bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Update to the Pilot Study of 177Lu-PSMA in Low Volume Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer
Authors: Privé Bastiaan M. , Muselaers Constantijn H. J. , van Oort Inge M. , Janssen Marcel J. R. , Peters Steffie M. B. , van Gemert Willemijn A. M. , Uijen Maike J. M. , Schilham Melline M. G. , Sedelaar J. P. Michiel , Westdorp Harm , Mehra Niven , Gotthardt Martin , Barentsz Jelle O. , Gerritsen Winald R. , Witjes J. Alfred , Nagarajah James
Published: May 2022

177Lu-PSMA-617 radioligand therapy is a novel treatment for end-stage prostate cancer, which could also be applied to patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer with high expression levels of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). In this perspective, we review the recent results of toxicity, radiation doses, and treatment effect of 177Lu-PSMA in patients with low volume metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Moreover, we present long-term follow-up data, such as toxicity and time without androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), of the patients who participated in this trial. Overall, 177Lu-PSMA appeared to be a feasible and safe treatment modality in this setting, as well as in long-term follow-up. We observed that men with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response of more than 50% seemed to especially benefit from this therapy by postponing ADT and thus preserving the quality of life.
The Effect of Salt Reduction and Partial Substitution of NaCl by KCl on Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Sensorial Characteristics and Consumers' Acceptability of Semi-Hard and Hard Lactose-Free Cow's Milk Cheeses
Authors: Juan Bibiana , Trujillo Antonio-José , Ferragut Victoria
Published: May 2022

Increasing consumer demand for healthier foods prompts the development of cheeses reduced in salt. The aim of his study was to assess the effect of reducing the level of sodium chloride (NaCl) and their partial substitution by potassium chloride (KCl) on the biochemical, microbiological, and sensorial characteristics and consumer's acceptability of semi-hard and hard lactose-free cow's milk cheeses. To improve the possible lower salty taste or the development of bitter taste, the addition to yeast extract, as a flavor enhancer, was also checked. Different brining times and brine conditions were tested to obtain a reduction of >25% of salt with respect to conventional cheese. Reduced-salt cheeses were elaborated by reducing half the salting time used in conventional cheeses, and a ratio of 60 Na+:40 K+ was used to reduce Na concentration in substituted cheeses. The results obtained in this study show that the reduction of salt by both methods in semi-hard and hard lactose-free cheeses could be an alternative for the production of healthier and sensorial acceptable cheeses, without significantly affecting their physicochemical characteristics. The addition of yeast extract, as a flavor enhancer, increased the free amino acids (FAAs) levels but decreased the acceptability of cheeses.
Foodomics: A Data-Driven Approach to Revolutionize Nutrition and Sustainable Diets
Authors: Ahmed Selena , de la Parra John , Elouafi Ismahane , German Bruce , Jarvis Andy , Lal Vincent , Lartey Anna , Longvah T. , Malpica Carlos , Vázquez-Manjarrez Natalia , Prenni Jessica , Aguilar-Salinas Carlos A. , Srichamnong Warangkana , Rajasekharan Maya , Shafizadeh Tracy , Siegel Justin Bloomfield , Steiner Roy , Tohme Joe , Watkins Steve
Published: May 2022

Globally, we are failing to meet numerous nutritional, health, and environmental targets linked to food. Defining food composition in its full chemical and quantitative diversity is central to data-driven decision making for supporting nutrition and sustainable diets. “Foodomics”—the application of omics-technology to characterize and quantify biomolecules to improve wellbeing—has the potential to comprehensively elucidate what is in food, how this composition varies across the food system, and how diet composition as an ensemble of foods guides outcomes for nutrition, health, and sustainability. Here, we outline: (i) challenges of evaluating food composition; (ii) state-of-the-art omics technology and innovations for the analysis of food; and (iii) application of foodomics as a complementary data-driven approach to revolutionize nutrition and sustainable diets. Featuring efforts of the Periodic Table of Food Initiative, a participatory effort to create a globally shared foodomics platform, we conclude with recommendations to accelerate foodomics in ways that strengthen the capacity of scientists and benefit all people.
An Initial Evaluation of Human Plasma cMLC-1: A Potential Protein Biomarker for Trastuzumab-Induced Cardiotoxicity, Breast Cancer Screening and Progression
Authors: Yu Ling , Allen Read , Jia Lin , Sun Ting , Isakoff Steven J. , Scherrer-Crosbie Marielle , Kehlmann Allison M. , Zheng Hui , Ly Amy , Walmsley Charlotte S. , Hesler Katherine , Varasteh Ava N. , Pinto Christopher J. , McLoughlin Daniel E. , Wu Wenjin , Wang Xinhui
Published: May 2022

Background

Trastuzumab is a targeted therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. However, trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity (TIC) has been reported when trastuzumab is administered to patients as a single agent or combined with anthracycline. Currently no means for detecting the early onset of TIC such as a protein biomarker is available. In this regard and based on promising results from a preliminary animal study, the potential of cardiac myosin light chain 1(cMLC-1) as a biomarker to predict TIC, screen patients for breast cancer and monitor tumor progression in breast cancer patients was evaluated.

Methods

Archived plasma samples collected before and after trastuzumab treatment at various fixed time points from 15 HER2+ patients with or without cardiotoxicity, recently collected plasma samples from 79 breast cancer patients (40 HER2+, 39 HER2-), and 46 healthy donors were analyzed for cMLC-1 levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

An elevated plasma cMLC-1 level was found to be associated with TIC in 3 out of 7 (43%) trastuzumab-treated HER2+ breast cancer patients. However, this study provided an opportunity for us to study plasma cMCL-1 levels in breast cancer patients. It was demonstrated that elevated plasma cMCL-1 is associated with breast cancer. The cutoff cMLC-1 concentration is estimated to be 44.99 ng/mL with a sensitivity of 59.49% (95%CI: 48.47%-69.63%) and specificity of 71.74% (95%CI: 57.45% -82.68%). We also found a noticeable but not significantly more elevated plasma cMCL-1 level in HER2- than in HER2+ breast cancer patients with the given sample sizes. As a result, improved sensitivity of 79.49% (95%CI: 64.47%-89.22%) with the specificity of 63.04% (95%CI:48.60%-75.48%) were obtained for cMLC-1 to predict HER2- breast cancer with the cutoff at 37.17 ng/mL. Moreover, this study determined that cMLC-1 level was significantly higher in patients with metastatic breast cancer than in patients with non-metastatic breast cancer.

Conclusions

While the analysis of cMLC-1 levels in the plasma of a limited number of trastuzumab-treated HER2+ breast cancer patients failed to fully support its identification as a blood protein biomarker for predicting TIC, additional analyses of plasma cMLC-1 levels did significantly establish its correlations with breast cancer and disease progression. Our findings shed light on and filled, to some extent, the gap of knowledge of the potential of cMLC-1 as a blood protein biomarker for screening breast cancer and monitoring disease progression of breast cancer.
Characteristics and Prognostic Analysis of 55 Patients With Pulmonary Sarcomatoid Carcinoma
Authors: Sun Jiachun , Jiang Zhiyi , Shan Tanyou , Yang Ruina , Kong Dejiu , Rui Junshuai , Li Xinyang , Kong Guoqiang , Chang Baoping
Published: May 2022

Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a rare and aggressive subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we present information on the clinicopathologic characteristics and clinical outcomes of this type of cancer. Clinicopathologic data from 55 patients treated at a single cancer center from January 2011 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were mostly male (76.4%), with a median age of 66 years and a history of smoking (54.5%). Most had symptoms, and about 60% presented with locally advanced or metastatic disease at diagnosis. Of the 55 cases, 21 were diagnosed by surgical resection. Pleomorphic cancer was the most common subtype (58.1%). With a median follow-up period of 13.2 months, the average survival time of the patients was 16.1 months, and the median survival time was 12 months. The overall survival rates for 1, 2, and 3 years were 52.7%, 18.2%, and 9.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that prognosis of the patients was influenced by tumor size, T stage, metastatic status, and surgery (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that T stage (p = 0.034) was an independent prognostic factor. There are few reports on the natural history of PSC, and its clinicopathological characteristics remain unclear. Herein, a retrospective review 55 individuals with PSC found that T stage was an independent predictor of survival. Surgical resection was associated with better prognosis.
Feeding/Eating Problems in Children Who Refrained From Treatment in the Past: Who Did (Not) Recover?
Authors: Dumont Eric , Jansen Anita , Duker Pieter C. , Seys Daniel M. , Broers Nick J. , Mulkens Sandra
Published: May 2022

Background

Young children with disordered feeding may be at increased risk for problematic eating in the future. This retrospective study attempts to identify predictors of later feeding problems.

Objectives

Children (N = 236) with disordered feeding, who refrained from behavioral treatment after consultation at a tertiary treatment center for feeding and eating problems were followed-up after, on average, 6 years and 3 months (timepoint 2).

Method

Logistic regressions were carried out with characteristics taken at intake (timepoint 1)—sex, pre/dysmaturity, gastro-intestinal disease, history of age-adequate feeding, syndrome/developmental impairment, autism spectrum disorder, comorbidity, age, and several variables of a restrictive- and selective food intake—and duration between timepoint 1 and 2, as predictor variables, and age-appropriate food intake at t2 as the dependent variable.

Results

Despite improvement over time, 63% did not reach an age-adequate food intake at t2. Predictors of age-inadequate food intake were: (a) older age; (b) sex (male), (c) longer duration between timepoint 1 and timepoint 2; (d) autism spectrum disorder; (e) selective texture choices and (f) lack of varied nutritional intake.

Conclusion

This study shows that most untreated young children's feeding problems do not improve over years. Besides the advice to seek help at an early age, it seems especially recommended to treat (male) children with autism spectrum disorder and selective feeding patterns.
A Culture-Based Strategy Is More Cost Effective Than an Empiric Therapy Strategy in Managing Pediatric Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Hung Chi-Wen , Chen Solomon Chih-Chen , Ku Li-Jung Elizabeth , Sheu Bor-Shyang , Yang Yao-Jong
Published: May 2022

Background

Helicobacter pylori infection is a major cause of peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. This study aimed to compare the eradication rate and essential costs of culture-based and empiric therapy strategies in treating pediatric H. pylori infection.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled patients aged <18 years with a diagnosis of H. pylori infection who received esophagogastroduodenoscopy at two medical centers in southern Taiwan from 1998 to 2018. Patients with positive cultures and minimum inhibitory concentration test results were allocated to a culture-based strategy, and those with negative cultures or without culture as an empiric therapy strategy. We collected demographic data and eradication rates, and calculated the total essential costs of treating a hypothetical cohort of 1,000 pediatric patients based on the two strategies.

Results

Ninety-six patients were enrolled, of whom 55 received a culture-based strategy and 41 received an empiric therapy strategy. The eradication rates with the first treatment were 89.1 and 75.6% in the culture-based and empiric therapy strategy, respectively. There were no significant differences in age, sex, and endoscopic diagnosis between the two strategies. For every 10% increase in those receiving a culture-based strategy, the total cost would have been reduced by US$466 in a hypothetical cohort of 1,000 patients. For every 10% increase in successful eradication rate, the total cost was reduced by US$24,058 with a culture-based strategy and by US$20,241 with an empiric therapy strategy.

Conclusions

A culture-based strategy was more cost effective than an empiric therapy strategy in treating pediatric H. pylori-infected patients.
Structure-Based Design of 2-Aminopurine Derivatives as CDK2 Inhibitors for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Liang Hanzhi , Zhu Yue , Zhao Zhiyuan , Du Jintong , Yang Xinying , Fang Hao , Hou Xuben
Published: May 2022

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) regulates the progression of the cell cycle and is critically associated with tumor growth. Selective CDK2 inhibition provides a potential therapeutic benefit against certain tumors. Purines and related heterocycle (e.g., R-Roscovitine) are important scaffolds in the development of CDK inhibitors. Herein, we designed a new series of 2-aminopurine derivatives based on the fragment-centric pocket mapping analysis of CDK2 crystal structure. Our results indicated that the introduction of polar substitution at the C-6 position of purine would be beneficial for CDK2 inhibition. Among them, compound 11l showed good CDK2 inhibitory activity (IC50 = 19 nM) and possessed good selectivity against other CDKs. Further in vitro tests indicated that compound 11l possesses anti-proliferation activity in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulation suggested the favorable binding mode of compound 11l, which may serve as a new lead compound for the future development of CDK2 selective inhibitors.
Collective States of Active Particles With Elastic Dipolar Interactions
Authors: Bose Subhaya , Noerr Patrick S. , Gopinathan Ajay , Gopinath Arvind , Dasbiswas Kinjal
Published: May 2022

Many types of animal cells exert active, contractile forces and mechanically deform their elastic substrate, to accomplish biological functions such as migration. These substrate deformations provide a mechanism in principle by which cells may sense other cells, leading to long-range mechanical inter–cell interactions and possible self-organization. Here, inspired by cell mechanobiology, we propose an active matter model comprising self-propelling particles that interact at a distance through their mutual deformations of an elastic substrate. By combining a minimal model for the motility of individual particles with a linear elastic model that accounts for substrate-mediated, inter–particle interactions, we examine emergent collective states that result from the interplay of motility and long-range elastic dipolar interactions. In particular, we show that particles self-assemble into flexible, motile chains which can cluster to form diverse larger-scale compact structures with polar order. By computing key structural and dynamical metrics, we distinguish between the collective states at weak and strong elastic interaction strength, as well as at low and high motility. We also show how these states are affected by confinement within a channel geometry–an important characteristic of the complex mechanical micro-environment inhabited by cells. Our model predictions may be generally applicable to active matter with dipolar interactions ranging from biological cells to synthetic colloids endowed with electric or magnetic dipole moments.
Application of Parallel Reaction Monitoring in 15N Labeled Samples for Quantification
Authors: Reyes Andres V. , Shrestha Ruben , Baker Peter R. , Chalkley Robert J. , Xu Shou-Ling
Published: May 2022

Accurate relative quantification is critical in proteomic studies. The incorporation of stable isotope 15N to plant-expressed proteins in vivo is a powerful tool for accurate quantification with a major advantage of reducing preparative and analytical variabilities. However, 15N labeling quantification has several challenges. Less identifications are often observed in the heavy-labeled samples because of incomplete labeling, resulting in missing values in reciprocal labeling experiments. Inaccurate quantification can happen when there is contamination from co-eluting peptides or chemical noise in the MS1 survey scan. These drawbacks in quantification can be more pronounced in less abundant but biologically interesting proteins, which often have very few identified peptides. Here, we demonstrate the application of parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) to 15N labeled samples on a high resolution, high mass accuracy Orbitrap mass spectrometer to achieve reliable quantification even of low abundance proteins in samples.
CO2 Enrichment Differentially Upregulated Sugar, Proline, and Polyamine Metabolism in Young and Old Leaves of Wheat and Sorghum to Mitigate Indium Oxide Nanoparticles Toxicity
Authors: Shabbaj Ibrahim I. , Madany Mahmoud M. Y. , Balkhyour Mansour A. , Tammar Abdurazag , AbdElgawad Hamada
Published: May 2022

Soil contamination with indium oxide nanoparticles (In2O3-NPs) is a challenge for plant growth and productivity. Despite In2O3-NPs toxicity, their effects on plant growth and metabolism are largely unknown, particularly under future climate CO2 (eCO2). Therefore, the In2O3-NPs toxicity and stress mitigating impact of eCO2 in the young and old leaves of C3 (wheat) and C4 (sorghum) plants were investigated. Overall, In2O3-NPs significantly retard the biomass and photosynthetic machinery of all tested crops, particularly the young leaves of C3 plants. Consequently, In2O3-NPs altered C and N metabolism in C3 and C4 plants. On the other hand, eCO2 contrarily alleviated the hazardous effects of In2O3-NPs on growth and photosynthesis, especially in the young leaves of C4 plants. Increased photosynthesis consequently enhanced the soluble sugars’ accumulation and metabolism (e.g., sucrose P synthase, cytosolic, and vacuolar invertase) in all stressed plants, but to a greater extent in C4 young leaves. High sugar availability also induced TCA organic and fatty acids’ accumulation. This also provided a route for amino acids and polyamines biosynthesis, where a clear increase in proline biosynthetic enzymes [e.g., pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS), ornithine aminotransferase (OAT), Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (P5CR), pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase (P5CDH), and proline dehydrogenase (PRODH)] and polyamine metabolic enzymes (e.g., spermine and spermidine synthases, ornithine decarboxylase, and adenosyl methionine decarboxylase) were mainly recorded in C4 young leaves. The observed increases in these metabolites involved in osmo- and redox-regulation to reduce In2O3-NPs induced oxidative damage. Overall, our study, for the first time, shed light on how eCO2 differentially mitigated In2O3-NPs stress in old and young leaves of different species groups under the threat of In2O3-NPs contamination.
Biochar Optimizes Wheat Quality, Yield, and Nitrogen Acquisition in Low Fertile Calcareous Soil Treated With Organic and Mineral Nitrogen Fertilizers
Authors: Khan Mushtaq Ahmad , Basir Abdul , Fahad Shah , Adnan Muhammad , Saleem Muhammad Hamzah , Iqbal Anas , Amanullah  , Al-Huqail Asma A. , Alosaimi Areej A. , Saud Shah , Liu Ke , Harrison Matthew Tom , Nawaz Taufiq
Published: May 2022

Crop quality and nutrient uptake are considerably influenced by fertilizers inputs and their application rate. Biochar (BC) improves nitrogen uptake and crop productivity. However, its interaction with synthetic and organic fertilizers in calcareous soil is not fully recognized. Therefore, we inspected the role of biochar (0, 10, 20, and 30 t ha–1) in improving N uptake and quality of wheat in a calcareous soil under integrated N management (90, 120, and 150 kg N ha–1) applied each from urea, farmyard manure (FYM) and poultry manure (PM) along with control) in 2 years field experiments. Application of 20 t BC along with 150 kg N ha–1 as poultry manure considerably improved wheat grain protein content (14.57%), grain (62.9%), straw (28.7%), and biological (38.4%) yield, grain, straw, and total N concentration by 14.6, 19.2, and 15.6% and their uptake by 84.6, 48.8, and 72.1%, respectively, over absolute control when averaged across the years. However, their impact was more pronounced in the 2nd year (2016–2017) after application compared to the 1st year (2015–2016). Therefore, for immediate crop benefits, it is recommended to use 20 t BC ha–1 once in 50 years for enhancing the nitrogen use efficiency of fertilizers and crop yield.
Developing Problem-Solving Expertise for Word Problems
Authors: Ngu Bing Hiong , Phan Huy P.
Published: May 2022

Studying worked examples impose relatively low cognitive load because learners’ attention is directed to learn the schema, which is embedded in the worked examples. That schema encompasses both conceptual knowledge and procedural knowledge. It is well-documented that worked examples are effective in facilitating the acquisition of problem-solving skills. However, the use of worked examples to develop problem-solving expertise is less known. Typically, experts demonstrate an efficient way to solve problems that is quicker, faster, and having fewer solution steps. We reviewed five studies to validate the benefit of worked examples to develop problem-solving expertise for word problems. Overall, a diagram portrays the problem structure, coupled with either study worked examples or complete multiple example–problem pairs, facilitates the formation of an equation to solve words problems efficiently. Hence, an in-depth understanding of conceptual knowledge (i.e., problem structure) might contribute to superior performance of procedural knowledge manifested in the reduced solution steps.
Performance Monitoring, Subordinate’s Felt Trust and Ambidextrous Behavior; Toward a Conceptual Research Framework
Authors: Ahmed Farooque , Soomro Shuaib Ahmed , Tunio Fayaz Hussai , Ding Yi , Qureshi Naveed Akhtar
Published: May 2022

The present research proposes an electronic performance monitoring framework based on ambidextrous leadership and social exchange theories in a dynamic environment. It reviews and integrates essential literature on electronic performance management (EPM), trust, and ambidextrous behavior. For this, authors have reviewed relevant literature on various themes and underpinned them for managing EPM. The study emphasizes individuals’ psychological foundations that demonstrate trust behavior and relationship with their leaders. Eventually, through an ambidextrous approach, managers gain steady performance and relationships with their subordinates through EPM. The study shows that ambidexterity benefits organizations; it enhances employees’ resources, resulting in enhanced performance that leads to the performance of an organization. The authors discuss the theoretical as well as practical implications of this study.
Restorative Retelling for Processing Psychedelic Experiences: Rationale and Case Study of Complicated Grief
Authors: González Débora , Aixalà Marc B. , Neimeyer Robert A. , Cantillo Jordi , Nicolson Donald , Farré Magi
Published: May 2022

Rationale

Many psychedelic experiences are meaningful, but ineffable. Engaging in meaning-making regarding emerging symbolic content and changing previous schemas have been proposed as mechanisms of change in psychedelic therapy.

Objective

Firstly, we suggest the implementation of a Restorative Retelling (RR) technique to process and integrate the psychedelic experience into autobiographical memory, in a way that fosters meaning-making. We also show how ayahuasca has the potential to evoke key psychological content in survivors, during the process of grief adjustment following the death of a loved one.

Methods

The rationale for the implementation of RR to process psychedelic experiences and a case study of a woman suffering from Complicated Grief (CG) after her mother’s suicide are presented.

Results

Evaluations conducted before the ayahuasca experience and after RR suggest the effectiveness of ayahuasca and RR in reducing symptoms of CG and psychopathology.

Conclusion

This case report illustrates an effective adaptation of the RR technique for processing the psychedelic experience. The significance of the study and its limitations are discussed.
Neural Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review and Activation Likelihood Estimation Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yuan Shiting , Wu Huiqin , Wu Yun , Xu Huazhen , Yu Jianping , Zhong Yuan , Zhang Ning , Li Jinyang , Xu Qianwen , Wang Chun
Published: May 2022

Background

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a first-line psychotherapeutic treatment that has been recommended for psychiatric disorders. Prior neuroimaging studies have provided preliminary evidence suggesting that CBT can have an impact on the activity of brain regions and functional integration between regions. However, the results are far from conclusive. The present article aimed to detect characteristic changes in brain activation following CBT across psychiatric disorders.

Method

Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and PubMed databases were searched to identify whole-brain functional neuroimaging studies of CBT through 4 August 2021. To be included in the meta-analysis, studies were required to examine functional activation changes between pre-and post-CBT. The included studies were then divided into subgroups according to different task paradigms. Then, an activation likelihood estimation algorithm (ALE) was performed in the different meta-analyses to identify whether brain regions showed consistent effects. Finally, brain regions identified from the meta-analysis were categorized into eight functional networks according to the spatial correlation values between independent components and the template.

Results

In total, 13 studies met inclusion criteria. Three different meta-analyses were performed separately for total tasks, emotion tasks, and cognition tasks. In the total task ALE meta-analysis, the left precuneus was found to have decreased activation. For the cognition task ALE meta-analysis, left anterior cingulate (ACC) and left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) were found to have decreased activation following CBT. However, the emotion task ALE meta-analysis did not find any specific brain regions showing consistent effects. A review of included studies revealed default mode network (DMN), executive control network (ECN), and salience network (SN) were the most relevant among the eight functional networks.

Conclusion

The results revealed that the altered activation in the prefrontal cortex and precuneus were key regions related to the effects of CBT. Therefore, CBT may modulate the neural circuitry of emotion regulation. This finding provides recommendations for the rapidly developing literature.
Higher-Order Executive Function in Middle School: Training Teachers to Enhance Cognition in Young Adolescents
Authors: Gamino Jacquelyn F. , Frost Courtney , Riddle Russell , Koslovsky Janet , Chapman Sandra B.
Published: May 2022

The epoch of adolescent brain development is an ideal time to train complex thinking skills, and middle schools provide an ideal environment to train and foster this acquisition. Unfortunately, few teachers are equipped with enough knowledge of the science of learning and evidence-based methodology, to ensure all students are given sufficient opportunity to develop their cognitive capacity to the fullest. Using our evidenced-based higher-order executive function training program, we trained current teachers to provide cognitive training to their students. The results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of teacher-implemented intervention for immediate improvement in high-level executive function capacities such as gist-reasoning and interpretive statement production. More importantly, we found evidence of far transfer via students’ improved academic performance in all standardized test content areas (Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) when compared to their untrained peers. Our findings support the importance of providing intensive professional development that afford educators with a greater understanding of the brain, how we learn, and the importance of evidence-based programs to advance and instill high-level executive function in all students.
Vocabulary Mobile Learning Application in Blended English Language Learning
Authors: Polakova Petra , Klimova Blanka
Published: May 2022

Mobile devices and applications, which have become an integral part of our lives, are gradually used for different purposes, including learning languages in EFL classrooms. Since vocabulary plays an important role in the process of foreign language learning, the aim of this study was to explore the use of the vocabulary mobile learning application and its usefulness in blended English learning. Quantitative and qualitative approach to research was used, since the integration of both approaches created the possibility to solve complex research problem. The case study was based on the use of the developed mobile application called Angličtina Today the content of which corresponded to the language needs of the target group of students. The quantitative approach used a method of quasi-experiment aiming to achieve the pre-tests and post-test results of the students from the experimental and control groups. The results showed that the students facing blended learning, including mobile application in the process of language learning, achieved better results than the students exposed to the traditional, face-to-face education. In addition, the results revealed students’ overall satisfaction with the application. The main reasons for their satisfaction were improved vocabulary knowledge, ease of use, and enhanced motivation. Based on these findings from the current study, it can be argued that the vocabulary mobile learning application proved to be useful in the process of blended English language learning.
How Do Green Finance and Energy Efficiency Mitigate Carbon Emissions Without Reducing Economic Growth in G7 Countries?
Authors: Fang Zhen , Yang Can , Song Xiaowei
Published: May 2022

Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing the world today. Environmental pollution and depletion of natural resources have been highlighted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), paving the way for modern concepts such as sustainable growth to be introduced. Therefore, this research explores the relationship between green finance, energy efficiency, and CO2 emissions in the G7 countries. The study uses panel data model technique to examine the dependence structure of green finance, energy efficiency, and CO2 emissions. Moreover, we use DEA to construct an energy efficiency index of G7 countries. A specific interval exists between the values of the energy efficiency indexes. Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States were named the most energy-efficient countries in the world, based on results obtained for five consecutive years in this category. However, according to the comparative rankings, France and Italy are the most successful of all the G7 members, followed by the United Kingdom and Germany. Our overall findings of the econometric model confirm the negative impact of green finance and energy efficiency on CO2 emissions; however, this relationship varies across the different quantiles of the two variables. The findings in the study confirm that green finance is the best financial strategy for reducing CO2 emissions.
Compulsive Sexual Behavior Online and Non-online in Adult Male Patients and Healthy Controls: Comparison in Sociodemographic, Clinical, and Personality Variables
Authors: González-Bueso Vega , Santamaría Juan José , Caro-Pérez Oriol , Fernández Daniel , Baño-Alcazar Marta , Jiménez-Murcia Susana , Håkansson Anders , del Pino-Gutiérrez Amparo , Ribas Joan
Published: May 2022

Background and Aims

Compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) is characterized by a persistent pattern of failure to control sexual impulses, resulting in repetitive sexual behavior over a prolonged period that causes marked discomfort in personal, family, social, school, work or in other functional areas. The evolution of the worldwide incidence of this disorder warrants further studies focused on examining the characteristics of the affected people. The purpose of this study was to compare online compulsive sexual behavior (when the problematic sexual practices were online) and non-online compulsive sexual behavior (when the problematic sexual practices were in-person) patients (OCSB and non-OCSB, respectively), and healthy controls in terms of sexual behavior, sociodemographic variables and psychopathology and personality characteristics.

Method

A sample of 80 CSB male patients consecutively admitted to our Behavioral Addictions Unit and 25 healthy male controls, participated in the study. The CSB group was comprised by 36 online CSB patients (mean age 42.25, SD: 10.0) and 44 non-online CSB patients (mean age 43.5, SD: 11.9). Scores on the Sexual Compulsivity Scale, Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised, Symptom CheckList-90 Items-Revised, State-Trait Anxiety Index, and additional demographic, clinical, and social/family variables related to sexual behaviors between the three groups were compared.

Results

When compared with healthy controls, both clinical groups showed higher psychopathology in all measures as well as higher harm avoidance and self-transcendence and lower self-directness and cooperativeness. When comparing OCSB and non-OCSB patients, results showed that non-OCSB patients exhibited higher prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, higher percentage of homosexual and bisexual orientation and higher scores in anxiety and in sexual impulse control failure.

Conclusion

Both online and non-online CSB patients may experience a variety of comorbid psychological and medical problems. Patients with non-OCSB may suffer more consequences that are negative. Therefore, these results should be considered when designing the most convenient therapeutic approach. Whether sexual orientation plays a role in treatment needs and treatment response in CSB, should be further explored in future studies.
Evolution in French University Students' Mental Health One Month After the First COVID-19 Related Quarantine: Results From the COSAMe Survey
Authors: Wathelet Marielle , Vincent Camille , Fovet Thomas , Notredame Charles-Edouard , Habran Enguerrand , Martignène Niels , Baubet Thierry , Vaiva Guillaume , D'Hondt Fabien
Published: May 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 related quarantine had negative psychological effects among University students. Evidence from previous epidemics suggests that negative psychological effects of quarantine measures can last or even worsen after the quarantine lift. The objective of this study was to assess the evolution of students' mental health and to identify factors associated with mental health outcomes 1 month after the lift of the lockdown.

Materials and Methods

This repeated cross-sectional study collected data during the first quarantine in France (T1, N = 68,891) and 1 month after its lift (T2, N = 22,540), through an online questionnaire sent to all French University students. Using cross-sectional data, we estimated prevalence rates of suicidal thoughts, severe anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, State subscale), depression (Beck Depression Inventory), and stress (Perceived Stress Scale) at T1 and T2. Using longitudinal data (N = 6,346), we identified risk factors of poor mental health outcomes among sociodemographic characteristics, precariousness indicators, health-related data, information on the social environment, and media consumption, adjusting for baseline mental health status.

Results

We found lower prevalence rates of severe stress (21.7%), anxiety (22.1%), and depression (13·9%) one month after the quarantine compared to the quarantine period (24.8%, 27.5%, and 16.1%, respectively). The prevalence rate of suicidal thoughts increased from 11.4 to 13.2%. Regardless of the existence of symptoms during quarantine, four factors were systematically associated with poor mental health outcomes 1 month after the quarantine was lifted: female gender, a low feeling of integration before the quarantine period, a low quality of social ties during the quarantine, and a history of psychiatric follow-up.

Conclusions

The prevalence rates of severe stress, anxiety, and depression, although being lower than during the first lockdown, remained high after its lift. The prevalence rate of suicidal ideation increased. This stresses the need to consider the enduring psychological impact of the pandemic on students as a critical public health issue.
Landscape Composition Affects Elements of Metacommunity Structure for Culicidae Across South-Eastern Illinois
Authors: Trivellone Valeria , Cao Yanghui , Blackshear Millon , Kim Chang-Hyun , Stone Christopher
Published: May 2022

The interplay among invasive alien vectors and the species assemblage of native potential vectors in areas of range expansion may affect the dynamics of pathogen transmission. In this study we investigate how Aedes albopictus, an invasive mosquito of considerable public health concern fits within mosquito communities at the edge of its range of distribution. This was addressed using a 2-year field survey of mosquitoes in south-eastern Illinois. We found that Ae. albopictus was more broadly distributed in this region than previously realized, with new occurrence records for nine counties. Abundance of this species varied strongly and peaked in locations of low-intermediate overall mosquito species richness. This differed from overall mosquito abundance, as well as abundance of another important vector, Cx. pipiens, for which the abundance-richness relationships were best described with power functions. Metacommunity analyses revealed that mosquito communities showed a non-random distribution with a Clementsian gradient, which suggests a pattern whereby distinct species assemblages are associated with specific habitats or environmental conditions. Land use was a significant underlying factor shaping mosquito community structure and species assemblages. Multivariate analyses showed that while Ae. canadensis and Cx. pipiens complex mosquitoes were associated with high and low proportions of wetlands in the environment, respectively, Ae. albopictus was most strongly associated with urban settlements. This work sheds light on landscape-level processes, such as niche differentiation driven by urban and agricultural development, structuring mosquito communities. We suggest that mosquito community assessments across habitats be incorporated as part of a One Health vector surveillance approach to aid in the goal of prediction and prevention of new and (re-)emerging vector-borne diseases.
Modeling Users' Cognitive Performance Using Digital Pen Features
Authors: Prange Alexander , Sonntag Daniel
Published: May 2022

Digital pen features model characteristics of sketches and user behavior, and can be used for various supervised machine learning (ML) applications, such as multi-stroke sketch recognition and user modeling. In this work, we use a state-of-the-art set of more than 170 digital pen features, which we implement and make publicly available. The feature set is evaluated in the use case of analyzing paper-pencil-based neurocognitive assessments in the medical domain. Most cognitive assessments, for dementia screening for example, are conducted with a pen on normal paper. We record these tests with a digital pen as part of a new interactive cognitive assessment tool with automatic analysis of pen input. The physician can, first, observe the sketching process in real-time on a mobile tablet, e.g., in telemedicine settings or to follow Covid-19 distancing regulations. Second, the results of an automatic test analysis are presented to the physician in real-time, thereby reducing manual scoring effort and producing objective reports. As part of our evaluation we examine how accurately different feature-based, supervised ML models can automatically score cognitive tests, with and without semantic content analysis. A series of ML-based sketch recognition experiments is conducted, evaluating 10 modern off-the-shelf ML classifiers (i.e., SVMs, Deep Learning, etc.) on a sketch data set which we recorded with 40 subjects from a geriatrics daycare clinic. In addition, an automated ML approach (AutoML) is explored for fine-tuning and optimizing classification performance on the data set, achieving superior recognition accuracies. Using standard ML techniques our feature set outperforms all previous approaches on the cognitive tests considered, i.e., the Clock Drawing Test, the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test, and the Trail Making Test, by automatically scoring cognitive tests with up to 87.5% accuracy in a binary classification task.
Credit Risk Modeling Using Transfer Learning and Domain Adaptation
Authors: Suryanto Hendra , Mahidadia Ashesh , Bain Michael , Guan Charles , Guan Ada
Published: May 2022

In the domain of credit risk assessment lenders may have limited or no data on the historical lending outcomes of credit applicants. Typically this disproportionately affects Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), for which credit may be restricted or too costly, due to the difficulty of predicting the Probability of Default (PD). However, if data from other related credit risk domains is available Transfer Learning may be applied to successfully train models, e.g., from the credit card lending and debt consolidation (CD) domains to predict in the small business lending domain. In this article, we report successful results from an approach using transfer learning to predict the probability of default based on the novel concept of Progressive Shift Contribution (PSC) from source to target domain. Toward real-world application by lenders of this approach, we further address two key questions. The first is to explain transfer learning models, and the second is to adjust features when the source and target domains differ. To address the first question, we apply Shapley values to investigate how and why transfer learning improves model accuracy, and also propose and test a domain adaptation approach to address the second. These results show that adaptation improves model accuracy in addition to the improvement from transfer learning. We extend this by proposing and testing a combined strategy of feature selection and adaptation to convert values of source domain features to better approximate values of target domain features. Our approach includes a strategy to choose features for adaptation and an algorithm to adapt the values of these features. In this setting, transfer learning appears to improve model accuracy by increasing the contribution of less predictive features. Although the percentage improvements are small, such improvements in real world lending could be of significant economic importance.
On the Impact of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence on Employers' Flexibility Requirements in Occupations—Empirical Evidence for Germany
Authors: Warning Anja , Weber Enzo , Püffel Anouk
Published: May 2022

Artificial intelligence (AI) has a high application potential in many areas of the economy, and its use is expected to accelerate strongly in the coming years. This is linked with changes in working conditions that may be substantial and entail serious health risks for employees. With our paper we are the first to conduct an empirical analysis of employers' increasing flexibility requirements in the course of advancing digitalization, based on a representative business survey, the IAB Job Vacancy Survey. We combine establishment-level data from the survey and occupation-specific characteristics from other sources and apply non-linear random effects estimations. According to employers' assessments, office and secretarial occupations are undergoing the largest changes in terms of flexibility requirements, followed by other occupations that are highly relevant in the context of AI: occupations in company organization and strategy, vehicle/aerospace/shipbuilding technicians and occupations in insurance and financial services. The increasing requirements we observe most frequently are those concerning demands on employees' self-organization, although short-term working-time flexibility and workplace flexibility also play an important role. The estimation results show that the occupational characteristics, independently of the individual employer, play a major role for increasing flexibility requirements. For example, occupations with a larger share of routine cognitive activities (which in the literature are usually more closely associated with artificial intelligence than others) reveal a significantly higher probability of increasing flexibility demands, specifically with regard to the employees' self-organization. This supports the argument that AI changes above all work content and work processes. For the average age of the workforce and the unemployment rate in an occupation we find significantly negative effects. At the establishment level the share of female employees plays a significant negative role. Our findings provide clear indications for targeted action in labor market and education policy in order to minimize the risks and to strengthen the chances of an increasing application of AI technologies.
The Sufficiency-Based Circular Economy—An Analysis of 150 Companies
Authors: Bocken Nancy M. P. , Niessen Laura , Short Samuel W.
Published: May 2022

The circular economy has become a popular paradigm in the business and policy spheres. It can support sustainable development by aiming to safeguard the resources to mitigate negative impacts on the climate and the environment and to sustain our current and future generations. Yet, despite progress with circular economy initiatives, there is a risk of focusing on incremental innovations with little real impact, and possibly even creating serious negative rebound effects. This study suggests that the concept of “sufficiency” is inadequately represented in the current circular economy discourse and innovations, and this may be undermining real progress. In this paper, the Sufficiency-based Circular Economy paradigm is introduced. We investigate the following questions: What is the role of business in the sufficiency-based circular economy? What are the institutional limitations to the role of business as a driver for the transition and how might these be overcome? We conduct a “practice research” by analyzing company cases of sufficiency practices in a business context. We analyse 150 business cases to identify how their organizational strategies support sufficiency and what type of innovations they exemplify within this transition. We investigate seven core business elements for economic transformation (purpose, ownership, governance, finance, networks, scale-up and impact) of these businesses to understand how they drive the value propositions and their impact on the wider transition. This is followed by a discussion on a broader business and policy perspective of the Sufficiency-based Circular Economy.