bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mothers' and fathers' mentalization as moderators of the association between marital conflict and children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors
Authors: Koren Swisa Roga , Hanetz‐Gamliel Keren , Dollberg Daphna G.
Published: July 2023

Objective

Investigating concordance between parents' mentalization and their moderating effects on the link between children's exposure to marital conflict and internalizing and externalizing behaviors.

Background

Marital conflict is a risk factor for children's behavior. Mentalization is a parental strength that can protect children's well‐being in the face of adversity. Little is known about parental mentalization within the family context.

Method

Cohabiting, heterosexual Israeli couples (N = 89) with a 3‐ to 5‐year‐old child were interviewed individually to assess their mentalization skills (mind‐mindedness). Reports of the child's exposure to marital conflict using the O'Leary‐Porter Scale of Marital Conflict and externalizing and internalizing behaviors using the Child Behavior Checklist were obtained.

Results

There was limited accord between parents' mentalization within each couple. The positive associations between conflict exposure and children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors were mitigated when the parents' mentalization skills were matched or when the mother's mentalization skills were high. A significant three‐way interaction emerged such that the contribution of the father's mentalization skills to the prediction of children's externalizing and internalizing behavior depended on the mentalization skills of the mother and the level of exposure to conflict.

Conclusion

Coordinated, high levels of parental mentalization can mitigate the negative impact of exposing children to parental conflict.

Implications

Parental mentalization can mitigate children's exposure to marital conflict. Enhancing parental mentalization is an important treatment goal for the family and for the child. Family interventions can benefit from evaluating each parent's initial parental mentalization skills to determine whether the parental couple share a similar level of this capacity. Detecting and addressing gaps between the parents in their parental mentalization skills can facilitate coordinated and shared parenting.
Metabolite‐derived damage‐associated molecular patterns in immunological diseases
Authors: Kang Na , Ji Zhenglin , Li Yuxin , Gao Ji , Wu Xinfeng , Zhang Xiaoyang , Duan Qinghui , Zhu Can , Xu Yue , Wen Luyao , Shi Xiaofei , Liu Wanli
Published: July 2023

Damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are typically derived from the endogenous elements of necrosis cells and can trigger inflammatory responses by activating DAMPs‐sensing receptors on immune cells. Failure to clear DAMPs may lead to persistent inflammation, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of immunological diseases. This review focuses on a newly recognized class of DAMPs derived from lipid, glucose, nucleotide, and amino acid metabolic pathways, which are then termed as metabolite‐derived DAMPs. This review summarizes the reported molecular mechanisms of these metabolite‐derived DAMPs in exacerbating inflammation responses, which may attribute to the pathology of certain types of immunological diseases. Additionally, this review also highlights both direct and indirect clinical interventions that have been explored to mitigate the pathological effects of these DAMPs. By summarizing our current understanding of metabolite‐derived DAMPs, this review aims to inspire future thoughts and endeavors on targeted medicinal interventions and the development of therapies for immunological diseases.
Migratory behavior of Prochilodus argenteus in the São Francisco River Basin, Brazil
Authors: Peressin Alexandre , de Magalhães Lopes João , Wouters Lídia , Andrade Neto Francisco Ricardo , Alves Carlos Bernardo Mascarenhas , Pompeu Paulo Santos
Published: July 2023

The migratory behavior and spawning of Curimatá‐pacu (Prochilodus argenteus) were assessed in a free‐flowing remnant spanning approximately 450 km. This evaluation was conducted using radio‐tagging and egg sampling, with identification performed through metabarcoding techniques. Among the studied individuals, half migrated 100–365 km upstream, primarily in response to the initial rise in river discharge at the onset of the wet season. Conversely, the remaining fish did not exhibit upstream movement, indicating a partial migratory behavior. The presence of eggs exclusively in the headwaters suggests that breeding occurred solely among fish inhabiting the upstream sites. The observed migratory traits resembled those of other congeneric species.
Microbial carbon use efficiency in different ecosystems: A meta‐analysis based on a biogeochemical equilibrium model
Authors: He Peng , Zhang Yuntao , Shen Qirong , Ling Ning , Nan Zhibiao
Published: July 2023

Soil microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) is a crucial parameter that can be used to evaluate the partitioning of soil carbon (C) between microbial growth and respiration. However, general patterns of microbial CUE among terrestrial ecosystems (e.g., farmland, grassland, and forest) remain controversial. To address this knowledge gap, data from 41 study sites (n = 197 soil samples) including 58 farmlands, 95 forests, and 44 grasslands were collected and analyzed to estimate microbial CUEs using a biogeochemical equilibrium model. We also evaluated the metabolic limitations of microbial growth using an enzyme vector model and the drivers of CUE across different ecosystems. The CUEs obtained from soils of farmland, forest, and grassland ecosystems were significantly different with means of 0.39, 0.33, and 0.42, respectively, illustrating that grassland soils exhibited higher microbial C sequestration potentials (p < .05). Microbial metabolic limitations were also distinct in these ecosystems, and carbon limitation was dominant exhibiting strong negative effects on CUE. Exoenzyme stoichiometry played a greater role in impacting CUE values than soil elemental stoichiometry within each ecosystem. Specifically, soil exoenzymatic ratios of C:phosphorus (P) acquisition activities (EEAC:P) and the exoenzymatic ratio of C:nitrogen (N) acquisition activities (EEAC:N) imparted strong negative effects on soil microbial CUE in grassland and forest ecosystems, respectively. But in farmland soils, EEAC:P exhibited greater positive effects, showing that resource constraints could regulate microbial resource allocation with discriminating patterns across terrestrial ecosystems. Furthermore, mean annual temperature (MAT) rather than mean annual precipitation (MAP) was a critical climate factor affecting CUE, and soil pH as a major factor remained positive to drive the changes in microbial CUE within ecosystems. This research illustrates a conceptual framework of microbial CUEs in terrestrial ecosystems and provides the theoretical evidence to improve soil microbial C sequestration capacity in response to global change.
Hungary as a precarious context for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Interviews with transgender people
Authors: Primecz Henriett , Pelyhe Valéria
Published: July 2023

While lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people experience exclusion and animosity in most organizations and societies, their rights have gradually gained recognition in several countries in the world. Within the LGBT community, transgender people are the least researched group. Our empirical investigation focuses on the lived experience of transgender people in Hungary, within an increasingly precarious social context, particularly in the workplace, labor market, and certain aspects of private lives. Our findings shed light on the significant challenges they face, including a particularly harsh situation in the labor market and the subsequent impact on their workplace environment and private lives. These circumstances often force them to temporarily hide their transgender identity, although this often eventually comes out. This study, consistent with prior research of transgender individuals' lived experiences, demonstrates their critique of gender binaries, with their own lives serving as evidence for the dispensability of the gendered professions. The empirical investigation clearly shows the significant influence of the social context on the lives of vulnerable individuals. Particularly, recent legislative changes and escalating transphobic political discourse have notably worsened transgender individuals' lives in Hungary, affecting their employment and specific aspects of their private lives.
In search of health information…
Authors: Grant Maria J.
Published: July 2023

Searching for health information is a core activity for health library and knowledge workers, whether seeking to support health care workers in overcoming barriers to accessing drug information, exploring the potential of text mining in developing search filters, translating search filters for use on alternative databases, or the importance of updating search filters to ensure their ongoing utility.
From pollution to progress: Exploring the role of cleaner technology, energy efficiency and sustainable production in reducing PM2.5 levels in China
Authors: Sriyanto Sriyanto , Akhtar Muhammad Zaheer , Binsaeed Rima H. , Nassani Abdelmohsen A. , Khan Shiraz , Subari Kamalularifin , Zaman Khalid , Haffar Mohamed
Published: July 2023

Air pollution, particularly particulate matter (PM2.5) levels, was a significant focus at the COP26 summit. Rampant production practices and changing lifestyles contribute to the issue globally. China's rapid urbanization and reliance on fossil fuels significantly threaten global health sustainability. This study aims to evaluate China's environmental agenda and offer policy recommendations for achieving a green and clean environment. To accomplish this, the study assesses the crucial factors contributing to China's air pollution levels, focusing specifically on fine PM2.5 from 1975 to 2020. By implementing the ARDL bounds testing approach, the study confirmed a non‐linear relationship between per capita income and PM2.5, demonstrating an inverted U‐shaped curve with a turning point observed at a per capita income level of US$3030 in the short run. Furthermore, a positive correlation between these variables was detected in the long run. The study also revealed that rapid urbanization initially leads to increased PM2.5 concentrations, whereas it has a decreasing effect in the long term. To progress towards sustainable production and consumption, China has embraced efficient environmental technologies and increasing clean energy sources in its production mix. Leveraging these strategies, the country strives to achieve its decarbonization agenda and ensure a cleaner future. By conducting an ex ante analysis, this study identified ecological technologies, renewable energy demand and oil resource rents as critical influencers on China's air pollution levels over the next decade. The findings underscore the pressing need to embrace alternative energy sources, eco‐friendly technologies and resource conservation to tackle air pollution effectively and accomplish China's decarbonization objectives. It is imperative to prioritize adopting sustainable practices, ensuring a cleaner environment for current and future generations.
Engineering the mechanical properties of resilient ceramic aerogels
Authors: Su Lei , Niu Min , Li Mingzhu , Lu De , Guo Pengfei , Zhuang Lei , Peng Kang , Wang Hongjie
Published: July 2023

Ceramic aerogels are attractive for their promising applications in thermal insulation, ultrafiltration, catalysis, and many other areas, owing to their high porosity, low density, high specific surface area, low thermal conductivity, and thermal stability. However, the practical applications of conventional ceramic aerogels are usually impeded by brittleness. Resilient ceramic aerogels overcame the brittleness of conventional ceramic aerogels and realized reversible compressibility, but they usually show brittleness under tensile stress and limited load‐bearing ability. In this short review paper, we reviewed the strategies to modify the mechanical properties of resilient ceramic aerogel. These strategies were achieved through tuning the deformation and moving ability of the nanowire building blocks and the deformation resistance provided by the aerogel architecture. Perspectives for further modifying the mechanical properties of resilient ceramic aerogel are also discussed.
Synthesis of low‐oxygen Ti3AlC2 powders by hydrogenation–dehydrogenation and deoxidation from titanium scraps
Authors: Kim Taeheon , Lim Jae‐Won
Published: July 2023

The MAX phase is a material with excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and thermal shock and oxidation resistance owing to its metallike bonding properties. The impurities in the Ti3AlC2 MAX phase must be controlled because the oxides and TiC derived from the synthesis process remain in MXene and markedly affect the electrical conductivity and chemical stability. This study investigated whether the Ti3AlC2 MAX phase can be synthesized from titanium powder prepared from low‐cost titanium scrap by hydrogenation–dehydrogenation (HDH) and deoxidation in the solid‐state (DOSS) processes. Almost single‐phase Ti3AlC2 MAX phase was obtained by synthesis at 1450°C for 5 h. The oxygen concentrations of the HDH‐MAX and DOSS‐MAX powders (25–45 μm) were 7215 and 3875 ppm, respectively. Oxygen reduction of titanium powder through DOSS can help improve the purity of Ti3AlC2 MAX phase by minimizing the imbalance in the stoichiometric ratio during synthesis. The HDH‐MAX and DOSS‐MAX powders prepared from titanium scrap displayed a higher Ti3AlC2 phase fraction and lower oxygen concentration than those of commercial Ti3AlC2 MAX phase powders. This cost reduction and purity improvement will increase the accessibility of the Ti3AlC2 MAX phase, supporting further research into its applications.
Forgiveness: Overcoming versus Forswearing Blame
Authors: Schönherr Julius
Published: July 2023

Philosophers often identify forgiveness with either overcoming or forswearing blaming attitudes such as, paradigmatically, resentment for the right reasons; yet there is little debate as to which of the two (if either) is correct. In this article, I present three arguments that aim to strengthen the forswearing view. First, on the overcoming view, many paradigm cases of forgiveness would turn out to be mere ‘letting go’ instead. Second, only the forswearing view plausibly allows for forgiveness in cases where the victim lost resentment before she had a reason to forgive. Third, only the forswearing view can show why victims of an offense are usually able to know whether they are in a position to forgive.
Randomized Phase 3 trial demonstrating high efficacy, favourable safety and convenience of a novel calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate cream for the treatment of psoriasis
Authors: Pinter A. , Reich A. , Arenberger P. , Gold L. S. , Armstrong A. , Iversen L. , Praestegaard M. , Augustin M.
Published: July 2023

Background

The fixed dose combination of calcipotriene (CAL) and betamethasone dipropionate (BDP) is a well‐established topical treatment option for psoriasis based on strong scientific rationale for the single agents having complementary efficacy and safety. CAL/BDP PAD‐cream is an easily spreadable cream based on PAD Technology™, an innovative formulation and drug delivery system.

Objectives and Methods

A Phase 3, multicentre, randomized, investigator‐blind, active and vehicle‐controlled trial enrolling 490 patients with mild to moderate psoriasis according to the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) scale was conducted in three European countries. Products were applied once daily for 8 weeks. The aim of the trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CAL/BDP PAD‐cream as well as treatment acceptability compared to CAL/BDP gel and PAD‐cream vehicle. Primary endpoint was percentage change in modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (mPASI) from baseline to Week 8.

Results

The percentage mean change from baseline to Week 8 in mPASI for CAL/BDP PAD‐cream (67.5%) was superior compared to PAD‐cream vehicle (11.7%; p < 0.0001) and non‐inferior to CAL/BDP gel (63.5%). The proportion of patients achieving PGA treatment success (at least two‐step improvement to clear or almost clear) after 8 weeks was superior for CAL/BDP PAD‐cream (50.7%) compared to PAD‐cream vehicle (6.1%, p < 0.0001) and statistically significantly greater than CAL/BDP gel (42.7%, p = 0.0442). Patient‐reported psoriasis treatment convenience score (PTCS) for CAL/BDP PAD‐cream was rated superior to CAL/BDP gel at Week 8 (p < 0.0001) and the mean change in DLQI from baseline to Week 8 improved statistically significantly more in the CAL/BDP PAD‐cream group compared to both PAD‐cream vehicle (p < 0.0001) and CAL/BDP gel (p = 0.0110). Safety assessments during the trial demonstrated that CAL/BDP PAD‐cream was well‐tolerated.

Conclusion

CAL/BDP PAD‐cream is a novel topical treatment of psoriasis that has a high efficacy and a favourable safety profile combined with a superior patient‐reported treatment convenience.
Partnering with minoritized communities to reduce health disparities: A focus on advance care planning
Authors: Elk Ronit
Published: July 2023

This editorial comments on the article by Nouri et al. in this issue.
Histopathologic analysis of hyaluronic acid composite solution following intravascular injection: Variability and safety
Authors: Zhang Youliang , Chen Yin , Wang Shiwei , Niu Huanyun , Yu Hao , Luo Shengkang
Published: July 2023

Background

Although a composite solution of non‐crosslinked hyaluronic acid is generally considered safe, few studies have investigated its safety after intravascular injection.

Methods

Male Sprague–Dawley rats were administered 0.05 mL of a non‐crosslinked hyaluronic acid composite solution via intravascular injection into bilateral inferior epigastric arteries (IEA). Artery samples were obtained at multiple time points for histopathologic analysis. Bilateral abdominal flaps supplied by the IEA were lifted and the same dose of solution was injected into the artery, and flap survival was analyzed.

Results

Histopathologic analysis showed that the non‐crosslinked hyaluronic acid composite solution remained temporarily in the artery lumen following intravascular injection. With continuous blood flow, the filler gradually disintegrated and the artery became recanalized. At 24 h, no filler remained in the lumen. At 7 days after the filler was injected into the IEA feeding the flap, there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups with respect to flap survival rate.

Conclusions

Non‐crosslinked hyaluronic acid composite solution is relatively safe when a minimal volume is administered by intravascular injection. The filler will remain in the vessel for a short time, after which the vessel recanalizes.
COVID‐19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Iranian pregnant and postpartum women: A national study
Authors: Changizi Nasrin , Eshraghi Nooshin , Ghafoori Faezeh , Hejazi Saiedeh , Hadipour Jahromy Leila , Farahani Zahra , Sharifi Hamid , Beheshtian Maryam
Published: July 2023

Background

To control the spread of COVID‐19, Iran has adopted rigorous precautionary and preventive measures, particularly for vulnerable groups. Considering the effects of knowledge and attitudes about COVID‐19 on adherence to preventive measures, we examined women's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) from pregnancy to 6 weeks postpartum about COVID‐19 during this pandemic.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study, 7363 women were recruited via an online questionnaire between June 23, 2021 and July 7, 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 27 questions, measuring KAP.

Results

Most of the participants had a good understanding of COVID‐19 (Mean: 7.30 out of 9, standard deviation [SD]: 1.27), but the knowledge of the disease's main symptoms and modes of transmission was at the lowest levels. The mean attitudes score was 31.47 out of 50 (SD: 7.70). The participants had good practices against COVID‐19 with a mean score of 35.48 out of 40 (SD: 3.94). To reduce anxiety and fear during the pandemic, half of our participants strongly emphasized the role of family emotional support. Income status and educational levels were the most significant variables influencing KAP (p‐value ≤0.001). A correlation was found between knowledge and practice scores (r = 0.205, p‐value = 0.001).

Conclusion

Our findings may serve to formulate awareness‐raising interventions and can be a guide to health policymakers and workers such as obstetricians, clinicians, and midwives for more effective educational communication emphasizing the COVID‐19 symptoms and transmission modes and rendering appropriate counseling, particularly on the importance of emotional family support during the pandemic.
Defusing Digital Disruption Through Creative Accumulation: Technology‐Induced Innovation in Professional Service Firms
Authors: Pemer Frida , Werr Andreas
Published: July 2023

How will digitalization change the future of work in professional service firms (PSFs)? And how can they adapt to new technology and avoid potential disruption? Building on an interview study in the Big Four auditing firms in Sweden, we contribute to research on the future of work in PSFs by unpacking the process through which PSFs expand their domain of expertise towards technology and complement competence‐destroying innovations with competence‐enhancing innovations. They do so by engaging in a process of ‘creative accumulation’ through ‘competence expansion’, consisting of three overlapping sub‐processes – skill acquisition, skill dissemination, and skill integration – and intertwined cycles of service, process, and organizational innovation. We also contribute to the literature on innovation in PSFs by contradicting the view of PSFs as inert and technology‐avert. Instead, we show how they proactively engage in both top‐down and bottom‐up technology‐induced innovation to reshape their work and defuse the threat of digital disruption.
Cash—Walk the line: Examining the impact of payment method on consumers' beer choices
Authors: Otterbring Tobias , Rolschau Kristian , Folwarczny Michał
Published: July 2023

Previous research has revealed that consumers spend less (more) money when paying through cash (credit card). This effect has been attributed to the pain of paying, which is higher (lower) in the case of cash (credit card) payments. We tested the pain‐of‐paying phenomenon at a bar and collected objective data on almost 1000 beer transactions, including information about the size of the beer consumed (small vs. large), the price paid per beer, the style of the beer, and consumers' payment method (cash vs. credit card). Consumers paying with cash (vs. credit card) spent less money per beer and were less inclined to choose large (vs. small) beers, with the payment method effect on money spent mediated by the size of the purchased beer. Moreover, those paying with cash (vs. credit card) were more inclined to choose dark beers, whereas their probability of purchasing India Pale Ales (IPAs) was directionally lower.

Practical Applications

Given our findings that payment method seems to influence alcohol consumption, these results should have important implications for bar and restaurant managers as well as for interventions aimed at mitigating consumer overspending on alcoholic beverages. Specifically, our findings align with research suggesting that card payments promote less healthy and more impulsive choices than cash payments. Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with numerous psychophysiological problems, whereas developing social ties, which is common among craft beer enthusiasts, reduces stress levels and improves mental health. Therefore, a reasonable compromise seems to be that policymakers recommend cash payments for alcoholic beverages to maximize social network development while minimizing the risk of excessive alcohol consumption. The result that consumers who paid with cash (vs. credit card) were more prone to purchase dark beers but slightly less likely to buy IPAs warrants further investigation.
Characterizing rural families’ experiences receiving pediatric surgical care: A qualitative study
Authors: Georgeades Christina , Young Staci A. , Nataliansyah Mochamad Muska , Van Arendonk Kyle J.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Access to pediatric surgical care is influenced by multiple factors, including proximity to care and financial resources. There is limited understanding regarding the process by which rural children acquire surgical care. We qualitatively explored rural families’ experiences seeking surgical care for their children at a major children's hospital.

Methods

Parents or legal guardians ≥18 years of age with children who received general surgical care at a major children's hospital and who lived in rural areas were included. Operative logs from 2020 to 2021 and postoperative clinic visits were used to identify families. Semi‐structured interviews explored rural families’ experiences receiving surgical care. Interviews were inductively and deductively analyzed to create codes and identify thematic domains. Twelve interviews (with 15 individuals) were conducted before thematic saturation was reached.

Findings

Children were predominantly White (92%) and lived a median of 98.3 mi (interquartile range 49.4–147.0 mi) from the hospital. Four thematic domains were identified: (1) Accessing surgical care included difficulties with referral processes and travel/lodging burdens; (2) surgical care processes involved treatment details and provider/hospital expertise; (3) resources for navigating care encompassed families’ employment status, financial burden, and technology use; and (4) social support included family situations, emotions and stress, and coping with diagnoses.

Conclusions

Rural families experienced difficulties with obtaining referrals, challenges with travel and employment, and the benefits of technology use. These findings can be applied to the development of tools that can ease challenges faced by rural families whose children require surgical care.
Whole‐genome sequencing reveals fine‐scale environment‐associated divergence near the range limits of a temperate reef fish
Authors: Nugent Cameron M. , Kess Tony , Brachmann Matthew K. , Langille Barbara L. , Duffy Steven J. , Lehnert Sarah J. , Wringe Brendan F. , Bentzen Paul , Bradbury Ian R.
Published: July 2023

Environmental variation is increasingly recognized as an important driver of diversity in marine species despite the lack of physical barriers to dispersal and the presence of pelagic stages in many taxa. A robust understanding of the genomic and ecological processes involved in structuring populations is lacking for most marine species, often hindering management and conservation action. Cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) is a temperate reef fish with both pelagic early life‐history stages and strong site‐associated homing as adults; the species is also of interest for use as a cleaner fish in salmonid aquaculture in Atlantic Canada. We aimed to characterize genomic and geographic differentiation of cunner in the Northwest Atlantic. To achieve this, a chromosome‐level genome assembly for cunner was produced and used to characterize spatial population structure throughout Atlantic Canada using whole‐genome sequencing. The genome assembly spanned 0.72 Gbp and 24 chromosomes; whole‐genome sequencing of 803 individuals from 20 locations from Newfoundland to New Jersey identified approximately 11 million genetic variants. Principal component analysis revealed four regional Atlantic Canadian groups. Pairwise FST and selection scans revealed signals of differentiation and selection at discrete genomic regions, including adjacent peaks on chromosome 10 across multiple pairwise comparisons (i.e. FST 0.5–0.75). Redundancy analysis suggested association of environmental variables related to benthic temperature and oxygen range with genomic structure. Results suggest regional scale diversity in this temperate reef fish and can directly inform the collection and translocation of cunner for aquaculture applications and the conservation of wild populations throughout the Northwest Atlantic.
Man‐in‐the‐barrel syndrome‐like symptoms due to cervical infarction caused by transient hypoperfusion in the ascending cervical artery
Authors: Isono Yuji , Kano Yuya , Yamada Kentaro , Muto Masahiro , Saito Jien , Matsukawa Noriyuki
Published: July 2023

Man‐in‐the‐barrel syndrome (MIBS) is characterized by weakness in the bilateral upper‐extremity muscles with relatively preserved strength in the face and lower‐extremity muscles. We present a case of MIBS‐like symptoms due to spinal cord infarction caused by transient hypoperfusion in the left ascending cervical artery (ACA) secondary to Stanford type A acute aortic dissection. To identify the ACA as the responsible artery, ischemic change by MRI of the longus colli muscle, which is primarily supplied by the ACA, was effective.
Qualitative inquiry of a community dance program for older adults in Singapore
Authors: Wu Vivien Xi , Yap Xin Yi , Tam Wai San Wilson , Goh Jorming , Mok Wei Yi Jeremy , Ramazanu Sheena
Published: July 2023

Dance programs promote physical and psychosocial well‐being. However, studies focusing on the experiences of older adults in dancing are limited. This study aims to develop a community dance program (CDP) for older adults at senior activity centers in Singapore, as well as to explore the older adults' and student instructors' experiences of the CDP. A qualitative inquiry of semi‐structured and in‐depth focus group discussions was conducted. In total, 20 older adults and 10 student dance instructors participated in the study. Student instructors who were undergraduate students from a dance society were trained in how to provide step‐by‐step instructions for the older adults. An inductive approach of thematic analysis was undertaken. Three main themes were identified: (i) promotion of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial health with dance; (ii) imagination is power—travel through dance; and (iii) further enhancement of the dance program. The themes highlighted the prominence of CDP in improving memory, physical health, mood, and social interactions—thus mitigating the risk of social isolation. The findings illustrated the benefits of CDP in cultivating intergenerational bonds amongst older adults and student instructors.
RAD51C‐RAD51D interplays with MSH5 and regulates crossover maturation in rice meiosis
Authors: Zhang Fanfan , Shi Wenqing , Zhou Yue , Ma Lijun , Miao Yongjie , Mu Na , Ren Haiyun , Cheng Zhukuan
Published: July 2023

Meiotic crossovers ensure accurate chromosome segregation and increase genetic diversity. RAD51C and RAD51D play an early role in facilitating RAD51 during homologous recombination. However, their later function in meiosis is largely unknown in plants.

Here, through targeted disruption of RAD51C and RAD51D, we generated three new mutants and revealed their later meiotic role in crossover maturation.

The rad51c‐3 and rad51d‐4 mutants showed a mixture of bivalents and univalents and no chromosomal entanglements, whereas rad51d‐5 exhibited an intermediate phenotype with reduced chromosomal entanglements and increased bivalent formation compared with knockout alleles. Comparisons of RAD51 loadings and chromosomal entanglements in these single mutants, rad51c‐3 rad51d‐4, rad51c‐3 dmc1a dmc1b, and rad51d‐4 dmc1a dmc1b suggest that the retained level of RAD51 in mutants is required for uncovering their function in crossover formation. Reductions in chiasma frequency and later HEI10 foci in these mutants support that crossover maturation requires RAD51C and RAD51D. Moreover, interaction between RAD51D and MSH5 indicates that RAD51 paralogs may cooperate with MSH5 to ensure accurate Holliday junction processing into crossover products.

This finding of the role of RAD51 paralogs in crossover control may be conserved from mammals to plants and advances our current understanding of these proteins.
Battle of the bugs: how an oomycete pathogen shapes the microbiota of its host
Authors: Rovenich Hanna , Thomma Bart P. H. J.
Published: July 2023

This article is a Commentary on Gómez‐Pérez et al. (2023), 239: 2320–2334.
Affordances and curvature preference: The case of real objects and spaces
Authors: Djebbara Zakaria , Kalantari Saleh
Published: July 2023

Chuquichambi and colleagues recently questioned the prevailing belief that a universal human visual preference exists for curved shapes and lines. Their comprehensive meta‐analysis demonstrated that while curvature preference is widespread, it is not universally constant or invariant. By revisiting their dataset, we made an intriguing discovery: a negative relationship between curvature preference and an object's “affordances.” Taking an embodiment perspective into account, we propose an explanation for this phenomenon, suggesting that the diminished curvature preference in objects with abundant affordances can be understood through the lens of embodied cognition.
Adaptive plasticity to drought of Grime's CSR strategies
Authors: Escobedo Víctor M. , Molina‐Montenegro Marco A. , Salgado‐Luarte Cristian , Stotz Gisela C. , Gianoli Ernesto
Published: July 2023

Grime's strategies (competitor, stress tolerator, ruderal; CSR) represent viable trait combinations with which species deal with environmental conditions. CSR strategies are broadly used to understand plant adaptation to the environment, yet their plastic responses have received little attention. A globally‐calibrated tool (StrateFy) estimates CSR strategies using specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and leaf area (LA) data, but these three traits can hardly characterise whole‐plant responses to the environment individually. CSR strategies reflect tradeoffs among growth, survival and reproduction, at both leaf and whole‐plant levels, thus integrating several functions. We hypothesised that CSR strategies and the three constituent traits would show independent plasticity patterns, and that CSR strategies would be more likely to show adaptive responses, i.e. to fit expected functional responses to environmental gradients. We compared phenotypic plasticity to drought in single traits (SLA, LDMC and LA) with the integrated plasticity of the resulting CSR strategy. The study species was the invasive plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, which is distributed in arid and semiarid Chile. We found that trait plasticity was rather idiosyncratic and contrary to what would be expected from a functional adjustment to drought: LDMC did not change (expected response: increase) and SLA increased (expected response: decrease). Conversely, plastic responses of CSR strategy and LA were consistent with functionally adaptive responses to drought in all populations: S‐strategy increased, while C‐strategy and LA decreased. We advocate the use of Grime's CSR theory as an integrative approach to further our understanding of adaptive plasticity in plants.
Changes in prey body size differentially reduces predation risk across predator and prey abundances
Authors: Hammill Edd , Hancey Kayla , Cortez Michael
Published: July 2023

Trophic interactions underpin the structure of ecological communities by describing the rates at which consumers exploit their resources. The rates at which predators consume their prey are influenced by prey traits, with many species inducing defensive modifications to prey traits following the threat of predation. Here we use different clonal lines of the protist Paramecium being consumed by Stenostomum predators to highlight how differences in prey traits impact rates of predation. Clonal lines differed in their body width traits, and in their ability to induce changes in body width. By using a factorial cross of predator and prey abundances for different clonal lines we demonstrate how evolutionary or induced alterations in prey traits can impact the relative threat of predation. Our experiments show how interference among predators impacts predation rate, and how increased body width increased predator handling times. Given that reductions in the strength of interspecific interactions are associated with increased levels of overall community stability, our results indicate how individual level changes may scale up to impact whole communities.
Predicting Indian electricity exchange‐traded market prices: SARIMA and MLP approach
Authors: Gupta Sonal , Chakrabarty Deepankar , Kumar Rupesh
Published: July 2023

This research investigates the short‐term (ST) forecasting performance of the daily prices of the Indian exchange‐traded day‐ahead (DAM) market, divided into 13 bid areas, each consisting of states with varied fundamentals. Forecasts are built employing SARIMA (seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average) and MLP (multilayer perceptron) methods. Moreover, the robustness and performance of the model is compared using the lowest error and the Diebold–Mariano (DM) test statistic values. The results indicates that the SARIMA model has high prediction accuracy with error values ranging from 1% to 5% with Southern region having the highest error of 4.53% and Northern having the least error of 1.27%. However, validation by the DM test suggests no statistical significant difference between the two models. The power generators, distribution companies, traders, policymakers, strategists and managers could use the findings for effective power management through proper planning.
Ipsilateral Fixation and Reconstruction of the Cervical Spine after Resection of a Dumbbell Tumor Via a Unilateral Posterior Approach: A Case Report and Biomechanical Study
Authors: Zeng Yongqiang , Huang Zhiping , Huang Zucheng , Cheng Yongquan , Zhu Qing'an , Ji Wei , Jiang Hui
Published: July 2023

Objective

There is lack of an internal fixation following resection of a dumbbell tumor by hemi‐laminectomy and facetectomy that achieves adequate stability with less trauma. Unilateral fixation and reconstruction (unilateral pedicle screw and contralateral lamina screw fixation combined with lateral mass reconstruction, UPS + CLS + LM) may be an ideal technique to address this problem. A biomechanical comparison and a case report were designed to evaluate its spinal stability and clinical effect.

Methods

Seven fresh‐frozen human subcervical specimens were used for the biomechanical testing. The conditions tested were: (1) intact; (2) injured (single‐level hemi‐laminectomy and facetectomy); (3) unilateral pedicle screw (UPS) fixation; (4) UPS fixation combined with lateral mass (LM) reconstruction (UPS + LM); (5) UPS fixation and contralateral lamina screw fixation (UPS + CLS); (6) UPS + CLS + LM; (7) UPS fixation and contralateral transarticular screw fixation (UPS + CTAS); (8) bilateral pedicle screw (BPS) fixation. Range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ) were obtained at C5‐C7 segment under eight conditions. In addition, we report the case of a patient with a C7‐T1 dumbbell tumor that was treated by UPS + CLS + LM technique.

Results

Except left/right lateral bending and right axial rotation (all, p < 0.05), ROM of UPS + CLS + LM condition in other directions was similar to that of BPS condition (all, p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between UPS + CLS + LM and the UPS + CTAS condition in other directions of ROM (all, p > 0.05), except in left/right axial rotation (both, p < 0.05). Compared to UPS + CLS condition, left/right lateral bending ROM of UPS + CLS + LM condition were significantly reduced (both, p < 0.05). UPS + CLS + LM condition significantly reduced ROM in all directions compared to UPS and UPS + LM condition (all, p < 0.05). Similarly, except lateral bending (p < 0.05), there was no difference in NZ in other directions between UPS + CLS + LM and BPS condition (both, p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between UPS + CLS + LM and UPS + CTAS condition in NZ in all directions (all, p > 0.05). Axial rotation NZ of UPS + CLS + LM condition was significantly reduced compared to UPS + CLS condition (p < 0.05). Compared to UPS and UPS + LM condition, NZ of UPS + CLS + LM condition was significantly reduced in all directions (all, p < 0.05). The patient's imaging examination at 3 months postoperatively indicated that the internal fixation did not move and the graft bone was seen with fusion.

Conclusion

After resection of a dumbbell tumor in the cervical spine, UPS + CLS + LM technique is a reliable internal fixation method to provide sufficient immediate stability and promote postoperative bone fusion.
Identification of potential sources of mungbean yellow mosaic India virus resistance in black gram (Vigna mungo) and expression of antioxidants and R‐genes modulating resistance response in cultivated and its two wild relatives
Authors: Tripathi Anupam , Singh Chandra Mohan , Kumar Mukul , Purwar Shalini , Mishra Anuj , Kumar Dharmendra , Singh Awnindra Kumar , Kumar Sujit , Singh Sanjay , Singh Narendra Pratap
Published: July 2023

Black gram is one of the most important short duration grain legume, which contributes significantly towards nutritional security and environmental sustainability. The virus specific primers confirms the presence of mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) in representative samples. A total of 27 cultivated and two wild species were found as highly resistant (HR) to MYMIV and validated through molecular markers. The start codon target (SCoT) markers analysis revealed that the SCoT loci, namely, SCoT‐4 (2200 bp), SCot‐9 (1150/ 1200 bp), SCoT‐15 (1150/1100 bp), SCoT‐16 (700 bp), SCoT‐24 (2500 bp), SCoT‐25 (700 bp), SCoT‐33 (900/1000 bp), and SCoT‐34 (600 bp), were found unique, able to distinguish HR and highly susceptible (HS) genotypes. Biochemical characterization and gene expression profiling revealed the higher expression of antioxidants and R‐genes just after pathogen inoculation indicated the activation of defence mechanism in both cultivated and its wild relatives, which modulates the resistant responses in cultivated and wild accessions. These information will be really helpful in accelerating resistance breeding in black gram.
Responses of differentially expressed proteins and endogenous hormones in winter rapeseed (Brassica rapa L.) roots under water deficit stress
Authors: Mi Chao , Zhao Yanning , Wang Qian , Sun Chao , Zhang Yusong , Zhou Chao , Liu Youmin , Liu Zigang , Lin Liangbin
Published: July 2023

Winter rapeseed (Brassica rapa L.) can well‐adapt to environmental conditions such as barrenness, water deficit and low temperature in arid and semi‐arid planting regions and is the preferred rapeseed type. In this study, we analysed changes of root system morphology, antioxidant enzyme activity, endogenous hormone contents and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) under control (CK), slight water deficit (SWD, 50–55% of maximum field water capacity), moderate water deficit (MWD, 40–45% of maximum field water capacity) and high water deficit (HWD, 30–35% of maximum field water capacity) conditions. Winter rapeseed experienced taproot elongation, decreased taproot diameter and increased lateral root number, under water deficit stress. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause membrane system peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activity increases to remove ROS. Changes in jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), cytokinin (CTK), auxin (IAA) and gibberellin (GA) levels promote the absorption of water and minerals by driving changes in the root system architecture to resist water deficit stress. A proteomic analysis has shown that DEPs are involved in energy metabolism, antioxidation response, osmotic regulation, hormone signal transduction, protein metabolism and the stress response, and these proteins are located in the peroxisome, chloroplast, mitochondrion, cell wall, vacuole, cytoplasm, extracellular space and cell membrane. In this study, multiple DEPs (malate dehydrogenase cytoplasmic 1 OS, 14‐3‐3‐like protein GF14 Psi, GA 3‐beta‐dioxygenase, glutathione reductase and jasmonate‐inducible protein) were involved in the root system architecture, revealing the complexity of the root response to water deficit. Significant/extremely significant synergistic relationships were observed between antioxidant enzyme activity and endogenous hormone contents. In conclusion, ROS, endogenous hormones and stress‐related proteins work synergistically to control the root system architecture of winter rapeseed roots in response to water deficit stress.
Visual attentional guidance during smooth pursuit eye movements: Distractor interference is independent of distractor‐target similarity
Authors: Stolte Moritz , Kraus Leon , Ansorge Ulrich
Published: July 2023

In the current study, we used abrupt‐onset distractors similar and dissimilar in luminance to the target of a smooth pursuit eye‐movement to test if abrupt‐onset distractors capture attention in a top‐down or bottom‐up fashion while the eyes track a moving object. Abrupt onset distractors were presented at different positions relative to the current position of a pursuit target during the closed‐loop phase of smooth pursuit. Across experiments, we varied the duration of the distractors, their motion direction, and task‐relevance. We found that abrupt‐onset distractors decreased the gain of horizontally directed smooth‐pursuit eye‐movements. This effect, however, was independent of the similarity in luminance between distractor and target. In addition, distracting effects on horizontal gain were the same, regardless of the exact duration and position of the distractors, suggesting that capture was relatively unspecific and short‐lived (Experiments 1 and 2). This was different with distractors moving in a vertical direction, perpendicular to the horizontally moving target. In line with past findings, these distractors caused suppression of vertical gain (Experiment 3). Finally, making distractors task‐relevant by asking observers to report distractor positions increased the pursuit gain effect of the distractors. This effect was also independent of target‐distractor similarity (Experiment 4). In conclusion, the results suggest that a strong location signal exerted by the pursuit targets led to very brief and largely location‐unspecific interference through the abrupt onsets and that this interference was bottom‐up, implying that the control of smooth pursuit was independent of other target features besides its motion signal.
Once NEET, always NEET? A synthetic panel approach to analyze the Moroccan labor market
Authors: Alfani Federica , Clementi Fabio , Fabiani Michele , Molini Vasco , Valentini Enzo
Published: July 2023

In many regions of the world, the persistent, and growing, proportion of young people who are currently Not in Employment, Education or Training—a group increasingly referred to as NEET—is of global concern. This is no less true of Morocco: about 30% of the Moroccan population between age 15 and 24 are currently NEET. Drawing from various rounds of Moroccan Labor Force Surveys, this paper contributes to understanding the complex dynamics of labor markets in developing countries. First, it identifies the socioeconomic determinants of Morocco's NEETs. Second, employing a synthetic panel (SP) methodology in the context of labor market analysis, the paper describes how the condition of NEETs changes over time. One striking, and worrisome, pattern that emerges from the 2010 SP data is that, even after 8 years, a majority of the NEETs remained outside either the labor market or education, with very little chance of moving out of their situation. Their chronic stagnancy confirms the powerful effect that initial conditions have on determining young people's future outcomes. It also highlights the absence of corrective mechanisms and policy interventions within the Moroccan political economy landscape that could help to change NEETs' outcomes along the line.