bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applying Molecular Phenotyping Tools to Explore Sugarcane Carbon Potential
Authors: Calderan-Rodrigues Maria Juliana , de Barros Dantas Luíza Lane , Cheavegatti Gianotto Adriana , Caldana Camila
Published: February 2021

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), a C4 grass, has a peculiar feature: it accumulates, gradient-wise, large amounts of carbon (C) as sucrose in its culms through a complex pathway. Apart from being a sustainable crop concerning C efficiency and bioenergetic yield per hectare, sugarcane is used as feedstock for producing ethanol, sugar, high-value compounds, and products (e.g., polymers and succinate), and bioelectricity, earning the title of the world’s leading biomass crop. Commercial cultivars, hybrids bearing high levels of polyploidy, and aneuploidy, are selected from a large number of crosses among suitable parental genotypes followed by the cloning of superior individuals among the progeny. Traditionally, these classical breeding strategies have been favoring the selection of cultivars with high sucrose content and resistance to environmental stresses. A current paradigm change in sugarcane breeding programs aims to alter the balance of C partitioning as a means to provide more plasticity in the sustainable use of this biomass for metabolic engineering and green chemistry. The recently available sugarcane genetic assemblies powered by data science provide exciting perspectives to increase biomass, as the current sugarcane yield is roughly 20% of its predicted potential. Nowadays, several molecular phenotyping tools can be applied to meet the predicted sugarcane C potential, mainly targeting two competing pathways: sucrose production/storage and biomass accumulation. Here we discuss how molecular phenotyping can be a powerful tool to assist breeding programs and which strategies could be adopted depending on the desired final products. We also tackle the advances in genetic markers and mapping as well as how functional genomics and genetic transformation might be able to improve yield and saccharification rates. Finally, we review how “omics” advances are promising to speed up plant breeding and reach the unexplored potential of sugarcane in terms of sucrose and biomass production.
Presence of the Weakly Pathogenic Fusarium poae in the Fusarium Head Blight Disease Complex Hampers Biocontrol and Chemical Control of the Virulent Fusarium graminearum Pathogen
Authors: Tan Jiang , De Zutter Noémie , De Saeger Sarah , De Boevre Marthe , Tran Trang Minh , van der Lee Theo , Waalwijk Cees , Willems Anne , Vandamme Peter , Ameye Maarten , Audenaert Kris
Published: February 2021

Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is caused by a consortium of mutually interacting Fusarium species. In the field, the weakly pathogenic F. poae often thrives on the infection sites of the virulent F. graminearum. In this ecological context, we investigated the efficacy of chemical and biocontrol agents against F. graminearum in wheat ears. For this purpose, one fungicide comprising prothioconazole + spiroxamine and two bacterial biocontrol strains, Streptomyces rimosus LMG 19352 and Rhodococcus sp. R-43120 were tested for their efficacy to reduce FHB symptoms and mycotoxin (deoxynivalenol, DON) production by F. graminearum in presence or absence of F. poae. Results showed that the fungicide and both actinobacterial strains reduced FHB symptoms and concomitant DON levels in wheat ears inoculated with F. graminearum. Where Streptomyces rimosus appeared to have direct antagonistic effects, Rhodococcus and the fungicide mediated suppression of F. graminearum was linked to the archetypal salicylic acid and jasmonic acid defense pathways that involve the activation of LOX1, LOX2 and ICS. Remarkably, this chemical- and biocontrol efficacy was significantly reduced when F. poae was co-inoculated with F. graminearum. This reduced efficacy was linked to a suppression of the plant’s intrinsic defense system and increased levels of DON. In conclusion, our study shows that control strategies against the virulent F. graminearum in the disease complex causing FHB are hampered by the presence of the weakly pathogenic F. poae. This study provides generic insights in the complexity of control strategies against plant diseases caused by multiple pathogens.
The Late Positive Potential as a Reliable Neural Marker of Cognitive Reappraisal in Children and Youth: A Brief Review of the Research Literature
Authors: Kennedy Heather , Montreuil Tina C.
Published: February 2021

The mental health of young people is a growing public health concern. With socio-emotional difficulties in youth often resulting in psychiatric disorders later in life and most with mental health conditions rather stabilizing in time, it is essential to support healthy socio-emotional development. With a comprehensive definition of mental health, since emotion regulation (ER) plays a critical role in prevention, it becomes imperative to better understand how children effectively manage their emotions from an early age. Determining effective use of ER skills relies on adequate measurements. Typical methods of data collection in children present consistent shortcomings. This review addresses research findings considering the suitability of the late positive potential measured through electroencephalogram as a neural indicator of ER in children and youth. There is growing evidence, as reported in this review, that indicates that the late positive potential may be a reliable neural indicator of children's cognitive reappraisal abilities more specifically. Results generally suggest that the late positive potential amplitudes are sensitive to directed reappraisal in children. However, given the scant research, questions remain regarding developmental trends, methodology, interindividual variability, reappraisal of various stimuli, and how the late positive potential may relate to more traditional measures of ER. Directions for future research are provided, which are expected to address unanswered research questions and fill literature gaps. Taken together, the findings reviewed indicate that the late positive potential is generally sensitive to directed cognitive reappraisal in children and that there is promise of establishing this neural marker as an indicator of ER.
Is Loneliness a Cause or Consequence of Dementia? A Public Health Analysis of the Literature
Authors: Victor Christina R.
Published: February 2021

Loneliness has been reframed from a ‘social problem of old age’ into a major public health problem. This transformation has been generated by findings from observational studies of a relationship between loneliness and a range of negative health outcomes including dementia. From a public health perspective, key to evaluating the relationship between loneliness and dementia is examining how studies define and measure loneliness, the exposure variable, and dementia the outcome. If we are not consistently measuring these then building a body of evidence for the negative health outcomes of loneliness is problematic. Three key criteria had to meet for studies to be included in our analysis. To test the proposition that loneliness is a cause of dementia we only included longitudinal studies. For inclusion studies had to measure loneliness at baseline, have samples free of dementia and assess dementia at follow up (specified as a minimum of 12 months). We identified 11 papers published between 2000 and 2018 that meet these criteria. These studies included seven different countries and only one was specifically focused upon dementia: all other studies were cohort studies focused upon ageing and health and wellbeing. There was extensive heterogeneity in how studies measured loneliness and dementia and in the use of co-variates. Loneliness was measured by either self-rating scales (n = 8) or scales (n = 3). Dementia was assessed by clinical tests (n = 5), diagnostic/screening tools (n = 3), cognitive function tests (n = 1), and self-reported doctor diagnosis (n = 2). Substantial variation in loneliness prevalence (range 5–20%) and dementia incidence (5–30 per 1000 person years at risk). Six studies did not report a statistically significant relationship between loneliness and dementia. Significant excess risk of dementia among those who were lonely ranged from 15% to 64%. None of these studies are directly comparable as four different loneliness and dementia measures were used. We suggest that the evidence to support a relationship between loneliness and dementia is inconclusive largely because of methodological limitations of existing studies. If we wish to develop this evidence base, then using a consistent set of loneliness and dementia outcome measures in major longitudinal studies would be of benefit.
Intrinsic Motivation and Sophisticated Epistemic Beliefs Are Promising Pathways to Science Achievement: Evidence From High Achieving Regions in the East and the West
Authors: Chai Ching Sing , Lin Pei-Yi , King Ronnel B. , Jong Morris Siu-Yung
Published: February 2021

Research on self-determination theory emphasizes the importance of the internalization of motivation as a crucial factor for determining the quality of motivation. Hence, intrinsic motivation is deemed as an important predictor of learning. Research on epistemic beliefs, on the other hand, focuses on the nature of knowledge, and learning with more sophisticated epistemic beliefs associated with more adaptive outcomes. While learning and achievement are multiply determined, a more comprehensive theoretical model that takes into account both motivational quality and epistemic beliefs is needed. Hence, this study aims to examine the role of intrinsic and instrumental motivation alongside epistemic beliefs in predicting students’ achievement in science. Data were drawn from the PISA 2015 survey. We focused on four of the top-performing societies. Two were Eastern societies – Singapore and Hong Kong, and the other two were Western societies: Canada and Finland. We found both common and specific patterns among the four societies. Regarding the common patterns, we found that intrinsic motivation and epistemic beliefs had direct positive effects on science achievement. As for the regionally-specific findings, instrumental motivation positively predicted achievement only in Western societies (i.e., Finland and Canada), but not in Eastern societies (i.e., Singapore and Hong Kong). The interaction effect between motivation and epistemic beliefs also demonstrated different patterns across the four societies. Implications for the role of motivation and epistemic beliefs in optimizing student learning and achievement are discussed.
Financial Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Spillover Effects on Burnout–Disengagement Relationships and Performance of Employees Who Moonlight
Authors: Rasdi Roziah Mohd , Zaremohzzabieh Zeinab , Ahrari Seyedali
Published: February 2021

The novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has magnified the issue of financial insecurity. However, its effect on individual-organizational relations and, consequently, on organizational performance remains understudied. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the spillover effect of financial insecurity on the burnout–disengagement relationship during the pandemic. The authors investigate in particular whether the spillover effect influences the performance of moonlighting employees and also explore the mediating effect of disengagement on the relationship between financial insecurity and burnout interaction effect and the performance (i.e., mediated-moderation). This study collected responses from 162 public and private sector employees who are engaged in moonlighting activities in Malaysia. The results from the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed greater levels of financial insecurity and burnout associated with greater levels of work disengagement. The analysis of the interaction-moderation effect showed that when financial insecurity rises, the burnout effect on work disengagement increases among moonlighters. Using the PROCESS macro model, the results displayed burnout as a predictor of extra-role performance via a moderated (financial insecurity) mediation (work disengagement) relationship. Going forward, this study not only opens new avenues for research into the financial consequences of COVID-19 but also calls on managers to take proactive steps to mitigate the negative effect of the pandemic on the performance of moonlighting employees to keep them in the profession.
Students’ Confidence and Interest in Palliative and Bereavement Care: A European Study
Authors: Orkibi Hod , Biancalani Gianmarco , Bucuţã Mihaela Dana , Sassu Raluca , Wieser Michael Alexander , Franchini Luca , Raccichini Melania , Azoulay Bracha , Ciepliñski Krzysztof Mariusz , Leitner Alexandra , Varani Silvia , Testoni Ines
Published: February 2021

As part of a European Erasmus Plus project entitled Death Education for Palliative Psychology, this study assessed the ways in which Master’s Degree students in psychology and the creative arts therapies self-rated their confidence and interest in death education and palliative and bereavement care. In five countries (Austria, Israel, Italy, Poland, Romania), 344 students completed an online questionnaire, and 37 students were interviewed to better understand their views, interest, and confidence. The results revealed some significant differences between countries, and showed that older respondents with previous experience as formal caregivers for end-of-life clients showed greater interest in obtaining practical clinical competence in these fields. A mediation analysis indicated that students’ previous care experiences and past loss experiences were related to students’ current interest in death education and palliative and bereavement care through the mediation of their sense of confidence in this field. The qualitative findings identified five shared themes: life and death, learning about death, the psychological burden, personal experience and robust training, and four key training needs. Overall, students’ interest in studying and working with terminal illness and death are rooted in internal resources, a preliminary sense of confidence, but also external requirements.
I Am vs. We Are: How Biospheric Values and Environmental Identity of Individuals and Groups Can Influence Pro-environmental Behaviour
Authors: Wang Xiao , Van der Werff Ellen , Bouman Thijs , Harder Marie K. , Steg Linda
Published: February 2021

Most research in environmental psychology is conducted in individualistic countries and focuses on factors pertaining to individuals. It is yet unclear whether these findings also apply to more collectivistic countries, in which group factors might play a prominent role. In the current paper, we test the individual-focused value–identity–behaviour pathway, in which personal biospheric values relate to pro-environmental actions via environmental self-identity, in an individualistic and a collectivistic country. Furthermore, we test in both countries whether a new group-focused pathway also exists, in which group values relate to pro-environmental behaviour via environmental group identity, particularly in collectivistic countries. Questionnaire studies were conducted among Dutch (N = 161) and Chinese (N = 168) students. Our results indicated that personal biospheric values, mostly via environmental self-identity, predict pro-environmental behaviour in both countries. We also found initial support for our newly proposed value–identity–behaviour pathway at the group level, particularly in China. Yet, in both countries, the association between group-level variables and pro-environmental behaviour was weaker than for personal-level variables, and partly overlapped with personal-level variables. Our findings show the relevance of personal- and group-level factors in understanding pro-environmental behaviour in both individualistic and collectivistic countries, which has strong theoretical and practical implications, particularly for developing international strategies to promote pro-environmental actions across the world.
Growth Mindset and College Students’ Learning Engagement During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Serial Mediation Model
Authors: Zhao Hui , Xiong Jianping , Zhang Zhen , Qi Chunhui
Published: February 2021

Against the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic, college students’ learning engagement has become a key issue in universities and society. Guided by the theories of existential positive psychology and social perception, we explored the positive effect of a growth mindset on learning engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 1,040 college students from universities in Henan Province of China effectively completed online questionnaires. The results showed that growth mindset was positively related to learning engagement and negatively associated with perceived COVID-19 event strength and perceived stress; perceived COVID-19 event strength was positively related to perceived stress, while perceived COVID-19 event strength and perceived stress were negatively associated with learning engagement. Growth mindset affected learning engagement through three indirect paths: the mediating role of perceived COVID-19 event strength, the mediating role of perceived stress, and the serial mediating role of both perceived COVID-19 event strength and perceived stress. The results indicated that the growth mindset could contribute to college students’ learning engagement through the roles of perceived COVID-19 event strength and perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study advances the understanding of the mechanism underlying the relationship between growth mindset and college students’ learning engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the findings of the study have important implications for promoting college students’ learning engagement during the pandemic.
Parenting Style and Cyber-Aggression in Chinese Youth: The Role of Moral Disengagement and Moral Identity
Authors: Zhang Yizhi , Chen Cheng , Teng Zhaojun , Guo Cheng
Published: February 2021

Previous research has shown that parenting style is intricately linked to cyber-aggression. However, the underlying mechanisms of this relationship remain unclear, especially among young adults. Guided by the social cognitive theory and the ecological system theory, this study aimed to examine the effect of parenting style on cyber-aggression, the potential mediating role of moral disengagement, and the moderating role of moral identity in this relationship. Participants comprised 1,796 Chinese college students who anonymously completed questionnaires on parenting style, moral disengagement, moral identity, cyber-aggression, and demographic variables. After controlling for sex and age, parental rejection and over-protection were positively related to cyber-aggression; however, parental emotional warmth was non-significantly related to cyber-aggression. Mediation analysis revealed that parenting style was related to cyber-aggressive behavior through moral disengagement. Moderated mediation analysis further indicated that the indirect effect of parenting style on cyber-aggression was much stronger in college students with higher moral identity. The study carries important practical implications for parents and educators concerned about the destructive consequences of cyber-aggression.
The Benefits of Self-Transcendence: Examining the Role of Values on Mental Health Among Adolescents Across Regions in China
Authors: Liu Ping , Wang Xiaofeng , Li Dan , Zhang Rongwei , Li Hui , Han Jingxin
Published: February 2021

As one of the foundations of existential positive psychology, self-transcendence can bring positive intrapersonal and interpersonal outcomes, especially in the COVID-19 era in which people are suffering huge mental stress. Based on Schwartz's theory of human basic values, the current study combines variable-centered and person-centered approaches to examine the relationships between adolescents' values and mental health across two regions in China. The results generally showed that (1) both self-enhancement and conservation values were positively correlated with depression and loneliness, while both self-transcendence and openness to change values negatively correlated with depression and loneliness. The results also showed that (2) there were four value clusters (i.e., self-focus, other-focus, anxiety-free, undifferentiated), and, compared to adolescents in the self-focus and undifferentiated values cluster, all adolescents in the anxiety-free values cluster reported lower depression and loneliness, while all adolescents in the other-focus values cluster reported higher depression and loneliness. The differences between the two regional groups only emerged in depression. Specifically, adolescents in Shanghai have higher levels of depression than adolescents in Qingdao. This study provides some evidence for the new science of self-transcendence among adolescents and also sheds light on how we may improve the level of mental health during the COVID-19 era.
Tracking Response Dynamics of Sequential Working Memory in Patients With Mild Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Zhang Guanyu , Ma Jinghong , Chan Piu , Ye Zheng
Published: February 2021

The ability to sequence thoughts and actions is impaired in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In PD, a distinct error pattern has been found in the offline performance of sequential working memory. This study examined how PD’s performance of sequential working memory unfolds over time using mouse tracking techniques. Non-demented patients with mild PD (N = 40) and healthy controls (N = 40) completed a computerized digit ordering task with a computer mouse. We measured response dynamics in terms of the initiation time, ordering time, movement time, and area under the movement trajectory curve. This approach allowed us to distinguish between the cognitive processes related to sequence processing before the actual movement (initiation time and ordering time) and the execution processes of the actual movement (movement time and area under the curve). PD patients showed longer initiation times, longer movement times, and more constrained movement trajectories than healthy controls. The initiation time and ordering time negatively correlated with the daily exposure to levodopa and D2/3 receptor agonists, respectively. The movement time positively correlated with the severity of motor symptoms. We demonstrated an altered temporal profile of sequential working memory in PD. Stimulating D1 and D2/3 receptors might speed up the maintenance and manipulation of sequences, respectively.
Correlation Constraints for Regression Models: Controlling Bias in Brain Age Prediction
Authors: Treder Matthias S. , Shock Jonathan P. , Stein Dan J. , du Plessis Stéfan , Seedat Soraya , Tsvetanov Kamen A.
Published: February 2021

In neuroimaging, the difference between chronological age and predicted brain age, also known asbrain age delta, has been proposed as a pathology marker linked to a range of phenotypes. Brain age delta is estimated using regression, which involves a frequently observed bias due to a negative correlation between chronological age and brain age delta. In brain age prediction models, this correlation can manifest as an overprediction of the age of young brains and an underprediction for elderly ones. We show that this bias can be controlled for by adding correlation constraints to the model training procedure. We develop an analytical solution to this constrained optimization problem for Linear, Ridge, and Kernel Ridge regression. The solution is optimal in the least-squares sense i.e., there is no other model that satisfies the correlation constraints and has a better fit. Analyses on the PAC2019 competition data demonstrate that this approach produces optimal unbiased predictive models with a number of advantages over existing approaches. Finally, we introduce regression toolboxes for Python and MATLAB that implement our algorithm.
COVID-19 Social Restrictions: An Opportunity to Re-visit the Concept of Harm Reduction in the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence. A Position Paper
Authors: Kouimtsidis Christos , Pauly Bernadette , Parkes Tessa , Stockwell Tim , Baldacchino Alexander Mario
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is presenting significant challenges for health and social care systems globally. The implementation of unprecedented public health measures, alongside the augmentation of the treatment capacity for those severely affected by COVID-19, are compromising and limiting the delivery of essential care to people with severe substance use problems and, in some cases, widening extreme social inequities such as poverty and homelessness. This global pandemic is severely challenging current working practices. However, these challenges can provide a unique opportunity for a flexible and innovative learning approach, bringing certain interventions into the spotlight. Harm reduction responses are well-established evidenced approaches in the management of opioid dependence but not so well-known or implemented in relation to alcohol use disorders. In this position paper, we explore the potential for expanding harm reduction approaches during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond as part of substance use treatment services. We will examine alcohol use and related vulnerabilities during COVID-19, the impact of COVID-19 on substance use services, and the potential philosophical shift in orientation to harm reduction and outline a range of alcohol harm reduction approaches. We discuss relevant aspects of the Structured Preparation for Alcohol Detoxification (SPADe) treatment model, and Managed Alcohol Programs (MAPs), as part of a continuum of harm reduction and abstinence orientated treatment for alcohol use disorders. In conclusion, while COVID-19 has dramatically reduced and limited services, the pandemic has propelled the importance of alcohol harm reduction and created new opportunities for implementation of harm reduction philosophy and approaches, including programs that incorporate the provision of alcohol as medicine as part of the substance use treatment continuum.
Do Cannabis Users Reduce Their THC Dosages When Using More Potent Cannabis Products? A Review
Authors: Leung Janni , Stjepanović Daniel , Dawson Danielle , Hall Wayne D.
Published: February 2021

Background: Higher potency cannabis products are associated with higher risks of negative physical and psychological outcomes. The US cannabis industry has opposed any restrictions on THC levels, arguing that people titrate their THC doses when consuming higher potency products.

Objective: To review research on the degree to which people who use cannabis for recreational purposes can and do titrate their THC doses.

Method: A systematic search was conducted for studies published from 1973 to 2020. We included (1) experimental laboratory studies on dose titration of cannabis products that varied in THC content; (2) observational studies on the use of more potent products; and (3) surveys on whether cannabis users titrate when using more potent products.

Results: In some experiments, there were inverse associations between the THC content and the amount smoked and smoking topography, while others indicated higher doses consumed and psychological and physiological effects observed. Findings of observational studies of regular cannabis users were more equivocal. In some surveys, cannabis users reported that they use less when using more potent products, but in other surveys, persons who used more potent cannabis had more adverse effects of use.

Discussion: There is some evidence from experimental studies that people who use higher potency cannabis for recreational purposes can titrate their THC doses, but less evidence that regular cannabis users do in fact do so. We need much better experimental and epidemiological research to inform the design of regulatory policies to minimize harms from the use of high THC cannabis products.
How Does Adding the DSM-5 Criterion Increased Energy/Activity for Mania Change the Bipolar Landscape?
Authors: Grunze Anna , Born Christoph , Fredskild Mette U. , Grunze Heinz
Published: February 2021

According to DSM-IV, the criterion (A) for diagnosing hypomanic/manic episodes is mood change (i.e., elevated, expansive or irritable mood). Criterion (A) was redefined in DSM-5 in 2013, adding increased energy/activity in addition to mood change. This paper examines a potential change of prevalence data for bipolar I or II when adding increased energy/activity to the criterion (A) for the diagnosis of hypomania/mania. Own research suggests that the prevalence of manic/hypomanic episodes drops by at least one third when using DSM-5 criteria. Whether this has positive or negative impact on clinical practice and research still needs further evaluation.
A Qualitative Exploration of Parental Perceptions Regarding Children's Sun Exposure, Sun Protection, and Sunburn
Authors: Thoonen Karlijn , van Osch Liesbeth , Drittij Rowan , de Vries Hein , Schneider Francine
Published: February 2021

Sun protection among children is of utmost importance since sunburn in early life is a major risk factor for skin cancer development. Because parents play a vital role in enhancing sun safety among children, this study explored parental perceptions concerning sun exposure, sun protection behaviors, and sunburn in children. Additionally, the context in which children experience sunburn in order to assist the development, optimization, and targeting of sun safety interventions for parents is revealed. A qualitative study design, using a semi-structured interview guide addressing several themes (e.g., sun exposure, sun protection, and sunburn experiences), was used. Data were collected in the Netherlands in the fall of 2019. Parents were recruited via purposive sampling at schools, youth services centers, and social media. Execution, transcription, and coding of the interviews was done by two researchers, using the qualitative analyzing program Nvivo (interrater reliability ofd= 0.84). In total, 26 interviews were performed (n= 17 mothers,n= 17 daughters, aged between 4 and 11 years). Parental perceptions and recall of their child's lifetime sunburn were frequent, even though all parents reported using at least one sun protection measure during sun exposure situations and parents seemed often unaware of their child's sunburn. Moreover, parents reported an overreliance on sunscreen, often failing to adequately protect their children's skin. Water-related activities, a lack of shade, and misconceptions regarding UV-index were often related to sunburn. In addition, unexpected sun exposure or longer exposure duration than initially planned were reported as challenging situations. The majority of parents had positive perceptions regarding tanned skin for both themselves as for children. This study provides directions for skin cancer prevention efforts targeted at both parents and their children. Since a lack of knowledge regarding sufficient sun protection measures and sunburn occurrence in various situations was reported, educational efforts are warranted. Additionally, focusing on clothing, shade-seeking, and adequate sunscreen use is recommended to increase children's sun safety. By intervening in the physical environment as well (e.g., providing shady areas), sun protection barriers can be reduced. Lastly, the general positive attitude toward tanned skin evident in this study is certainly worthy of attention in future interventions.
Antidepressant Use and Suicide Rates in Adults Aged 75 and Above: A Swedish Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Hedna Khedidja , Fastbom Johan , Erlangsen Annette , Waern Margda
Published: February 2021

Background: The treatment of depression is a main strategy for suicide prevention in older adults. We aimed to calculate suicide rates by antidepressant prescription patterns in persons aged ≥ 75 years. A further aim was to estimate the contribution of antidepressants to the change in suicide rates over time.

Methods: Swedish residents aged ≥ 75 years (N = 1,401,349) were followed between 2007 and 2014 in a national register-based retrospective cohort study. Biannual suicide rates were calculated for those with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) single use, mirtazapine single use, single use of other antidepressants and use of ≥ 2 antidepressants. The contribution of antidepressants to the change in biannual suicide rates was analyzed by decomposition analysis.

Results: There were 1,277 suicides. About one third of these were on an antidepressant during their last 3 months of life. In the total cohort, the average biannual suicide rate in non-users of antidepressants was 13 per 100,000 person-years. The corresponding figure in users of antidepressants was 34 per 100,000 person-years. These rates were 25, 42 and 65 per 100,000 person-years in users of SSRI, mirtazapine and ≥ 2 antidepressants, respectively. In the total cohort, antidepressant users contributed by 26% to the estimated increase of 7 per 100,000 in biannual suicide rates. In men, biannual suicide rates increased by 11 suicides per 100,000 over the study period; antidepressant users contributed by 25% of the change. In women, those on antidepressant therapy accounted for 29% of the estimated increase of 4.4 per 100,000.

Conclusion: Only one third of the oldest Swedish population who died by suicide filled an antidepressant prescription in their last 3 months of life. Higher suicide rates were observed in mirtazapine users compared to those on SSRIs. Users of antidepressants accounted for only one quarter of the increase in the suicide rate. The identification and treatment of suicidal older adults remains an area for prevention efforts.
Rethinking the Top-Down Approach to Schistosomiasis Control and Elimination in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Onasanya Adeola , Bengtson Michel , Oladepo Oladimeji , Van Engelen Jo , Diehl Jan Carel
Published: February 2021

The control and elimination of schistosomiasis have over the last two decades involved several strategies, with the current strategy by the World Health Organization (WHO) focusing mainly on treatment with praziquantel during mass drug administration (MDA). However, the disease context is complex with an interplay of social, economic, political, and cultural factors that may affect achieving the goals of the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) 2021-2030 Roadmap. There is a need to revisit the current top-down and reactive approach to schistosomiasis control among sub-Saharan African countries and advocate for a dynamic and diversified approach. This paper highlights the challenges of praziquantel-focused policy for schistosomiasis control and new ways to move from schistosomiasis control to elimination in sub-Saharan Africa. We will also discuss an alternative and diversified approach that consists of a Systems Thinking Framework that embraces intersectoral collaboration fully and includes co-creating locally relevant strategies with affected communities. We propose that achieving the goals for control and elimination of schistosomiasis requires a bottom-up and pro-active approach involving multiple stakeholders. Such a pro-active integrated approach will pave the way for achieving the goals of the NTD 2021-2030 roadmap for schistosomiasis, and ultimately improve the wellbeing of those living in endemic areas.
An Exploration of Stress: Leveraging Online Data from Crowdsourcing Platforms
Authors: Roddy James , Robinson Samantha
Published: February 2021

Background:Early detection of community health risk factors such as stress is of great interest to health policymakers, but representative data collection is often expensive and time-consuming. It is important to investigate the use of alternative means of data collection such as crowdsourcing platforms.

Methods:An online sample of Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) workers (N = 500) filled out, for themselves and their child, demographic information and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), designed to measure the degree to which situations in one’s life are appraised as stressful. Internal consistency reliability of the PSS-10 was examined via Cronbach’s alpha. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized to explore trends in the average perceived stress of both adults and their children. Last, Rasch trees were utilized to detect differential item functioning (DIF) in the set of PSS-10 items.

Results:The PSS-10 showed adequate internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.73). ANOVA results suggested that stress scores significantly differed by education (p= 0.024), employment status (p= 0.0004), and social media usage (p= 0.015). Rasch trees, a recursive partitioning technique based on the Rasch model, indicated that items on the PSS-10 displayed DIF attributable to physical health for adults and social media usage for children.

Conclusion:The key conclusion is that this data collection scheme shows promise, allowing public health officials to examine health risk factors such as perceived stress quickly and cost effectively.
Fatigue-Related Changes in Spatiotemporal Parameters, Joint Kinematics and Leg Stiffness in Expert Runners During a Middle-Distance Run
Authors: Möhler Felix , Fadillioglu Cagla , Stein Thorsten
Published: February 2021

Fatigue with its underlying mechanisms and effects is a broadly discussed topic and an important phenomenon, particularly in endurance sports. Although several studies have already shown a variety of changes in running kinematics with fatigue, few of them have analyzed competitive runners and even fewer have focused on middle-distance running. Furthermore, the studies investigating fatigue-related changes have mostly reported the results in terms of discrete parameters [e.g., range of motion (RoM)] in the frontal or sagittal plane, and therefore potentially overlooked effects occurring in subphases of the gait cycle or in the transverse plane. On this basis, the goal of the present study was to analyze the effects of exhaustive middle-distance running on expert runners by means of both discrete parameters and time series analysis in 3D. In this study, 13 runners ran on a treadmill to voluntary exhaustion at their individually determined fatigue speeds which was held constant during the measurements. Kinematic data were collected by means of a 3D motion capture system. Spatiotemporal and stiffness parameters as well as the RoM of joints and of center of mass (CoM) within the stance and flight phases were calculated. Independent t-tests were performed to investigate any changes in means and coefficients of variation (CV) of these parameters between the rested (PRE) and fatigued (POST) state. Statistical parametric mapping method was applied on the time series data of the joints and the CoM. Results from this exploratory study revealed that during a middle-distance run, expert runners change their stance time, rather than their step frequency or step length in order to maintain the constant running speed as long as possible. Increased upper body movements occurred to counteract the increased angular moment of the lower body possibly due to longer stance times. These findings provide insights into adaptation strategies of expert runners during a fatiguing middle-distance run and may serve a valuable information particularly for comparisons with other group of runners (e.g., females or non-athletes) as well with other conditions (e.g., non-constant speed or interval training), and might be useful for the definition of training goals (e.g., functional core training).
Pyrolysis Study of Different Fruit Wastes Using an Aspen Plus Model
Authors: AlNouss Ahmed , Parthasarathy Prakash , Mackey Hamish R. , Al-Ansari Tareq , McKay Gordon
Published: February 2021

Large quantities of fruit wastes are generated during the consumption and processing of fruits. The disposal of fruit wastes in an environmentally benign way is a challenging task. The biochar production from fruit wastes by pyrolysis is receiving huge attention because it can alleviate pollution of fruit wastes and provide a supply of biochar sustainably. In this study, five fruit waste types—orange peel, banana peel, mango endocarp, apricot kernel shell, and date pits—are examined. An Aspen Plus simulation tool was employed to develop a steady-state model to predict the pyrolysis product yields of the fruit wastes. The details of the proximate and elemental analyses of the fruit wastes were applied as input parameters in the model, and the simulation was carried out at 300–600°C and 1 atm pressure. Among the fruit wastes, the date pits presented the highest char yield (50.92 wt.%), while the mango endocarp offered the highest syngas yield (54.23 wt.%). From the simulation results, it can be inferred that the date pits are best suited for biochar production, whereas the mango endocarp and orange peel are appropriate for syngas generation. The study is further analyzed by studying the optimization of biomass feedstock blend to yield the highest char relative to bio-oil and syngas. The optimization results demonstrate apricot kernel shell and date pits to dominate the feedstock blend. It is hoped that the current outcomes will be helpful in the selection of appropriate feedstocks for biochar generation through pyrolysis.
Rethinking Crop Nutrition in Times of Modern Microbiology: Innovative Biofertilizer Technologies
Authors: Mitter Eduardo K. , Tosi Micaela , Obregón Dasiel , Dunfield Kari E. , Germida James J.
Published: February 2021

Global population growth poses a threat to food security in an era of increased ecosystem degradation, climate change, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss. In this context, harnessing naturally-occurring processes such as those provided by soil and plant-associated microorganisms presents a promising strategy to reduce dependency on agrochemicals. Biofertilizers are living microbes that enhance plant nutrition by either by mobilizing or increasing nutrient availability in soils. Various microbial taxa including beneficial bacteria and fungi are currently used as biofertilizers, as they successfully colonize the rhizosphere, rhizoplane or root interior. Despite their great potential to improve soil fertility, biofertilizers have yet to replace conventional chemical fertilizers in commercial agriculture. In the last 10 years, multi-omics studies have made a significant step forward in understanding the drivers, roles, processes, and mechanisms in the plant microbiome. However, translating this knowledge on microbiome functions in order to capitalize on plant nutrition in agroecosystems still remains a challenge. Here, we address the key factors limiting successful field applications of biofertilizers and suggest potential solutions based on emerging strategies for product development. Finally, we discuss the importance of biosafety guidelines and propose new avenues of research for biofertilizer development.
Similar Yield Benefits of Hybrid, Conventional, and Organic Tomato and Sweet Pepper Varieties Under Well-Watered and Drought-Stressed Conditions
Authors: Ficiciyan Anoush Miriam , Loos Jacqueline , Tscharntke Teja
Published: February 2021

Global agrobiodiversity is threatened by the replacement of traditional, locally adapted crop varieties with high-yielding and hybrid varieties during the past 60 years, resulting in associated losses of crop, variety, and allele diversity. Locally adapted, traditional varieties are known to perform equal or even better under environmental stress conditions and to be more resilient in unstable cultivation environments. Therefore, European organic vegetable breeding organizations conserve local, traditional varieties and breed new varieties in low-input organic environments, aiming to increase the range of varieties for sustainable cultivation under sub-optimal growing conditions. However, performance of organic vegetable varieties, in comparison to conventional high-yielding and hybrid varieties, under different environmental conditions has not been intensively researched. To contribute to this scientific field, we compared the agronomic and quality performance between hybrid, conventional, and organic tomato and sweet pepper varieties, two economically important species on the EU market under a) well-watered and b) drought stress conditions, using five different varieties (i.e., 30 varieties) as replicates in each of the six groups. Performance of both species was negatively affected by drought, regardless of the breeding background. Equally, for tomato and sweet pepper, hybrids produced higher amounts of individual fruits, however total yield in kg was comparable for hybrid, conventional and organic plants. Considering the agro-ecological importance of enlarging and securing variety diversity in light of changing environmental conditions, we show that the assumed benefits of the hybrids can also be delivered by the organic and conventional varieties. These varieties should be considered as an important source of genetic resources, supporting farmers to adapt to their local climate and environmental conditions in the future.
Nanoemulsion-Based Technologies for Delivering Natural Plant-Based Antimicrobials in Foods
Authors: McClements David Julian , Das Arun K. , Dhar Pubali , Nanda Pramod Kumar , Chatterjee Niloy
Published: February 2021

There is increasing interest in the use of natural preservatives (rather than synthetic ones) for maintaining the quality and safety of foods due to their perceived environmental and health benefits. In particular, plant-based antimicrobials are being employed to protect against microbial spoilage, thereby improving food safety, quality, and shelf-life. However, many natural antimicrobials cannot be utilized in their free form due to their chemical instability, poor dispersibility in food matrices, or unacceptable flavor profiles. For these reasons, encapsulation technologies, such as nanoemulsions, are being developed to overcome these hurdles. Indeed, encapsulation of plant-based preservatives can improve their handling and ease of use, as well as enhance their potency. This review highlights the various kinds of plant-based preservatives that are available for use in food applications. It then describes the methods available for forming nanoemulsions and shows how they can be used to encapsulate and deliver plant-based preservatives. Finally, potential applications of nano-emulsified plant-based preservatives for improving food quality and safety are demonstrated in the meat, fish, dairy, and fresh produce areas.
Case Report: Frontoparietal Metastasis From a Primary Fallopian Tube Carcinoma
Authors: Jang Anthony I. , Bernstock Joshua D. , Segar David J. , Distasio Marcello , Matulonis Ursula , Bi Wenya Linda
Published: February 2021

Background: Metastatic brain tumors typically arise from primary malignancies of the lung, kidney, breast, skin, and colorectum. Brain metastases originating from malignancies of the female genital tract are extremely rare. We present a case of fallopian tube brain metastasis and in so doing review the pertinent literature.

Case Description: We describe a 59-year-old patient with a history of fallopian tube carcinoma who presented with an incidentally identified left frontal brain mass. MRI demonstrated an enhancing lesion in the left centrum semiovale with a second enhancing lesion noted in the cerebellar vermis. She underwent a left parietal craniotomy for resection of the dominant and clinically symptomatic lesion. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for PAX8 and p53, confirming fallopian tube origin.

Conclusions: Fallopian tube cancer brain metastasis is extremely uncommon. We highlight the treatment and surgical resection of this patient's BRCA1 metastatic fallopian lesion and systematically review the literature regarding the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and histologic characteristics of the previously identified fallopian tube metastases to the central nervous system. The optimal course of treatment for brain metastasis of fallopian tube carcinoma has not been clearly defined due in part to the rarity of this condition. Consistent with BRCA1 neoplasms involving the breast and ovaries, the BRCA1 status of the patient's primary tumor likely increased the risk of central nervous system dissemination. This highlights a potential benefit of early screening of individuals with metastatic gynecologic malignancies associated with BRCA1 in the absence of any neurological symptoms.