bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Phosphate–Solubilizing Bacteria, and Silicon to P Uptake by Plant
Authors: Etesami Hassan , Jeong Byoung Ryong , Glick Bernard R.
Published: July 2021

Phosphorus (P) availability is usually low in soils around the globe. Most soils have a deficiency of available P; if they are not fertilized, they will not be able to satisfy the P requirement of plants. P fertilization is generally recommended to manage soil P deficiency; however, the low efficacy of P fertilizers in acidic and in calcareous soils restricts P availability. Moreover, the overuse of P fertilizers is a cause of significant environmental concerns. However, the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), phosphate–solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and the addition of silicon (Si) are effective and economical ways to improve the availability and efficacy of P. In this review the contributions of Si, PSB, and AMF in improving the P availability is discussed. Based on what is known about them, the combined strategy of using Si along with AMF and PSB may be highly useful in improving the P availability and as a result, its uptake by plants compared to using either of them alone. A better understanding how the two microorganism groups and Si interact is crucial to preserving soil fertility and improving the economic and environmental sustainability of crop production in P deficient soils. This review summarizes and discusses the current knowledge concerning the interactions among AMF, PSB, and Si in enhancing P availability and its uptake by plants in sustainable agriculture.
Proactive Personality and Employee Creativity: A Moderated Mediation Model of Multisource Information Exchange and LMX
Authors: Zhang Aishi , Li Xi , Guo Yuchen
Published: July 2021

Integrating the social perspective of creativity and the goal-regulatory process perspective of proactivity, this study investigates how proactive personality influences two forms of employee creativity-incremental creativity and radical creativity through multisource information exchange. Using a moderated mediation framework, this study suggests that leader-member exchange (LMX) moderates the positive association between proactive personality and those two forms of employee creativity. The results of this study, drawn from the sample of 500 employees and their immediate supervisors in a large state-owned company of China, support most of the hypotheses. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings, as well as the limitations of this study and the directions for future research, are discussed.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Whiteley Index-8 in Chinese Outpatients in General Hospitals
Authors: Chen Yixiao , Fink Per , Wei Jing , Toussaint Anne-Kristin , Zhang Lan , Zhang Yaoyin , Chen Hua , Ma Xiquan , Li Wentian , Ren Jie , Lu Wei , Leonhart Rainer , Fritzsche Kurt , Wu Heng
Published: July 2021

Background: Excessive and persistent health anxiety is a common and disabling but often unrecognized illness. Therefore, screening patients for health anxiety is recommended in primary care. The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of an updated version of the eight-item Whiteley Index (WI-8) among outpatients in general hospitals in China.

Methods: The presented data were derived from a multicenter cross-sectional study. The Chinese version of the WI-8 was administered to a total of 696 outpatients. Cronbach's alpha was used to evaluate the internal consistency of the scale. The validity of the scale was evaluated based on factor analysis and correlation analyses. To assess the discriminant ability, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted.

Results: Cronbach's alpha was 0.937, and it decreased (0.925) after deleting the new 8th item. Factor analysis extracted one factor accounting for 69.2% of the variance. Moderate correlations were found (0.414–0.662) between the WI-8 and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) and Somatic Symptom Disorder B-criteria (SSD-12). The ROC curve indicated excellent discriminatory ability to discriminate among patients with health anxiety (AUC = 0.822).

Conclusions: The new WI-8 version is a reliable and valid tool to screen for health anxiety in general hospital patients. We recommend the WI-8 as a useful screening tool for health anxiety.
Analyzing Stability and Change in Dyadic Attachment: The Multi-Rater Latent State-Trait Model With Autoregressive Effects
Authors: Bohn Johannes , Holtmann Jana , Ulitzsch Esther , Koch Tobias , Luhmann Maike , Eid Michael
Published: July 2021

Previous research suggests that parental attachment is stable throughout emerging adulthood. However, the relationships between the mutual attachments in the dyads of emerging adults and their parents are still unclear. Our study examines the stability and change in dyadic attachment. We asked 574 emerging adults and 463 parents at four occasions over 1 year about their mutual attachments. We used a latent state-trait model with autoregressive effects to estimate the time consistency of the attachments. Attachment was very stable, and earlier measurement occasions could explain more than 60% of the reliable variance. Changes of attachment over time showed an accumulation of situational effects for emerging adults but not for their parents. We estimated the correlations of the mutual attachments over time using a novel multi-rater latent state-trait model with autoregressive effects. This model showed that the mutual attachments of parents and emerging adults were moderately to highly correlated. Our model allows to separate the stable attachment from the changing attachment. The correlations between the mutual attachments were higher for the stable elements of attachment than for the changing elements of attachment. Emerging adults and their parents share a stable mutual attachment, but they do not share the changes in their respective attachments.
An Italian Adaptation of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) and Attitudes During the Covid-19 Outbreak
Authors: Murphy Mike , Lami Andrea , Moret-Tatay Carmen
Published: July 2021

Resilience has attracted the interest of the scientific community during the Covid-19 outbreak, as a protective factor in mental health. As the migrant population arguably has one of the most vulnerable profiles in the current health crisis, the aim of this study is to assess the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) across native and migrant residents in Italy, and to compare scores across these two populations. Other personal attitudes to the current restrictions were considered. Preliminary psychometrics were tested in a version of the translated instrument with an independent sample. A second independent sample was used to analyse the differences between migrant and native adults. The results showed no differences between the new version and the previous Spanish adaptation or the original instrument. Moreover, no differences were found between the migrant and non-migrant group. BRCS scores were predicted by attitudes toward Covid-19 but not by migrant or native group. These results suggest that the BRCS may be a useful tool to measure resilience in Italy at time of pandemic, irrespective of cultural differences.
Finding One's Footing When Everyone Has an Opinion. Negotiating an Acceptable Identity After Sexual Assault
Authors: Dundas Ingrid , Mæhle Elin , Stige Signe Hjelen
Published: July 2021

Identities used to describe oneself after trauma may influence recovery, and searches for acceptable identities after sexual assault can be challenging. Fifteen Norwegian female survivors of sexual assault were recruited at a clinical center, and were individually interviewed about post-assault discussions with others. Our focus was on the experiences of non-blaming and believing interactions with others, and how these interactions can be understood as a process of searching for acceptable identities after sexual assault. A reflexive thematic analysis resulted in four themes: navigating between other people's stories and one's own; realizing the seriousness of the assault without drowning in the upset of others; finding a place between too much closeness and too much distance; and being more than a victim. We discuss the importance of participants retaining agency in post-assault interactions. We suggest that being a survivor of sexual assault increases the probability, even in believing and non-blaming interactions, of being cast in a subject–object relationship with less freedom and agency than before. Navigating toward acceptable identities may mean working one's way back to being a subject in a subject–subject relationship again.
Working in the Eye of the Pandemic: Local COVID-19 Infections and Daily Employee Engagement
Authors: Reinwald Max , Zimmermann Sophia , Kunze Florian
Published: July 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed many aspects of our society and work life. This study assesses how daily variations in employees' work engagement are affected by daily variations in infection rates in employees' communities. Applying the conceptual framework of event system theory, we argue that surging COVID-19 cases have an impact on employee engagement, depending on the individual sensemaking processes of the pandemic. We assume that employee age and received leader support are key context factors for these sensemaking processes and that particularly older employees and employees who receive little leader consideration react with lower work engagement levels toward rising local COVID-19 infections in their proximity. We find support for most of our proposed relationships in an 8-day diary study of German employees, which we integrate with official COVID-19 case statistics on the county level. We discuss the implications of these results for the literature on extreme events and individual workplace behavior. Furthermore, these findings have important implications for companies and executives who are confronted with local COVID-19 outbreaks or other extreme societal events.
Impacts of Social and Emotional Learning Interventions for Teachers on Teachers' Outcomes: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis
Authors: Oliveira Sofia , Roberto Magda Sofia , Pereira Nádia Salgado , Marques-Pinto Alexandra , Veiga-Simão Ana Margarida
Published: July 2021

Teaching is among the most emotionally demanding jobs, impacting teachers' personal lives and job performance. Since teaching-specific stressors are mainly socio-emotional related, social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions targeting teachers have increased rapidly in recent years. This study conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis of 43 empirical studies which evaluated the efficacy of school-based SEL interventions involving 3,004 in-service preK-12 teachers. The initial systematic review showed that these interventions were very heterogeneous and the research on their efficacy assessed widely distinct outcome variables. Concerning the meta-analysis, results showed statistically significant small to medium effect sizes favoring the experimental group, with SEL interventions impacting teachers' social and emotional competence [g = 0.59, 95% CI (0.29, 0.90)], well-being [g = 0.35, 95% CI (0.16, 0.54)], and psychological distress [g = −0.34, 95% CI (−0.57, −0.10)]. Meta-regressions did not reveal significant values of the explanatory variables, and publication bias was found for social and emotional competence and well-being domains. Findings add to growing empirical evidence regarding the impact of these interventions and contribute to the development of guidelines for the design of effective SEL interventions for teachers.
Decision Making and Impulsivity in Young Adult Cannabis Users
Authors: O'Donnell Brian F. , Skosnik Patrick D. , Hetrick William P. , Fridberg Daniel J.
Published: July 2021

Aims: Chronic cannabis users show impairments on laboratory measures of decision making which reflect risk factors for initiation and continued use of cannabis. However, the differential sensitivity of these tasks to cannabis use has not been established. Moreover, studies to date have often lacked assessment of psychiatric histories and use of other illicit substances, both of which may influence decision making outcomes. The current study aimed to address these limitations by (1) including multiple types of decision making tasks, (2) implementing the Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task, a measure of decision making under uncertainty, for the first time in cannabis users, (3) including young adult cannabis users with no other psychiatric disorders, and (4) conducting urinalysis to exclude users of other illicit drugs.

Methods: Thirty-three current cannabis users without comorbid psychiatric disorders and 35 cannabis non-users completed behavioral measures of decision-making (Iowa Gambling Task), reward discounting (Delay Discounting Task), choice-outcome learning (the Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task) and a questionnaire assessment of impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale).

Results: Relative to non-users, cannabis users demonstrated greater preference for immediate vs. delayed rewards on the Delay Discounting Task, made fewer advantageous decisions on the Iowa Gambling Task, and endorsed greater impulsivity on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale scales. Cannabis users and non-users showed comparable performance on the Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task. Frequency of past-month cannabis use and total years of use did not predict decision making or impulsivity.

Conclusions: Young adult cannabis users demonstrated higher discounting rates and impairments in learning cost-benefit contingencies, while reversal learning was unaffected. Self-reported impulsivity was elevated as well. None of these measures correlated with current or lifetime estimates of cannabis use, arguing against a dose-relationship. Interventions that target improvement in affected components of decision making may be helpful in reducing cannabis use and relapse.
My Fault? Coworker Incivility and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: The Moderating Role of Attribution Orientation on State Guilt
Authors: Wang Qiong , Teng Xiaofei , Cai Zijun , Qu Yi , Qian Jing
Published: July 2021

The effect of workplace incivility on the behavior of individuals has been a widespread concern in recent years. Previous studies have largely linked uncivilized workplaces to discrete emotions such as anger and frustration, as well as negative behaviors such as withdrawal and aggression. However, few studies have focused on the specific role of introverted discrete emotions (i.e., guilt). At the same time, the role of individual differences (i.e., attribution orientation) has not been paid enough attention. Based on the attribution theory, this study examines how coworker incivility influences the organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) of individuals and the moderating role of internal attribution orientation on this process. Using the data of 109 employees for 10 consecutive working days as samples, we employed the PROCESS macro and MPLUS to examine our hypotheses. The results indicated that coworker incivility experience was positively related to the state guilt of employees only when they were high in internal attribution orientation rather than low. State guilt, in turn, was positively related to their OCB. This study expands the research of emotional response to uncivilized experience and provides a new perspective to understand the relationship between workplace incivility and potential positive outcomes. The implications of the general findings are discussed.
Past, Present, and Future of Impulse Buying Research Methods: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Mandolfo Marco , Lamberti Lucio
Published: July 2021

Impulse buying (IB) represents a pivotal subject in consumer psychology. A general agreement on its core elements and their relationship is arguably established. So far, however, there has been little discussion about how to assess impulse purchases, leading to a potential divergence of practise from theory and complexities in cross-study comparability. This systematic literature review investigates the research methods and metrics employed in high-quality literature to evaluate impulse shopping behaviours across different environments, including online, offline, and multichannel settings. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, the literature search has been conducted on databases relevant for scientific literature, including Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest. Fifty-four articles were included in this systematic review. Findings show the existence of four methods to investigate IB, namely quantitative self-reports, laboratory investigations, fieldwork observations, and qualitative interviews. A comparison of the four methods in terms of fit highlights that self-reports and interviews provide a significant contribution in assessing the cognitive facet of impulse purchasing. Laboratory investigations and fieldwork observation find a better fit with the conative and visceral facets of impulsive buying. Considering the major role of affective charges occurring during impulse shopping, complementary research approaches, and metrics belonging to applied psychophysiology and consumer neuroscience are examined. Three opportunities for future research are discussed, including theory building and refinement, understanding individual differences, and honing behavioural predictions.
Explaining Caregivers' Perceptions of Palliative Care Unmet Needs in Iranian Alzheimer's Patients: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Ashrafizadeh Hadis , Gheibizadeh Mahin , Rassouli Maryam , Hajibabaee Fatemeh , Rostami Shahnaz
Published: July 2021

Introduction: The needs of Alzheimer's patients are very complex and diverse and many of them are considered unmet needs. Understanding and responding to the unmet and complex needs of Alzheimer's patients can affect the quality of care. Therefore, the present study aimed to explain the perception of formal and informal caregivers of the unmet needs of Iranian Alzheimer's patients.

Methods: The present qualitative study employed a Directed Content Analysis approach and was conducted in Iran in 2020. This research was done through in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 19 qualified caregivers enrolled (11 informal caregivers and 8 formal caregivers) with the mean age of 46.05 ± 10.98 years in a purposive sampling method. Interviews continued until data saturation. Data analysis was performed simultaneously with data collection. After recording and transcribing, the data were analyzed using the Elo and Kyngas method based on the National Consensus Project framework (NCP). Data management was done with MAXQDA software. In order to achieve the accuracy and validity of the study, the criteria presented by Lincoln and Guba Credibility, Dependability, Confirmability, and Transformability were considered and used.

Results: The mean age of participants was 46.05 ± 10.98. Participants in this study acknowledged that Alzheimer's patients need comprehensive needs management with a holistic approach to increase quality of life. This theme based on the NCP framework consists of seven main categories including “Structure and processes of care,” “Physical aspects of care,” “Psychological and psychiatric aspects of care,” “Social aspects of care,” “Cultural aspects of care,” “Care of the patient nearing the end of life,” and “Ethical and legal aspects of care” with 16 subcategories.

Conclusion: The findings of this study provide a deep understanding of the unmet needs of Alzheimer's patients in Iran. Identifying the unmet needs of patients can pave the way for the treatment team to provide effective solutions to meet the needs and empower caregivers to provide comprehensive care for patients.
SIMON: A Digital Protocol to Monitor and Predict Suicidal Ideation
Authors: Sels Laura , Homan Stephanie , Ries Anja , Santhanam Prabhakaran , Scheerer Hanne , Colla Michael , Vetter Stefan , Seifritz Erich , Galatzer-Levy Isaac , Kowatsch Tobias , Scholz Urte , Kleim Birgit
Published: July 2021

Each year, more than 800,000 persons die by suicide, making it a leading cause of death worldwide. Recent innovations in information and communication technology may offer new opportunities in suicide prevention in individuals, hereby potentially reducing this number. In our project, we design digital indices based on both self-reports and passive mobile sensing and test their ability to predict suicidal ideation, a major predictor for suicide, and psychiatric hospital readmission in high-risk individuals: psychiatric patients after discharge who were admitted in the context of suicidal ideation or a suicidal attempt, or expressed suicidal ideations during their intake. Specifically, two smartphone applications -one for self-reports (SIMON-SELF) and one for passive mobile sensing (SIMON-SENSE)- are installed on participants' smartphones. SIMON-SELF uses a text-based chatbot, called Simon, to guide participants along the study protocol and to ask participants questions about suicidal ideation and relevant other psychological variables five times a day. These self-report data are collected for four consecutive weeks after study participants are discharged from the hospital. SIMON-SENSE collects behavioral variables -such as physical activity, location, and social connectedness- parallel to the first application. We aim to include 100 patients over 12 months to test whether (1) implementation of the digital protocol in such a high-risk population is feasible, and (2) if suicidal ideation and psychiatric hospital readmission can be predicted using a combination of psychological indices and passive sensor information. To this end, a predictive algorithm for suicidal ideation and psychiatric hospital readmission using various learning algorithms (e.g., random forest and support vector machines) and multilevel models will be constructed. Data collected on the basis of psychological theory and digital phenotyping may, in the future and based on our results, help reach vulnerable individuals early and provide links to just-in-time and cost-effective interventions or establish prompt mental health service contact. The current effort may thus lead to saving lives and significantly reduce economic impact by decreasing inpatient treatment and days lost to inability.
Anxiety Symptoms Are Associated With Higher Psychological Stress, Poor Sleep, and Inadequate Sleep Hygiene in Collegiate Young Adults—A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Manzar Md Dilshad , Alghadir Ahmad H. , Khan Masood , Salahuddin Mohammed , Albougami Abdulrhman , Maniago Jestoni D. , Vasquez Brian A. , Pandi-Perumal Seithikurippu R. , Bahammam Ahmed S.
Published: July 2021

Background: Anxiety symptoms, stress, poor sleep, and inadequate sleep hygiene are common in university students and these affect their learning and increase attrition. However, limited knowledge exists about the inter-relationship between these factors among university students in low-middle income countries. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and their relationship with sleep quality, sleep hygiene practices, and psychological stress.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a randomly selected sample of students in Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, which included questions about socio-demographics, socio-economic factors, the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire-Mizan, Sleep hygiene index, Perceived stress scale-10 (PSS-10), and Generalized anxiety disorder-7 scale (GAD-7).

Results: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was about 22%. Multivariate regression analysis showed that both anxiety status χ2[(13, N = 480) = 82.68, p < 0.001], and increasing levels of anxiety (model adjusted R2 = 0.204, p < 0.001) were associated with greater psychological stress, inadequate sleep hygiene practices, and poor sleep quality scores after adjusting for age, gender, attendance, substance use, years of university education, time spent in athletic activity every day, and frequency of tea/coffee consumption.

Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of anxiety symptoms in this study population, and this condition was associated with psychological stress, poor sleep, and inadequate sleep hygiene parameters. These results suggest a need to address the various aspects of mental health and its diverse sleep correlates in university students.
Assessing Changes in Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety During Four Weeks of Cannabis Abstinence Among Adolescents
Authors: Cooke Megan E. , Gilman Jodi M. , Lamberth Erin , Rychik Natali , Tervo-Clemmens Brenden , Evins A. Eden , Schuster Randi M.
Published: July 2021

Background: Cannabis use is prevalent among adolescents, and many report using in attempts to alleviate negative mood and anxiety. Abstinence from substances such as alcohol and tobacco has been reported to improve symptoms of anxiety and depression. Few studies have examined the effect of cannabis abstinence on symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Objective: To test the effect of 4 weeks of continuous cannabis abstinence on depressive and anxious symptoms.

Methods: Healthy, non-treatment seeking adolescents who used cannabis at least weekly (n = 179) were randomized to either 4 weeks of cannabis abstinence achieved through a contingency management paradigm (CB-Abst) or cannabis use monitoring without an abstinence requirement (CB-Mon). Abstinence was assessed by self-report verified with quantitative assay of urine for cannabinoids. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed weekly with the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (MASQ).

Results: Symptoms of depression and anxiety decreased throughout the study for all participants (MASQ-AA: stnd beta = −0.08, p = 0.01, MASQ-GDA: stnd beta = −0.11, p = 0.003, MASQ-GDD: stnd beta = −0.08, p = 0.02) and did not differ significantly between randomization groups (p's > 0.46). Exploratory analyses revealed a trend that abstinence may be associated with greater improvement in symptoms of anxiety and depression among those using cannabis to cope with negative affect and those with potentially hazardous levels of cannabis use.

Conclusions: Among adolescents who use cannabis at least weekly, 4 weeks of cannabis abstinence was not associated with a significant change in anxiety or depressive symptoms compared to continued use. For recreational cannabis users who may be concerned about reducing their use for fear of increased symptoms of anxiety and depression, findings suggest that significant symptom worsening may not occur within the first 4 weeks of abstinence. Further studies are needed in clinical populations where anxiety and depression symptoms are measured more frequently and for a longer period of abstinence. Future studies are also needed to determine whether there are subgroups of adolescents who are uniquely impacted by sustained cannabis abstinence.
Risk, Trust, and Flawed Assumptions: Vaccine Hesitancy During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ebrahimi Omid V. , Johnson Miriam S. , Ebling Sara , Amundsen Ole Myklebust , Halsøy Øyvind , Hoffart Asle , Skjerdingstad Nora , Johnson Sverre Urnes
Published: July 2021

Background: The pace at which the present pandemic and future public health crises involving viral infections are eradicated heavily depends on the availability and routine implementation of vaccines. This process is further affected by a willingness to vaccinate, embedded in the phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy. The World Health Organization has listed vaccine hesitancy among the greatest threats to global health, calling for research to identify the factors associated with this phenomenon.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study seeks to investigate the psychological, contextual, and sociodemographic factors associated with vaccination hesitancy in a large sample of the adult population. 4,571 Norwegian adults were recruited through an online survey between January 23 to February 2, 2021. Subgroup analyzes and multiple logistic regression was utilized to identify the covariates of vaccine hesitancy.

Results: Several subgroups hesitant toward vaccination were identified, including males, rural residents, and parents with children below 18 years of age. No differences were found between natives and non-natives, across education or age groups. Individuals preferring unmonitored media platforms (e.g., information from peers, social media, online forums, and blogs) more frequently reported hesitance toward vaccination than those relying on information obtainment from source-verified platforms. Perceived risk of vaccination, belief in the superiority of natural immunity, fear concerning significant others being infected by the virus, and trust in health officials' dissemination of vaccine-related information were identified as key variables related to vaccine hesitancy.

Conclusion: Given the heterogeneous range of variables associated with vaccine hesitancy, additional strategies to eradicate vaccination fears are called for aside from campaigns targeting the spread of false information. Responding to affective reactions in addition to involving other community leaders besides government and health officials present promising approaches that may aid in combating vaccination hesitation.
Climate Change, Land, Water, and Food Security: Perspectives From Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ofori Samuel Appiah , Cobbina Samuel Jerry , Obiri Samuel
Published: July 2021

The current and projected warming of the earth is unequivocal with humans playing a strong role as both perpetrators and victims. The warming on the African continent is projected to be greater than the global average with an increased average temperature of 3–6°C by the end of the century under a high Representative Concentration Pathway. In Africa, the Sub-Saharan region is identified as the most vulnerable to the changing climate due to its very low capacity to adapt to or mitigate climate change. While it is common to identify studies conducted to assess how climate change independently impacts water, land, or food resources, very limited studies have sought to address the interlinkages, synergies, and trade-offs existing between climate change, water, land, and food (WLF) resources as a system in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The climate change and WLF security nexus, therefore, seeks to address this shortfall in literature and subsequently serve as a relevant source of information for decision-making and policy implementation concerning climate change mitigation and adaptation. In this study, 41 relevant studies were selected from Web of Science, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and institutional websites. We provide information on the independent relationships between climate change and WLF resources, and further discuss the existing inter-linkages between climate change and the WLF security in SSA using the nexus approach, with recommendations on how decision making and policy implementations should be done using the climate change and WLF security nexus approach.
Nodal Upstaging Evaluation After Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy for Early-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Compared to Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery and Thoracotomy: A Retrospective Single Center Analysis
Authors: Gallina Filippo Tommaso , Melis Enrico , Forcella Daniele , Mercadante Edoardo , Marinelli Daniele , Ceddia Serena , Cappuzzo Federico , Vari Sabrina , Cecere Fabiana Letizia , Caterino Mauro , Vidiri Antonello , Visca Paolo , Buglioni Simonetta , Sperduti Isabella , Marino Mirella , Facciolo Francesco
Published: July 2021

Introduction: The standard surgical procedures for patients with early-stage NSCLC is lobectomy-associated radical lymphadenectomy performed by using the thoracotomy approach. In the last few years, minimally invasive techniques have increasingly strengthened their role in lung cancer treatment, especially in the early stage of the disease. Although the lobectomy technique has been accepted, controversy still surrounds lymph node dissection. In our study, we analyze the rate of upstaging early non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent radical surgical treatment using the robotic and the VATS techniques compared to the standard thoracotomy approach.

Methods and Materials: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent a lobectomy and radical lymphadenectomy at our Institute between 2010 and 2019. We selected 505 patients who met the inclusion criteria of the study: 237 patients underwent robotic surgery, 158 patients had thoracotomy, and 110 patients were treated with VATS. We analyzed the demographic features between the groups as well as the nodal upstaging rate after pathological examination, the number of dissected lymph nodes and the ratio of dissected lymph nodes to metastatic lymph nodes of the three groups.

Results: The patients of the three groups were homogenous with respect to age, sex, and histology. The postoperative major morbidity rate was significantly higher in the thoracotomy group, and hospital stay was significantly longer. The percentage of the mediastinal nodal upstaging rate and the number of dissected lymph nodes was significantly higher in the robotic group compared with the VATS group. The ratio of dissected lymph nodes to metastatic lymph nodes was significantly lower compared with the VATS group and the thoracotomy group.

Discussion: The prognostic impact of the R(un) status is still highly debated. A surgical approach that allows better results in terms of resection has still not been defined. Our results show that robotic surgery is a safe and feasible approach especially regarding the accuracy of mediastinal lymphadenectomy. These findings can lead to defining a more precise pathological stage of the disease and, if necessary, to more accurate postoperative treatment.
Review of Infections With Bovine Herpesvirus 1 in Slovenia
Authors: Hostnik Peter , Černe Danijela , Mrkun Janko , Starič Jože , Toplak Ivan
Published: July 2021

In the 1950s, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IBR/IPV) disease was clinically detected and documented in cattle for the first time in Slovenia. The bovine herpes virus 1 (BoHV-1) was confirmed several times from infected herds by virus isolation on cell cultures. To keep the IC virus-free, high biosecurity measures were introduced. Before entering the IC, all calves are serologically tested and quarantined. Bulls in Slovenian insemination centres (IC) have been negative for IBR /IPV infection since 1979. From 1985 to 1991, few large-scale studies of the prevalence of IBR/IPV were carried out. In 1985, a high percentage (56.9%) of serologically positive animals were found in large state farms with Holstein Friesian cattle. Epidemiological studies in farm with bulls' mother herds were also carried out in the farms with Simmental and Brown cows. Antibodies against BoHV-1 were detected in the serum of 2.3% of Brown cattle and 3.5% of Simmental cattle. In the year 2000, 3.4% of bulk tank milk samples from 13,349 dairy farms were detected BoHV-1 antibodies positive. The highest percentage of positive animals was found in regions with an intensive grazing system (6.2% positive) and the lowest percentage in the east part of Slovenia (0.9% positive) on farms with mostly Simmental cattle. In 2006, a total 204,662 sera of cattle older than 24 months were tested for the presence of BoHV-1 antibodies and positive cattle were detected in 3.6% of tested farms. These farms kept 34,537 animals that were potential carriers of the BoHV-1. Most of the positive farms kept Holstein Friesian cattle, descendants from the state-owned farms, which were privatised or closed after 1990. In 2015, the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection issued a rule that describes the conditions for granting and maintaining the status of BoHV-1 free holdings. The rule provides a voluntary control programme for breeders who want to obtain BoHV-1 free status and are willing to cover all the cost of acquiring and maintaining that status. There has been very little response from breeders.
Professional Characteristics of Health Promotion: A Scoping Review of the German and International Literature
Authors: Biehl Verena , Gerlinger Thomas , Wieber Frank
Published: July 2021

Objective: This scoping review investigates current developments in the professional characteristics of health promotion (HP) with a focus on the German speaking part of Europe. The conceptualization of HP is a prerequisite for progressing HP professionalization and clarifying the interconnectedness between HP and Public Health.

Methods: The search strategy was informed by sociological professionalization theories. Original publications were included in a content-based analysis.

Results: Ninety publications (37 original publications) were identified in the review. The results are summarized in categories based on professional characteristics: 1) profession, 2) ethics, 3) education/training 4) competencies, and 5) quality. The professionalization of HP regarding the professional characteristics is less developed in the German compared to the international literature.

Conclusion: The mixed findings emphasize the relevance of a common HP conceptualization. The HP core competencies, which have been developed by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education must be further promoted. A strong HP workforce within Public Health strengthens the HP status in policy contexts and society and its contribution to promoting health and tackling social inequalities in health.
Patologías de la libertad (V). Depresión y suicidio: La constricción del ser
Authors: Villegas Manuel
Published: July 2021

Este artículo se inscribe en la serie “patologías de la libertad” dedicada a la comprensión de los “trastornos neuróticos” más frecuentes, desde la perspectiva del análisis existencial. Versa sobre depresión y suicidio, dado que la depresión es uno de los desencadenantes más habituales del suicidio, en su triple vertiente ideacional, tentativa o ejecutiva. Desde el punto de vista existencial la depresión significa el hundimiento del núcleo central de la existencia. Esta deja de tener sentido y proyección en el mundo sea natural (Umwelt), social (Mitwelt) o personal (Eigenwelt). Se analiza esta relación a través de tres casos, específicos para cada uno de estos tres mundos.
Effects of Main Meteorological Indicators on Eating Quality of Rice in Lower Reaches of the Huai River
Authors: Zhou Nianbing , Shi Qiang , Wei Haiyan , Zhang Hongcheng
Published: July 2021

The main meteorological indicators affecting the eating quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the lower reaches of Huai river were studied and the optimal sowing time range for obtaining good eating quality was put forward. Compared with solar radiation, rainfall, and humidity, temperature is the primary meteorological factor affecting the eating quality of rice in the lower reaches of the Huai river. Sowing the rice on different dates altered the heading and maturity dates of rice, and the difference between the mean daily temperature (Tmean) from the heading to maturity stage reached 4.6–5.0 °C. The Tmean from heading to maturity for all treatments was less than 23.5 °C. When the temperature was lower than 20.2 °C during the grain filling period, the value of the comprehensive evaluation of eating quality (CEQ) of the three types of rice decreased significantly. The medium-maturing japonica soft rice varieties (SMR), late-maturing japonica soft rice varieties (SLR), and late-maturing japonica non-soft rice varieties (LR) varieties that were subjected to low temperatures had a higher amylose content and protein content. Overall, the eating quality of rice in the lower reaches of the Huai river was affected by the low Tmean after the heading stage. The mean daily temperature (Tmean) range from the heading to maturity stages of SMR, SLR, and LR varieties that produced relatively high CEQ were 20.2–23.3 °C, 20.2–22.1 °C, and 20.3–22.1 °C, respectively. The optimal sowing date ranges of SMR, SLR, and LR were 16 May to 1 June, 16 to 18 May, and 16 to 20 May, respectively.
Prospects of Developing Novel Genetic Resources by Chemical and Physical Mutagenesis to Enlarge the Genetic Window in Bread Wheat Varieties
Authors: Hussain Momina , Gul Maryyam , Kamal Roop , Iqbal Muhammad Atif , Zulfiqar Sana , Abbas Ammad , Röder Marion S. , Muqaddasi Quddoos H. , Mehboob-ur-Rahman
Published: July 2021

Sustainable production and improved genetic gains can be achieved by broadening the genetic window of elite wheat germplasm. Here, we induced mutations in two spring wheat varieties, viz., NN-Gandum-1 (NN-1) and Punjab-11 (Pb-11), by exposing their seeds to ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) and γ-rays, respectively. We characterized >3500 lines of each NN-1 and Pb-11 derived population in three consecutive generations, viz., M5, M6, and M7, for important traits, e.g., plant height, heading date, spike morphology and rust resistance. We observed significant genetic variation and correlations in both populations for all investigated traits. We observed differences in terms of number of mutants between NN-1 (22.76%) and Pb-11 (26.18%) which could be ascribed to the genotype-by-mutagen interaction. High broad-sense heritability (H2) estimates, that are vital for higher genetic gains, were observed for all of the investigated traits in both populations (H2 = 0.69–0.91 in NN-1 and 0.84–0.98 in Pb-11). Particularly, to breed for rust resistance, we selected a subset (n = 239) of M7 lines that also showed phenotypic variation for other traits. Our studies (1) show the relevance to artificial mutagenesis to create genetic variation in elite germplasm for their immediate use in current breeding programs, and (2) provide material for downstream identification of genes associated with traits of high agronomic importance.
Mango Postharvest Technologies: An Observational Study of the Yieldwise Initiative in Kenya
Authors: Chikez Hory , Maier Dirk , Sonka Steve
Published: July 2021

Several studies have evaluated the effects of postharvest technologies on postharvest loss (PHL) incurred at a single stage of a food value chain. However, very few studies have assessed the effect of multiple technologies on PHL incurred at various stages of a food value chain. This study evaluated the effect of five technologies (harvesting tools, cold stores, plastic crates, fruit fly traps, and ground tarps) promoted by the Rockefeller Foundation Yieldwise Initiative (YWI) in Kenya on PHL incurred at three mango value chain stages (harvest, transportation, and point of sale). After extensive screening of the YWI data, the Kruskal–Wallis statistical test was used to compare each YWI promoted technology to smallholder farmers (SHF) traditional practices. Results indicated that plastic crates used to transport or store mangos and fruit fly traps used to attract and kill fruit flies were statistically significant (p < 0.05) in reducing PHL at the point of sale. Meanwhile, no statistical evidence of PHL reduction was observed from SHF using harvesting tools, cold stores, and ground tarps. Cold stores were the least adopted of the promoted technologies due to their high costs of implementation and utilization. While this study asserts that increased technology adoption is associated with PHL reduction, further research is needed to identify additional factors that favor technologies’ efficacy in reducing PHL in similar food value chains.
Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea [L.] Verdc.) Production, Utilisation and Genetic Improvement in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Majola Nomathemba Gloria , Gerrano Abe Shegro , Shimelis Hussein
Published: July 2021

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea [L.] Verdc.) is a nutritionally rich grain legume crop indigenous to Africa. It is tolerant to drought stress and has become adapted to grow under low input and marginal agricultural production systems in Africa and Asia. Bambara groundnut is an orphan crop, and represents a neglected and under researched plant genetic resource. Modern crop management, production technologies, and value chains are yet to be developed in Africa to achieve the potential economic gains from Bambara groundnut production and marketing. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) the production and productivity of Bambara groundnut is low and stagnant because of diverse abiotic and biotic stresses and socio-economic constraints. Improved crop management and post handling technologies, modern varieties with high yield and nutritional quality, value addition, and market access are among the key considerations in current and future Bambara groundnut research and development programs. This paper presents progress on Bambara groundnut production, utilization, and genetic improvement in SSA. It presents the key production constraints, genetic resources and analysis, breeding methods and genetic gains on yield, and nutritional quality and outlook. The information presented will guide the sustainable production and effective breeding of the crop in order to pursue food and nutrition security, and improve livelihoods through Bambara groundnut enterprises.
Copy Number Quantification for the Soybean Cyst Nematode Resistance Locus rhg1 in the Soybean Varieties of Taiwan
Authors: Huang Cheng-Chun , Yang Jiue-in , Chou Kuo-Lung , Lin Chen-Hsiang , Chang Hao-Xun
Published: July 2021

Disease resistance is one of the most successful strategies in crop protection. For example, the implementation of PI 88788 type resistance, which contains high copy numbers of Resistance to Heterodera glycines 1 (rhg1) loci, into the commercial soybean varieties of the United States has significantly reduced the yield losses caused by soybean cyst nematode (SCN, H. glycines). Vegetable soybean, or edamame, has become a major exporting agricultural product in Taiwan with an annual revenue over $80 million USD since 2017. Several local varieties have been developed to fulfill the market needs such as the traits of flavor and sweetness. However, it remains unclear if the historical breeding programs ever incorporated rhg1 resistance into the varieties of Taiwan. This study applied the TaqMan qPCR method to measure the fluorescent signals specific to the rhg1 locus on the chromosome 18 of soybean, and the ratio of VIC and FAM signals were analyzed to predict the rhg1 copy number in the 21 soybean varieties of Taiwan. The results indicated the copy number and the single nucleotide polymorphisms of the 21 soybean varieties were identical to the susceptible soybean variety ‘Williams 82’. As importation of soybean will be continuously needed to fulfill the market and because SCN is absent in the soybean fields of Taiwan, lacking rhg1 resistance in the local soybean varieties may put the edamame industry at risk and early implementation of SCN resistance in the breeding program, alongside the application of quarantine regulations, will be the key to maintain the SCN-free status and to sustain the edamame industry in Taiwan.
Characterization of Different Arundo donax L. Clones from the Mediterranean Region
Authors: Sánchez Elena , Lino Gladys , Serrat Xavier , Nogués Salvador
Published: July 2021

The present study assessed the behavior of four clones of Arundo donax L. (giant reed) as a perennial rhizomatous grass of increasing interest due to its high biomass production and great adaptability to stress conditions. In this study, a molecular, physiological, and biomass characterization was performed in greenhouse conditions on four Mediterranean clones. The majority of physiological and biomass parameters were not significantly different between clones. However, it was possible to observe large differences in the chromosome count for the four clones. In this way, we detected different numbers of chromosomes for each clone (98 to 122), but surprisingly, no correlation was observed between their chromosome numbers and their physiological and biomass responses.