bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Main Biosynthesis Pathways Involved in the Synthesis of the Floral Aroma of the Nacional Cocoa Variety
Authors: Colonges Kelly , Jimenez Juan-Carlos , Saltos Alejandra , Seguine Edward , Loor Solorzano Rey Gastón , Fouet Olivier , Argout Xavier , Assemat Sophie , Davrieux Fabrice , Cros Emile , Boulanger Renaud , Lanaud Claire
Published: September 2021

Theobroma cacaois the only source that allows the production of chocolate. It is of major economic importance for producing countries such as Ecuador, which is the third-largest cocoa producer in the world. Cocoa is classified into two groups: bulk cocoa and aromatic fine flavour cocoa. In contrast to bulk cocoa, fine flavour cocoa is characterised by fruity and floral notes. One of the characteristics of Nacional cocoa, the emblematic cocoa of Ecuador, is its aromatic ARRIBA flavour. This aroma is mainly composed of floral notes whose genetic and biochemical origin is not well-known. This research objective is to study the genetic and biochemical determinism of the floral aroma of modern Nacional cocoa variety from Ecuador. Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) was conducted on a population of 152 genotypes of cocoa trees belonging to the population variety of modern Nacional. Genome-Wide Association Study was conducted by combining SSR and SNP genotyping, assaying biochemical compounds (in roasted and unroasted beans), and sensory evaluations from various tastings. This analysis highlighted different areas of association for all types of traits. In a second step, a search for candidate genes in these association zones was undertaken, which made it possible to find genes potentially involved in the biosynthesis pathway of the biochemical compound identified in associations. Our results show that two biosynthesis pathways seem to be mainly related to the floral note of Nacional cocoa: the monoterpene biosynthesis pathway and the L-phenylalanine degradation pathway. As already suggested, the genetic background would therefore appear as largely explaining the floral note of cocoa.
Reciprocal Recurrent Genomic Selection Is Impacted by Genotype-by-Environment Interactions
Authors: Rembe Maximilian , Reif Jochen Christoph , Ebmeyer Erhard , Thorwarth Patrick , Korzun Viktor , Schacht Johannes , Boeven Philipp H. G. , Varenne Pierrick , Kazman Ebrahim , Philipp Norman , Kollers Sonja , Pfeiffer Nina , Longin C. Friedrich H. , Hartwig Niklas , Gils Mario , Zhao Yusheng
Published: September 2021

Reciprocal recurrent genomic selection is a breeding strategy aimed at improving the hybrid performance of two base populations. It promises to significantly advance hybrid breeding in wheat. Against this backdrop, the main objective of this study was to empirically investigate the potential and limitations of reciprocal recurrent genomic selection. Genome-wide predictive equations were developed using genomic and phenotypic data from a comprehensive population of 1,604 single crosses between 120 female and 15 male wheat lines. Twenty superior female lines were selected for initiation of the reciprocal recurrent genomic selection program. Focusing on the female pool, one cycle was performed with genomic selection steps at the F2(60 out of 629 plants) and the F5stage (49 out of 382 plants). Selection gain for grain yield was evaluated at six locations. Analyses of the phenotypic data showed pronounced genotype-by-environment interactions with two environments that formed an outgroup compared to the environments used for the genome-wide prediction equations. Removing these two environments for further analysis resulted in a selection gain of 1.0 dt ha−1compared to the hybrids of the original 20 parental lines. This underscores the potential of reciprocal recurrent genomic selection to promote hybrid wheat breeding, but also highlights the need to develop robust genome-wide predictive equations.
Diversity and Interrelations Among the Constitutive VOC Emission Blends of Four Broad-Leaved Tree Species at Seedling Stage
Authors: Fitzky Anne Charlott , Peron Arianna , Kaser Lisa , Karl Thomas , Graus Martin , Tholen Danny , Pesendorfer Mario , Mahmoud Maha , Sandén Hans , Rewald Boris
Published: September 2021

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants consist of a broad range of gasses which serve purposes such as protecting against herbivores, communicating with insects and neighboring plants, or increasing the tolerance to environmental stresses. Evidence is accumulating that the composition of VOC blends plays an important role in fulfilling these purposes. Constitutional emissions give insight into species-specific stress tolerance potentials and are an important first step in linking metabolism and function of co-occurring VOCs. Here, we investigate the blend composition and interrelations among co-emitted VOCs in unstressed seedlings of four broad-leaved tree species,Quercus robur, Fagus sylvatica, Betula pendula, andCarpinus betulus. VOCs ofQ. roburandF. sylvaticamainly emitted isoprene and monoterpenes, respectively.B. pendulahad relatively high sesquiterpene emission; however, it made up only 1.7% of its total emissions while the VOC spectrum was dominated by methanol (∼72%).C. betuluswas emitting methanol and monoterpenes in similar amounts compared to other species, casting doubt on its frequent classification as a close-to-zero VOC emitter. Beside these major VOCs, a total of 22 VOCs could be identified, with emission rates and blend compositions varying drastically between species. A principal component analysis among species revealed co-release of multiple compounds. In particular, new links between pathways and catabolites were indicated, e.g., correlated emission rates of methanol, sesquiterpenes (mevalonate pathway), and green leaf volatiles (hexanal, hexenyl acetate, and hexenal; lipoxygenase pathway). Furthermore, acetone emissions correlated with eugenol from the Shikimate pathway, a relationship that has not been described before. Our results thus indicate that certain VOC emissions are highly interrelated, pointing toward the importance to improve our understanding of VOC blends rather than targeting dominant VOCs only.
The Winter-Type Allele of HvCEN Is Associated With Earliness Without Severe Yield Penalty in Icelandic Spring Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Göransson Magnus , Sigurdardottir Thorbjörg Helga , Lillemo Morten , Bengtsson Therése , Hallsson Jon Hallsteinn
Published: September 2021

Icelandic barley genotypes have shown extreme earliness both in flowering and maturity compared to other north European genotypes, whereas earliness is a key trait in adapting barley to northern latitudes. Four genes were partially re-sequenced, which are Ppd-H1, HvCEN, HvELF3, and HvFT1, to better understand the mechanisms underlying this observed earliness. These genes are all known to play a part in the photoperiod response. The objective of this study is to correlate allelic diversity with flowering time and yield data from Icelandic field trials. The resequencing identified two to three alleles at each locus which resulted in 12 haplotype combinations. One haplotype combination containing the winter-type allele of Ppd-H1 correlated with extreme earliness, however, with a severe yield penalty. A winter-type allele in HvCEN in four genotypes correlated with earliness combined with high yield. Our results open the possibility of marker-assisted pyramiding as a rapid way to develop varieties with a shortened time from sowing to flowering under the extreme Icelandic growing conditions and possibly in other arctic or sub-arctic regions.
Ethics, Patents and Genome Editing: A Critical Assessment of Three Options of Technology Governance
Authors: Feeney Oliver , Cockbain Julian , Sterckx Sigrid
Published: September 2021

Current methods of genome editing have been steadily realising the once remote possibilities of making effective and realistic genetic changes to humans, animals and plants. To underpin this, only 6 years passed between Charpentier and Doudna’s 2012 CRISPR-Cas9 paper and the first confirmed (more or less) case of gene-edited humans. While the traditional legislative and regulatory approach of governments and international bodies is evolving, there is still considerable divergence, unevenness and lack of clarity. However, alongside the technical progress, innovation has also been taking place in terms of ethical guidance from the field of patenting. The rise of so-called “ethical licensing” is one such innovation, where patent holders’ control over genome editing techniques, such as CRISPR, creates a form of private governance over possible uses of gene-editing through ethical constraints built into their licensing agreements. While there are some immediately apparent advantages (epistemic, speed, flexibility, global reach, court enforced), this route seems problematic for, at least, three important reasons: 1) lack of democratic legitimacy/procedural justice, 2) voluntariness, wider/global coordination, and sustainability/stability challenges and 3) potential motivational effects/problems. Unless these three concerns are addressed, it is not clear if this route is an improvement on the longer, slower traditional regulatory route (despite the aforementioned problems). Some of these concerns seem potentially addressed by another emerging patent-based approach. Parthasarathy proposes government-driven regulation using the patent system, which, she argues, has more transparency and legitimacy than the ethical licensing approach. This proposal includes the formation of an advisory committee that would guide this government-driven approach in terms of deciding when to exert control over gene editing patents. There seem to be some apparent advantages with this approach (over traditional regulation and over the ethical licensing approach mentioned above—speed and stability being central, as well as increased democratic legitimacy). However, problems also arise—such as a “half-way house” of global democratic legitimacy that may not be legitimate enough whilst still compromising speed of decision-making under the “ethical licensing” approach). This paper seeks to highlight the various advantages and disadvantages of the three main regulatory options—traditional regulation, ethical licensing and Parthasarathy’s approach—before suggesting an important, yet realistically achievable, amendment of TRIPS and an alternative proposal of a WTO ethics advisory committee.
Mediator Roles of Social Support and Hope in the Relationship Between Body Image Distress and Resilience in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment: A Modeling Analysis
Authors: Hsu Hsin-Tien , Juan Chiung-Hui , Chen Jyu-Lin , Hsieh Hsiu-Fen
Published: September 2021

Breast cancer and its treatment are particularly distressing for patients because of their potential impacts on body image. The most difficult phase of cancer treatment is usually the first year after a diagnosis. Cancer patients with strong resilience have the positive attitude, internal strength and external resources needed to cope with the disease and its treatment. This cross-sectional study investigated the mediator roles of hope and social support in the association between body image distress and resilience. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data for a convenience sample of 141 breast cancer patients undergoing treatment in southern Taiwan. Structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. The results showed that the final model had a good fit to the data and accounted for 51% of the total variance in resilience. The model of multiple parallel mediators of resilience revealed that hope and social support had mediator roles in the effect of body image distress on resilience. Hope had an important partial mediating role in the association between body image distress and resilience. Social support also had a partial mediating role in the relationship between body image distress and resilience. Social support did not directly affect resilience and indirectly affected resilience through hope. Psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing the impact of body image distress and increasing resilience in breast cancer patients should focus on cultivating hope and increasing social support, particularly support from family members and health professionals.
Reverse the Lens, Set Focus on the Followers: A Theoretical Framework of Resource Dependence, Upward Influence, and Leadership
Authors: Tripathi Neha
Published: September 2021

Leadership theories predominantly focus on the top-down managerial influence on employees. Recent theoretical developments, however, have accentuated the call for scholarly attention on holistic models comprising both leadership and followership. In the present study, the author developed a theoretical framework of upward influence and leadership construction by drawing on resource dependence theory. Specifically, the author proposed a novel outlook illuminating upward influence in hierarchical relationships whereby employees, as the hosts of tacit resources, inculcate interdependent relationships with their managers. Considering the dependence of employees and managers on each other for tangible and intangible resources, relationships with a (a) power imbalance and (b) joint or embedded dependence emerge. The author further explained the role of leadership construction in power-imbalanced and embedded relationships and elaborated on organizational and team structural boundary conditions. By revitalizing upward influence, the proposed theoretical framework offered new insights into leadership and followership literature, with the potential to change the conversation from a foundational thesis assuming the managerial capacity to lead and bestow resources on their subordinates to a two-way resource-dependence perspective, which has been scarcely considered in contemporary management research.
Acoustic-Lexical Characteristics of Child-Directed Speech Between 7 and 24 Months and Their Impact on Toddlers' Phonological Processing
Authors: Cychosz Margaret , Edwards Jan R. , Bernstein Ratner Nan , Torrington Eaton Catherine , Newman Rochelle S.
Published: September 2021

Speech-language input from adult caregivers is a strong predictor of children's developmental outcomes. But the properties of this child-directed speech are not static over the first months or years of a child's life. This study assesses a large cohort of children and caregivers (n= 84) at 7, 10, 18, and 24 months to document (1) how a battery of phonetic, phonological, and lexical characteristics of child-directed speech changes in the first 2 years of life and (2) how input at these different stages predicts toddlers' phonological processing and vocabulary size at 2 years. Results show that most measures of child-directed speech do change as children age, and certain characteristics, like hyperarticulation, actually peak at 24 months. For language outcomes, children's phonological processing benefited from exposure to longer (in phonemes) words, more diverse word types, and enhanced coarticulation in their input. It is proposed that longer words in the input may stimulate children's phonological working memory development, while heightened coarticulation simultaneously introduces important sublexical cues and exposes them to challenging, naturalistic speech, leading to overall stronger phonological processing outcomes.
Classification of Gamers Using Multiple Physiological Signals: Distinguishing Features of Internet Gaming Disorder
Authors: Ha Jihyeon , Park Sangin , Im Chang-Hwan , Kim Laehyun
Published: September 2021

The proliferating and excessive use of internet games has caused various comorbid diseases, such as game addiction, which is now a major social problem. Recently, the American Psychiatry Association classified “Internet gaming disorder (IGD)” as an addiction/mental disorder. Although many studies have been conducted on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of IGD, screening studies for IGD are still scarce. In this study, we classified gamers using multiple physiological signals to contribute to the treatment and prevention of IGD. Participating gamers were divided into three groups based on Young’s Internet Addiction Test score and average game time as follows: Group A, those who rarely play games; Group B, those who enjoy and play games regularly; and Group C, those classified as having IGD. In our game-related cue-based experiment, we obtained self-reported craving scores and multiple physiological data such as electrooculogram (EOG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), and electroencephalogram (EEG) from the users while they watched neutral (natural scenery) or stimulating (gameplay) videos. By analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), 13 physiological features (vertical saccadic movement from EOG, standard deviation of N-N intervals, and PNN50 from PPG, and many EEG spectral power indicators) were determined to be significant to classify the three groups. The classification was performed using a 2-layers feedforward neural network. The fusion of three physiological signals showed the best result compared to other cases (combination of EOG and PPG or EEG only). The accuracy was 0.90 and F-1 scores were 0.93 (Group A), 0.89 (Group B), and 0.88 (Group C). However, the subjective self-reported scores did not show a significant difference among the three groups by ANCOVA analysis. The results indicate that the fusion of physiological signals can be an effective method to objectively classify gamers.
Student's Learning Strategies and Academic Emotions: Their Influence on Learning Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wu Changcheng , Jing Bin , Gong Xue , Mou Ya , Li Junyi
Published: September 2021

Background: Based on the control-value theory (CVT), learning strategies and academic emotions are closely related to learning achievement, and have been considered as important factors influencing student's learning satisfaction and learning performance in the online learning context. However, only a few studies have focused on the influence of learning strategies on academic emotions and the interaction of learning strategies with behavioral engagement and social interaction on learning satisfaction.

Methods: The participants were 363 pre-service teachers in China, and we used structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the mediating and moderating effects of the data.

Results: The main findings of the current study showed that learning strategies influence students' online learning satisfaction through academic emotions. The interaction between learning strategies and behavioral engagement was also an important factor influencing online learning satisfaction.

Conclusions: We explored the internal mechanism and boundary conditions of how learning strategies influenced learning satisfaction to provide intellectual guarantee and theoretical support for the online teaching design and online learning platform. This study provides theoretical contributions to the CVT and practical value for massive open online courses (MOOCs), flipped classrooms and blended learning in the future.
‘I Get High With a Little Help From My Friends’ - How Raves Can Invoke Identity Fusion and Lasting Co-operation via Transformative Experiences
Authors: Newson Martha , Khurana Ragini , Cazorla Freya , van Mulukom Valerie
Published: September 2021

Psychoactive drugs have been central to many human group rituals throughout modern human evolution. Despite such experiences often being inherently social, bonding and associated prosocial behaviors have rarely been empirically tested as an outcome. Here we investigate a novel measure of the mechanisms that generate altered states of consciousness during group rituals, the 4Ds:dance,drums, sleepdeprivation, anddrugs. We conducted a retrospective online survey examining experiences at a highly ritualized cultural phenomenon where drug use is relatively uninhibited- raves and illegal free parties. Engaging in the 4Ds at raves or free parties was associated with personal transformation for those who experienced the event as awe-inspiring, especially for people with open personalities (n= 481). Without awe, or a ritual context, indulging in the 4Ds was associated with a lack of personal growth, oranomie. A complex SEM revealed that personal transformation following awe-inspiring raves was associated with bonding to other ravers and prosocial behavior toward this group at a cost to self in a simple economic game. Bonding to humanity was not associated with these events. The findings suggest that employing the 4Ds in a ritualized environment - particularly dancing and drug use – can help build meaningful social bonds with associated positive behavioral outcomes.
Investigating the Impact of Fear Related to COVID-19 Disease on Situational Humor via Social Networking Sites
Authors: Xue Ying , Hassan Sajid , Bahader Sher , Habib Shazia
Published: September 2021

The current study investigates the impact of fear related to coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease on situational humor, and also on social networking sites (SNS) usage as a mediator. Furthermore, this study investigates the impact of fear-related COVID-19 disease on situation humorviaSNS usage, focusing on the gender perspective of university students. This study also examined the impact of fear related to COVID-19 disease on situational humor in students from various degree programs, such as BS and MS. For this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 24 different Pakistani universities using purposive sampling between December 2020 and May 2021. This study used social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter (and also email) to collect data online. According to the findings of this study, fear related to COVID-19 disease was found to be significantly negatively related to situational humor and SNS usage, whereas SNS usage was positively related to situational humor. The findings also revealed that SNS usage is a key mediator in the relationship between fear related to COVID-19 disease and situational humor. In addition, male university students used more SNS and had a higher situational humor response than female university students, and female university students reported a higher fear related to COVID-19 disease. This study provided useful findings of the impact of fear related to COVID-19 disease on situational humor among students in various academic programs, such as bachelor's program and master's program.
Mathematics Disability vs. Learning Disability: A 360 Degree Analysis
Authors: Nicolson Roderick Ian , Fawcett Angela Jocelyn
Published: September 2021

A fundamental issue for research in mathematics disability (MD) and reading disability (RD) is: If these disabilities are clearly distinct, why is there so high a level of comorbidity, together with the converse; if these disabilities are so similar, why are there clear differences in underlying causes and aetiology? In order to address this puzzle, we introduce the “360 degree analysis” (360DA) framework and apply it to the overlap between RD and MD. The 360DA process starts by analyzing the issue from four perspectives: theoretical, developmental, affective, and pedagogical. Under 360DA, these analyses are then integrated to provide insights for theory, and for individual assessment and support, together with directions for future progress. The analyses confirm extensive similarities between arithmetic and reading development in terms of rote learning, executive function (EF), and affective trauma, but also major differences in terms of the conceptual needs, the motor coordination needs, and the methods of scaffolding. In terms of theory, commonalities are interpreted naturally in terms of initial general developmental delay followed by domain-independent affective trauma following school failure. Dissociations are interpreted in terms of cerebellar vs. hippocampal learning networks, sequential vs. spatial processing, and language vs. spatial scaffolding, with a further dimension of the need for accurate fixation for reading. The framework has significant theoretical and applied implications.
The Acute Readiness Monitoring Scale: Assessing Predictive and Concurrent Validation
Authors: Summers Simon J. , Keegan Richard J. , Flood Andrew , Martin Kristy , McKune Andrew , Rattray Ben
Published: September 2021

To complement and enhance readiness-monitoring capability, the Acute Readiness Monitoring Scale (ARMS) was developed: a widely applicable, simple psychometric measure of perceived readiness. While this tool may have widespread utility in sport and military settings, it remains unknown if the ARMS demonstrates predictive and concurrent validity. Here, we investigated whether the ARMS is: (1) responsive to an acute manipulation of readiness using sleep deprivation, (2) relates to biological markers of readiness [cortisol/heart-rate variability (HRV)], and (3) predicts performance on a cognitive task. Thirty young adults (aged 23 ± 4 years; 18 females) participated. All participants engaged in a 24-h sleep deprivation protocol. Participants completed the ARMS, biological measures of readiness (salivary cortisol, HRV), and cognitive performance measures (psychomotor vigilance task) before, immediately after, 24-, and 48-h post-sleep deprivation. All six of the ARMS subscales changed in response to sleep deprivation: scores on each subscale worsened (indicating reductions in perceived readiness) immediately after sleep deprivation, returning to baseline 24/48 h post. Lower perceived readiness was associated with reduced awakening responses in cortisol and predicted worse cognitive performance (slower reaction time). No relationship was observed between the ARMS and HRV, nor between any biological markers of readiness (cortisol/HRV) and cognitive performance. These data suggest that the ARMS may hold practical utility in detecting, or screening for, the wide range of deleterious effects caused by sleep deprivation; may constitute a quick, cheap, and easily interpreted alternative to biological measures of readiness; and may be used to monitor or mitigate potential underperformance on tasks requiring attention and vigilance.
Accounting for Emotional Value: A Review in Disability Organizations
Authors: Tirado-Valencia Pilar , Ayuso Silvia , Fernández-Rodríguez Vicente
Published: September 2021

The aim of this paper is to examine how disability organizations account for the emotional value they create for their stakeholders. Based on a review of the literature on emotional value measurement in third sector organizations working in the disability sector, we investigate to what extent emotional value is considered in their social accounting process and what type of value variables, indicators and proxies are used. The results reveal that the analysis of some quality of life domains provides appropriate evidence to represent the emotional value generated by these organizations but that there is a great dispersion in applied instruments and methodologies. The study improves the knowledge and understanding of existing approaches to capture the emotional component of social value creation and contributes to its standardization. Our analysis has implications for the management of disability organizations that can use social accounting to evaluate their performance and improve their effectiveness and efficiency, showing a more complete picture of the social value generated. Likewise, it can be an instrument to make the contribution and social benefits of these organizations visible in all their breadth, improving transparency and legitimacy.
Developmental Features of Lexical Richness in English Writings by Chinese L3 Beginner Learners
Authors: Li Xuelan , Zhang Huiping
Published: September 2021

Lexical richness is considered as one of the most efficient methods for assessing writing proficiency and development. However, the developmental features of lexical richness in L3 writing remain relatively poorly understood compared with that of L2 writings. This study reports a cross-sectional corpus-based study that aims to explore the developmental features of lexical richness in L3 writings by Chinese beginner learners of English from the perspective of the dynamic usage-based approach. Specifically, this study compares samples of English writing by Chinese L3 secondary students (grades 7–12) aged 13–18 across three learning stages in terms of lexical sophistication, lexical diversity and lexical density. The writing samples were collected from the Writing Corpus of Chinese Ethnic Minority Beginner Learners as the Third Language (WCCMBL), and the sample sizes of the three stages remained almost the same. The results revealed that lexical richness was generally low in L3 beginner learners' writing. Specifically, L3 beginner learners used fewer diverse words and lexical words, but used numerous high-frequency words in their writing. Additionally, lexical sophistication and lexical density yielded positive growth across the three learning stages, whereas lexical diversity developed non-linearly. These findings reveal a dynamic development of lexical richness in L3 writings, with each of the three measures developing unevenly. Drawing upon these findings, several suggestions for L3 vocabulary teaching are also proposed.
Cannabis and Driving
Authors: Pearlson Godfrey D. , Stevens Michael C. , D'Souza Deepak Cyril
Published: September 2021

As more states in the U.S legalize recreational and medicinal cannabis, rates of driving under the influence of this drug are increasing significantly. Aspects of this emerging public health issue potentially pit science against public policy. The authors believe that the legal cart is currently significantly ahead of the scientific horse. Issues such as detection procedures for cannabis-impaired drivers, and use of blood THC levels to gauge impairment, should rely heavily on current scientific knowledge. However, there are many, often unacknowledged research gaps in these and related areas, that need to be addressed in order provide a more coherent basis for public policies. This review focuses especially on those areas. In this article we review in a focused manner, current information linking cannabis to motor vehicle accidents and examine patterns of cannabis-impairment of driving related behaviors, their time courses, relationship to cannabis dose and THC blood levels, and compare cannabis and alcohol-impaired driving patterns directly. This review also delves into questions of alcohol-cannabis combinations and addresses the basis for ofper-selimits in cannabis driving convictions. Finally, we distinguish between areas where research has provided clear answers to the above questions, areas that remain unclear, and make recommendations to fill gaps in current knowledge.
Use of the Internet and Digital Devices Among People With Severe Mental Ill Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions
Authors: Spanakis Panagiotis , Heron Paul , Walker Lauren , Crosland Suzanne , Wadman Ruth , Newbronner Elizabeth , Johnston Gordon , Gilbody Simon , Peckham Emily
Published: September 2021

Background: Restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to everyday reliance on digitalisation of life, including access to health care services. People with severe mental ill health (SMI—e.g., bipolar or psychosis spectrum disorders) are at greater risk for digital exclusion and it is unknown to what extent they adapted to online service delivery. This study explored use of the Internet and digital devices during the pandemic restrictions and its association with physical and mental health changes.

Methods: Three hundred sixty seven adults with an SMI diagnosis completed a survey (online or offline) and provided information on access to Internet connexion and devices, internet knowledge, online activities, and barriers to using the Internet. They also self-reported changes in mental and physical health since the beginning of the pandemic restrictions.

Results: During the pandemic restrictions 61.6% were limited or non-users of the Internet. The majority had access to the Internet and digital devices but around half reported knowledge deficits. Most common activities were accessing information and entertainment (88.9%), staying in touch with friends and families (84.8%), and purchasing goods (other than food) (84.3%). Most common barriers were finding the Internet “not interesting” (28.3%) or “too difficult” (27.9%), as well as “security concerns” (22.1–24.3%). Using the Internet “a lot” (vs. “just a bit or not at all”) during the pandemic was associated with younger age (18–30: Adj ORs 4.76; 31–45: 6.39; Ps < 0.001; vs. 66+), having a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (compared to psychosis; Adj OR = 3.88, P < 0.001), or reporting a decline in mental health (compared to no decline; Adj OR = 1.92, P = 0.01).

Conclusion: Most people with SMI were limited or non-users of the Internet during the pandemic, which seems to be mainly attributable to lack of interest and skills, rather than lack of devices or connectivity. Older adults with psychosis should be the focus of interventions to support digital engagement in people with SMI.
Effects of the School-Based Integrated Health Promotion Program With Hydroponic Planting on Green Space Use and Satisfaction, Dietary Habits, and Mental Health in Early Adolescent Students: A Feasibility Quasi-Experiment
Authors: Kwok Stephen Wai Hang , Wu Cynthia S. T. , Tong Hiu Tung , Ho Chun Ni , Leung Ka Lee , Leung Yolanda C. P. , Lui Kam Chung , Wong Carson K. C.
Published: September 2021

Background: School-based green space activities have been found to be beneficial to the physical activity level and lifestyle habits of adolescent students. However, their effects on green space use and satisfaction, mental health, and dietary behaviors required further investigation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of school-based hydroponic planting integrated with health promotion activities in improving green space use, competence and satisfaction, healthy lifestyle, mental health, and health-related quality of life (QoL) among early adolescent students in secondary schools.

Methods: This study adopted a three-group comparison design (one control and two intervention groups). Secondary school students (N = 553) of grades 7–9 participated in either (1) hydroponic planting (two times per week for 8 months) integrated with health promotion activities; (2) only health promotion activities (one time per week for 6 weeks); or (3) control group. Outcomes assessed by questionnaire included green space use and satisfaction, life happiness, lifestyle, depressive symptoms, and health-related QoL.

Results: After adjusting for sex and school grade, the scores in “green space distance and use” and “green space activity and competence” were significantly better in the intervention groups than in the control group. Hydroponic planting integrated with health promotion activities was also associated with better scores in dietary habits and resistance to substance use. Intervention groups had a higher score in “Green space sense and satisfaction” and life happiness when compared with the control group.

Conclusions: Our study shows that the school-based hydroponic planting integrated with health promotion activities were feasible and, to a certain extent, useful to improve green space use and competence, dietary habits, and resistance to substance use among early adolescent students in secondary schools in urban areas. Future studies should address the limitations identified, for example, designing a randomized controlled trial that could fit school schedules to generate new evidence for physical and mental health in adolescent communities.
Previous Vitamin D Supplementation and Morbidity and Mortality Outcomes in People Hospitalised for COVID19: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Arroyo-Díaz Juan Antonio , Julve Josep , Vlacho Bogdan , Corcoy Rosa , Ponte Paola , Román Eva , Navas-Méndez Elena , Llauradó Gemma , Franch-Nadal Josep , Domingo Pere , Mauricio Didac
Published: September 2021

Aim: The study aim was to assess the association of vitamin D supplementation before hospital admission and severe outcomes in subjects admitted for COVID-19.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of pseudonymised medical record data from subjects admitted to the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (Barcelona, Spain) for COVID-19 during March and April 2020. The composite primary study outcome was defined as death and/or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Association between risk factors and study outcomes was evaluated by bivariate analysis, followed by logistic regression analysis.

Results: In total, 1,267 persons were hospitalised during the observation period. Overall, 14.9% of the subjects were on active vitamin D supplementation treatment before admission. The subjects in the vitamin D group were significantly older than subjects without vitamin D supplementation. We observed higher rates of the primary outcome (death and/or IMV) among the persons with previous use of vitamin D (30.1 vs. 22.9% in those not receiving treatment). In the bivariate analysis, previous use of vitamin D was positively associated with death and/or IMV [odds ratio (OR): 1.45 95% CI: 1.03; 2.04]; however, after adjustment for other risk factors this association disappeared (OR: 1.09 95%CI: 0.65; 1.81).

Conclusion: We did not find an association between vitamin D supplementation before hospital admission and death and/or IMV in subjects admitted for COVID-19. The age and the burden of age-associated comorbidities were independently associated with the in-hospital events.
Academic Teams and Commercialization in the Life Sciences
Authors: Clayton Paige , Feldman Maryann
Published: September 2021

We review the literature on entrepreneurial team formation with a focus on data to study academic teams and summarize our empirical work on the life sciences industry. We consider how academics form teams to start new companies and the implications of various configurations on firm behavior with regards to patenting, survival and firm growth. We present several empirical challenges facing research on academic teams and conclude with suggestions for future research.
Versatile Dynamic Motion Generation Framework: Demonstration With a Crutch-Less Exoskeleton on Real-Life Obstacles at the Cybathlon 2020 With a Complete Paraplegic Person
Authors: Huynh Vaiyee , Burger Guillaume , Dang Quoc Viet , Pelgé Raphaël , Boéris Guilhem , Grizzle Jessy W. , Ames Aaron D. , Masselin Matthieu
Published: September 2021

Lower-limb exoskeletons are a promising option to increase the mobility of persons with leg impairments in a near future. However, it is still challenging for them to ensure the necessary stability and agility to face obstacles, particularly the variety that makes the urban environment. That is why most of the lower-limb exoskeletons must be used with crutches: the stability and agility features are deferred to the patient. Clinical experience shows that the use of crutches not only leads to shoulder pain and exhaustion, but also fully occupies the hands for daily tasks. In November 2020, Wandercraft presented Atalante Evolution, the first self-stabilized and crutch-less exoskeleton, to the powered exoskeleton race of the Cybathlon 2020 Global Edition. The Cybathlon aims at promoting research and development in the field of powered assistive technology to the public, contrary to the Paralympics where only participants with unpowered assistive technology are allowed. The race is designed to represent the challenges that a person could face every day in their environment: climbing stairs, walking through rough terrain, or descending ramps. Atalante Evolution is a 12 degree-of-freedom exoskeleton capable of moving dynamically with a complete paraplegic person. The challenge of this competition is to generate and execute new dynamic motions in a short time, to achieve different tasks. In this paper, an overview of Atalante Evolution system and of our framework for dynamic trajectory generation based on the direct collocation method will be presented. Next, the flexibility and efficiency of the dynamic motion generation framework are demonstrated by our tools developed for generating the important variety of stable motions required by the competition. A smartphone application has been developed to allow the pilot to choose between different modes and to control the motion direction according to the real situation to reach a destination. The advanced mechatronic design and the active cooperation of the pilot with the device will also be highlighted. As a result, Atalante Evolution allowed the pilot to complete four out of six obstacles, without crutches. Our developments lead to stable dynamic movements of the exoskeleton, hands-free walking, more natural stand-up and turning moves, and consequently a better physical condition of the pilot after the race compared to the challengers. The versatility and good results of these developments give hope that exoskeletons will soon be able to evolve in challenging everyday-life environments, allowing patients to live a normal life in complete autonomy.
“When It’s a Girl, They Have a Chance to Have Sex With Them. When It’s a Boy…They Have Been Known to Rape Them”: Perceptions of United Nations Peacekeeper-Perpetrated Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Against Women/Girls Versus Men/Boys in Haiti
Authors: Bartels Susan A. , King Carla , Lee Sabine
Published: September 2021

Peacekeeping missions have been marred by reports of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) against local community members. However, there is limited research on how SEA against women/girls versus men/boys is perceived in peacekeeping host societies. In 2017 we collected micro-narratives in Haiti and then conducted a thematic analysis to understand how peacekeeper-perpetrated SEA was perceived by local community members comparing SEA against women/girls versus SEA against men/boys. Both male and female participants used language which suggested the normalization, in Haitian society, of both transactional sex with and rape of women/girls by UN personnel. In contrast, peacekeeper-perpetrated SEA against men/boys was viewed as unacceptable and was associated with homosexuality and related stigmatization. Overall, our results suggest that in Haiti, inequitable gender norms, the commodification of female sexuality, and homophobia result in SEA against males being recognized as a wrong that elicits outrage, while SEA against women/girls has been normalized. It is important to address the normalization of SEA against women/girls to prevent future violence and to recognize that SEA is also perpetrated against men/boys. Survivor-centered programs, sensitive to the needs of both male and female survivors, are required.
Video Production and Distribution Platform in Swiss Sports Teams: An Analysis of Acceptance and Willingness to Pay
Authors: Huettermann Marcel , Haefliger Fabian , Stallone Valerio
Published: September 2021

Swisscom Asport (“Asport”) has set itself the target of covering the entire video process from production to distribution. Its services should be affordable not only for professional sports clubs but also for their amateur counterparts. Despite limited resources, clubs want to increase their attractiveness through new technologies and meet members' needs. This paper examines the factors that lead to the acceptance of Asport services by sports clubs. In addition, the willingness to pay for these services is evaluated. Pricing is critical to success in innovation and also because of the limited financial resources of sports clubs. Based on the literature research, a conceptual model was developed based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model (UTAUT), tested using an online survey of Swiss amateur football clubs, and evaluated using regression analysis. The study findings show that social environment exerts the strongest influence on behavioral intention, defined as “acceptance” in this paper. Furthermore, the two independent variables, performance expectancy and effort expectancy, have a significant effect on user acceptance. In contrast to the original model (UTAUT), this paper demonstrates the direct influence of attitude to use. Of the independent variables, facilitating conditions have an additional effect on attitude to use. The results demonstrate that it is not acceptance but attitude to use that influences willingness to pay. An in-depth evaluation of willingness to pay shows that the optimal price point is 83.3% lower than the price offered by the company; however, there are budget-dependent variations in the assessment.
Identification of a Novel Signature Predicting Overall Survival in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zheng Haige , Liu Huixian , Lu Yumin , Li Hengguo
Published: September 2021

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly heterogeneous tumor with a high incidence and poor prognosis. Therefore, effective predictive models are needed to evaluate patient outcomes and optimize treatment.

Methods: Robust Rank Aggregation (RRA) method was used to identify highly robust differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) between HNSCC and normal tissue in 9 GEO and TCGA datasets. Univariate Cox regression analysis and Lasso Cox regression analysis were performed to identify DEGs related to the Overall survival (OS) and to construct a prognostic gene signature (HNSCCSig). External validation was performed using GSE65858 dataset. Moreover, comprehensive bioinformatics analyses were used to identify the association between HNSCCSig and tumor immune environment.

Results: A total of 257 reliable DEGs were identified by differentially analysis result of TCGA and GSE65858 datasets. The HNSCCSig including 7 mRNAs (SLURP1, SCARA5, CLDN10, MYH11, CXCL13, HLF, and ITGA3) were developed and validated to identify high-risk group who had a worse OS than low-risk group in TCGA and GSE65858 datasets. Cox regression analysis showed that the HNSCCSig could independently predict OS in both the TCGA and the GSE65858 datasets. Further research demonstrated that the infiltration bundance of CD8 + T cells, B cells, neutrophils, and NK cells were significantly lower in the high-risk group. A nomogram was also constructed by combining the HNSCCSig and clinical characters.

Conclusion: We established and validated the HNSCCSig consisting of SLURP1, SCARA5, CLDN10, MYH11, CXCL13, HLF, and ITGA3. A nomogram combining HNSCCSig and some clinical parameters was constructed to identify high-risk HNSCC-patients with poor prognosis.
A Double-Acting Piezoelectric Actuator for Helicopter Active Rotor
Authors: Zhou Jinlong , Dong Linghua , Yang Weidong
Published: September 2021

An active rotor with trailing-edge flaps is an effective approach to alleviate vibrations and noise in helicopters. In this study, a compact piezoelectric actuator is proposed to drive trailing-edge flaps. The two groups of piezoelectric stacks accommodated in the actuator operate in opposition, and double-acting output can be realized through the differential motion of these stacks. A theoretical model and a finite element model are established to predict the output capability of this actuator, and structural optimization is performed using the finite element model. A prototype is built and tested on a benchtop to assess its performance. Test results demonstrate that the actuator stiffness reaches 801 N/mm, and its output stroke is up to ±0.27 mm when subjected to actuation voltage of 120 V. Agreement between measurements and simulations validates the accuracy of the established models. In addition, actuator outputs in failure modes are measured by canceling the supply voltage of one group of piezoelectric stacks. In this condition, the actuator can still generate acceptable outputs, and the initial position of the output end remains unchanged. Simulations and test results reveal that the proposed actuator achieves promising performance, and it is capable to be applied to a helicopter active rotor.