress Response in Patients With Major Depressive Disorders vs. Panic Disorder
Authors: Park Mi Jin , Jang Eun Hye , Kim Ah Young , Kim Hyewon , Kim Hyun Soo , Byun Sangwon , Yu Han Young , Jeon Hong Jin
Published: March 2022

Alteration in stress response seems to affect the development of psychiatric disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether baseline peripheral biomarkers could predict the reduction of stress response among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and panic disorder (PD). Patients with MDD (n = 41) and PD (n = 52) and healthy controls (HC, n = 59) were selected and regularly followed up with five visits for 12 weeks. The severity of stress at every visit was assessed using the Stress Response Inventory (SRI), and peripheral biomarkers were measured by blood tests at baseline and 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, C-reactive protein (CRP), adiponectin, and leptin levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Reduction of stress response was defined as the difference in SRI score between baseline and 12 weeks divided by the baseline score. SRI scores were significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in patients with MDD and PD than in HC at every visit after adjusting for variables. In multivariable linear regression, adiponectin levels at baseline were significantly associated with reduction of stress response in patients with PD. When adiponectin increased 1 mg/l, stress response decreased 0.781 points (β = −0.781, S.E. = 0.220, p = 0.001). Among the subscales of SRI, somatization had a moderate negative correlation with adiponectin levels (r = −0.469). There was no significant association between baseline peripheral biomarkers and reduction of stress response in patients with MDD. Our study showed an inverse association between baseline adiponectin levels and stress response changes in patients with PD, but not in patients with MDD. Thus, differentiated approaches for assessing and treating stress responses of patients with PD and MDD might be helpful. Larger and longitudinal studies are necessary to establish the role and mechanism of action of adiponectin in regulating stress responses in PD.
Water Access and Adherence Intention Among HIV-Positive Pregnant Women and New Mothers Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Zambia
Authors: Nutor Jerry John , Marquez Shannon , Slaughter-Acey Jaime C. , Hoffmann Thomas J. , DiMaria-Ghalili Rose Ann , Momplaisir Florence , Opong Emmanuel , Jemmott Loretta Sweet
Published: April 2022

Background

Mother-to-infant transmission of HIV is a major problem in Sub-Saharan Africa despite free or subsidized antiretroviral treatment (ART), but is significantly reduced when mothers adhere to ART. Because potable water access is limited in low-resource countries, we investigated water access and ART adherence intention among HIV-positive pregnant women and new mothers in Zambia.

Methods

Our convenience sample consisted of 150 pregnant or postpartum women receiving ART. Descriptive statistics compared type of water access by low and high levels of ART adherence intention.

Results

Most (71%) had access to piped water, but 36% of the low-adherence intention group obtained water from a well, borehole, lake or stream, compared to only 22% of the high-adherence intention group. The low-adherence intention group was more rural (62%) than urban (38%) women but not statistically significant [unadjusted Prevalence Ratio (PR) 0.73, 95% CI: 0.52–1.02; adjusted PR 1.06, 95% CI: 0.78–1.45].

Conclusion

Providing potable water may improve ART adherence. Assessing available water sources in both rural and urban locations is critical when educating women initiating ART.
Impact of Wide Local Excision on Melanoma Patient Survival: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Buja Alessandra , Rugge Massimo , Damiani Giovanni , De Luca Giuseppe , Zorzi Manuel , Fusinato Riccardo , De Toni Chiara , Vecchiato Antonella , Del Fiore Paolo , Falasco Francesca , Spina Romina , Rossi Carlo Riccardo , Mocellin Simone
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Promoting standardization and quality assurance (QA) in oncology on the strength of real-world data is essential to ensure better patient outcomes. Wide excision after primary tumor biopsy is a fundamental step in the therapeutic pathway for cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). The aim of this population-based cohort study is to assess adherence to wide local excision in a cohort of patients diagnosed with CMM and the impact of this recommended procedure on overall and disease-specific survival.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cohort study concerns CMM patients diagnosed in the Veneto region (north-east Italy) in 2017, included in the high-resolution Veneto Cancer Registry, and followed up through linkage with the regional mortality registry up until February 29th, 2020. Using population-level real-world data, linking patient-level cancer registry data with administrative records of clinical procedures may shed light on the real-world treatment of CMM patients in accordance with current guidelines. After excluding TNM stage IV patients, a Cox regression analysis was performed to test whether the completion of a wide local excision was associated with a difference in melanoma-specific and overall survival, after adjusting for other covariates.

Results

No wide excision after the initial biopsy was performed in 9.7% of cases in our cohort of 1,305 patients. After adjusting for other clinical prognostic characteristics, Cox regression revealed that failure to perform a wide local excision raised the hazard ratio of death in terms of overall survival (HR = 4.80, 95% CI: 2.05–11.22, p < 0.001) and melanoma-specific survival (HR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.04–7.76, p = 0.042).

Conclusion

By combining clinical and administrative data, this study on real-world clinical practice showed that almost one in ten CMM patients did not undergo wide local excision surgery. Monitoring how diagnostic-therapeutic protocols are actually implemented in the real world may contribute significantly to promoting quality improvements in the management of oncological patients.
Social Norms and Preventive Behaviors in Japan and Germany During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Schmidt-Petri Christoph , Schröder Carsten , Okubo Toshihiro , Graeber Daniel , Rieger Thomas
Published: April 2022

Background

According to a recent paper by Gelfand et al., COVID-19 infection and case mortality rates are closely connected to the strength of social norms: “Tighter” cultures that abide by strict social norms are more successful in combating the pandemic than “looser” cultures that are more permissive. However, countries with similar levels of cultural tightness exhibit big differences in mortality rates. We are investigating potential explanations for this fact. Using data from Germany and Japan—two “tight” countries with very different infection and mortality rates—we examined how differences in socio-demographic and other determinants explain differences in individual preventive attitudes and behaviors.

Methods

We compared preventive attitudes and behaviors in 2020 based on real-time representative survey data and used logit regression models to study how individual attitudes and behaviors are shaped by four sets of covariates: individual socio-demographics, health, personality, and regional-level controls. Employing Blinder-Oaxaca regression techniques, we quantified the extent to which differences in averages of the covariates between Japan and Germany explain the differences in the observed preventive attitudes and behaviors.

Results

In Germany and Japan, similar proportions of the population supported mandatory vaccination, avoided travel, and avoided people with symptoms of a cold. In Germany, however, a significantly higher proportion washed their hands frequently and avoided crowds, physical contact, public transport, peak-hour shopping, and contact with the elderly. In Japan, a significantly higher proportion were willing to be vaccinated. We also show that attitudes and behaviors varied significantly more with covariates in Germany than in Japan. Differences in averages of the covariates contribute little to explaining the observed differences in preventive attitudes and behaviors between the two countries.

Conclusion

Consistent with tightness-looseness theory, the populations of Japan and Germany responded similarly to the pandemic. The observed differences in infection and fatality rates therefore cannot be explained by differences in behavior. The major difference in attitudes is the willingness to be vaccinated, which was much higher in Japan. Furthermore, the Japanese population behaved more uniformly across social groups than the German population. This difference in the degree of homogeneity has important implications for the effectiveness of policy measures during the pandemic.
Patients' Willingness of First Visit in Primary Medical Institutions and Policy Implications: A National Cross-Sectional Survey in China
Authors: Li Jin , Zhao Ning , Zhang Haiyan , Yang Hui , Yang Jia
Published: April 2022

Background

The Chinese hierarchical treatment system expects patients to first visit primary medical institutions (PMIs), and patients' willingness determined their utilization of primary health care. The aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with patients' willingness to make their first visit to PMIs.

Methods

We employed multistage stratified sampling and convenience sampling to administer questionnaires to 1,507 patients in Beijing, Qinghai, and Fujian. Patients' willingness of first visit in PMIs was analyzed using Chi-square test and binary logistic regression.

Results

Of the 1,507 participants in the survey, 55.1% were willing to make their first visit in PMIs. Fewer patients in Beijing (17.6%) are willing to make their first visit in PMIs than those in Qinghai (71.9%) and Fujian provinces (72.0%). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that higher recognition of the community first visit policy and higher satisfaction with the medical technology of PMIs are associated with patients' willingness of first visit in PMIs.

Conclusions

Due to differences in local economic conditions, medical resources, and policy formulation, there are differences among provinces in patients' willingness of first visit in PMIs. To increase patients' rate of visits in PMIs, it is important to improve service capacity and quality of PMIs and change residents' attitudes for PMIs.