bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiological Considerations for Modeling in vivo Antibody-Target Interactions
Authors: Dunlap Tyler , Cao Yanguang
Published: February 2022

The number of therapeutic antibodies in development pipelines is increasing rapidly. Despite superior success rates relative to small molecules, therapeutic antibodies still face many unique development challenges. There is often a translational gap from their high target affinity and specificity to the therapeutic effects. Tissue microenvironment and physiology critically influence antibody-target interactions contributing to apparent affinity alterations and dynamic target engagement. The full potential of therapeutic antibodies will be further realized by contextualizing antibody-target interactions under physiological conditions. Here we review how local physiology such as physical stress, biological fluid, and membrane characteristics could influence antibody-target association, dissociation, and apparent affinity. These physiological factors in the early development of therapeutic antibodies are valuable toward rational antibody engineering, preclinical candidate selection, and lead optimization.
Silencing of Adc and Ebony Causes Abnormal Darkening of Cuticle in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata
Authors: Ze Long-Ji , Jin Lin , Li Guo-Qing
Published: February 2022

N-β-alanyldopamine (NBAD) is a precursor of N-acylquinone sclerotin utilized for cross-linking between cuticular proteins for cuticle during insect molting. The importance of NBAD in cuticle tanning has not been well compared among different developing stages of insects. Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, a typical polyphagous pest feeding on a large number of Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae plants in Asian countries, displays diverse cuticle pigmentation patterns among developing stages and body regions. Here, we found that the expression of three genes (Hvadc, Hvebony, and Hvtan) involved in NBAD biosynthesis peaked in the 4-day-old pupae or 0-day-old adults of H. vigintioctopunctata. At the first, second, third, and fourth larval instar and pupal stage, their transcript levels were high just before and/or right after the molting. Moreover, they were more abundantly transcribed at the larval heads than in the bodies. RNA interference (RNAi) of either Hvadc or Hvebony at the third instar larvae selectively deepened the color of the larval head capsules, antennae, mouthpart, scoli, strumae, and legs; and depletion of the two genes blackened the pupal head capsules, antennae, mouthpart, and legs. However, the knockdown of either Hvadc or Hvebony darkened the whole bodies of the adults. Conversely, RNAi of Hvtan at the third instar stage had little influence on the pigmentation in the larvae, pupae, and adults. These findings demonstrated that Adc and Ebony are important in cuticle pigmentation of H. vigintioctopunctata and suggested that larger quantities of NBAD were present in adults and play more important roles in pigmentation than larvae/pupae.
Exercise in People With Cancer: A Spotlight on Energy Regulation and Cachexia
Authors: Allan Jessica , Buss Linda A. , Draper Nick , Currie Margaret J.
Published: February 2022

Exercise is increasingly becoming a standard of cancer care, with well-documented benefits for patients including improved mental wellbeing and reduced treatment-related side effects. However, important gaps in knowledge remain about how to optimise exercise prescription for people with cancer. Importantly, it remains unclear how exercise affects the progression of cancer cachexia (a wasting disease stemming from energy imbalance, and a common manifestation of advanced malignant disease), particularly once the condition has already developed. It was recently suggested that the anti-tumour effect of exercise might come from improved energetic capacity. Here, we highlight the possible effect of exercise on energetic capacity and energy regulation in the context of cancer, and how this might affect the progression of cancer cachexia. We suggest that due to the additional energy demand caused by the tumour and associated systemic inflammation, overreaching may occur more easily in people with cancer. Importantly, this could result in impaired anti-tumour immunity and/or the exacerbation of cancer cachexia. This highlights the importance of individualised exercise programs for people with cancer, with special consideration for the regulation of energy balance, ongoing monitoring and possible nutritional supplementation to support the increased energy demand caused by exercise.
Methods for the Comprehensive in vivo Analysis of Energy Flux, Fluid Homeostasis, Blood Pressure, and Ventilatory Function in Rodents
Authors: Reho John J. , Nakagawa Pablo , Mouradian Gary C. , Grobe Connie C. , Saravia Fatima L. , Burnett Colin M. L. , Kwitek Anne E. , Kirby John R. , Segar Jeffrey L. , Hodges Matthew R. , Sigmund Curt D. , Grobe Justin L.
Published: February 2022

Cardiovascular disease represents the leading cause of death in the United States, and metabolic diseases such as obesity represent the primary impediment to improving cardiovascular health. Rodent (mouse and rat) models are widely used to model cardiometabolic disease, and as a result, there is increasing interest in the development of accurate and precise methodologies with sufficiently high resolution to dissect mechanisms controlling cardiometabolic physiology in these small organisms. Further, there is great utility in the development of centralized core facilities furnished with high-throughput equipment configurations and staffed with professional content experts to guide investigators and ensure the rigor and reproducibility of experimental endeavors. Here, we outline the array of specialized equipment and approaches that are employed within the Comprehensive Rodent Metabolic Phenotyping Core (CRMPC) and our collaborating laboratories within the Departments of Physiology, Pediatrics, Microbiology & Immunology, and Biomedical Engineering at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), for the detailed mechanistic dissection of cardiometabolic function in mice and rats. We highlight selected methods for the analysis of body composition and fluid compartmentalization, electrolyte accumulation and flux, energy accumulation and flux, physical activity, ingestive behaviors, ventilatory function, blood pressure, heart rate, autonomic function, and assessment and manipulation of the gut microbiota. Further, we include discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches for their use with rodent models, and considerations for experimental designs using these methods.
Development of Protocols for Regeneration and Transformation of Apomitic and Sexual Forms of Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.)
Authors: Schrauf Gustavo E. , Voda Lisandro , Zelada Alicia M. , García Ana María , Giordano Andrea , Roa Pablo Peralta , Guitian Juan , Rebori Juan , Ghio Sergio , Couso Luciana , Castro Lautaro , Musacchio Eduardo , Rush Pablo , Nagel Jutta , Wang Zeng Yu , Cogan Noel , Spangenberg Germán
Published: February 2022

Paspalum dilatatum (common name dallisgrass), a productive C4 grass native to South America, is an important pasture grass found throughout the temperate warm regions of the world. It is characterized by its tolerance to frost and water stress and a higher forage quality than other C4 forage grasses. P. dilatatum includes tetraploid (2n = 40), sexual, and pentaploid (2n = 50) apomictic forms, but is predominantly cultivated in an apomictic monoculture, which implies a high risk that biotic and abiotic stresses could seriously affect the grass productivity. The obtention of reproducible and efficient protocols of regeneration and transformation are valuable tools to obtain genetic modified grasses with improved agronomics traits. In this review, we present the current regeneration and transformation methods of both apomictic and sexual cultivars of P. dilatatum, discuss their strengths and limitations, and focus on the perspectives of genetic modification for producing new generation of forages. The advances in this area of research lead us to consider Paspalum dilatatum as a model species for the molecular improvement of C4 perennial forage species.
DNA Barcoding and Phylogenomic Analysis of the Genus Fritillaria in China Based on Complete Chloroplast Genomes
Authors: Chen Qi , Hu Haisu , Zhang Dequan
Published: February 2022

The Fritillaria is an extremely complicated genus in taxonomy and phylogeny, which contains numerous medicinal species in China. Both traditional characteristic-based taxonomy and universal DNA barcodes (ITS, trnH-psbA, and rbcL) are difficult to effectively identify the species. Here, we generated a large dataset of chloroplast genomes from multiple accessions per species of Fritillaria to evaluate their effectiveness in species discrimination. Moreover, phylogeny of species in China was explored based on the complete chloroplast genomes, and then divergence times of each node were estimated. The results showed that all 21 species in Fritillaria here (including two suspicious species) could be correctly discriminated using cpDNA genomes except F. cirrhosa, which suggested that DNA super-barcode could greatly enhance species discriminatory resolution for complicated genera. Furthermore, four regions (ycf1, matK-trnG-GCC, rpoC1, and matK) gained remarkably higher resolution than that of other plastid regions, but only matK might be suitable to identify Fritillaria species in consideration of its lengths. Phylogenomic analysis showed that the subgenus Fritillaria in China was divided into four major clades with obvious geographic structure. Among them, Clade I, mainly distributed in southwest China, was a young and complicated group. Moreover, according to the analysis, taxonomic treatments of the two suspicious species, namely “F. omeiensis” and “F. hupehensis” in Flora of China (2000) are questionable and might need further revision. Molecular dating revealed that both origin and divergence of subgenus Fritillaria, as well as its four major clades, were significantly associated with geological and climatic fluctuations during the Middle to Late Miocene. This study would enrich case studies of DNA super-barcode and provide new insights on speciation, lineage diversification, and biogeography of the Fritillaria in China.
Genetic Diversity on a Rare Terrestrial Orchid, Habenaria linearifolia in South Korea: Implications for Conservation Offered by Genome-Wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms
Authors: Lee Soo-Rang , Choi Tae-Young , Jung Su-Young
Published: February 2022

Monitoring intraspecific diversity offers invaluable insights on conservation practices as the variation is the product of species evolution. Accordingly, the role of population genetic diversity has drawn great attention over the last century responding to the biodiversity loss induced by a series of anthropogenic changes. Orchids are one of the most diverse, yet ironically most rapidly disappearing plant groups due to the specialized habitat preferences. Thus, population-level genetic diversity studies may offer a powerful tool for orchid conservation programs. Using the 3 restriction site-associated DNA (3RAD) approach, 2,734 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were isolated. With the 2,734 SNPs, we investigated genetic diversity and population structure on 72 individuals of Habenaria linearifolia and Habenaria cruciformis in South Korea. Overall, the genetic diversity was well maintained in South Korean Habenaria, but high FST values were estimated suggesting large population diversification with limited gene flow. Bayesian assignment analysis revealed a morphologically cryptic diversity pattern in Jeju Island populations, which might serve as an evolutionarily significant unit.
Effects of Different Pre-drying and Drying Methods on Volatile Compounds in the Pericarp and Kernel of Amomum tsao-ko
Authors: Qin Hui-wei , Yang Tian-mei , Yang Shao-bing , Yang Mei-quan , Wang Yuan-zhong , Zhang Jin-yu
Published: February 2022

The effects of twelve different pre-drying and drying methods on the chemical composition in the pericarp and kernel of Amomum tsao-ko were studied. The volatile components were isolated from the samples by simultaneous distillation and extraction and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Sixty and thirty-eight compounds were identified from pericarp and kernel, respectively, and the main constituents were oxygenated monoterpenes. These compounds were not only significantly affected by pre-drying and drying methods but also varied in content due to different tissue locations. The total volatile content of pericarp varied from 0.70 to 1.55%, with the highest obtained by microwave-dried samples (150 W) and the lowest in freeze-dried samples. The total volatile content of the kernel varied from 6.11 to 10.69%, with the highest content obtained during sun drying (SD) and the lowest content in samples treated with boiling water for 2 min. Oxygenated monoterpenes were the highest compounds in pericarp and kernel, which were also the most affected by drying methods. The highest content of oxygenated monoterpenes in the pericarp (0.77%) could be obtained by boiling water treatment for 5 min, and the highest content of oxygenated monoterpenes in the kernel (7.48%) could be obtained by SD. Additionally, the main components such as 1,8-cineole, 2-carene, (Z)-citral, nerolidol, (Z)-2-decenal, (E)-2-dodecenal, citral, (E)-2-octenal, 4-propylbenzaldehyde, and phthalan showed remarkable variations in pre-drying and drying methods.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Differential Regulation of Flavonoids Biosynthesis Between Kernels of Two Pecan Cultivars
Authors: Zhang Chengcai , Ren Huadong , Yao Xiaohua , Wang Kailiang , Chang Jun
Published: February 2022

Flavonoids influence the flavor and nutritional value of pecan nuts. However, limited information is available regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying pecan flavonoid biosynthesis. Here, we used a high (“YLC28”) and a low (“Oconee”) flavonoid content cultivar as the research objects. The changes in flavonoid content and the gene transcription patterns during kernel development were identified. Different accumulation patterns of total flavonoids (TF) and condensed tannins (CT) were observed between the two cultivars. The contents of TF and CT in “YLC28” were 1.76- and 2.67-fold higher levels than that of “Oconee” on 150 days after full bloom of female flowers, respectively. In total, 30 RNA-Seq libraries were constructed and sequenced. The upregulated genes in “YLC28” were highly enriched in flavonoid-related pathways. Thirty-three structural genes were identified, and the expression of twophenylalanine ammonia lyases, onechalcone synthase, oneflavonoid 3’,5’-hydroxylase, and oneflavonol synthaseexhibited high correlation (r≥ 0.7,p< 0.01) with the condensed tannin content in “YLC28.” A putative MYB transcription factor, CIL1093S0100, might act as a flavonoid biosynthesis repressor during kernel development. Altogether, these results will be useful for uncovering the molecular mechanisms of flavonoid biosynthesis and subsequently accelerating quality pecan breeding.
Cadmium Exposure Alters Rhizospheric Microbial Community and Transcriptional Expression of Vetiver Grass
Authors: Wu Bin , Li Jia , Peng Dinghua , Wang Ziru , Xu Heng
Published: February 2022

Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L.) has been used to remediate cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil, while there have been few studies on the influence of Cd exposure on the rhizospheric microbial community and transcriptional expression of C. zizanioides. In this study, we investigated the response of the rhizospheric microbial community and transcriptional expression of C. zizanioides in 20 mg/kg Cd-contaminated soil. The results showed that Cd levels in the roots and shoots of C. zizanioides reached 250.80 and 73.40 mg/kg, respectively. The Cd exposure changed the rhizospheric bacterial community, resulting in the significant enrichment of Sphingomonas, Lysobacter, and Gemmatimonadetes in Cd-contaminated soil. In addition, 880 and 3,419 differentially expressed genes were identified in the plant roots and shoots, respectively, in response to Cd stress. Among these, the overexpressed genes associated with redox homeostasis, glutathione (GSH) metabolism, cell wall biosynthesis, and transmembrane transport pathways were found to participate in Cd detoxification in C. zizanioides. These findings could be useful for understanding the selective variation of the rhizospheric microbial community and the detoxification mechanisms of C. zizanioides in Cd phytoremediation.
Agrometeorological and Agronomic Characterization of Megathyrsus Grasses Cultivated in Tropical Humid and Semi-Arid Conditions: A Multivariate Approach
Authors: Macedo Vitor Hugo Maués , Lage Filho Nauara Moura , Cunha Antônio Marcos Quadros , Lopes Marcos Neves , da Silva Rodrigo Gregório , Cutrim Junior José Antônio Alves , Faturi Cristian , Cândido Magno José Duarte , do Rêgo Aníbal Coutinho
Published: February 2022

Variability in climatic conditions of low-latitude tropical grass cultivation can affect forage production dynamics. Pasture ecosystems are complex and preferably studied from a multifactorial point of view through multivariate approaches. Therefore, in this study, we characterized different growing conditions for grasses of the Megathyrsus genus through studies conducted in tropical humid and semi-arid conditions. We applied principal component, canonical correlation, and discriminant function analyses to the measurements of agronomic and agrometeorological variables in six studies with Guinea and Massai grasses. The principal component analysis, through the climatic characterization by the first principal component, reflects the contrast between water availability and nitrogen variables and energy supply. Agronomic characterization occurred through the distinction between the density of tillers, forage accumulation, and increase in height, versus the accumulation of stems and dead material. The canonical correlation analysis generated a correlation coefficient of 0.84 between the agronomic and agrometeorological variables. There was a contrast between the dead material accumulation and the other agronomic variables, while the agrometeorological variables showed characteristics similar to the first principal component. Discriminant function 1, with 70.36% separation power, distinguished the cultivation conditions based on the study locations. Grass cultivars were differentiated by discriminant function 2, with a 19.20% separation power. From a multivariate variability analysis, despite the similarities of radiation and temperature in the regions studied, the availability of water and nutrients and measurements of agronomic variables can aid in future modeling studies on forage production.
Long-Term Persistence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in the Rhizosphere and Bulk Soils of Non-host Brassica napus and Their Networks of Co-occurring Microbes
Authors: Floc’h Jean-Baptiste , Hamel Chantal , Laterrière Mario , Tidemann Breanne , St-Arnaud Marc , Hijri Mohamed
Published: February 2022

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate plant symbionts that improve the nutrition and health of their host. Most, but not all the crops form a symbiosis with AMF. It is the case for canola (Brassica napus), an important crop in the Canadian Prairies that is known to not form this association. From 2008 to 2018, an experiment was replicated at three locations of the Canadian Prairies and it was used to assess the impact of canola on the community of AMF naturally occurring in three cropping systems, canola monoculture, or canola in two different rotation systems (2-years, canola-wheat and 3-years, barley-pea-canola). We sampled canola rhizosphere and bulk soils to: (i) determine diversity and community structure of AMF, we expected that canola will negatively impact AMF communities in function of its frequency in crop rotations and (ii) wanted to assess how these AMF communities interact with other fungi and bacteria. We detected 49 AMF amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in canola rhizosphere and bulk soils, confirming the persistence of a diversified AMF community in canola-planted soil, even after 10 years of canola monoculture, which was unexpected considering that canola is among non-mycorrhizal plants. Network analysis revealed a broad range of potential interactions between canola-associated AMF and some fungal and bacterial taxa. We report for the first time that two AMF, Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizophagus iranicus, shared their bacterial cohort almost entirely in bulk soil. Our results suggest the existence of non-species-specific AMF-bacteria or AMF-fungi relationships that could benefit AMF in absence of host plants. The persistence of an AMF community in canola rhizosphere and bulk soils brings a new light on AMF ecology and leads to new perspectives for further studies about AMF and soil microbes interactions and AMF subsistence without mycotrophic host plants.
Modifying Anthocyanins Biosynthesis in Tomato Hairy Roots: A Test Bed for Plant Resistance to Ionizing Radiation and Antioxidant Properties in Space
Authors: Massa Silvia , Pagliarello Riccardo , Cemmi Alessia , Di Sarcina Ilaria , Bombarely Aureliano , Demurtas Olivia Costantina , Diretto Gianfranco , Paolini Francesca , Petzold H. Earl , Bliek Mattijs , Bennici Elisabetta , Del Fiore Antonella , De Rossi Patrizia , Spelt Cornelis , Koes Ronald , Quattrocchio Francesca , Benvenuto Eugenio
Published: February 2022

Gene expression manipulation of specific metabolic pathways can be used to obtain bioaccumulation of valuable molecules and desired quality traits in plants. A single-gene approach to impact different traits would be greatly desirable in agrospace applications, where several aspects of plant physiology can be affected, influencing growth. In this work, MicroTom hairy root cultures expressing a MYB-like transcription factor that regulates the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in Petunia hybrida (PhAN4), were considered as a testbed for bio-fortified tomato whole plants aimed at agrospace applications. Ectopic expression of PhAN4 promoted biosynthesis of anthocyanins, allowing to profile 5 major derivatives of delphinidin and petunidin together with pelargonidin and malvidin-based anthocyanins, unusual in tomato. Consistent with PhAN4 features, transcriptomic profiling indicated upregulation of genes correlated to anthocyanin biosynthesis. Interestingly, a transcriptome reprogramming oriented to positive regulation of cell response to biotic, abiotic, and redox stimuli was evidenced. PhAN4 hairy root cultures showed the significant capability to counteract reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and protein misfolding upon high-dose gamma irradiation, which is among the most potent pro-oxidant stress that can be encountered in space. These results may have significance in the engineering of whole tomato plants that can benefit space agriculture.
Natural Variation in the Control of Flowering and Shoot Architecture in Diploid Fragaria Species
Authors: Fan Guangxun , Andrés Javier , Olbricht Klaus , Koskela Elli , Hytönen Timo
Published: February 2022

In perennial fruit and berry crops of the Rosaceae family, flower initiation occurs in late summer or autumn after downregulation of a strong repressor TERMINAL FLOWER1 (TFL1), and flowering and fruiting takes place the following growing season. Rosaceous fruit trees typically form two types of axillary shoots, short flower-bearing shoots called spurs and long shoots that are, respectively, analogous to branch crowns and stolons in strawberry. However, regulation of flowering and shoot architecture differs between species, and environmental and endogenous controlling mechanisms have just started to emerge. In woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.), long days maintain vegetative meristems and promote stolon formation by activating TFL1 and GIBBERELLIN 20-OXIDASE4 (GA20ox4), respectively, while silencing of these factors by short days and cool temperatures induces flowering and branch crown formation. We characterized flowering responses of 14 accessions of seven diploid Fragaria species native to diverse habitats in the northern hemisphere and selected two species with contrasting environmental responses, Fragaria bucharica Losinsk. and Fragaria nilgerrensis Schlecht. ex J. Gay for detailed studies together with Fragaria vesca. Similar to F. vesca, short days at 18°C promoted flowering in F. bucharica, and the species was induced to flower regardless of photoperiod at 11°C after silencing of TFL1. F. nilgerrensis maintained higher TFL1 expression level and likely required cooler temperatures or longer exposure to inductive treatments to flower. We also found that high expression of GA20ox4 was associated with stolon formation in all three species, and its downregulation by short days and cool temperature coincided with branch crown formation in F. vesca and F. nilgerrensis, although the latter did not flower. F. bucharica, in contrast, rarely formed branch crowns, regardless of flowering or GA20ox4 expression level. Our findings highlighted diploid Fragaria species as rich sources of genetic variation controlling flowering and plant architecture, with potential applications in breeding of Rosaceous crops.
Visual Influence on Auditory Perception of Vowels by French-Speaking Children and Adults
Authors: Trudeau-Fisette Paméla , Arnaud Laureline , Ménard Lucie
Published: February 2022

Audiovisual interaction in speech perception is well defined in adults. Despite the large body of evidence suggesting that children are also sensitive to visual input, very few empirical studies have been conducted. To further investigate whether visual inputs influence auditory perception of phonemes in preschoolers in the same way as in adults, we conducted an audiovisual identification test. The auditory stimuli (/e/-/ø/ continuum) were presented either in an auditory condition only or simultaneously with a visual presentation of the articulation of the vowel /e/ or /ø/. The results suggest that, although all participants experienced visual influence on auditory perception, substantial individual differences exist in the 5- to 6-year-old group. While additional work is required to confirm this hypothesis, we suggest that auditory and visual systems are developing at that age and that multisensory phonological categorization of the rounding contrast took place only in children whose sensory systems and sensorimotor representations were mature.
The Impact of Different Types of Auditory Warnings on Working Memory
Authors: Lei Zhaoli , Ma Shu , Li Hongting , Yang Zhen
Published: February 2022

Auditory warnings have been shown to interfere with verbal working memory. However, the impact of different types of auditory warnings on working memory tasks must be further researched. This study investigated how different kinds of auditory warnings interfered with verbal and spatial working memory. Experiment 1 tested the potential interference of auditory warnings with verbal working memory. Experiment 2 tested the potential interference of auditory warnings with spatial working memory. Both experiments used a 3 × 3 mixed design: auditory warning type (auditory icons, earcons, or spearcons) was between groups, and task condition (no-warning, identify-warning, or ignore-warning) was within groups. In Experiment 1, earcons and spearcons but not auditory icons worsened the performance on the verbal serial recall task in the identify-warning condition, compared with that in the no-warning or ignore-warning conditions. In Experiment 2, only identifying earcons worsened the performance on the location recall task compared with performance without auditory warnings or when auditory warnings were ignored. Results are discussed from the perspective of working memory resource interference, and their practical application in the selection and design of auditory warning signals is involved.
Gender Differences in Transdiagnostic Predictors of Problematic Alcohol Consumption in a Large Sample of College Students in Ecuador
Authors: Sánchez-Puertas Rafael , Ruisoto Pablo , López-Núñez Carla , Vaca-Gallegos Silvia
Published: February 2022

Background

Alcohol use is one of the main risk factors that leads to detrimental health effects and support for a transdiagnostic approach to alcohol use disorders is growing. However, the role of transdiagnostic predictors of problematic alcohol consumption in Ecuador are understudied.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine gender differences in psychological stress and inflexibility as transdiagnostic predictors of problematic alcohol consumption in a large sample of college students in Ecuador.

Methods

A total of 7,905 college students (21.49 years, SD = 3.68; 53.75% females) were surveyed using the following standardized scales: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Perceived Stress Scale-14, and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-7). Macro Process for SPSS (models 4 and 7) was used to analyze mediation and moderation effects.

Results

Reported alcohol consumption was significantly higher in men than women students. On the other hand, women reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress and psychological inflexibility than men students. Gender, age, psychological stress, and inflexibility were significant predictors of alcohol consumption. Moreover, psychological inflexibility mediated the impact of stress on alcohol consumption, particularly in women (for men b = 0.065, 95% CI [0.048 to 0.083], for women b = 0.070, 95% CI [0.051 to 0.089]).

Discussion

Results of this study support psychological stress and psychological inflexibility as critical transdiagnostic variables related to increased rates of alcohol consumption among Ecuadorian college students. These conclusions contribute to the development of transdiagnostic comprehensive programs, which encompasses promotive, preventive, and treatment services that allow to alleviate the burden of alcohol, as well as to enrich the growing research on alcohol consumption in this population from a gender perspective.
A Study on the Sufficient Conditional and the Necessary Conditional With Chinese and French Participants
Authors: Shao Jing , Tikiri Banda Dilane , Baratgin Jean
Published: February 2022

According to the weak version of linguistic relativity, also called the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, the features of an individual’s native language influence his worldview and perception. We decided to test this hypothesis on the sufficient conditional and the necessary conditional, expressed differently in Chinese and French. In Chinese, connectors for both conditionals exist and are used in everyday life, while there is only a connector for the sufficient conditional in French. A first hypothesis follows from linguistic relativity: for the necessary conditional, better logic performance is expected in Chinese participants rather than French participants. As a second hypothesis, for all participants, we expect performance on the sufficient conditional to be better than on the necessary conditional. Indeed, despite the isomorphism of the two conditionals, they differ in how information is processed for reasoning. We decided to study reasoning under uncertainty as it reflects reality more accurately. To do so, we analyzed the coherence of participants using de Finetti’s theory for deduction under uncertainty. The results of our study show no significant difference in performance between Chinese and French participants, neither on the sufficient conditional nor on the necessary conditional. Thus, our first hypothesis derived from the weak version of linguistic relativity is not confirmed. In contrast, our results confirm the second hypothesis in two out of three inference schemas.
Stress and Emotional Intelligence Shape Giving Behavior: Are There Different Effects of Social, Cognitive, and Emotional Stress?
Authors: Hovnanyan Ani , Mastromatteo Libera Ylenia , Rubaltelli Enrico , Scrimin Sara
Published: February 2022

Acute stress has been linked with prosocial behavior, yet it is entirely unexplored how different types of stressors may affect individuals’ willingness to help: This is particularly relevant while people is experiencing multiple sources of stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we explore whether different types of stress influence peoples’ giving behavior and the moderating role of emotional intelligence (EI). Undergraduate students were exposed to experimentally induced social, cognitive, or emotional stress and were asked to self-report on their willingness to help and donate to a charity raising funds for COVID-19 and flu patients. Results showed that when compared to a control condition, after being exposed to a social stress, participants were more willing to help a person in need. Our results also provide evidence that, after experiencing a social stress, participants with high (vs low) trait EI were more willing to help, and, as a result, donated more. Findings indicate that moderate levels of distress are associated with increased donations. Interestingly, when stress is not too threatening, high EI can regulate it and promote prosocial behaviors.
Does Top Management Team Media Exposure Affect Corporate Social Responsibility?
Authors: Jiang Yichi , Zhang Liyuan , Tarbert Heather
Published: February 2022

This study examines the impact of top management team (TMT) media exposure on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the moderating effect of TMT characteristics based on the upper echelons theory and stakeholder theory. Based on the observations of 5,352 firms between 2010 and 2019, multiple regression analysis is conducted to empirically test whether TMT media exposure can promote CSR. TMT media exposure is further divided into paper media and online media to reveal the impact of different types of TMT media exposure on CSR. Some robustness tests are also conducted to strengthen the regression results. The results found that a high level of TMT media exposure promotes social responsibility. In addition, the TMT power and political connections negatively moderate the relationship between TMT media exposure and CSR. The main contribution of this study is to develop a TMT media exposure model to assess the impact of TMT media exposure on CSR, providing a theoretical contribution to the existing literature and enriching the research in the CSR context from the perspective of the TMT characteristic moderating role.
Platform Leadership and Sustainable Competitive Advantage: The Mediating Role of Ambidextrous Learning
Authors: Yang Xiao , Jin Rong , Zhao Changyi
Published: February 2022

In the context of the knowledge economy, the role of traditional leadership for enterprises is questioned. Based on contingency theory and the resource-based view, this paper proposes the important role of platform leadership, a new leadership type in line with the context of the times, for a sustainable competitive advantage. We conducted an empirical study to examine and confirm the positive effects of platform leadership on sustainable competitive advantage and ambidextrous learning. We also verified the mediation effect of exploratory and exploitative learning on platform leadership and sustainable competitive advantage. Additionally, relevant discussion and research contributions are put forward.
Is Job Insecurity Harmful to All Types of Proactivity? The Moderating Role of Future Work Self Salience and Socioeconomic Status
Authors: He Kaiyuan , Wang Jigan , Sun Muyun
Published: February 2022

How and when do uncertain factors affect employees’ different types of proactive behavior? Building on the strength model of self-control, the present study examines the different effects of job insecurity on individual-oriented and organizational-oriented proactive behaviors, and the moderating role of future work self salience (FWSS) and socioeconomic status (SES). Two-wave data collected from 227 employees in China were used to test our hypotheses. The results indicate that job insecurity is negatively associated with all the proactive behaviors. Moreover, the FWSS positively moderates the above relationship, and the moderating role on individual-oriented proactive behavior is stronger than organizational-oriented proactive behavior. The SES negatively moderates the relationship between job insecurity and the two types of proactive behaviors. In addition, the FWSS and SES have a three-way interactive effect on the relationship between job insecurity and individual task proactive behavior. The practical implications of these results are discussed.
Early Preventive Intervention for Young Children With Sex Chromosome Trisomies (XXX, XXY, XYY): Supporting Social Cognitive Development Using a Neurocognitive Training Program Targeting Facial Emotion Understanding
Authors: Bouw Nienke , Swaab Hanna , van Rijn Sophie
Published: February 2022

Background

Sex Chromosome Trisomies (SCTs; XXX, XXY, XYY) are genetic conditions that are associated with increased risk for neurodevelopmental problems and psychopathology. There is a great need for early preventive intervention programs to optimize outcome, especially considering the increase in prenatal diagnoses due to recent advances in non-invasive prenatal screening. This study is the first to evaluate efficacy of a neurocognitive training in children with SCT. As social behavioral problems have been identified as among the key areas of vulnerability, it was targeted at improving a core aspect of social cognition, the understanding of social cues from facial expressions.

Methods

Participants were 24 children with SCT and 18 typically developing children, aged 4–8 years old. Children with SCT were assigned to a training (n = 13) or waiting list (no-training) group (n = 11). Children in the training group completed a neurocognitive training program (The Transporters), aimed to increase understanding of facial emotions. Participants were tested before and after the training on facial emotion recognition and Theory of Mind abilities (NEPSY-II), and on social orienting (eyetracking paradigm). The SCT no-training group and typically developing control group were also assessed twice with the same time interval without any training. Feasibility of the training was evaluated with the Social Validity Questionnaire filled out by the parents and by children's ratings on a Visual Analog Scale.

Results

The SCT training group improved significantly more than the SCT no-training and TD no-training group on facial emotion recognition (large effect size; ηp2 = 0.28), performing comparable to typical controls after completing the training program. There were no training effects on ToM abilities and social orienting. Both children and parents expressed satisfaction with the feasibility of the training.

Conclusions

The significant improvement in facial emotion recognition, with large effect sizes, suggests that there are opportunities for positively supporting the development of social cognition in children with an extra X- or Y-chromosome, already at a very young age. This evidence based support is of great importance given the need for preventive and early training programs in children with SCT, aimed to minimize neurodevelopmental impact.
Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Non-invasive and Reversible Deep Brain Neuromodulation—A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Research
Authors: Arulpragasam Amanda R. , van 't Wout-Frank Mascha , Barredo Jennifer , Faucher Christiana R. , Greenberg Benjamin D. , Philip Noah S.
Published: February 2022

This article describes an emerging non-invasive neuromodulatory technology, called low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU). This technology is potentially paradigm shifting as it can deliver non-invasive and reversible deep brain neuromodulation through acoustic sonication, at millimeter precision. Low intensity focused ultrasound's spatial precision, yet non-invasive nature sets it apart from current technologies, such as transcranial magnetic or electrical stimulation and deep brain stimulation. Additionally, its reversible effects allow for the causal study of deep brain regions implicated in psychiatric illness. Studies to date have demonstrated that LIFU can safely modulate human brain activity at cortical and subcortical levels. Due to its novelty, most researchers and clinicians are not aware of the potential applications and promise of this technique, underscoring the need for foundational papers to introduce the community to LIFU. This mini-review and synthesis of recent advances examines several key papers on LIFU administered to humans, describes the population under study, parameters used, and relevant findings that may guide future research. We conclude with a concise overview of some of the more pressing questions to date, considerations when interpreting new data from an emerging field, and highlight the opportunities and challenges in this exciting new area of study.
Green Logistics and Health in OBRI Economies: Does Social Marketing Matter?
Authors: Zhang Lingyun , Chang Hsu Ling , Dai Yin , Umut Alican
Published: February 2022

In this study, our primary focus is to capture the impact of green logistics and social marketing on health outcomes in One Belt Road Initiative (OBRI) countries over the time period 2007–2019. Two estimation techniques, i.e., 2SLS and GMM, are employed to get the estimates of our variables. Findings of the 2SLS model confirmed the negative impact of green logistics on infant mortality in OBRI, European, MENA, and Asian countries. On the other side, the relationship between green logistics and life expectancy is positive in all the regions in 2SLS models. The other estimation technique also supports these findings, GMM, which confirmed the negative impact of green logistics on infant mortality and the positive impact of green logistics on life expectancy OBRI, European, MENA, and Asian economies. From these findings, we can conclude that green logistics helps to improve the health status of OBRI economies. Similarly, social marketing also improves the health status in OBRI and other regions in both models. Therefore, the governments and policymakers in respective economies should focus on the development of green infrastructure and logistics that, on one side, promote economic growth. However, on the other side, it helps improve environmental quality, which ultimately improves the OBRI economies' health status.
Robotic Rehabilitation and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Children With Bilateral Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Raess Liliane , Hawe Rachel L. , Metzler Megan , Zewdie Ephrem , Condliffe Elizabeth , Dukelow Sean P. , Kirton Adam
Published: February 2022

Aim

To identify challenges of combining robotic upper extremity rehabilitation with tDCS in children with upper extremity bilateral cerebral palsy (CP) by assessing feasibility, tolerability and safety.

Methods

This was an unblinded, open-label, pilot clinical trial. Participants completed 10 × 1 h sessions of robotic rehabilitation combined with motor cortex anodal tDCS. Feasibility, acceptability and practicality, were assessed including the number of participants completing the protocol, factors limiting participation, time required for sessions, and completion of functional assessments and tolerability scales. To assess safety, standardized clinical and robotic measures of sensorimotor function were performed. The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04233710).

Results

Eight children were recruited (mean age 8y ± 1.8y, range 6–11 years) and 5 completed the intervention. There were no serious adverse events. One child developed focal seizures 6 weeks after the trial that were deemed to be unrelated. Barriers to completion included time and scheduling demands and patient factors, specifically cognitive/behavioral impairments and dyskinesia. No decline in clinical function was appreciated.

Conclusions

Robotic upper extremity rehabilitation combined with tDCS may be feasible in children with bilateral CP. Careful participant selection, family engagement, and protocol adaptations are recommended to better understand the feasibility and tolerability of future trials.
An Autonomous Task Assignment Paradigm for Autonomous Robotic In-Space Assembly
Authors: Moser Joshua , Hoffman Julia , Hildebrand Robert , Komendera Erik
Published: February 2022

The development of autonomous robotic systems is a key component in the expansion of space exploration and the development of infrastructures for in-space applications. An important capability for these robotic systems is the ability to maintain and repair structures in the absence of human input by autonomously generating valid task sequences and task to robot allocations. To this end, a novel stochastic problem formulation paired with a mixed integer programming assembly schedule generator has been developed to articulate the elements, constraints, and state of an assembly project and solve for an optimal assembly schedule. The developed formulations were tested with a set of hardware experiments that included generating an optimal schedule for an assembly and rescheduling during an assembly to plan a repair. This formulation and validation work provides a path forward for future research in the development of an autonomous system capable of building and maintaining in-space infrastructures.
The Joined-up Magnetosphere
Authors: Lockwood Mike
Published: February 2022

Systems science is a relatively new way of studying the magnetosphere. This perspective outlines the need for it and how it can contribute to our understanding and so give more reliable forecasts, predictions, and space weather climatologies.
The Efficacy of Multidisciplinary Team Co-Management Program for Elderly Patients With Intertrochanteric Fractures: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Fan Jixing , Lv Yang , Xu Xiangyu , Zhou Fang , Zhang Zhishan , Tian Yun , Ji Hongquan , Guo Yan , Yang Zhongwei , Hou Guojin
Published: February 2022

Background

Intertrochanteric fractures increased quickly in past decades owing to the increasing number of aging population. Recently, geriatric co-management was rapidly emerging as a favored clinical care model for older patients with hip fractures. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) co-management program in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures.

Methods

In this retrospective study, patients were divided into MDT group and traditional orthopedic care (TOC) group according to the healthcare model applied. 249 patients were included in the TOC group from January 2014 to December 2016 and 241 patients were included in the MDT group from January 2017 to December 2019. Baseline data, peri-operative data, and postoperative complications were collected and analyzed using SPSS 21.0.

Results

No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of patient baseline characteristics. Patients in the MDT group had significantly lower time from admission to surgery and length-of-stay (LOS) compared with those in the TOC group. Furthermore, the proportion of patients receiving surgery within 24 h (61.4 vs. 34.9%, p < 0.001) and 48 h (80.9 vs. 63.5%, p < 0.001) after admission to the ward was significantly higher in the MDT group compared with those in the TOC group. In addition, patients in the MDT group had significantly lower proportion of postoperative complications (25.3 vs. 44.2%, p < 0.001), deep vein thrombosis (7.9 vs. 12.9%, p = 0.049), pneumonia (3.8 vs. 8.0%, p = 0.045) and delirium (4.1 vs. 9.2%, p = 0.025) compared with those in the TOC group. However, no significant changes were found for in-hospital and 30-day mortality.

Conclusion

The MDT co-management could significantly shorten the time from admission to surgery, LOS, and reduce the postoperative complications for elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures. Further research was needed to evaluate the impact of this model on patient health outcomes.