bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic and molecular analyses in diploid and tetraploid genotypes of Solanum tuberosum L. reveal promising genotypes and candidate genes associated with phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid contents, and antioxidant activity
Authors: Berdugo-Cely Jhon A. , Céron-Lasso María del Socorro , Yockteng Roxana
Published: January 2023

Potato tubers contain biochemical compounds with antioxidant properties that benefit human health. However, the genomic basis of the production of antioxidant compounds in potatoes has largely remained unexplored. Therefore, we report the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) based on 4488 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and the phenotypic evaluation of Total Phenols Content (TPC), Ascorbic Acid Content (AAC), and Antioxidant Activity (AA) traits in 404 diverse potato genotypes (84 diploids and 320 tetraploids) conserved at the Colombian germplasm bank that administers AGROSAVIA. The concentration of antioxidant compounds correlated to the skin tuber color and ploidy level. Especially, purple-blackish tetraploid tubers had the highest TPC (2062.41 ± 547.37 mg GAE), while diploid pink-red tubers presented the highest AA (DDPH: 14967.1 ± 4687.79 μmol TE; FRAP: 2208.63 ± 797.35 mg AAE) and AAC (4.52 mg ± 0.68 AA). The index selection allowed us to choose 20 promising genotypes with the highest values for the antioxidant compounds. Genome Association mapping identified 58 SNP-Trait Associations (STAs) with single-locus models and 28 Quantitative Trait Nucleotide (QTNs) with multi-locus models associated with the evaluated traits. Among models, eight STAs/QTNs related to TPC, AAC, and AA were detected in common, flanking seven candidate genes, from which four were pleiotropic. The combination in one population of diploid and tetraploid genotypes enabled the identification of more genetic associations. However, the GWAS analysis implemented independently in populations detected some regions in common between diploids and tetraploids not detected in the mixed population. Candidate genes have molecular functions involved in phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid biosynthesis, and antioxidant responses concerning plant abiotic stress. All candidate genes identified in this study can be used for further expression analysis validation and future implementation in marker-assisted selection pre-breeding platforms targeting fortified materials. Our study further revealed the importance of potato germplasm conserved in national genebanks, such as AGROSAVIA’s, as a valuable genetic resource to improve existing potato varieties.
Empirical comparison of time series models and tensor product penalised splines for modelling spatial dependence in plant breeding field trials
Authors: Gogel Beverley , Welham Sue , Cullis Brian
Published: January 2023

Plant breeding field trials are typically arranged as a row by column rectangular lattice. They have been widely analysed using linear mixed models in which low order autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) time series models, and the subclass of separable lattice processes, are used to account for two-dimensional spatial dependence between the plot errors. A separable first order autoregressive model has been shown to be particularly useful in the analysis of plant breeding trials. Recently, tensor product penalised splines (TPS) have been proposed to model two-dimensional smooth variation in field trial data. This represents a non-stochastic smoothing approach which is in contrast to the autoregressive (AR) approach which models a stochastic covariance structure between the lattice of errors. This paper compares the AR and TPS methods empirically for a large set of early generation plant breeding trials. Here, the fitted models include information on genetic relatedness among the entries being evaluated. This provides a more relevant framework for comparison than the assumption of independent genetic effects. Judged by Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), the AR models were a better fit than the TPS model for more than 80% of trials. In the cases where the TPS model provided a better fit it did so by only a small amount whereas the AR models made a substantial improvement across a range of trials. When the AR and TPS models differ, there can be marked differences in the ranking of genotypes between the two methods of analysis based on their predicted genetic effects. Using the best fitting model for a trial as the benchmark, the rate of mis-classification of entries for selection was greater for the TPS model than the AR models. This has important practical implications for breeder selection decisions.
Exploring plant responses to abiotic stress by contrasting spectral signature changes
Authors: Estrada Félix , Flexas Jaume , Araus Jose Luis , Mora-Poblete Freddy , Gonzalez-Talice Jaime , Castillo Dalma , Matus Ivan A. , Méndez-Espinoza Ana Maria , Garriga Miguel , Araya-Riquelme Carlos , Douthe Cyril , Castillo Benjamin , del Pozo Alejandro , Lobos Gustavo A.
Published: January 2023

In this study, daily changes over a short period and diurnal progression of spectral reflectance at the leaf level were used to identify spring wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) susceptible to adverse conditions. Four genotypes were grown in pots experiments under semi-controlled conditions in Chile and Spain. Three treatments were applied: i) control (C), ii) water stress (WS), and iii) combined water and heat shock (WS+T). Spectral reflectance, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements were performed on flag leaves for three consecutive days at anthesis. High canopy temperature (HCT) genotypes showed less variability in their mean spectral reflectance signature and chlorophyll fluorescence, which was related to weaker responses to environmental fluctuations. While low canopy temperature (LCT) genotypes showed greater variability. The genotypes spectral signature changes, in accordance with environmental fluctuation, were associated with variations in their stomatal conductance under both stress conditions (WS and WS+T); LCT genotypes showed an anisohydric response compared that of HCT, which was isohydric. This approach could be used in breeding programs for screening a large number of genotypes through proximal or remote sensing tools and be a novel but simple way to identify groups of genotypes with contrasting performances.
Integrating environmental and satellite data to estimate county-level cotton yield in Xinjiang Province
Authors: Lang Ping , Zhang Lifu , Huang Changping , Chen Jiahua , Kang Xiaoyan , Zhang Ze , Tong Qingxi
Published: January 2023

Accurate and timely estimation of cotton yield over large areas is essential for precision agriculture, facilitating the operation of commodity markets and guiding agronomic management practices. Remote sensing (RS) and crop models are effective means to predict cotton yield in the field. The satellite vegetation indices (VIs) can describe crop yield variations over large areas but can’t take the exact environmental impact into consideration. Climate variables (CVs), the result of the influence of spatial heterogeneity in large regions, can provide environmental information for better estimation of cotton yield. In this study, the most important VIs and CVs for estimating county-level cotton yield across Xinjiang Province were screened out. We found that the VIs of canopy structure and chlorophyll contents, and the CVs of moisture, were the most significant factors for cotton growth. For yield estimation, we utilized four approaches: least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO), support vector regression (SVR), random forest regression (RFR) and long short-term memory (LSTM). Due to its ability to capture temporal features over the long term, LSTM performed best, with an R2 of 0.76, root mean square error (RMSE) of 150 kg/ha and relative RMSE (rRMSE) of 8.67%; moreover, an additional 10% of the variance could be explained by adding CVs to the VIs. For the within-season yield estimation using LSTM, predictions made 2 months before harvest were the most accurate (R2 = 0.65, RMSE = 220 kg/ha, rRMSE = 15.97%). Our study demonstrated the feasibility of yield estimation and early prediction at the county level over large cotton cultivation areas by integrating satellite and environmental data.
Exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mitigated salinity-induced impairments in mungbean plants by regulating their nitrogen metabolism and antioxidant potential
Authors: Ullah Abd , Ali Iftikhar , Noor Javaria , Zeng Fanjiang , Bawazeer Sami , Eldin Sayed M , Asghar Muhammad Ahsan , Javed Hafiz Hassan , Saleem Khansa , Ullah Sami , Ali Haider
Published: January 2023

Background

Increasing soil salinization has a detrimental effect on agricultural productivity.Therefore, strategies are needed to induce salinity-tolerance in crop species for sustainable foodproduction. γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays a key role in regulating plant salinity stresstolerance. However, it remains largely unknown how mungbean plants (Vigna radiata L.) respondto exogenous GABA under salinity stress.

Methods

Thus, we evaluated the effect of exogenous GABA (1.5 mM) on the growth and physiobiochemicalresponse mechanism of mungbean plants to saline stress (0-, 50-, and 100 mM [NaCland Na2SO4, at a 1:1 molar ratio]).

Results

Increased saline stress adversely affected mungbean plants' growth and metabolism. Forinstance, leaf-stem-root biomass (34- and 56%, 31- and 53%, and 27- and 56% under 50- and 100mM, respectively]) and chlorophyll concentrations declined. The carotenoid level increased (10%)at 50 mM and remained unaffected at 100 mM. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde(MDA), osmolytes (soluble sugars, soluble proteins, proline), total phenolic content, andenzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase(POD), glutathione reductase (GTR), and polyphenol oxidation (PPO) were significantlyincreased. In leaves, salinity caused a significant increase in Na+ concentration but a decrease inK+ concentration, resulting in a low K+/Na+ concentration (51- and 71% under 50- and 100- mMstress). Additionally, nitrogen concentration and the activities of nitrate reductase (NR) andglutamine synthetase (GS) decreased significantly. The reduction in glutamate synthase (GOGAT)activity was only significant (65%) at 100 mM stress. Exogenous GABA decreased Na+, H2O2,and MDA concentrations but enhanced photosynthetic pigments, K+ and K+/Na+ ratio, Nmetabolism, osmolytes, and enzymatic antioxidant activities, thus reducing salinity-associatedstress damages, resulting in improved growth and biomass.

Conclusion

Exogenous GABA may have improved the salinity tolerance of mungbean plants by maintaining their morpho-physiological responses and reducing the accumulation of harmfulsubstances under salinity. Future molecular studies can contribute to a better understanding of themolecular mechanisms by which GABA regulates mungbean salinity tolerance.
Patterns and drivers of the belowground bud bank in alpine grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Li Wencheng , Huang Aiping , Zhou Tiancai , Liu Miao , Ma Sujie , Zhao Ningning , Wang Xiangtao , Sun Jian
Published: January 2023

Introduction

In grassland ecosystems dominated by asexual plants, the maintenance, renewal, and resistance of plant populations to disturbance are more dependent on the belowground bud bank (BBB). However, the response of the BBB to environmental factors in the alpine grassland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is still unknown.

Methods

Therefore, a transect survey was conducted to measure the size and scale of BBB and 21 factors in the alpine grassland of the QTP. In addition, the critical driving factors of BBB were screened by boost regression tree analysis, and a structural equation model (SEM) was employed to express the path coefficients of the key factors on the BBB size.

Results

The results showed that BBB size had no significant geographical pattern in the QTP, and the BBB size was mainly accounted for by soil leucine aminopeptidase (LAP, 17.32%), followed by Margalef and Shannon -Wiener indices of plants (12.63% and 9.24%, respectively), and precipitation (9.23%). SEM further indicated significant positive effects of plant diversity (scored at 0.296) and precipitation (scored at 0.180) on BBB size, and a significant negative effect of LAP (scored at 0.280) on BBB size.

Discussion

Generally, the findings allow for better understanding of the regulated mechanisms of BBB size and the importance of the role of bud bank in the restoration of the grassland ecosystem.
High-density genetic linkage mapping reveals low stability of QTLs across environments for economic traits in Eucalyptus
Authors: Zhu Xianliang , Weng Qijie , Bush David , Zhou Changpin , Zhao Haiwen , Wang Ping , Li Fagen
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Eucalyptus urophylla, E. tereticornis and their hybrids are the most important commercial forest tree species in South China where they are grown for pulpwood and solid wood production. Construction of a fine-scale genetic linkage map and detecting quantitative trait loci (QTL) for economically important traits linked to these end-uses will facilitate identification of the main candidate genes and elucidate the regulatory mechanisms.

Method

A high-density consensus map (a total of 2754 SNPs with 1359.18 cM) was constructed using genotyping by sequencing (GBS) on clonal progenies of E. urophylla × tereticornis hybrids. QTL mapping of growth and wood property traits were conducted in three common garden experiments, resulting in a total of 108 QTLs. A total of 1052 candidate genes were screened by the efficient combination of QTL mapping and transcriptome analysis.

Results

Only ten QTLs were found to be stable across two environments, and only one (qSG10Stable mapped on chromosome 10, and associated with lignin syringyl-to-guaiacyl ratio) was stable across all three environments. Compared to other QTLs, qSG10Stable explained a very high level of phenotypic variation (18.4–23.6%), perhaps suggesting that QTLs with strong effects may be more stably inherited across multiple environments. Screened candidate genes were associated with some transcription factor families, such as TALE, which play an important role in the secondary growth of plant cell walls and the regulation of wood formation.

Discussion

While QTLs such as qSG10Stable, found to be stable across three sites, appear to be comparatively uncommon, their identification is likely to be a key to practical QTL-based breeding. Further research involving clonally-replicated populations, deployed across multiple target planting sites, will be required to further elucidate QTL-by-environment interactions.
Plant hormone cytokinin at the crossroads of stress priming and control of photosynthesis
Authors: Hudeček Martin , Nožková Vladimíra , Plíhalová Lucie , Plíhal Ondřej
Published: January 2023

To cope with biotic and abiotic stress conditions, land plants have evolved several levels of protection, including delicate defense mechanisms to respond to changes in the environment. The benefits of inducible defense responses can be further augmented by defense priming, which allows plants to respond to a mild stimulus faster and more robustly than plants in the naïve (non-primed) state. Priming provides a low-cost protection of agriculturally important plants in a relatively safe and effective manner. Many different organic and inorganic compounds have been successfully tested to induce resistance in plants. Among the plethora of commonly used physicochemical techniques, priming by plant growth regulators (phytohormones and their derivatives) appears to be a viable approach with a wide range of applications. While several classes of plant hormones have been exploited in agriculture with promising results, much less attention has been paid to cytokinin, a major plant hormone involved in many biological processes including the regulation of photosynthesis. Cytokinins have been long known to be involved in the regulation of chlorophyll metabolism, among other functions, and are responsible for delaying the onset of senescence. A comprehensive overview of the possible mechanisms of the cytokinin-primed defense or stress-related responses, especially those related to photosynthesis, should provide better insight into some of the less understood aspects of this important group of plant growth regulators.
Expression dynamics of phytochrome genes for the shade-avoidance response in densely direct-seeding rice
Authors: Cui Yongtao , Zhu Minhua , Song Jian , Fan Honghuan , Xu Xiaozheng , Wu Jiayan , Guo Longbiao , Wang Jianjun
Published: January 2023

Because of labor shortages or resource scarcity, direct seeding is the preferred method for rice (Oryza sativa. L) cultivation, and it necessitates direct seeding at the current density. In this study, two density of direct seeding with high and normal density were selected to identify the genes involved in shade-avoidance syndrome. Phenotypic and gene expression analysis showed that densely direct seeding (DDS) causes a set of acclimation responses that either induce shade avoidance or toleration. When compared to normal direct seeding (NDS), plants cultivated by DDS exhibit constitutive shade-avoidance syndrome (SAS), in which the accompanying solar radiation drops rapidly from the middle leaf to the base leaf during flowering. Simulation of shade causes rapid reduction in phytochrome gene expression, changes in the expression of multiple miR156 or miR172 genes and photoperiod-related genes, all of which leads to early flowering and alterations in the plant architecture. Furthermore, DDS causes senescence by downregulating the expression of chloroplast synthesis-related genes throughout almost the entire stage. Our findings revealed that DDS is linked to SAS, which can be employed to breed density-tolerant rice varieties more easily and widely.
Genome-wide analysis and characterization of Dendrocalamus farinosus SUT gene family reveal DfSUT4 involvement in sucrose transportation in plants
Authors: Deng Bin , Gu Xiaoyan , Chen Sen , Zhang Meng , Hao Suwei , Wei Lixian , Cao Ying , Hu Shanglian
Published: January 2023

Sucrose is the main transported form of photosynthetic products. Sucrose transporter (SUT) participates in the translocation of sucrose from source to sink, which is important for the growth and development of plants. Dendrocalamus farinosus is an important economic crop in southwestern China because of its high growth rate, high fiber content, and dual usage for food and timber, but the mechanism of sucrose transportation in D. farinosus is unclear. In this study, a total of 12 SUT transporter genes were determined in D. farinosus by whole-genome identification. DfSUT2, DfSUT7, and DfSUT11 were homologs of rice OsSUT2, while DfSUT4 was a homolog of OsSUT4, and these four DfSUT genes were expressed in the leaf, internode, node, and bamboo shoots of D. farinosus. In addition, DfSUT family genes were involved in photosynthetic product distribution, ABA/MeJA responses, and drought resistance, especially DfSUT4. The function of DfSUT4 was then verified in Nicotiana tabacum. DfSUT4 was localized mainly in the leaf mesophyll and stem phloem of pDfSUT4::GUS transgenic plant. The overexpression of DfSUT4 gene in transgenic plant showed increases of photosynthetic rate, above-ground biomass, thousand grain weight, and cellulose content. Our findings altogether indicate that DfSUT4 can be a candidate gene that can be involved in phloem sucrose transportation from the source leaves to the sink organs, phytohormone responses, abiotic stress, and fiber formation in plants, which is very important in the genetic improvement of D. farinosus and other crops.
DOF transcription factors: Specific regulators of plant biological processes
Authors: Zou Xiaoman , Sun Hongmei
Published: January 2023

Plant biological processes, such as growth and metabolism, hormone signal transduction, and stress responses, are affected by gene transcriptional regulation. As gene expression regulators, transcription factors activate or inhibit target gene transcription by directly binding to downstream promoter elements. DOF (DNA binding with One Finger) is a classic transcription factor family exclusive to plants that is characterized by its single zinc finger structure. With breakthroughs in taxonomic studies of different species in recent years, many DOF members have been reported to play vital roles throughout the plant life cycle. They are not only involved in regulating hormone signals and various biotic or abiotic stress responses but are also reported to regulate many plant biological processes, such as dormancy, tissue differentiation, carbon and nitrogen assimilation, and carbohydrate metabolism. Nevertheless, some outstanding issues remain. This article mainly reviews the origin and evolution, protein structure, and functions of DOF members reported in studies published in many fields to clarify the direction for future research on DOF transcription factors.
Genome-wide characterization of phospholipase D family genes in allotetraploid peanut and its diploid progenitors revealed their crucial roles in growth and abiotic stress responses
Authors: Zhang He , Yu Yang , Wang Shiyu , Yang Jiaxin , Ai Xin , Zhang Nan , Zhao Xinhua , Liu Xibo , Zhong Chao , Yu Haiqiu
Published: January 2023

Abiotic stresses such as cold, drought and salinity are the key environmental factors that limit the yield and quality of oil crop peanut. Phospholipase Ds (PLDs) are crucial hydrolyzing enzymes involved in lipid mediated signaling and have valuable functions in plant growth, development and stress tolerance. Here, 22, 22 and 46 PLD genes were identified in Arachis duranensis, Arachis ipaensis and Arachis hypogaea, respectively, and divided into α, β, γ, δ, ε, ζ and φ isoforms. Phylogenetic relationships, structural domains and molecular evolution proved the conservation of PLDs between allotetraploid peanut and its diploid progenitors. Almost each A. hypogaea PLD except for AhPLDα6B had a corresponding homolog in A. duranensis and A. ipaensis genomes. The expansion of Arachis PLD gene families were mainly attributed to segmental and tandem duplications under strong purifying selection. Functionally, the most proteins interacting with AhPLDs were crucial components of lipid metabolic pathways, in which ahy-miR3510, ahy-miR3513-3p and ahy-miR3516 might be hub regulators. Furthermore, plenty of cis-regulatory elements involved in plant growth and development, hormones and stress responses were identified. The tissue-specific transcription profiling revealed the broad and unique expression patterns of AhPLDs in various developmental stages. The qRT-PCR analysis indicated that most AhPLDs could be induced by specific or multiple abiotic stresses. Especially, AhPLDα3A, AhPLDα5A, AhPLDβ1A, AhPLDβ2A and AhPLDδ4A were highly up-regulated under all three abiotic stresses, whereas AhPLDα9A was neither expressed in 22 peanut tissues nor induced by any abiotic stresses. This genome-wide study provides a systematic analysis of the Arachis PLD gene families and valuable information for further functional study of candidate AhPLDs in peanut growth and abiotic stress responses.
The contribution of blog-based writing instruction to enhancing writing performance and writing motivation of Chinese EFL learners
Authors: Han Shujun
Published: January 2023

As an attempt to shed more light on the utility of blogs in educational contexts, the current research set out to explore the effectiveness of blog-based writing instruction on the writing skill and writing motivation of Chinese English-as-a-Foreign Language (EFL) students. Forty-nine Chinese EFL students from two intact classes in a language school were selected as the participants through convenience sampling. Then they were assigned to an experimental (26 students) and a control condition (23 students) randomly. The students of the experimental group utilized blogs for posting their writing assignments whereas the control group were taught traditionally with no use of blogs or other technology devices. The IELTS writing tasks and L2 writing motivation scale were used for the data collection as pre-and post-tests. The findings revealed that although both groups improved their writing skill and motivation, the participants of the blog group performed better than those in the control group, confirming that the blog-based teaching substantially enhanced the writing skill and writing motivation of the EFL students. These findings may have notable implications for EFL instructors.
Childhood psychological abuse and relational aggression among adolescents: A moderated chain mediation model
Authors: Li Ting , Huang Yuhuai , Jiang Meiru , Ma Shutao , Ma Yankun
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Adolescents are in a period when a marked upward trend of adolescents relational aggression. Even though previous studies have found that childhood psychological abuse experience is an important factor influencing adolescent relational aggression, it is unclear when and under what circumstances childhood psychological abuse impacts adolescent relational aggression. This study constructed a moderated chain mediation model to investigate the influence of childhood psychological abuse on relational aggression among Chinese adolescents and its internal mechanism.

Methods

Data from 1868 (923 male and 945 female, M = 14.31, SD = 1.60) Chinese adolescents in two full-time middle schools in Guangzhou were collected via a cross-sectional survey in 2020. Adolescents reported on childhood psychological abuse, relational aggression, rejection sensitivity relational victimization and cognitive reappraisal.

Results

The results demonstrated that: (1) childhood psychological abuse was significantly positively related to relational aggression; (2) childhood psychological abuse was significantly linked with adolescents’ relational aggression through the separate mediating effects of rejection sensitivity and relational victimization, as well as through the chain mediating effects of rejection sensitivity and relational victimization; (3) the chain mediated effect of childhood psychological abuse on relational aggression through rejection sensitivity and relational victimization was moderated by cognitive reappraisal.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that childhood psychological abuse, as a kind of poor parenting style, has influence on adolescents’ internal personality (rejection sensitivity) and external behavior development (relational victimization and relational aggression). This study is helpful to demonstrate the protective effect of cognitive reappraisal and reveal the internal mechanism of childhood psychological abuse on relational aggression.
From online to offline education in the post-pandemic era: Challenges encountered by international students at British universities
Authors: Zhao Xin , Xue Wenchao
Published: January 2023

Background

After 2 years of anti-pandemic struggles, universities in the United Kingdom have started to witness a reverse transition, a shift from online to offline education. This includes encouraging students to begin face-to-face programmes and allowing flexibility for remote learners, but later requiring all students to return to campus by a certain date.

Objectives

This paper aims to explore the challenges and impacts brought about by this new transition and provide recommendations for universities to enhance student experience for future adversity.

Method

This qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 international students from a British university to explore their experiences during the transition. The results were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Our data revealed both internal and external challenges to students during the online-to-offline shift, which lead to a general resistance to said shift. Specifically, policy challenges (e.g., policy conflicts) imposed the most significant impacts on international students, resulting in psychological anxiety, financial losses, and negative learning experiences. The reduction of digital tools and learning materials during the shift also presented challenges to students who developed a reliance on digital resources while learning remotely. Other challenges have also been identified, including academic barriers and social engagement issues.

Conclusion

By highlighting these challenges, this paper has practical implications for university policy decisions and provides recommendations for supporting students’ transition back to traditional offline learning.
The effect of HIIT on body composition, cardiovascular fitness, psychological well-being, and executive function of overweight/obese female young adults
Authors: Guo Linxuan , Chen Jiaying , Yuan Wenxue
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of a short-term HIIT program on the selected health-related parameters for overweight/obese young adult women in a university context.

Methods

A total of 48 participants were randomly divided into two groups. The exercise group (HIIT) received a HIIT intervention of aerobics for 4 weeks, while the control group (CON) received no training. Body composition including waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (BF %), Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), the score of Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Stroop word-color test (SCWT) results were assessed before and after the intervention along with within- and between-group comparisons.

Results

All the indices were significantly improved in HIIT group (p < 0.01) after 4 weeks of intervention. No significant changes were found in CON. There were significant differences between HIIT and CON in cardiovascular fitness (p < 0.01), SDS (p < 0.01) and SCWT (p < 0.05) before and after 4 weeks. In addition, weekly measurements of HIIT effects showed significant changes (p < 0.01) from the second week in the variables of body composition, VO2max, SDS and SCWT when compared with the baseline and maintained the tendency till the end of program.

Conclusion

The short-term HIIT aerobics of the campus program conducted in a non-lab setting induced significant improvements in body composition, cardiovascular fitness, psychological well-being and executive function in overweight young female adults.
Standardization of the Italian ALS-CBS™ Caregiver Behavioral Questionnaire
Authors: Aiello Edoardo Nicolò , Solca Federica , Greco Lucia Catherine , La Tona Antonino , Torre Silvia , Carelli Laura , Morelli Claudia , Doretti Alberto , Colombo Eleonora , Messina Stefano , Pain Debora , Radici Alice , Lizio Andrea , Casiraghi Jacopo , Cerri Federica , Brugnera Agostino , Compare Angelo , Woolley Susan , Murphy Jennifer , Tremolizzo Lucio , Appollonio Ildebrando , Verde Federico , Sansone Valeria Ada , Lunetta Christian , Silani Vincenzo , Ticozzi Nicola , Poletti Barbara
Published: January 2023

Background

The present investigation aimed at testing the psychometrics and diagnostics of the Italian version of the Caregiver Behavioral Questionnaire (CBQ) from the ALS Cognitive Behavioral Screen (ALS-CBS™), as well as its case–control discrimination, in a cohort of non-demented patients with ALS.

Methods

The caregivers of N = 265 non-demented patients with ALS and N = 99 healthy controls (HCs) were administered the CBQ and the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen-Carer Interview (ECAS-CI). For N = 98 patients, an in-depth behavioural/psychopathological assessment via the Frontal Behavioural Inventory (FBI), the Dimensional Apathy Scale (DAS), the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form Y (STAI-Y), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was also available. Factorial and construct validity, internal reliability, and diagnostics against an abnormal ECAS-CI score were tested in patients. Case–control discrimination was explored through logistic regression.

Results

The CBQ was internally reliable (McDonald’s ω = 0.90) and underpinned by a simple, unidimensional structure; it converged with ECAS-CI, FBI, and DAS scores and diverged from STAI-Y and BDI ones. A cutoff of ≤ 33 accurately detected abnormal ECAS-CI scores (AUC = 0.85), yielding optimal error- and information-based diagnostics. The CBQ was independent of demographic and disease-related variables and discriminated patients from HCs (p < 0.001).

Discussion

The Italian version of the CBQ from the ALS-CBS™ is a valid, reliable, diagnostically sound, and feasible screener for detecting frontotemporal-like behavioural changes in non-demented patients with ALS. Its adoption is thus recommended within clinical practice and research in the view of providing preliminary information on whether the administration of more extensive behavioural instruments is needed.
The BEHAVE application as a tool to monitor inclusive interventions for subjects with neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Merlo Gianluca , Chifari Antonella , Chiazzese Giuseppe , Denaro Paola , Firrera Noemi , Savio Nicola Lo , Patti Simona , Palmegiano Luisa , Taibi Davide , Seta Luciano
Published: January 2023

In the last few years, many educational and therapeutic interventions for young people with neurodevelopmental disorders are based on systematic monitoring of the outcomes. These interventions are typically conducted using single-case experimental designs, (SCEDs) a set of methods aimed at testing the effect of an intervention on a single subject or a small number of subjects. In SCEDs, an effective process of decision-making needs accurate, precise, and reliable data but also that caregivers and health professionals can gather information with minimal effort. The use of Information Communication Technologies in SCEDs can support the process of data collection and analysis, facilitating the collection of accurate and reliable data, providing reports accessible also by non-experts, and promoting interactions and sharing among clinicians, educators, and caregivers. The present paper introduces the BEHAVE application, a web-based highly customizable application, designed to implement SCEDs, supporting both data collection and automatic analysis of the datasets. Moreover, the paper will describe two case studies of kindergarten children with neurodevelopmental disorders, highlighting how the BEHAVE application supported the entire process, from data collection in multiple contexts to decision-making based on the analysis provided by the system. In particular, the paper describes the case studies of Carlo and Dario, two children with severe language and communication impairments, and the inclusive education interventions carried out to maximize their participation in a typical home and school setting increasing their mand repertoire. Results revealed an increase in the mand repertoire in both children who become able to generalize the outcomes to multiple life contexts. The active participation of the caregivers played a crucial role in the ability of children to use the learned skills in settings different from the ones they were learned in.
Why does frugality influence the recycling intention of waste materials?
Authors: Wang Hong , Bai Rubing , Zhao Haibo , Hu Zhichen , Li Yan
Published: January 2023

Waste recycling significantly impacts the sustainable development of society and the ecological environment, contributing to a vital role within the waste management hierarchy. This paper presents a research model that investigates the influence mechanism of consumers’ frugality on their recycling intentions. This study collected 420 valid samples to test the model with regression analysis. The empirical results show that consumers’ frugality exerts a direct and positive effect on their recycling intention. Except for the positive direct effect, perceived value mediates the relationship between frugality and recycling intention. Besides, environmental concern strengthens the positive relationship between frugality and recycling intention. The findings of this study can better explain the recycling intention, thereby providing a basis for the government and enterprises to formulate policies and measures to promote recycling behavior.
A cross-sectional analysis of yoga experience on variables associated with psychological well-being
Authors: Parkinson Tracie D. , Smith Stephen D.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Previous research has identified numerous physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits associated with the practice of yoga. Indeed, yoga has been linked with improved quality of life, reduced stress, and numerous markers of psychological well-being. In the current research, a cross-sectional design was used to examine whether the psychological benefits associated with yoga only apply to long-term practitioners or whether more “casual,” intermittent yoga experience could produce positive outcomes.

Methods

An American population of long-term practitioners (n = 129), intermittent practitioners (n = 161), and non-practitioners (n = 164) completed online self-report measures of emotional regulation, trait mindfulness, self-compassion, interoceptive awareness, and spiritual intelligence variables.

Results

The results indicated that long-term (LT) practitioners scored higher than intermittent experience (IE) practitioners on measures of mindfulness (MLT = 137.3; MIE = 127.6), interoceptive awareness (MLT = 3.4; MIE = 3.1), self-compassion (MLT = 3.4; MIE = 3.1), and spiritual intelligence (MLT = 63.5; MIE = 55.5; all p-value < 0.05). Intermittent practitioners scored higher than no-experience (NE) group on interoceptive awareness (MIE = 3.1; MNE = 2.7) and spiritual intelligence (MIE = 55.5; MNE = 46.6; both p-value < 0.05). Contrary to our hypotheses, yoga experience had no effect on depression, anxiety, or stress levels. Separate mediation analyses demonstrated that interoceptive awareness, spiritual intelligence, mindfulness, and self-compassion each mediated the relationship between yoga experience and emotion dysregulation. Furthermore, emotion dysregulation mediated the relationship between yoga experience and depression, anxiety, and stress.

Discussion

Taken together, the results of this study suggest that long-term practitioners experience more benefits compared to intermittent and non-practitioners, and that the mechanisms underlying these benefits are multi-faceted.
Mitigating work conditions that can inhibit learning from errors: Benefits of error management climate perceptions
Authors: van Mourik Oscar , Grohnert Therese , Gold Anna
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Professionals do not always learn from their errors; rather, the way in which professionals experience errors and their work environment may not foster, but can rather inhibit error learning. In the wake of a series of accounting scandals, including Royal Ahold in Netherlands, Lehman Brothers in the United States, and Wirecard in Germany, within the context of financial auditing, we explore four audit-specific conditions at the workplace that could be negatively associated with learning: small error consequences, routine-type errors, negative emotions, and high time pressure. Then, we examine how perceptions of an open or blame error management climate (EMC) moderate the negative relationship between the four work conditions and learning from errors.

Methods

Using an experiential questionnaire approach, we analyze data provided by 141 Dutch auditors across all hierarchical ranks from two audit firms.

Results

Our results show that open EMC perceptions mitigate the negative relationship between negative emotions and error learning, as well as the negative relationship between time pressure and error learning. While we expected that blame EMC perceptions would exacerbate the negative relationship between negative emotions and error learning, we find a mitigating effect of low blame EMC perceptions. Further, and contrary to our expectations, we find that blame EMC perceptions mitigate the negative relationship between small error consequences and error learning, so that overall, more error learning takes place regardless of consequences when participants experience a blame EMC. Post-hoc analyses reveal that there is in fact an inverted- U-shaped relationship between time pressure and error learning.

Discussion

We derive several recommendations for future research, and our findings generate specific implications on how (audit) organizations can foster learning from errors.
How remote working increases the importance of positive leadership for employee vigor
Authors: Caniëls Marjolein C. J.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Leadership is essential for creating a healthy and happy work environment for employees. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, working remotely from home has become prevalent for many employees, which challenges leaders to reach out to their followers even if these followers are not physically at work. Drawing on positive psychology theories, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between positive leadership and psychological energy (i.e., vigor), and particularly the extent in which this relationship is affected by whether employees are working from home, as well as the tenure of the leader-follower relationship.

Methods

A two-wave time-lagged study design is used with a sample of 186 followers.

Results

Findings indicate that the effect of positive leadership on followers’ vigor is especially strong when employees work from home, and even more so when leaders and followers have a long lasting work relationship.

Discussion

The study shows that positive leadership behaviors are positively related to employee vigor. Such positive leadership behaviors consist of praising follower’s individual performance, personally thanking followers, cheering them up, and helping them with specified tasks.
Three-dimensional pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling perfusion imaging shows cerebral blood flow perfusion decline in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder children
Authors: Tang Shilong , Liu Xianfan , Nie Lisha , Qian Fangfang , Chen Wushang , He Ling
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility of three-dimensional pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pcASL) perfusion imaging in the brain of children with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods

A total of 78 ADHD children aged 5–13 years were prospectively selected as the study group, and 89 healthy children matched in age and sex were selected as the control group. All children underwent MRI conventional sequence, 3D-pcASL, and 3D-T1 sequence scans. The brain gray and white matter volume and cerebral blood flow (CBF) perfusion values were obtained by software post-processing, and were compared and analyzed in the two groups to find out their characteristics in the brain of ADHD children.

Results

The total brain volume and total CBF values were lower in ADHD children than in healthy children (P < 0.05); the gray and white matter volumes in the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, hippocampus, caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus and other brain regions were lower in ADHD children than in healthy children (P < 0.05); the gray matter CBF values in the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, hippocampus, caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus and other brain regions were lower in ADHD children than in healthy children (P < 0.05); the differences between the white matter CBF values of white matter in the said brain regions of ADHD children and healthy children were not statistically significant (P > 0.05); and the CBF values in frontal lobe and caudate nuclei could distinguish ADHD children (AUC > 0.05, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The 3D-pcASL technique showed reduced cerebral perfusion in some brain regions of ADHD children.
Women involvement in the informal caregiving field: A perspective review
Authors: Rexhaj Shyhrete , Nguyen Alexandra , Favrod Jérôme , Coloni-Terrapon Claire , Buisson Leslie , Drainville Anne-Laure , Martinez Debora
Published: January 2023

The patient recovery process of individual with mental health disorder is reinforced if they are connected with their community and supported by relatives. The literature has shown that caregivers are important, although their roles can lead to alterations in their own health; and women are the most involved in this role. The present review investigated women’s involvement in the informal caregiver scientific field. A literature review indicated gender differences; researchers who are women are more interested in this field than men. Even with a good representation of women in this scientific field, the results showed a statistically significant gender difference for the first and second authors, whereas there was no significant gender difference among the last authors. More efforts must be made to recognize the importance of women’s involvement in research because they raise a specific important field. Family caregivers are key players in the healthcare system, but to date, there has been little recognition of their enormous contribution. Our results also indicated the informal caregiver role is filled more by women than by men, which creates social inequalities in many domains, especially in opportunities at the professional level. Tailored interventions are required to address the specific needs and issues of family caregivers. A better redistribution of unpaid work, such as informal caregiving, compared to paid work must be made to respect gender in social existence.
Associations between anthropometric indicators and refraction in school-age children during the post-COVID-19 era
Authors: Du Wenzheng , Ding Gang , Guo Xiying , Abudukeyimu Kadiya , Wang Yanzhu , Wang Lijun , Qi Xiaoli , Ning Yuxian , Hua Ning , Song Linlin , Li Xue , Li Jing , Zhang Ying , Wei Nan , Qian Xuehan
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To explore the associations between anthropometric indicators and refraction in school-aged children in the post-COVID-19 era.

Methods

Data were collected from 25,644 children aged 7 to 12 years in 48 elementary schools in Tianjin. The comprehensive examination included height, weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), refraction, and calculation of BMI, with a follow-up visit after 6 months. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent refraction (SER) ≤-0.50 diopter (D). Bivariate correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression models were used to explore the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between anthropometric indicators (height, weight, BMI, SBP, and DBP) and refraction.

Results

The mean changes in height, weight, BMI, SBP, DBP, and SER of the participants were 4.03 ± 2.18 cm, 3.10 ± 2.39 kg, 0.45 ± 1.16 kg/m2, 2.26 ± 14.74 mmHg, 2.18 ± 11.79 mmHg and −0.17 ± 0.51 D, respectively. Overall, height, weight, BMI, SBP, and DBP were all correlated with SER (r = −0.324, r = −0.234, r = −0.121, r = −0.112, r = −0.066, both p < 0.001), and changes in height and weight were correlated with changes in SER (r = −0.034, −0.031, both p < 0.001). Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the association of BMI, SBP, and DBP with SER was significant in myopic children but not in non-myopic children. The association between changes in weight and changes in SER was only present in non-myopic children but not in myopic children.

Conclusion

Height and weight were negatively correlated with SER in both cross-sectional analysis and longitudinal changes, indicating that children's height, weight and growth rate may be used as a reference indicator for myopia risk prediction and myopia progression monitoring.