bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotypes and Phenotypes of MEF2C Haploinsufficiency Syndrome: New Cases and Novel Point Mutations
Authors: Wan Lin , Liu Xinting , Hu Linyan , Chen Huimin , Sun Yulin , Li Zhichao , Wang Zhenfang , Lin Zhi , Zou Liping , Yang Guang
Published: May 2021

Aim: MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome (MCHS) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder. We describe the clinical phenotypes and genotypes of seven patients with MCHS to enhance the understanding of clinical manifestations and genetic alterations associated with MCHS.

Method: Seven patients (6 females and 1 male, aged between 2 years 5 months and 6 years) who had MEF2C mutations, and their parents underwent trio-based whole-exome sequencing; subsequently, their clinical features were assessed. A literature review of patients with MCHS was performed by searching the PubMed and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man databases.

Results: Seven mutations were identified, of which six were unreported in the past; of the reported cases, five patients had de novo mutations but two had an undefined inheritance pattern. All patients presented delays in developmental milestones, severe intellectual disabilities and lack of speech. Six patients exhibited infantile hypotonia, five patients experienced stereotypic movements and were unable to walk, four patients exhibited poor eye contact indicative of autism and two showed poor performance. While six patients experienced seizure, five among them became seizure free after receiving anti-seizure medicine. Three patients showed a regression in their development, whereas the mothers of two patients exhibited mosaicism but were healthy without any abovementioned symptoms.

Interpretation: Regression was not a common phenomenon but occurred in MCHS. The prognosis of MCHS patients with epilepsy was good, but most patients can achieve a seizure-free status. Healthy people may have low-level mosaicism and carry a pathogenic MEF2C mutation.
Streptozotocin-Induced Hyperglycemia Affects the Pharmacokinetics of Koumine and its Anti-Allodynic Action in a Rat Model of Diabetic Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Ye Li-Xiang , Huang Hui-Hui , Zhang Shui-Hua , Lu Jing-Shan , Cao Da-Xuan , Wu Dan-Dan , Chi Pei-Wang , Hong Long-Hui , Wu Min-Xia , Xu Ying , Yu Chang-Xi
Published: May 2021

Koumine (KM), the most abundant alkaloid in Gelsemium elegans, has anti-neuropathic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities; thus, it has the potential to be developed as a broad-spectrum analgesic drug. However, factors determining the relationship between analgesic efficacy and the corresponding plasma KM concentration are largely unclear. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of KM and their optimization in the context of neuropathic pain have not been reported. We investigated the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of KM after oral administration in a streptozotocin-induced rat model of diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) using a population approach. A first-order absorption and elimination pharmacokinetics model best described the plasma KM concentration. This pharmacokinetic model was then linked to a linear pharmacodynamic model with an effect compartment based on the measurement of the mechanical withdrawal threshold. KM was rapidly absorbed (time to maximum plasma concentration: 0.14–0.36 h) with similar values in both DNP and naïve rats, suggesting that DNP did not influence the KM absorption rate. However, the area under the curve (AUC0–∞) of KM in DNP rats was over 3-fold higher than that in naïve rats. The systemic clearance rate and volume of KM distribution were significantly lower in DNP rats than in naïve rats. Blood glucose value prior to KM treatment was a significant covariate for the systemic clearance rate of KM and baseline value of the threshold. Our results suggest that streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia is an independent factor for decreased KM elimination and its anti-allodynic effects in a DNP rat model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the role of DNP in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics of KM in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Effects of Natural Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors on Anxiety-Like Behavior in Zebrafish
Authors: Jaka Oihane , Iturria Iñaki , van der Toorn Marco , Hurtado de Mendoza Jorge , Latino Diogo A. R. S. , Alzualde Ainhoa , Peitsch Manuel C. , Hoeng Julia , Koshibu Kyoko
Published: May 2021

Monoamine oxidases (MAO) are a valuable class of mitochondrial enzymes with a critical role in neuromodulation. In this study, we investigated the effect of natural MAO inhibitors on novel environment-induced anxiety by using the zebrafish novel tank test (NTT). Because zebrafish spend more time at the bottom of the tank when they are anxious, anxiolytic compounds increase the time zebrafish spend at the top of the tank and vice versa. Using this paradigm, we found that harmane, norharmane, and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) induce anxiolytic-like effects in zebrafish, causing them to spend more time at the top of the test tank and less time at the bottom. 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4-naphtoquinone (TMN) induced an interesting mix of both anxiolytic- and anxiogenic-like effects during the first and second halves of the test, respectively. TIQ was unique in having no observable effect on general movement. Similarly, a reference MAO inhibitor clorgyline—but not pargyline—increased the time spent at the top in a concentration-dependent manner. We also demonstrated that the brain bioavailability of these compounds are high based on the ex vivo bioavailability assay and in silico prediction models, which support the notion that the observed effects on anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish were most likely due to the direct effect of these compounds in the brain. This study is the first investigation to demonstrate the anxiolytic-like effects of MAO inhibitors on novel environment-induced anxiety in zebrafish.
Renoprotective Effect of the Recombinant Anti-IL-6R Fusion Proteins by Inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway in Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Nanwen , Zheng Qingmei , Wang Yaduan , Lin Juan , Wang He , Liu Rui , Yan Mengru , Chen Xiaofeng , Yang Juhua , Chen Xiaole
Published: May 2021

Diabetic nephropathy the main reason for end stage renal disease is a common microvascular complication in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The interleukin-6 (IL-6), acting as a pleiotropic cytokine, play key roles in main autoimmune disorders. The recombinant anti-IL-6R fusion proteins (VHH-0031) constructed and obtained in our lab is a dual target-directed single domain-based fusion protein against the interleukin-6 receptor. This study aims to explore the renoprotective effect of VHH-0031 in diabetic nephropathy. VHH-0031 treatment alleviated renal inflammation, morphologic injury and renal insufficiency in both Goto-Kakizaki rats and STZ-induced Sprague Dawley rats. These renoprotective effects of VHH-0031 are associated with alleviating inflammation and suppression of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. The mesangial cells treated with VHH-0031 exhibited anti-proliferation, anti-inflammation and inactivation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway under high glucose condition. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that VHH-0031 exhibited a potent protective effect in kidney of diabetic rats and its mechanism may be concerned with the inhibition of the IL-6R/JAK2/STAT3 pathway of glomerular mesangial cells.
The Effect of Antihypertensive Medications on Testing for Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Jędrusik Piotr , Symonides Bartosz , Lewandowski Jacek , Gaciong Zbigniew
Published: May 2021

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a potentially curable form of secondary hypertension caused by excessive renin-independent aldosterone secretion, leading to increased target organ damage and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis of PA requires measuring renin and aldosterone to calculate the aldosterone-to-renin ratio, followed by confirmatory tests to demonstrate renin-independent aldosterone secretion and/or PA subtype differentiation. Various antihypertensive drug classes interfere with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis and hence evaluation for PA should ideally be performed off-drugs. This is, however, often precluded by the risks related to suboptimal control of blood pressure and serum potassium level in the evaluation period. In the present review, we summarized the evidence regarding the effect of various antihypertensive drug classes on biochemical testing for PA, and critically appraised the issue whether and which antihypertensive medications should be withdrawn or, conversely, might be continued in patients evaluated for PA. The least interfering drugs are calcium antagonists, alpha-blockers, hydralazine, and possibly moxonidine. If necessary, the testing may also be attempted during treatment with beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers but renin and aldosterone measurements must be interpreted in the context of known effects of these drugs on these parameters. Views are evolving on the feasibility of testing during treatment with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, as these drugs are now increasingly considered acceptable in specific patient subsets, particularly in those with severe hypokalemia and/or poor blood pressure control on alternative treatment.
Collective Dynamics in Quasi-One-Dimensional Hard Disk System
Authors: Huerta Adrián , Bryk Taras , Pergamenshchik Victor M. , Trokhymchuk Andrij
Published: May 2021

We present the results of molecular dynamic studies of collective dynamics in a system of hard disks confined to a narrow quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) channel. The computer simulations have been performed for the specific channel width of 3/2 of disk diameter in which the disk arrangement at close packing resembles zigzag ordering characteristic of a vertically oriented two-dimensional (2D) triangular lattice. In such a quasi-1D system, which is intermediate between 1D and 2D arrays of hard disks, the transverse excitations obey very specific dispersion law typical of the usual optical transverse modes. This is in a sharp contrast both to the 1D case, where transverse excitations are not possible, and to the 2D case, where the regular shear waves with a propagation gap were observed. Other peculiarities of the dispersion of collective excitations as well as some results of disk structuring and thermodynamics of the quasi-1D hard disk system are presented and discussed for a range of hard disk densities typical for fluid and distorted crystal states.
Characterization of Post-Operative Hemodynamics Following the Norwood Procedure Using Population Data and Multi-Scale Modeling
Authors: Primeaux Jonathan , Salavitabar Arash , Lu Jimmy C. , Grifka Ronald G. , Figueroa C. Alberto
Published: May 2021

Children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) must undergo multiple surgical stages to reconstruct the anatomy to a sustainable single ventricle system. Stage I palliation, or the Norwood procedure, provides circulation to both pulmonary and systemic vasculature. The aorta is reconstructed and attached to the right ventricle and a fraction of systemic flow is redirected to the pulmonary arteries (PAs) through a systemic-to-PA shunt. Despite abundant hemodynamic data available 4–5 months after Norwood palliation, data is very scarce immediately following stage I. This data is critical in determining post-operative success. In this work, we combined population data and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to characterize hemodynamics immediately following stage I (post-stage I) and prior to stage II palliation (pre-stage II). A patient-specific model was constructed as a baseline geometry, which was then scaled to reflect population-based morphological data at both time-points. Population-based hemodynamic data was then used to calibrate each model to reproduce blood flow representative of HLHS patients. The post-stage I simulation produced a PA pressure of 22 mmHg and high-frequency oscillations within the flow field indicating highly disturbed hemodynamics. Despite PA mean pressure dropping to 14 mmHg, the pre-stage II model also produced high-frequency flow components and PA wall shear stress increases. These suboptimal conditions may be necessary to ensure adequate PA flow throughout the pre-stage II period, as the shunt becomes relatively smaller compared to the patient’s somatic growth. In the future, CFD can be used to optimize shunt design and minimize these suboptimal conditions.
High Glucose Attenuates Cardioprotective Effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Through Induction of Mitochondria Dysfunction via Inhibition of β-Arrestin-Signaling
Authors: Pan Xietian , Li Chengxiang , Gao Haokao
Published: May 2021

An increased vulnerability has been detected after ischemia/reperfusion injury in cardiomyocytes in diabetic patients. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been proven to have a notable cardioprotective effect in cardiomyocytes. However, in diabetic patients, the cardioprotective effects of GLP-1 are compromised, which is called GLP-1 resistance. β-arrestin is one of the two main downstream effectors of GLP-1 and β-arrestin signaling pathway exerts cardioprotective effects upon activation of GLP-1R. Our hypothesis is that the increased vulnerability of cardiomyocytes in diabetic patients is partly due to disruption of the β-arrestin signaling pathway. To test this, we analyzed cardiomyocyte viability and survival in high glucose and normal glucose condition after hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in vitro, additional GLP-1 was used to determine whether β-arrestin signaling pathway was involved. We also investigated the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in GLP-1 resistance. Our results showed that cardioprotective effects of GLP-1 were reduced in high glucose cultured H9C2 cells compared to normal glucose cultured H9C2, verifying the existence of GLP-1 resistance in high glucose cultured H9C2 cells. Further study suggested that β-arrestin plays a key role in GLP-1 resistance: β-arrestin expression is notably downregulated in high glucose condition and cardioprotective effects of GLP-1 can be diminished by downregulation of β-arrestin in normal glucose condition while upregulation of β-arrestin can restore cardioprotective effects of GLP-1 in high glucose condition. Then we explore how β-arrestin affects the cardioprotective effects of GLP-1 and found that β-arrestin exerts cardioprotective effects by improving mitochondria quality control via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Thus, our study found out a new mechanism of GLP-1 resistance of cardiomyocytes in high glucose conditions that impaired β-arrestin expression, caused mitochondria dysfunction and eventually cell death. Our study provided a new perspective in treating myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in diabetic patients.
Generation of Doubled Haploid Wheat-Triticum urartu Introgression Lines and Their Characterisation Using Chromosome-Specific KASP Markers
Authors: Grewal Surbhi , Guwela Veronica , Newell Claire , Yang Cai-yun , Ashling Stephen , Scholefield Duncan , Hubbart-Edwards Stella , Burridge Amanda , Stride Alex , King Ian P. , King Julie
Published: May 2021

Wheat is one of the most important food and protein sources in the world and although, in recent years wheat breeders have achieved yield gains, they are not sufficient to meet the demands of an ever-growing population. Development of high yielding wheat varieties, resilient to abiotic and biotic stress resulting from climate change, has been limited by wheat’s narrow genetic base. In contrast to wheat, the wild relatives of wheat provide a vast reservoir of genetic variation for most, if not all, agronomic traits. Previous studies by the authors have shown the transfer of genetic variation from T. urartu into bread wheat. However, before the introgression lines can be exploited for trait analysis, they are required to have stable transmission of the introgressions to the next generation. In this work, we describe the generation of 86 doubled haploid (DH) wheat-T. urartu introgression lines that carry homozygous introgressions which are stably inherited. The DH lines were characterised using the Axiom® Wheat Relative Genotyping Array and 151 KASP markers to identify 65 unique T. urartu introgressions in a bread wheat background. DH production has helped accelerate the breeding process and facilitated the early release of homozygous wheat-T. urartu introgression lines. Together with the KASP markers, this valuable resource could greatly advance identification of beneficial alleles that can be used in wheat improvement.
The Effect of Frames on COVID-19 Vaccine Resistance
Authors: Palm Risa , Bolsen Toby , Kingsland Justin T.
Published: May 2021

In order to control the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, it will be important to develop a communication strategy to counteract “vaccine resistance”, that is, the refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine even when available. This paper reports the results of a survey experiment testing the impacts of several types of message content: the safety and efficacy of the vaccine itself, the likelihood that others will take the vaccine, and the possible role of politics in driving resistance to the vaccine. In an original survey of 1,123 American M-Turk respondents conducted in the summer of 2020, we provided six different information conditions suggesting the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, the lack of safety/efficacy of the vaccine, the suggestion that most others would take the vaccine, the suggestion that most others would not take the vaccine, the suggestion that the vaccine is being promoted by liberals to gain greater control over individual freedom, and the suggestion that its approval is being by President Trump rushed for political motivations. We compared the responses for those in the treatment groups with a control group who received no additional information. In comparison to the control group, those who received information about the safety/efficacy of the vaccine were more likely to report that they would take the vaccine, those who received information that others were reluctant to take the vaccine were more likely to report that they themselves would not take it, and those who received information about political influences on vaccine development expressed resistance to taking it. Communication of effective messages about the vaccine will be essential for public health agencies that seek to promote vaccine uptake.
The Effect of Perceived Overqualification on Creative Performance: Person-Organization Fit Perspective
Authors: Zhang Man , Wang Fan , Li Na
Published: May 2021

In today’s business world, the phenomenon of overqualification is widespread. Organizations need to consider – how to motivate the overqualified employees to utilize their qualifications, for example, promoting creative performance. Based on person-organization (P-O) fit theory, this study explored when and how employees, who feel overqualified can engage in creative performance. Data were collected from 170 supervisor-subordinate dyads of 41 groups in 10 manufacturing companies across two timepoints in China. Results revealed that (1) perceived overqualification is positively related to organizational identification when employee development-oriented organizational culture is strong but negatively related to organizational identification when employee development-oriented organizational culture is weak, (2) organizational identification is positively related to creative performance, (3) the indirect relationship between perceived overqualification and creative performance via organizational identification is moderated by employee development-oriented organizational culture. We provide several theoretical contributions to the overqualification literature and make some suggestions to motivate the overqualified employees to use their surplus qualifications within the organizations.
Compassion-Focused Technologies: Reflections and Future Directions
Authors: Day Jamin , Finkelstein Joel C. , Field Brent A. , Matthews Benjamin , Kirby James N. , Doty James R.
Published: May 2021

Compassion is a prosocial motivation that is critical to the development and survival of the human species. Cultivating compassion involves developing deep wisdom, insight, and understanding into the nature and causes of human suffering; and wisdom and commitment to take positive action to alleviate suffering. This perspective piece discusses how compassion relates to the context of modern technology, which has developed at a rapid pace in recent decades. While advances in digital technology build on humankind’s vast capacity to develop practical tools that promise to enrich our lives and improve our social connections, in reality the effects are often far from benign. The motives underlying the development of many contemporary digital platforms seem rooted in competitiveness and capitalism; while modern social media and online platforms are having a profound and pervasive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of humans around the globe. Nonetheless, digital technology holds considerable potential to promote compassionate insight, wisdom, and prosocial behavior. We reflect on the current state of technology within human society and examine the notion of compassionate technologies; discuss how contemporary paradigm shifts such as the inclusive design movement may be harnessed to build tools and platforms that promote collective good and increase prosocial behavior; and highlight examples of initiatives that are harnessing modern technology to advance democracy, collective knowledge, and personal freedoms and agency.
Polish Adaptation and Validation of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) in Cancer Patients
Authors: Pasternak Aneta , Poraj-Weder Magdalena , Schier Katarzyna
Published: May 2021

The article presents findings from three studies designed to validate and culturally adapt the Polish version of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), a measure of the cognitive and emotional components of illness representations among oncology patients. The tool is conceptually based on Leventhal’s Self-Regulatory Model (Leventhal et al., 1984, 2001). The results of the study 1 (n = 40) show that it can be successfully used in a Polish cultural context as a reliable equivalent to its original English version (Moss-Morris et al., 2002). Analyses conducted in Study 2 (n = 318) provided good evidence for construct and criterion validity as well as the internal reliability of the IPQ-R subscales. Study 3 (n = 54) revealed that the IPQ-R subscales present good test–retest reliability. Overall, the results show that the Polish version of the IPQ-R provides a comprehensive and psychometrically acceptable assessment of the representation of cancer and can be reliably used in studies involving Polish oncology patients.
Social Psychology of Coronavirus Disease 2019: Do Fatalism and Comparative Optimism Affect Attitudes and Adherence to Sanitary Protocols?
Authors: Nordfjaern Trond , Mehdizadeh Milad , Fallah Zavareh Mohsen
Published: May 2021

The potential of mitigating the spreading rate and consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) currently depends on adherence to sanitary protocols (e.g., hand hygiene and social distancing). The current study aimed to investigate the role of fatalism and comparative optimism for adherence to COVID-19 protocols. We also tested whether these factors are directly associated with adherence or associated through attitudinal mediation. The results were based on a web survey conducted among university students (n = 370) in Tehran, Iran. The respondents completed a multidimensional measure of fatalism (general fatalism, internality, and luck) and measures of comparative optimism, attitudes toward COVID-19 health measures, and adherence. The estimated structural equation model explained approximately 40% of the total variance in attitudes toward COVID-19 protocols and adherence. As expected, high internality was associated with stronger adherence, whereas luck was associated with weaker adherence. Comparative optimism was more strongly associated with adherence than fatalism, and somewhat unexpectedly comparative optimism was associated with stronger adherence. Analyses of direct and indirect effects suggested that fatalism was mainly mediated through attitudes, whereas comparative optimism had both direct and mediated effects. The findings are discussed in relation to the role of these social psychological factors for COVID-19 mitigation.
Using Slow-Paced Breathing to Foster Endurance, Well-Being, and Sleep Quality in Athletes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Borges Uirassu , Lobinger Babett , Javelle Florian , Watson Matthew , Mosley Emma , Laborde Sylvain
Published: May 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been causing major disruptions in the sporting world. Negative physiological and psychological effects on athletes have been reported, such as respiratory issues and increased stress. Therefore, it is timely to support this population by presenting cost-effective and accessible intervention techniques to reduce this impact. Slow-paced breathing (SPB) has the potential to counteract many of the detrimental effects of COVID-19 that can directly affect sports performance. In this article, we present and justify the use of SPB in athletes by focusing on three key outcomes, namely aerobic endurance performance, emotional well-being, and sleep quality. We examine the physiological mechanisms that underpin these three outcomes and review literature showing that SPB can activate anti-inflammatory pathways, increase lung capacity and, in turn, improve aerobic endurance, emotional well-being, and sleep quality. We conclude that interventions using SPB can have preventive and rehabilitative properties for athletes. Future studies should empirically test the potential of SPB to help this specific population.
Comparing Antecedents of Chinese Consumers’ Trust and Distrust
Authors: Zhao Dan , Shi Xiaofeng , Wei Sheng , Ren Junsheng
Published: May 2021

To help retailers gain consumers’ trust, many studies have investigated antecedents of consumer trust. However, distrust, a concept closely related to trust, has attracted only sporadic research attention. As a result, whether factors that increase consumer trust can eliminate consumer distrust is unclear. To deepen understanding of trust and distrust, this study applies the critical incident technique to identify and compare the antecedents of trust and distrust of Chinese consumers. The results show that the antecedents of distrust differ from those of trust, indicating different formulation mechanisms of both. Therefore, on the one hand, retailers should pay attention to increasing consumer trust, and on the other hand, they should develop marketing activities to reduce consumer distrust.
A Teleneuropsychology Protocol for the Cognitive Assessment of Older Adults During COVID-19
Authors: Kitaigorodsky Marcela , Loewenstein David , Curiel Cid Rosie , Crocco Elizabeth , Gorman Katherine , González-Jiménez Christian
Published: May 2021

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic prompted the need for a teleneuropsychology protocol for the cognitive assessment of older adults, who are at increased risk for both COVID-19 and dementia. Prior recommendations for teleneuropsychological assessment did not consider many of the unique challenges posed by COVID-19. The field is still in need of clear guidelines and standards of care for the assessment of older adults under the current circumstances. Advantages of teleneuropsychological assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic include reduced risk of contracting the virus, eliminating travel time and reducing cost, and more rapid access to needed services. Challenges include disparities in technology access among patients, reduced control over the testing environment, impeded ability to make behavioral observations, and limited research on valid and reliable cognitive assessment measures. The aim of this perspective review is to propose a teleneuropsychological protocol to facilitate neuropsychological assessment utilizing a virtual platform. The proposed protocol has been successful with our clinical and research populations and may help neuropsychologists implement teleneuropsychology services without compromising validity or reliability. However, there is increasing need for research on teleneuropsychological assessment options for both clinical and research purposes.
Factorial Structure and Cross-Cultural Invariance of the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form in Hong Kong and Thailand
Authors: Gao Xiaozi , Lee Kerry
Published: May 2021

With increasing attention on the role of parenting stress on family functioning and children’s development, one area that has been neglected is how such relations differ across cultures. Although sometimes viewed as homogeneous, Asian countries often have markedly different belief systems. Cross-cultural studies require instruments that have been validated in different socio-cultural contexts. The widely used parenting stress index-short form (PSI-SF) has been used in several locations. However, results regarding its factorial structure have been mixed. Furthermore, there are only a few cross-cultural comparison studies. This study examined the factorial structure of an abridged version of the PSI-SF with data from Hong Kong (N = 258) and Thailand (N = 190). The results from confirmatory factor analyses indicated that, in both cultures, a three-factorial structure provides the best model fit. Furthermore, we found evidence for partial metric invariance, suggesting that the test scores can be compared directly. Tests for convergent and discriminant validity revealed that the three factors were correlated with parent general distress, authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive parenting behaviors, in both cultures. These findings suggest that the abridged PSI-SF can provide a meaningful comparison of parenting stress between Hong Kong and Thailand.
Generation Gaps in Digital Health Literacy and Their Impact on Health Information Seeking Behavior and Health Empowerment in Hungary
Authors: Papp-Zipernovszky Orsolya , Horváth Mária Dóra , Schulz Peter J. , Csabai Márta
Published: May 2021

Background:Today the internet is a major source of health information, and younger generations have more confidence in their digital information seeking skills and awareness of online resources than older generations. Older generations, however, are more in demand of health services. The aim of our study was to explore these generational differences as related to self-perceived eHealth literacy and health care system utilization.

Methods:A cross-sectional survey study with 522 subjects was done in Hungary. Every subject belonged to one of four generations (Baby boomers, X, Y, and Z). The Web-based survey was designed and tested in English-speaking countries and translated into Hungarian for the present study. Variables include Internet health information seeking, eHealth literacy (measured by eHeals score), the self-perceived gain in empowerment by that information, and the number of health care appointments. One-way ANOVA was used for comparing the scores of the generations, and correlational and linear regression analysis was employed within the generations for further data analysis.

Results:We found significant differences among the generations in eHealth literacy as well as in the self-perceived gain in empowerment: while Boomers were the generation with the lowest eHeals scores, they showed the highest empowerment. Internet health information seeking behavior showed no differences. While subjects who use the Internet more frequently to search for health information have worse self-rated health status, the ones with higher eHeals scores report better subjective health status. We also identified the associations of the above variables within the older generations (Boomers and X) with the frequency of using health-care services: within the generation of Boomers the number of health care appointments was only associated with Internet health information seeking, while in Generation X with eHeals.

Conclusions:Baby boomers seek Internet health information as often as the younger generations, which provides a solid motivation for developing their eHealth literacy skills. We find it crucial to plan the Hungarian health promotion programmes utilizing this high frequency of Internet health information seeking, since the eHealth literacy skills of older generations have an effect on their subjective health status, and they are the most capable of applying information in making decisions.
A Perspective on Building Ethical Datasets for Children's Conversational Agents
Authors: Bailey Jakki O. , Patel Barkha , Gurari Danna
Published: May 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technologies are becoming an integral part of youth's environments, impacting how they socialize and learn. Children (12 years of age and younger) often interact with AI through conversational agents (e.g., Siri and Alexa) that they speak with to receive information about the world. Conversational agents can mimic human social interactions, and it is important to develop socially intelligent agents appropriate for younger populations. Yet it is often unclear what data are curated to power many of these systems. This article applies a sociocultural developmental approach to examine child-centric intelligent conversational agents, including an overview of how children's development influences their social learning in the world and how that relates to AI. Examples are presented that reflect potential data types available for training AI models to generate children's conversational agents' speech. The ethical implications for building different datasets and training models using them are discussed as well as future directions for the use of social AI-driven technology for children.
Auditing of SARS-COV-2 Contagion and Transmission Protocols as a Stakeholder Management Tool
Authors: Muncinelli Gianfranco , Pinheiro de Lima Edson , Vecchia Augusto Carlos Dalla , Moro Luis , Deschamps Fernando , Gouvea da Costa Sergio E. , Cestari José Marcelo A. P.
Published: May 2021

Governments and companies in all affected countries have taken measures to prevent, on the one hand, the rapid spread of the virus among the population and, on the other hand, to alleviate the economic and commercial consequences of the crisis that is already changing the daily functioning of the population and the companies. The COVID-19 pandemic has radically and unexpectedly transformed the global economic landscape. The objective of this work is to demonstrate a set of information that can meet the expectations of the internal and external stakeholders of an organization concerned with constructively relating to its stakeholders–aiming at the possibility of carrying out the work and serving customers in the context of the pandemic. The research method is the study based on the literature review process focusing on information and research systems, books, and a manufacturer's case study. It also has practical data–information collected from audits carried out. Stakeholders' expectations and interests are connected to this issue and can be aligned through an Audit of Contagion and Transmission Protocols of SARS-COV-2.
VR Setup to Assess Peripersonal Space Audio-Tactile 3D Boundaries
Authors: Lerner France , Tahar Guillaume , Bar Alon , Koren Ori , Flash Tamar
Published: May 2021

Many distinct spaces surround our bodies. Most schematically, the key division is between peripersonal space (PPS), the close space surrounding our body, and an extrapersonal space, which is the space out of one’s reach. The PPS is considered as an action space, which allows us to interact with our environment by touching and grasping. In the current scientific literature, PPS’ visual representations are appearing as mere bubbles of even dimensions wrapped around the body. Although more recent investigations of PPS’ upper body (trunk, head, and hands) and lower body (legs and foot) have provided new representations, no investigation has been made yet concerning the estimation of PPS’s overall representation in 3D. Previous findings have demonstrated how the relationship between tactile processing and the location of sound sources in space is modified along a spatial continuum. These findings suggest that similar methods can be used to localize the boundaries of the subjective individual representation of PPS. Hence, we designed a behavioral paradigm in virtual reality based on audio-tactile interactions, which has enabled us to infer a detailed individual 3D audio-tactile representation of PPS. Considering that inadequate body-related multisensory integration processes can produce incoherent spatio–temporal perception, the development of a virtual reality setup and a method to estimate the representation of the subjective PPS volumetric boundaries will be a valuable addition for the comprehension of the mismatches occurring between body physical boundaries and body schema representations in 3D.
“That’s Where Our Income Comes From”: Women’s Perceptions of Links Between Reproductive Struggles and Hydraulic Fracturing
Authors: Murphy Mollie K. , Soyer Mehmet , Ziyanak Sebahattin , Godfrey Taya
Published: May 2021

Reproductive hardship is highly stigmatized, which leads to such struggles being relegated to the private sphere. At the same time, numerous studies show links between toxic chemicals and reproductive hardship including miscarriage, infertility, and birth defects. There thus exists a disconnection between structural contributors to reproductive challenges and the fact that such hardship is frequently viewed as a personal problem. Considering this tension, this qualitative study sought to examine how women who had both experienced reproductive difficulty and lived proximal to hydraulic fracturing operations made sense of their experiences. Analysis revealed that participants emphasized hydraulic fracturing as economically essential at the same time that they tended to minimize fracking as a potential contributor to reproductive hardship.
Investigating Width Distribution of Slow and Fast CMEs in Solar Cycles 23 and 24
Authors: Pant V. , Majumdar S. , Patel R. , Chauhan A. , Banerjee D. , Gopalswamy N.
Published: May 2021

Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are highly dynamic events originating in the solar atmosphere, that show a wide range of kinematic properties and are the major drivers of the space weather. The angular width of the CMEs is a crucial parameter in the study of their kinematics. The fact that whether slow and fast CMEs (as based on their relative speed to the average solar wind speed) are associated with different processes at the location of their ejection is still debatable. Thus, in this study, we investigate their angular width to understand the differences between the slow and fast CMEs. We study the width distribution of slow and fast CMEs and find that they follow different power law distributions, with a power law indices (α) of –1.1 and –3.7 for fast and slow CMEs respectively. To reduce the projection effects, we further restrict our analysis to only limb events as derived from manual catalog and we find similar results. We then associate the slow and fast CMEs to their source regions, and classified the sources as Active Regions (ARs) and Prominence Eruptions. We find that slow and fast CMEs coming from ARs and PEs, also follow different power laws in their width distributions. This clearly hints toward a possibility that different mechanisms might be involved in the width expansion of slow and fast CMEs coming from different sources.These results are also crucial from the space weather perspective since the width of the CME is an important factor in that aspect.
Perception of the Relevance of Soil Compaction and Application of Measures to Prevent It among German Farmers
Authors: Ledermüller Sandra , Fick Johanna , Jacobs Anna
Published: May 2021

Intensive field traffic and high axle loads can lead to soil compaction, with ecological and economic consequences. However, the relevance of this issue among practitioners is largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relevance of this issue for farmers in Germany, whether and which mitigation measures are applied to avoid it, and what a (non-) application might depend on. We conducted an online survey among farmers in Germany in winter 2017/2018. For the majority of the respondents, soil compaction is a relevant issue on their own farm, and even at higher share rates, this issue is important for Germany as a whole. To prevent or avoid soil compaction, 85% of the participants apply agronomic, 78% tyre/chassis, and 59% planning/management measures. The farm size, tractor power, working in full- or part-time, estimated relevance of soil compaction for Germany, and the estimated yield loss were positively associated with the application of management measures. The insights gained suggested that more effort is needed to encourage farmers’ perceptions regarding soil compaction in order to generate demand-oriented and practice-oriented recommendations for action for various target groups and thus promote the application of soil-conserving measures on a broad scale.
Valorization of Cereal By-Products from the Milling Industry as a Source of Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds to Boost Resource-Use Efficiency
Authors: Cardoso Rossana V. C. , Fernandes Ângela , Pinela José , Dias Maria Inês , Pereira Carla , Pires Tânia C. S. P. , Carocho Márcio , Vasallo Esteban Fernández , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. , Barros Lillian
Published: May 2021

Cereal by-products (wheat germ, maize bran–germ mixture, rye bran, and wheat bran) from the flour milling industry were characterized for their nutritional value and chemical composition, as well as for antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Carbohydrates (including sucrose) were the major nutritional constituents (56.35–78.12 g/100 g dw), followed by proteins (11.2–30.0 g/100 g dw). The higher energy value (432.3 kcal/100 g dw) was presented by the wheat germ. This by-product also presented the highest citric acid content (0.857 g/100 g dw), the most abundant organic acid detected. Unsaturated fatty acids predominated in all samples given the high content of linoleic (53.9–57.1%) and oleic (13.4–29.0%) acids. Wheat germ had the highest levels of tocopherols (22.8 mg/100 g dw) and phenolic compounds (5.7 mg/g extract, with a high apigenin-C-pentoside-C-hexoside content). In turn, while the wheat bran extract was particularly effective in inhibiting the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), the rye bran extract was the only sample capable of protecting erythrocytes from oxidative hemolysis. Regarding antibacterial properties, in general, the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations were observed against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. These results highlight the characterized by-products as sustainable ingredients for the development of novel bakery and functional food products and contribute to a better bioresource-use efficiency and circularity.
Energy Requirements for Growth in the Norfolk Terrier
Authors: Bradley Sophie , Alexander Janet , Haydock Richard , Bakke Anne Marie , Watson Phillip
Published: May 2021

An appropriate energy intake for healthy growth can reduce the risk of obesity and co-morbidities, such as orthopaedic diseases. The 2006 National Research Council (NRC) universal equation calculates the energy requirement of growing dogs based on predicted adult body weight, but evidence suggests a revision may be required. This study investigates the energy requirements of seventeen Norfolk terrier puppies over their first year (10 to 52 weeks). Puppies were individually fed complete and balanced diets in amounts to maintain an optimal body condition score (BCS), recording intake daily and body weight and BCS weekly. To monitor health a veterinary examination, haematology and plasma biochemistry and serum measures of bone turnover were undertaken every 12 weeks. Skeletal development was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (26 and 52 weeks). Puppies were clinically healthy with normal skeletal development and healthy growth throughout. The energy intake to achieve this was significantly lower than that predicted by the NRC (2006) equation at all time points, with largest mean difference of 285 kJ/kg0.75 per day at 10 weeks. If fed according to the NRC 2006 equation, dogs would have been in positive energy balance, possibly leading to obesity. These data support a revision to the NRC (2006) equation.
Evaluating the Reaction to a Complex Rotated Object in the American Quarter Horse (Equus caballus)
Authors: Corgan Megan Elizabeth , Grandin Temple , Matlock Sarah
Published: May 2021

It is dangerous for both riders and horses when a horse suddenly startles. Sometimes horses do this in familiar environments because familiar objects may look different when rotated. The purpose of this study was to determine whether horses that had been habituated to a complex object (children’s playset) would react to the object as novel when rotated 90 degrees. Twenty young horses were led past the playset 15 times by a handler. Next, the rotated group was led past the rotated playset 15 times. Each time the horse was led by the object was a pass. The behavioral responses observed and analyzed were ears focused on the object, nostril flares, neck raising, snort, avoid by stopping, avoid by moving feet sideways, and avoid by flight. An increasing reactivity scale was used to quantify behavioral responses. A two-sample t-test was performed on the reactivity scores comparing the first pass by the novel object to the first pass by the rotated object. The horses in the rotated group reacted to the rotated orientation similarly to the first exposure (p = 0.001, α < 0.05). Being aware of potential reactions to changes in previously familiar environments can help keep the handler safer.
Effects of Flavonoids Extracted from Citrus aurantium on Performance, Behavior, and Rumen Gene Expression in Holstein Bulls Fed with High-Concentrate Diets in Pellet Form
Authors: Paniagua Montserrat , Crespo Francisco Javier , Arís Anna , Devant Maria
Published: May 2021

Flavonoid supplementation may modify the behavior and rumen inflammatory response of fattening bulls, and this could be related to the concentrate presentation (mash or pellet) form. In the present study, 150 Holstein bulls (183.0 ± 7.53 kg BW and 137 ± 1.8 d of age) were randomly allocated to one of eight pens and assigned to control (C) or (BF) (Citrus aurantium, Bioflavex CA, HealthTech Bio Actives, Spain, 0.4 kg per ton of concentrate of Bioflavex CA, 20% naringin). Concentrate (pellet) intake was recorded daily, and BW and animal behavior fortnightly. Animals were slaughtered after 168 d of study, and ruminal epithelium samples were collected for gene expression analyses. Treatment did not affect animal performance; however, BF supplementation reduced agonistic interactions and oral non-nutritive behaviors and increased the time devoted to eating concentrate and ruminating activity (p < 0.05). The gene expression of some genes in the rumen epithelium was greater or tended to be greater in BF than C bulls (bitter taste receptor 16, cytokine IL-25, β-defensin; p < 0.10; pancreatic polypeptide receptor 1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha; p < 0.05). In conclusion, flavonoid supplementation modifies the expression of genes in the rumen epithelium that could be related to inflammation and animal behavior modulation.