bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the potential of mapped soil properties, rhizobium inoculation, and phosphorus supplementation for predicting soybean yield in the savanna areas of Nigeria
Authors: Jemo Martin , Devkota Krishna Prasad , Epule Terence Epule , Chfadi Tarik , Moutiq Rkia , Hafidi Mohamed , Silatsa Francis B. T. , Jibrin Jibrin Mohamed
Published: April 2023

Rapid and accurate soybean yield prediction at an on-farm scale is important for ensuring sustainable yield increases and contributing to food security maintenance in Nigeria. We used multiple approaches to assess the benefits of rhizobium (Rh) inoculation and phosphorus (P) fertilization on soybean yield increase and profitability from large-scale conducted trials in the savanna areas of Nigeria [i.e., the Sudan Savanna (SS), Northern Guinea Savanna (NGS), and Southern Guinea Savanna (SGS)]. Soybean yield results from the established trials managed by farmers with four treatments (i.e., the control without inoculation and P fertilizer, Rh inoculation, P fertilizer, and Rh + P combination treatments) were predicted using mapped soil properties and weather variables in ensemble machine-learning techniques, specifically the conditional inference regression random forest (RF) model. Using the IMPACT model, scenario analyses were employed to simulate long-term adoption impacts on national soybean trade and currency. Our study found that yields of the Rh + P combination were consistently higher than the control in the three agroecological zones. Average yield increases were 128%, 111%, and 162% higher in the Rh + P combination compared to the control treatment in the SS, NGS, and SGS agroecological zones, respectively. The NGS agroecological zone showed a higher yield than SS and SGS. The highest training coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.75) for yield prediction was from the NGS dataset, and the lowest coefficient (R2 = 0.46) was from the SS samples. The results from the IMPACT model showed a reduction of 10% and 22% for the low (35% adoption scenario) and high (75% adoption scenario) soybean imports from 2029 in Nigeria, respectively. A significant reduction in soybean imports is feasible if the Rh + P inputs are large-scaled implemented at the on-farm field and massively adopted by farmers in Nigeria.
Sodium arsenite-induced changes in the wood of esca-diseased grapevine at cytological and metabolomic levels
Authors: Trouvelot Sophie , Lemaitre-Guillier Christelle , Vallet Julie , Jacquens Lucile , Douillet Antonin , Harir Mourad , Larignon Philippe , Roullier-Gall Chloé , Schmitt-Kopplin Philippe , Adrian Marielle , Fontaine Florence
Published: April 2023

In the past, most grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) have been controlled by treatments with sodium arsenite. For obvious reasons, sodium arsenite was banned in vineyards, and consequently, the management of GTDs is difficult due to the lack of methods with similar effectiveness. Sodium arsenite is known to have a fungicide effect and to affect the leaf physiology, but its effect on the woody tissues where the GTD pathogens are present is still poorly understood. This study thus focuses on the effect of sodium arsenite in woody tissues, particularly in the interaction area between asymptomatic wood and necrotic wood resulting from the GTD pathogens’ activities. Metabolomics was used to obtain a metabolite fingerprint of sodium arsenite treatment and microscopy to visualize its effects at the histo-cytological level. The main results are that sodium arsenite impacts both metabolome and structural barriers in plant wood. We reported a stimulator effect on plant secondary metabolites in the wood, which add to its fungicide effect. Moreover, the pattern of some phytotoxins is affected, suggesting the possible effect of sodium arsenite in the pathogen metabolism and/or plant detoxification process. This study brings new elements to understanding the mode of action of sodium arsenite, which is useful in developing sustainable and eco-friendly strategies to better manage GTDs.
Effects of intra-annual precipitation patterns on grassland productivity moderated by the dominant species phenology
Authors: Zhang Ze , Zhang Zhihao , Hautier Yann , Qing Hua , Yang Jie , Bao Tiejun , Hajek Olivia L. , Knapp Alan K.
Published: April 2023

Phenology and productivity are important functional indicators of grassland ecosystems. However, our understanding of how intra-annual precipitation patterns affect plant phenology and productivity in grasslands is still limited. Here, we conducted a two-year precipitation manipulation experiment to explore the responses of plant phenology and productivity to intra-annual precipitation patterns at the community and dominant species levels in a temperate grassland. We found that increased early growing season precipitation enhanced the above-ground biomass of the dominant rhizome grass, Leymus chinensis, by advancing its flowering date, while increased late growing season precipitation increased the above-ground biomass of the dominant bunchgrass, Stipa grandis, by delaying senescence. The complementary effects in phenology and biomass of the dominant species, L. chinensis and S. grandis, maintained stable dynamics of the community above-ground biomass under intra-annual precipitation pattern variations. Our results highlight the critical role that intra-annual precipitation and soil moisture patterns play in the phenology of temperate grasslands. By understanding the response of phenology to intra-annual precipitation patterns, we can more accurately predict the productivity of temperate grasslands under future climate change.
Combining ability of tropical × temperate maize inducers for haploid induction rate, R1-nj seed set, and agronomic traits
Authors: Dermail Abil , Lübberstedt Thomas , Suwarno Willy Bayuardi , Chankaew Sompong , Lertrat Kamol , Ruanjaichon Vinitchan , Suriharn Khundej
Published: April 2023

In vivo maternal haploid induction in isolation fields is proposed to bypass the workload and resource constraints existing in haploid induction nurseries. A better understanding of combining ability and gene action conditioning traits related to hybrid inducers is necessary to set the breeding strategy including to what extent parent-based hybrid prediction is feasible. This study aimed to evaluate the following in tropical savanna in the rainy and dry seasons for haploid induction rate (HIR), R1-nj seed set, and agronomic traits: 1) combining ability, line per se, and hybrid performance of three genetic pools; 2) genetic parameters, the modes of gene action, and heterosis; and 3) the relationships of inbred–general combining ability (GCA) and inbred–hybrid performance. Fifty-six diallel crosses derived from eight maize genotypes were evaluated in the rainy season of 2021 and the dry season of 2021/2022. Reciprocal cross effects including the maternal effect barely contributed to the genotypic variance for each trait observed. HIR, R1-nj seed set, flowering dates, and ear position were highly heritable and additive inherited, while ear length showed dominant inheritance. The equal importance of additive and dominance effects was found for yield-related traits. Temperate inducer BHI306 was the best general combiner for the HIR and R1-nj seed set, followed by two tropical inducers, KHI47 and KHI54. The ranges of heterosis were trait-dependent and slightly influenced by the environment, where hybrids in the rainy season consistently had higher heterosis than those in the dry season for each trait observed. Both hybrid groups derived from tropical × tropical and tropical × temperate inducers showed taller plants, larger ear size, and higher seed sets than the corresponding parents. However, their HIRs were still below the standard check of BHI306. The implications of genetic information, combining ability, and inbred–GCA and inbred–hybrid relationships on breeding strategies are discussed.
Humans have a basic physical and psychological need to move the body: Physical activity as a primary drive
Authors: Stults-Kolehmainen Matthew A.
Published: April 2023

Physical activity, while less necessary for survival in modern times, is still essential for thriving in life, and low levels of movement are related to numerous physical and mental health problems. However, we poorly understand why people move on a day-to-day basis and how to promote greater energy expenditure. Recently, there has been a turn to understand automatic processes with close examination of older theories of behavior. This has co-occurred with new developments in the study of non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). In this narrative review, it is hypothesized that psycho-physiological drive is important to understand movement in general and NEAT, specifically. Drive, in short, is a motivation state, characterized by arousal and felt tension, energizing the organism to acquire a basic need. Movement is a biological necessity, like food, water, and sleep, but varies across the lifespan and having the greatest impact before adolescence. Movement meets various criteria for a primary drive: (a) deprivation of it produces feelings of tension, such as an urge or craving, known as affectively-charged motivation states, and particularly the feelings of being antsy, restless, hyper or cooped up, (b) provision of the need quickly reduces tension - one can be satiated, and may even over-consume, (c) it can be provoked by qualities of the environment, (d) it is under homeostatic control, (e) there is an appetite (i.e., appetence) for movement but also aversion, and (f) it has a developmental time course. Evidence for drive has mainly come from children and populations with hyperkinetic disorders, such as those with anorexia nervosa, restless legs syndrome, and akathisia. It is also stimulated in conditions of deprivation, such as bed rest, quarantine, long flights, and physical restraint. It seems to be lacking in the hypokinetic disorders, such as depression and Parkinson’s. Thus, drive is associated with displeasure and negative reinforcement, subsuming it within the theory of hedonic drive, but it may fit better within new paradigms, such as the WANT model (Wants and Aversions for Neuromuscular Tasks). Recently developed measurement tools, such as the CRAVE scale, may permit the earnest investigation of movement drive, satiation, and motivation states in humans.
The effects of mental fatigue on sport-specific motor performance among team sport athletes: A systematic scoping review
Authors: Yuan Rui , Sun He , Soh Kim Geok , Mohammadi Alireza , Toumi Zakaria , Zhang Zhendong
Published: April 2023

Background

The psychobiological state known as mental fatigue (MF) is by engaging in mentally taxing activities for an extended period, which is typically found in team sports, of the high cognitive demand and unpredictable environment. It increases the perception of effort and influences executive functions, impairing sport-specific performance in athletes. However, the consequences of MF on sport-specific motor performance (SSMP) among athletes in team sports remain unclear.

Objective

This scoping review seeks to find and map research publications that investigate the effect of MF on SSMP in team sports.

Methods

Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed were searched as the main databases, and CENTRAL, Psychology, and Behavioral Sciences Collection, SPORTDicus obtained from EBSCOhost, as well as gray literature was searched for relevant literature and Google Scholar. Cognitive tasks before the SSMP exam are the focus of the selected literature on mental exhaustion. Only experiments testing mental and non-mental exhaustion were chosen.

Results

Twelve studies fulfill the requirement of selection criteria. SSMP in team sports, including soccer, basketball, cricket, and Australian football mainly is examined as physical and technical performance. More specifically, MF significantly influenced physical performance measured as intermittent endurance and total distance (P < 0.05), while data was inclusive when assess in an ecological setting (e.g., small-sided game) (P > 0.05). Technical performance was mainly measured as ball loss, errors in passing and shooting, interception, and successful tackle and showed a dramatic impairment (P < 0.05). The decline of physical activity is relevant with higher level PRE, while decreased technical performance is related to impaired attention resources shown as visual perceptual.

Conclusion

MF adversely influences SSMP in team sports. The most relevant theory for future study to examine the impacts of MF on team-sport athletes could be the psychological model of exercise and its potential extension on attention resources, rather than the traditional “catastrophe” theory.
Gaming behavior disorder and its association with social phobia during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study among the young Arabs
Authors: Shaheen Nour , Shaheen Ahmed , Elmasry Mohamed , Abdelwahab Omar Ahmed , Mohamed Abdelrahman , Swed Sarya , Rababah Ala’ Abdala , Meshref Mostafa , Zaki Ahmed , Shoib Sheikh
Published: April 2023

Background

Gaming addiction is a compulsive mental health condition that can have severe negative consequences on a person’s life. As online gaming has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have shown a heightened risk of mental health issues. This study aims to assess the prevalence of severe phobia and addiction to online gaming among Arab adolescents and identify risk factors associated with these disorders.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted across 11 Arab nations. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling through an online survey distributed on social media platforms in 11 Arab countries. The survey included demographic questions, the Nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS-SF9) to measure participants’ online gaming addiction, the Social Phobia Scale (SPS), and questions assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of internet gaming addiction. The data were analyzed using SPSS win statistical package version 26.

Results

Out of 2,458 participants, 2,237 were included in the sample due to non-response and missing data. The average age of the participants was 19.9 ± 4.8 years, and the majority were Egyptian and unmarried. 69% of the participants reported playing more than usual since the COVID-19 pandemic, as they were confined to their homes. Higher social phobia scores were associated with being single, male, and Egyptian. Participants from Egypt and those who felt that the pandemic significantly increased their gaming time had higher scores for online gaming addiction. Several major criteria, such as playing hours per day and beginning gaming at an early age, were associated with a higher level of online gaming addiction with social phobia.

Conclusion

The study’s findings suggest that there is a high prevalence of internet gaming addiction among Arab adolescents and young adults who play online games. The results also indicate a significant association between social phobia and several sociodemographic factors, which may inform future interventions and treatments for individuals with gaming addiction and social phobia.
First-episode mania after COVID-19: A case series in Iran
Authors: Saeidi Mahdieh , Rezvankhah Tara , Pereira-Sanchez Victor , Rafieian Maryam , Shariati Behnam , Esmaeeli Soode Tajik , Emamikhah Maziar , Alavi Kaveh , Shabani Amir , Soraya Shiva , Kashaninasab Fatemeh , Mirfazeli Fatemeh Sadat
Published: April 2023

Background

Increasing reports of manic episodes in patients during acute infection with COVID-19 have been documented since the pandemic began, including individuals without a previous personal or family history of bipolar disorder. As infections and autoimmunity have putative roles in bipolar disorder, we aimed to document the clinical presentations, associated stressors, family aggregation patterns, and brain imaging and electroencephalographic correlates with a series of patients with episodes of mania that emerged shortly after COVID-19 infections.

Methods

We obtained all relevant clinical information from 12 patients whose first manic episode started within a month of COVID-19 infection and were treated at Rasool-e-Akram hospital and Iran psychiatric hospital, two tertiary medical centers in Tehran, Iran, in 2021.

Results

Patients had a mean age of 44. The interval between the onset of symptoms of COVID and mania ranged between 0 and 28 days (mean: 16.25, median: 14 days); it was observed to be shorter in patients with a family history of mood disorders but not in those receiving corticosteroids. Alongside a descriptive overview of our sample, we provide detailed narrative descriptions of two of the cases for illustrative purposes and discuss our observations in the context of other cases reported elsewhere and the state-of-the-art regarding infectious diseases, COVID-19, and bipolar disorder as reported in previous literature.

Conclusion

Our case series documents observational and naturalistic evidence from a dozen of cases of mania in the context of acute COVID-19, which, while limited, calls for analytical research of the phenomenon, and points at a family history of bipolar disorder and the use of corticosteroids as factors for particular focus.
Operationalizing intimacy and identity aspects of personality functioning in relation to personality disorder in adolescents
Authors: Cervantes Breana R. , Kerr Sophie , Vanwoerden Salome , Sharp Carla
Published: April 2023

According to dimensional models of personality pathology, deficits in interpersonal (intimacy and empathy) and self (identity and self-direction) function (Criterion A) are core to all personality disorders. These aspects of personality functioning (Criterion A) have seldom been evaluated for how they might relate to one another in the context of personality pathology in adolescents. Moreover, the use of performance-based measures to evaluate aspects of Criterion A function remains an untapped resource. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate relations between two features of Criterion A, maladaptive intimacy and maladaptive (or diffused) identity, in adolescence. For intimacy, we leverage a performance-based approach to studying intimacy, operationalized in a developmentally relevant way (perceived parental closeness). For identity, we rely on a validated self-report measure of identity diffusion. We examined the relationship between these features with each other and their relations with borderline features. Additionally, we explored whether identity diffusion mediated the expected relationship between perceived parental closeness and borderline features. We hypothesized that greater distance in perceived parental closeness would be associated with higher levels of borderline features, as well as higher levels of identity diffusion, and that identity diffusion would account for the relationship between intimacy and personality pathology. The sample included 131 inpatient adolescents (Mage = 15.35, 70.2% female). Results indicated that intimacy, operationalized as perceived parental closeness, with both mothers and fathers was significantly associated with levels of identity diffusion and borderline features. In addition, greater feelings of closeness with parents were associated with lower severity of borderline features via healthier identity function. Implications of the results, limitations, and future directions are discussed.
Previous pregnancy loss and gestational cardiovascular health: A prospective cohort of nulliparous women
Authors: Ma Shuang-shuang , Yin Wan-jun , Wang Peng , Wang Hai-xia , Zhang Lei , Jiang Xiao-min , Zhang Ying , Tao Ruixue , Ge Jin-fang , Zhu Peng
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To estimate the association of previous pregnancy loss with subsequent cardiovascular health during gestation and to examine the role of high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the association.

Methods

A total of 2,778 nulliparous pregnant women were recruited between March 2015 and November 2020 in Hefei city, China. Their cardiovascular health (CVH) including prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and smoke status were recorded at 24–28 weeks’ gestation, as well as their reproductive history. Multivariate linear and logistic regression were performed to examine the association of pregnancy loss with cardiovascular health. And the role of hs-CRP between pregnancy loss and CVH was assessed by the mediation analysis.

Results

Compared with women who have no pregnancy loss, women with a history of spontaneous or induced abortions had higher BMI (β, 0.72, 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.94) and fasting plasma glucose (β, 0.04, 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.07), and had lower total CVH scores after adjusting for confounders (β, −0.09, 95% CI, −0.18 to −0.01). CVH scores were most significantly decreased among women with 3 or more induced abortions (β, −0.26, 95% CI, −0.49, −0.02). The contribution of pregnancy loss to poorer gestational CVH mediated by increased hs-CRP levels was 23.17%.

Conclusion

Previous pregnancy loss was associated with poorer cardiovascular health during gestation, which may be mediated by their gestational inflammatory status. Exposure to miscarriage alone was not a significant predictor of poorer CVH.
Prediction of spherical equivalent difference before and after cycloplegia in school-age children with machine learning algorithms
Authors: Du Bei , Wang Qingxin , Luo Yuan , Jin Nan , Rong Hua , Wang Xilian , Nian Hong , Guo Li , Liang Meng , Wei Ruihua
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To predict the need for cycloplegic assessment, as well as refractive state under cycloplegia, based on non-cycloplegic ocular parameters in school-age children.

Design

Random cluster sampling.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2018 to January 2019. Random cluster sampling was used to select 2,467 students aged 6–18 years. All participants were from primary school, middle school and high school. Visual acuity, optical biometry, intraocular pressure, accommodation lag, gaze deviation in primary position, non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic autorefraction were conducted. A binary classification model and a three-way classification model were established to predict the necessity of cycloplegia and the refractive status, respectively. A regression model was also developed to predict the refractive error using machine learning algorithms.

Results

The accuracy of the model recognizing requirement of cycloplegia was 68.5–77.0% and the AUC was 0.762–0.833. The model for prediction of SE had performances of R^2 0.889–0.927, MSE 0.250–0.380, MAE 0.372–0.436 and r 0.943–0.963. As the prediction of refractive error status, the accuracy and F1 score was 80.3–81.7% and 0.757–0.775, respectively. There was no statistical difference between the distribution of refractive status predicted by the machine learning models and the one obtained under cycloplegic conditions in school-age students.

Conclusion

Based on big data acquisition and machine learning techniques, the difference before and after cycloplegia can be effectively predicted in school-age children. This study provides a theoretical basis and supporting evidence for the epidemiological study of myopia and the accurate analysis of vision screening data and optometry services.
Digital literacy level and associated factors among health professionals in a referral and teaching hospital: An implication for future digital health systems implementation
Authors: Tegegne Masresha Derese , Tilahun Binyam , Mamuye Adane , Kerie Hailemariam , Nurhussien Fedlu , Zemen Endalkachew , Mebratu Aragaw , Sisay Girma , Getachew Redet , Gebeyehu Henok , Seyoum Abiy , Tesfaye Selamsew , Yilma Tesfahun Melese
Published: April 2023

Background

In Ethiopia and other developing countries, electronic medical record systems and other health information technology are being introduced. However, a small proportion of low-income countries have successfully implemented national health information systems. One cause for this can be the lack of digital literacy among medical practitioners. As a result, this study aimed to assess health professionals’ digital literacy level and associated factors in Northwest Ethiopia.

Method

A quantitative cross-sectional study was employed among 423 health professionals working in a teaching and referral hospital in Northwest Ethiopia. We modified and applied the European commission’s framework for digital competency to assess the level of digital literacy among health professionals. We used stratified random sampling with proportional allocation to the size of the departments in the hospital to select study participants. Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered, and pretested questionnaire. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis techniques were used to describe respondents’ digital literacy level and identify its associated factor, respectively. The odds ratio with 95% CI and value of p were used to assess the strength of the association and statistical significance, respectively.

Results

Out of 411 participants, 51.8% (95% CI, 46.9–56.6%) of health professionals had adequate digital literacy. Holding a master’s degree (Adjusted OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.18–3.85), access to digital technology (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.12–3.17), having training in digital technology (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.05–2.59), and having a positive attitude towards digital health technology (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.02–2.68) were found to be significant factors associated with health professionals digital literacy level of health professionals.

Conclusion

Low level of digital literacy among health professionals was observed, with nearly half (48.2%) of them having poor digital literacy levels. Access to digital technology, training on digital technology, and attitude toward digital health technology were significant factors associated with digital literacy. It is suggested to increase computer accessibility, provide a training program on digital health technology, and promote a positive attitude toward this technology to improve the deployment of health information systems.
Association of nocturnal sleep duration and midday napping with subjective poor hearing among middle-aged and older adults in China
Authors: Cui Xiaorui , Lu Zixuan , Guo Xinyue , Dai Neng , Huang Chen , Liu Yahang , Lin Ruilang , Yu Yongfu , Qin Guoyou , Chen Jiaohua
Published: April 2023

Background

Hearing loss has occurred as a critical concern for aging and health. However, it remains unknown whether nocturnal sleep and midday napping duration are associated with hearing loss in middle-aged and older adults.

Methods

The study comprised 9,573 adults from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, who have completed the survey for sleep characteristics and subjective functional hearing. We collected self-reported nocturnal sleep duration (<5, 5 to <6, 6 to <7, 7 to <9, ≥9 h/night) and midday napping duration (≤5, 5 to ≤30, and >30 min). The sleep information was classified into different sleep patterns. The primary outcome was self-reported hearing loss events. Multivariate Cox regression models and restricted cubic splines were used to investigate the longitudinal association of sleep characteristics with hearing loss. We applied Cox generalized additive models and bivariate exposure-response surface diagrams to visualize the effects of different sleep patterns on hearing loss.

Results

We confirmed 1,073 cases of hearing loss (55.1% female) during the follow-up. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors and health condition, nocturnal sleep with < 5 h was positively associated with hearing loss [hazard ratio (HR): 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20, 1.75]. Individuals with napping for 5 to ≤30 min had a 20% (HR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.63, 1.00) lower risk of hearing loss compared with those with napping ≤ 5 min. Restrictive cubic splines showed the reverse J-shaped association between nocturnal sleep and hearing loss. Moreover, we found significant joint effects of sleeping < 7 h/night and midday napping ≤ 5 min (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.52) on hearing loss. Bivariate exposure-response surface diagrams also reflected the finding that short sleep without napping existed the highest risk of hearing loss. Compared with persistently sleeping moderately (7–9 h/night), those who persistently slept < 7 h/night or shifted from < 7 h/night to moderate or > 9 h/night had higher risks of hearing loss.

Conclusion

Inadequate nocturnal sleep was associated with an elevated risk of poor subjective hearing in middle-aged and older adults, while moderate napping decreased the risk of hearing loss. Keeping sleep stable within recommendation duration may be a useful strategy for preventing poor hearing loss.
The impact of adolescents’ health motivation on the relationship among mental stress, physical exercise, and stress symptoms during COVID-19: A dual moderation model
Authors: Lou Hu , Chen Jin , Liu Ping
Published: April 2023

Objective

Many Chinese teenagers are experiencing high mental stress levels due to epidemic-related restrictions and closures. Mental stress can induce numerous associated symptoms, and physical exercise is considered to buffer mental stress. However, it remains unclear whether health motivation regulates the relationships among mental stress, physical exercise, and stress symptoms. This study examined whether mental stress events during the epidemic can predict stress symptoms, whether physical exercise can buffer mental stress, and whether the mental stress buffer effect is enhanced when health motivation regarding physical exercise is high.

Methods

In total, 2,420 junior high school students (1,190 boys and 1,230 girls; 826 seventh-grade students, 913 eighth-grade students, and 681 ninth-grade students) from nine provinces nationwide were selected to investigate mental stress events, symptoms, health motivation, and physical exercise in adolescents. The hypothesis was tested with a multiple regression analysis.

Results

A positive relationship between adolescent mental stress events and stress symptoms was observed, and an interactive relationship was found among health motivation, physical exercise, and mental stress factors. Specifically, the mental stress-buffering effect of physical exercise was significant only when health motivation was high.

Conclusion

In the post-epidemic period, the influence of mental stress events on stress symptoms in adolescents was found to be buffered by physical exercise only in terms of high health motivation. This result highlighted the role of health motivation in the buffering effect of physical exercise on mental stress during an epidemic.
Higher thyroid hormone has a negative association with lower limb lean body mass in euthyroid older adults: Analysis from the Baltimore Longitudinal study of aging
Authors: Ibad Hamza Ahmed , Mammen Jennifer S. , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Kwoh C. Kent , Guermazi Ali , Demehri Shadpour
Published: April 2023

Background: Hyperthyroidism is associated with lower lean body mass, as a result of catabolic actions of thyroid hormone. Therefore, higher thyroid hormone levels could be a factor in the development of sarcopenia and age associated functional decline. The relationship between thyroid hormone and muscle mass in ambulatory, euthyroid older adults is not known.

Method: We used mixed-effects models to estimate the cross-sectional relationships (accounting for inter-person variability) between thyroid axis hormone measures and lower limb composition or sarcopenia at visits in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) at which DEXA scans were available and both thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) were in the reference range. Analyses were adjusted for levothyroxine use, age, race, sex, BMI, smoking, alcohol intake, cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure.

Results: 1442 euthyroid participants (median age 68, 50% female, and 69% white) contributed to 5306 visits from 2003 to 2019. FT4 was negatively associated with lower limb lean mass (beta: 88.49; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 122.78, −54.20; p < 0.001) and positively associated with sarcopenia (OR: 1.11%, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.22) in the whole cohort. Additionally, higher FT4 was associated with lower leg lean mass (beta: 66.79; 95% CI: 102.24, −31.33; p < 0.001) and sarcopenia (OR:1.09%, 95% CI:1.01, 1.18) in older adults, but not in younger adults alone.

Conclusion: In euthyroid older adults, higher FT4 is associated with lower leg lean mass and higher odds of sarcopenia. Understanding the relationship between thyroid hormone and sarcopenia is needed to improve clinical decision-making and avoid functional decline from excess thyroid hormone use in older adults.
Prevalence and clinical significance of co-existing mutations in MED12 and FH in uterine fibroids of Australian women
Authors: Jamaluddin M. Fairuz B. , Nagendra Prathima B. , Ko Yi-An , Bajwa Preety , Scott Rodney J. , Nahar Pravin , Tanwar Pradeep S.
Published: April 2023

Uterine fibroids are exceedingly common benign tumours of the female reproductive system and cause severe symptoms, including acute pain, bleeding, and infertility. Fibroids are frequently associated with genetic alterations affecting mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12), fumarate hydratase (FH), high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) and collagen, type IV alpha 5 and alpha 6 (COL4A5-COL4A6). Recently, we reported MED12 exon 2 mutations in 39 out of 65 uterine fibroids (60%) from 14 Australian patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of FH mutations in MED12 mutation-positive and mutation-negative uterine fibroids. FH mutation screening of altogether 65 uterine fibroids and corresponding adjacent normal myometrium (n = 14) was carried out by Sanger sequencing. Three out of 14 patients displayed somatic mutations in FH exon 1 in addition to harbouring MED12 mutation in uterine fibroids. This study is the first to report that the mutations in MED12 and FH co-exist in uterine fibroids of Australian women.
The promotion of sleep wellness: Resilience as a protective factor
Authors: Allan Alexa C. , Gamaldo Alyssa A. , Gamaldo Charlene E. , Gunia Brian C. , Al Abdul Razzak Iyiad Mohamed , Ighodaro Edoghogho , Salas Rachel Marie E.
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the association between resilience, sleep quality, and health.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 190 patients (Mean age = 51, SD = 15.57) recruited from the Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep and Wellness. Patients completed a modified version of the brief resilience scale (BRS) to assess characteristics of resilience and questions to assess aspects of mental health, physical health, sleep quality, and daytime functioning.

Results

Participants' average score on the BRS was 4.67 (SD = 1.32, range = 1.17–7), reflecting a high level of resilience. There was a significant gender difference in resilience levels for men (Mean = 5.04, SD = 1.14) and women (Mean = 4.30, SD = 1.38), such that men reported significantly higher levels of resilience compared to women (t (188) = 4.02, p < 0.001) [lower levels of resilience were significantly associated with higher levels of (current) fatigue and tiredness after adjusting for demographic, physical, and mental covariates. In those reporting between one and three mental health symptoms, high levels of resilience minimized the negative influence that these symptoms had on sleep quality. This minimizing effect was no longer evident in those experiencing >3 mental health symptoms, who also reported significantly higher symptoms of fatigue despite their high resilience scores.

Conclusions

This study emphasizes how resilience may affect the relationship between mental health and sleep quality in sleep patients. Resilience may further our understanding of the inter-relationships between sleep and the manifestation of physical health symptoms, a relationship that will likely heighten in relevance during personal and global crisis. An awareness of this interaction could be used as a proactive prevention and treatment strategy. In other words, incorporating methods to evaluate resilience in patients with mental illnesses regularly can be useful for predicting the potential manifestation and severity of sleep disturbance. Therefore, strategies that focus on promoting resilience could improve health and wellness.
Is mixed reality technology an effective tool for retail? A vividness and interaction perspective
Authors: Gil-López Cristina , Guixeres Jaime , Marín-Morales Javier , Torrecilla Carmen , Williams Edu , Alcañiz Mariano
Published: April 2023

There is increasing interest in studies analyzing the influence of technologies that integrate virtual and real-world components on consumer behavior. These technologies include augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality. Mixed reality is a user environment in which physical reality and digital content are combined in a way that enables interaction with and among real-world and virtual objects. In spite of previous works related with MR and retails spaces, little is known about how consumers respond to MR features and which elements of the MR-based experience, such as vividness and novelty, impact behavior. In this study, we have explored the relative advantage of mixed reality in retail shopping practices over a traditional-based purchase. Implicit reactions of shoppers when interacting with products with and without MR glasses were compared. The results reveal that participants wearing MR glasses exhibited different patterns of interaction (i.e., frequency and interaction with product duration) that differed from those indicated by participants who did not wear the MR technology. At the level of purchase decision, our results show that the use of MR smart glasses has an impact on decision times that relates to a utilitarian purchase type. Based on participants’ explicit answers to questionnaires, the reported findings further show that the perceived hedonic and utilitarian values of the purchase experience were higher when MR was used, which also affected future purchase intentions and perceived emotional state as reported by consumers’ experience and satisfaction in the context of retail.
Conceptualizing the effectiveness of flood risk information with a socio-hydrological model: A case study in Lower Kelani River Basin, Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera Chamal , Nakamura Shinichiro
Published: April 2023

In rapidly changing human-flood systems, dynamic models can assist with system thinking, policy-making, and response. Previous research has shown that flood memory is important for better responses during disasters. To date, socio-hydrological research has primarily focused on memory accumulation after flood events and the related dynamics and feedback mechanisms. Notably, the impact of risk information has not yet been considered in any modeling exercise. Accordingly, this study improved upon the socio-hydrological model (SHM) by incorporating the impact of risk information on collective memory and associated dynamics. Probable flood maps were used to assess the response of a floodplain community from the Lower Kelani River Basin, Sri Lanka, via two interview surveys conducted at a 6-month interval. The surveys were conducted under two categories: A—after distributing maps and conducting awareness sessions, and B—after showing and distributing flood maps. The results showed that the flood maps helped to improve the risk perception of floodplain communities. Of the two categories, the memory decay process was slower for Category A. Furthermore, the SHM application showed that flood damage in the study area could be reduced by 10–30% when flood maps were distributed, and awareness sessions were conducted at 1–5-yr intervals.
Exploring the stress of olympic postponement due to COVID-19 on elite/international and world-class parenting and pregnant runners
Authors: Darroch Francine E. , Smith Sydney V. M. , Sheppard-Perkins Madeleine D. , Giles Audrey R. , Wykes Dylan
Published: April 2023

The primary objective of this community-based participatory research is to explore the impacts of COVID-19 and the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on world-class and elite/international-class parenting and pregnant athletes. Participants in this study include 11 female and 10 male parenting and/or pregnant middle and distance runners. Combined, the participants have competed at 26 Olympic Games and 31 World Championships. Drawing on the general concepts of stressors and psychological resilience, we use thematic analysis to develop four themes to understand the stressors for world-class and elite/international-class parenting and pregnant athletes due to COVID-19 and the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games: (1) lack of childcare support, (2) family planning, and (3) needing to stay away from sources of COVID—including their children. Despite the stressors identified in the aforementioned themes, we identified a fourth theme: (4) participants demonstrated adaptability to stress in spite of—or due to—their athlete-parent identities.
Anterior shift of the ventral dura mater: A novel concept of the posterior surgery for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in thoracic spine
Authors: Takahashi Kohei , Hashimoto Ko , Onoki Takahiro , Kanno Haruo , Ozawa Hiroshi , Aizawa Toshimi
Published: April 2023

Background

Thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) remains one of the most difficult disorders to treat. The Ohtsuka procedure, extirpation, or anterior floating of the OPLL through a posterior approach, has shown great surgical outcomes after several modifications. However, these procedures are technically demanding and pose a significant risk of neurological deterioration. We have developed a novel modified Ohtsuka procedure in which removal or minimization of the OPLL mass is unnecessary; instead, the ventral dura mater is shifted anteriorly with the posterior part of the vertebral bodies and targeted OPLL.

Surgical Procedure

First, pedicle screws were inserted at more than three spinal levels above and below the spinal level where pediculectomies were performed. After laminectomies and total pediculectomies, partial osteotomy of the posterior vertebra adjacent to the targeted OPLL was performed by using a curved air drill. Then, the PLL is completely resected at the cranial and caudal sites of the OPLL using special rongeurs or a threadwire saw with a diameter of 0.36 mm. The nerve roots were not resected during surgery.

Methods

Eighteen patients (follow-up ≥1 year) treated with our modified Ohtsuka procedure were assessed clinically, including the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score for thoracic myelopathy and radiographically.

Results

The average follow-up period was 3.2 years (range, 1.3–6.1 years). The preoperative JOA score was 2.7 ± 1.7, which improved to 8.2 ± 1.8 at 1 year postoperatively; therefore, the recovery rate was 65.8 ± 19.8%. The CT scan at 1 year after surgery revealed the anterior shift of the OPLL averaged 3.1 ± 1.7 mm and the ossification-kyphosis angle of the anterior decompression site decreased at an average of 7.2 ± 6.8 degrees. Three patients demonstrated temporary neurological deterioration, all of whom completely recovered within 4 weeks postoperatively.

Discussion

The concept of our modified Ohtsuka procedure is 1) not OPLL extirpation or minimization but only the creation of space between the OPLL and spinal cord by an anterior shift of the ventral dura mater, which is achieved by complete resection of the PLL at the cranial and caudal sites of the OPLL; and 2) no nerve roots are sacrificed to prevent ischemic spinal cord injury. This procedure is not technically demanding and safe and provides secure decompression for thoracic OPLL. The anterior shift of the OPLL was smaller than expected, but it resulted in a relatively good surgical outcome with a recovery rate ≥65%.

Conclusion

Our modified Ohtsuka procedure is quite secure and is not technically demanding, with a recovery rate of 65.8%.
When the Going Gets Tough, Leaders Use Metaphors and Storytelling: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study on Communication in the Context of COVID-19 and Ukraine Crises
Authors: Gkalitsiou Katerina , Kotsopoulos Dimosthenis
Published: April 2023

Metaphors and storytelling are important communication tools that play a significant role in leadership and organizational life. Leaders have used metaphors and storytelling to enhance their written and verbal communication from ancient times, since Aristotle, to the modern age. In the present research, we focus on the use of storytelling and metaphors by leaders in times of crisis. We perform a qualitative analysis of the public statements and addresses of the leaders of two different countries in the context of recent worldwide crises: The prime minister of Greece during the COVID-19 health crisis and the president of Ukraine during the outbreak of the conflict with Russia in 2022. Based on existing evidence, their effectiveness in convincing their subordinates and conveying their intended meaning either nationally or internationally during the aforementioned crises has been widely recognized. Our analysis reveals that both leaders have consistently utilized metaphors and storytelling in their efforts to be more convincing and empowering. We also find that the higher the intensity of the crisis, the more pronounced the use of metaphors and stories. We accordingly provide an analysis of the types and frequency of use of the aforementioned communication tools. Reflecting on our findings, we provide specific insight for practice by leaders, discuss theoretical implications, and suggest directions for future research.
Design and Experiment of an Underactuated Broccoli-Picking Manipulator
Authors: Xu Huimin , Yu Gaohong , Niu Chenyu , Zhao Xiong , Wang Yimiao , Chen Yijin
Published: April 2023

Mature broccoli has large flower balls and thick stems. Therefore, manual broccoli picking is laborious and energy-consuming. However, the big spheroid vegetable-picking manipulator has a complex structure and poor enveloping effect and easily causes mechanical damage. Therefore, a broccoli flower ball-picking manipulator with a compact structure and simple control system was designed. The manipulator was smart in structure and stable in configuration when enveloped in flower balls. First, a physical damage test was carried out on broccoli according to the underactuated manipulator’s design scheme. The maximum surface pressure of the flower ball was 30 N, and the maximum cutting force of the stem was 35 N. Then, kinematic analysis was completed, and the statical model of the underactuated mechanism was established. The dimension of the underactuated mechanism for each connecting rod was determined based on the damage test results and design requirements. The sizes of each connecting rod were 50 cm, 90 cm, 50 cm, 90 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm, and 65 cm. The statical model calculated the required thrust of the underactuated mechanism as 598.66–702.88 N. Then, the manipulator was simulated to verify its reliability of the manipulator. Finally, the manipulator’s motion track, speed, and motor speed were determined in advance in the laboratory environment. One-hundred picking tests were carried out on mature broccoli with a 135–185 mm diameter. Results showed that the manipulator had an 84% success rate in picking and a 100% lossless rate. The fastest single harvest time in the test stand was 11.37 s when the speed of the robot arm was 3.4 m/s, and the speed of the stepper motor was 60 r/min.