bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tied Migrant Labor Market Integration: Deconstructing Labor Market Subjectivities in South Africa
Authors: Zinatsa Farirai , Saurombe Musawenkosi D.
Published: April 2022

The South African labor market is characterized by a high degree of inflexibility and complexity which poses significant challenges for both indigenes and migrants looking to be integrated into the labor market. These challenges are likely to be more poignant for international migrants as they face additional barriers owing to a chronically high employment rate, xenophobic sentiments, and racial exclusion. For female tied migrants, gender bias, expressed through migration policies and legislation, adds yet another layer of complexity to long-term aspirations of settling in South Africa. How well tied migrants fare in the South African labor market is an important matter for consideration. Using an intersectional approach and the theory of governmentality, this study sought to deconstruct the labor market subjectivities of tied migrants in South Africa. This paper used a qualitative approach, with a narrative and interpretivist research paradigm, on female tied migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa who either accompanied their husbands or followed them to South Africa in a process of family reunification. Although 13 interviews were carried out in total, as part of a broader study, the narratives of six participants were included in this study, to zone in on labor market experiences. The study found that despite their high human capital, tied migrants are not likely to be well integrated into the South African labor market. Their inequality in the South African labor market was attributed to their gender, ethnicity, race, migrant status and locality and various intersections thereof through which they are subjected to informality, immobility and precarity.
Factors Influencing Online Learning Satisfaction
Authors: Yu Qiangfu
Published: April 2022

Online learning has received extensive attention in the field of education in the recent decade, especially after COVID-19 swept the globe in 2020. Online learning satisfaction (OLS) has become the focal point of the research, since it is of vital significance to enhance online learning efficiency. This paper reviews the research on OLS from the dimensions of online learners, online instructors, online platforms and online instructional design to have a clear picture of factors affecting OLS. Based on the review of previous studies, this mini review presents the prospect of future research on OLS and believes that breakthroughs on OLS research can be achieved by innovating research methods, expanding research subjects, and enriching research topics. OLS is a complicated dynamic system influenced by a diversity of factors, and it is worth more in-depth research by scholars and educators in future.
The Impact of the Scale of Third-Party Logistics Guaranteeing Firms on Bank Credit Willingness in Supply Chain Finance: An ERP Study
Authors: Wang Xuejiao , Zhao Jie , Zhang Hongjun , Tang Xuelian
Published: April 2022

Supply chain financing guaranteed by third-party logistics (3PL) firms is an effective way to solve the financing difficulties of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Studies have explored factors that affect the willingness of supply chain financial credit providers under guarantee of 3PL firms (e.g., the scale of financing enterprises and credit). However, whether the scale of 3PL firms will affect the bank’s credit decision has not been studied, as well as the neural processing of credit decisions. To clarify these issues, this study extracted behavioral and event-related potentials (ERPs) data when participants performed a selection task of judging whether to grant credit to guaranteed financing-seeking enterprises according to the large or small scale of the 3PL guaranteeing firms. The behavioral results showed that under the condition of a large-scale 3PL guaranteeing firm, the willingness to provide credit to SMEs was higher than that under the condition of a small-scale 3PL guaranteeing firm. This finding indicates there was credit scale discrimination against 3PL guaranteeing firms in supply chain finance. The ERP results showed that compared with the condition of a large-scale 3PL guaranteeing firm, a greater N2 amplitude was induced under the condition of a small-scale 3PL guaranteeing firm, which indicated that credit decision makers experienced greater perceived risk and more decision-making conflict. In contrast, a larger LPP amplitude was detected under the condition of a large-scale 3PL guaranteeing firm (as opposed to a small-scale firm), which indicated that large-scale 3PL guaranteeing firms received more positive comments and more positive emotions from credit decision makers than small-scale 3PL guaranteeing firms. Based on these results, this study reveals the cognition process of credit decision makers regarding the impact of the 3PL guaranteeing firm scale on the willingness to provide credit in supply chain finance and explains the theory of credit scale discrimination from the perspective of decision neuroscience.
The Importance of Intergenerational Leadership Praxes and Availability of Key Information for Older Employee Burnout and Engagement in the Context of Firm Size
Authors: Rožman Maja , Milfelner Borut
Published: April 2022

The main aim of this study was to analyze the effects of availability of key information and intergenerational leadership on burnout divided into physical symptoms of burnout and emotional symptoms of burnout and work engagement regarding the firm size during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The empirical study included 583 older employees in Slovenia who participated in the survey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Structural equation modeling was used to explore the effects between constructs. We analyzed structural paths for the entire sample and for the two groups (small and large companies). According to the results concerning both groups, the impact of the availability of key information on emotional burnout is negative only for small companies. Contrary to that the negative impact of intergenerational leadership on emotional burnout is much stronger in large companies. Concerning the impact of physical burnout on emotional burnout, the positive impact of physical burnout exists in both types of companies but is stronger in small companies. The findings will contribute to a clearer picture and the adoption of further measures to prevent burnout in the workplace and increase work engagement concerning the firm size, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adult Attachment and Personality as Predictors of Jealousy in Romantic Relationships
Authors: Richter Marina , Schlegel Katja , Thomas Philipp , Troche Stefan Johannes
Published: April 2022

Functional relationships between romantic jealousy and traits, such as neuroticism or adult attachment styles, are well-known. For the first time, we conducted a joint analysis of the Big Five traits and attachment dimensions as predictors of jealousy, which considered gender differences as well as differences in infidelity experiences and relationship status. In 847 participants, path modeling showed that higher neuroticism, lower agreeableness, and lower openness predicted higher romantic jealousy. The attachment dimensions “anxiety” and “depend” partly mediated the effect of neuroticism and fully mediated the effect of agreeableness on romantic jealousy. The direct and indirect relationships did not differ as a function of gender, relationship status, and infidelity experiences. These findings contribute to a better understanding of individual differences in romantic jealousy from a personality perspective.
Return to Work and Work Productivity During the First Year After Cancer Treatment
Authors: So Serana Chun Yee , Ng Danielle Wing Lam , Liao Qiuyan , Fielding Richard , Soong Inda , Chan Karen Kar Loen , Lee Conrad , Ng Alice Wan Ying , Sze Wing Kin , Chan Wing Lok , Lee Victor Ho Fun , Lam Wendy Wing Tak
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Working-age cancer patients face barriers to resuming work after treatment completion. Those resuming work contend with reduced productivity arising from persisting residual symptoms. Existing studies of return to work (RTW) after cancer diagnosis were done predominantly in Western countries. Given that employment and RTW in cancer survivors likely vary regionally due to healthcare provision and social security differences, we documented rates and correlates of RTW, work productivity, and activity impairment among Chinese cancer survivors in Hong Kong at one-year post-treatment.

Methods

Of 1,106 cancer patients assessed at six-months post-cancer treatment (baseline), 593 previously worked; detailed work status, psychological distress (HADS), physical symptom distress (MSAS-SF), supportive care needs (SCNS-SF34-C), health-related quality of life (SF12), and illness perception (B-IPQ) were assessed. Six months later (follow-up), work productivity and activity impairment were assessed (WPAI; n = 402). Descriptive analyses examined RTW rate. Fully adjusted regressions determined RTW, work productivity, and activity impairment predictors.

Results

At baseline, 39% (232/593) were working, 26% (153/593) on sick leave, and 35% (208/593) were unemployed. Compared to patients returning to work, unemployed participants were older, likely manual/service-oriented workers, and had lower family income, chemotherapy, fewer unmet health system and information needs, poorer physical functioning, and negative illness perceptions. Sick leave participants were likely service-oriented workers, who had head and neck cancer, chemotherapy, and poor physical functioning. At FU, baseline depressive symptoms, physical symptom distress, and negative illness perceptions predicted presenteeism and work productivity loss; gynecological cancer, fewer unmet health system and information needs, and greater unmet sexuality needs predicted absenteeism; physical symptom distress, negative illness perception, and poor physical functioning predicted activity impairment.

Conclusion

Cancer survivors who had more physically demanding jobs and poorer physical functioning delayed RTW. Unmanaged physical symptom and psychological distress hindered work productivity.
Epistemic Beliefs and Learners' Self-Efficacy as Predictors of Language Learning Strategies: Toward Testing a Model
Authors: Shirzad Shaghayegh , Barjesteh Hamed , Dehqan Mahmood , Zare Mahboubeh
Published: April 2022

Understanding the beliefs held by the learners about learning a language, and the way they utilize their thoughts about knowledge and learning seem essential for planning a constructive language program. Following this line of research, this paper aims at testing a hypothetical model of the relationship between epistemic beliefs (EBs) and subscales of language-learning strategies (LLSs) through the mediating role of learners' self-efficacy (LSE). To this end, a sample of 300 Iranian high school students, taking regular courses, completed three survey questionnaires. At this stage, correlational analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed to probe the interconnections, analyze the model, and outline the conceptual framework. The results revealed that the LSE framework can adequately account for the learners' LLSs. In particular, the results indicated that efforts, persistence, and imitation (i.e., the subfactors of LSE) positively and significantly influenced LLSs. However, EBs with the mediating role of LSE were known to be a significant factor in demoting the LLSs. Notably, knowledge and learning agents were the negative predictors of LLSs. This paper suggests that LSE has higher explanatory power than EBs in predicting LLSs. The findings of this study suggest that teachers and material developers should pay serious attention to the learners' self-efficacy as they were known to influence LLSs.
Structural Deficits in the Frontotemporal Network Associated With Psychopathic Traits in Violent Offenders With Schizophrenia
Authors: Gou Ningzhi , Lu Juntao , Zhang Simei , Liang Xiaoxi , Guo Huijuan , Sun Qiaoling , Zhou Jiansong , Wang Xiaoping
Published: April 2022

People with schizophrenia (SZ) are at increased risk of violence compared to the general population. However, the neural mechanisms of violent behavior in patients with SZ are still unclear due to the heterogeneity of the diseased population. In this study, we aimed to examine the neural correlates of violent behavior in SZ and to determine whether the structural deficits were related to psychopathic traits. A total of 113 participants, including 31 SZ patients with violent behavior (vSZ), 39 SZ patients without violent behavior (nvSZ), and 43 healthy controls (HC), completed the T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry approach. The psychopathic traits were assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV). The results showed decreased gray matter volume (GMV) in the vSZ group in the right temporal lobe and bilateral inferior frontal gyri compared to HCs; while reduced GMV in the inferior parietal lobe, parahippocampal and orbital frontal gyri was found in the nvSZ group compared with HCs. Correlation analyses showed that psychopathic traits were negatively associated with the GMV in the right superior temporal and left fusiform gyri in the vSZ group, indicating that psychopathic traits, as reflected by the score of antisocial factor, might be related to structural deficits in the temporal lobe, which led to a propensity to violent behavior in patients with SZ. Our findings suggest that violent behavior in patients with SZ might have a personality background associated with the frontotemporal network aberrance. In future studies, we need to take a closer look at psychopathic traits for better understanding of the mechanism of interpersonal violence in patients with SZ and to explore whether the imaging findings from this study can serve as a biomarker to predict future violent behaviors and community living.
Ability to Care for an Ill Loved One During the First COVID-19 Lockdown: Mediators of Informal Caregivers’ Stress in Europe
Authors: Monteiro Shadya , Fournier Margot , Favrod Jérôme , Drainville Anne-Laure , Plessis Léa , Freudiger Sylvie , Skuza Krzysztof , Tripalo Charlene , Franck Nicolas , Lebas Marie-Clotilde , Deloyer Jocelyn , Wilquin Hélène , Golay Philippe , Rexhaj Shyhrete
Published: April 2022

Informal caregivers are overlooked, healthcare actors. They are at particular risk of distress and suffer from poor mental health. This study aimed to investigate the perceived stress and modulating factors during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Europe, regardless of the illness that care recipients suffer from. Sociodemographic data, coping resources, and perceived stress level using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaire were assessed using a web-based survey in Switzerland, France, and Belgium with 232 informal caregivers. Mediation analyses were used to identify the factors that modulate stress. Higher perceived stress among informal caregivers was associated with a younger age for the care recipient, family relationship with the care recipient, cohabitation, and female sex of the informal caregiver. These associations were partially mediated by the fear of getting ill (age, cohabitation), the conviction that lockdowns had a negative impact on health (age, kinship), and the perceived deterioration of the care recipient’s health (gender). The fear of losing the ability to cope with caregiving tasks due to an illness (COVID-19 and/or other) and the negative impact of the lockdown on care recipients’ health, particularly on the mental health of young care recipients, increased the stress of informal caregivers. Our results emphasize the importance of informal caregiving support to prevent heightened stress in lockdown conditions, regardless of care recipient illness or kinship.
The Effect of the 5-HT4 Agonist, Prucalopride, on a Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Faces Task in the Healthy Human Brain
Authors: de Cates Angharad N. , Martens Marieke A. G. , Wright Lucy C. , Gould van Praag Cassandra D. , Capitão Liliana P. , Gibson Daisy , Cowen Philip J. , Harmer Catherine J. , Murphy Susannah E.
Published: April 2022

Depression is a common and often recurrent illness with significant negative impact on a global scale. Current antidepressants are ineffective for up to one third of people with depression, many of whom experience persistent symptomatology. 5-HT4 receptor agonists show promise in both animal models of depression and cognitive deficit. We therefore studied the effect of the 5-HT4 partial agonist prucalopride (1 mg daily for 6 days) on the neural processing of emotional faces in 43 healthy participants using a randomised placebo-controlled design. Participants receiving prucalopride were more accurate at identifying the gender of emotional faces. In whole brain analyses, prucalopride was also associated with reduced activation in a network of regions corresponding to the default mode network. However, there was no evidence that prucalopride treatment produced a positive bias in the neural processing of emotional faces. Our study provides further support for a pro-cognitive effect of 5-HT4 receptor agonism in humans. While our current behavioural and neural investigations do not suggest an antidepressant-like profile of prucalopride in humans, it will be important to study a wider dose range in future studies.
Effects of Workplace Gossip on Employee Mental Health: A Moderated Mediation Model of Psychological Capital and Developmental Job Experience
Authors: Cheng Sheng , Kuo Chien-Chih , Chen Huai-Chieh , Lin Mei-Chi , Kuo Vincent
Published: April 2022

Research has demonstrated the effects of workplace gossip on employees' work attitudes and behaviors. However, little emphasis has been placed on the psychological influence of workplace gossip on employees. The present study investigated the relationships among workplace gossip, psychological capital, and individual mental health. Data were collected in three waves from 222 full-time employees of a Taiwanese tourism company to explore the effect of workplace gossip on employees' mental health. The results suggested that workplace gossip was associated with employees' mental health through psychological capital. Moreover, developmental job experience plays a moderator role in the relationships among workplace gossip, psychological capital, and mental health. A moderated mediation model was also proposed in this study.
Workplace Intervention for Reducing Sitting Time in Sedentary Workers: Protocol for a Pilot Study Using the Behavior Change Wheel
Authors: Ojo Samson O. , Bailey Daniel P. , Chater Angel M. , Hewson David J.
Published: April 2022

The workplace is a major contributor to excessive sitting in office workers. There are a wide array of adverse effects of high volumes of sitting time, including an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and depression. Active workstations can be used in effective interventions to decrease workplace sitting. However, there are a lack of interventions that have been developed using a systematic process that is informed by participant needs and a framework for identifying the most appropriate content for the intervention. Applying these methods could increase adherence and potential effectiveness of the intervention. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a tailored workplace intervention to reduce and break up sitting in office workers that has been developed using the Behavior Change Wheel and the APEASE (Acceptability, Practicability, Effectiveness/cost-effectiveness, Affordability, Safety/side-effects, Equity) criteria. This article reports the protocol for this study that is currently ongoing. Participants will be cluster-randomized (by offices) to control and intervention groups. The evaluation of the intervention includes determining feasibility by assessing participant recruitment, retention and data completion rates. Adherence to the intervention will be assessed based on daily sitting and standing time relative to guidelines provided to participants as part of the intervention. Outcome measures also include productivity measured using Ecological Momentary Assessment, absenteeism, presenteeism, cardiometabolic risk markers, and wellbeing. The findings of this study will inform the effective design and implementation of interventions for reducing and breaking up sitting in office workers.
Defining the Exposome Using Popular Education and Concept Mapping With Communities in Atlanta, Georgia
Authors: Lebow-Skelley Erin , Young Lynne , Noibi Yomi , Blaginin Karla , Hooker Margaret , Williamson Dana , Tomlinson Martha Scott , Kegler Michelle C. , Pearson Melanie A.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The exposome concept provides a framework to better incorporate the environment into the study of health and disease and has been defined by academics to encompass all lifetime exposures including toxicants, diet, and lifestyle choices. However, initial applications of the exposome concept have been less apt at measuring social determinants of health, focusing primarily on conventional environmental exposures and lifestyle choices that do not reflect the complex lived experience of many communities. To bring community voice into the exposome concept, the HERCULES Exposome Research Center and its Stakeholder Advisory Board co-developed the Exposome Roadshow. We present and discuss the resulting community-exposome definition to inform and improve exposome research.

Materials and Methods

Four communities from distinct areas across metro-Atlanta participated in separate 2-day Exposome Roadshow workshops with concept mapping. Aligned with a popular education approach in which community knowledge is used to work collectively for change, concept mapping provided a systematic method to collect and visualize community members' knowledge and create a shared understanding to take action. Community members brainstormed, sorted, and rated their responses to the prompt: “What in your environment is affecting your and your community's health?” Responses were analyzed and visually depicted by concept maps consisting of separate but interrelated clusters of ideas. Community members discussed and validated the maps, selecting a final map illustrating their community's exposome.

Results

A total of 118 community members completed concept mapping. On average communities identified 7 clusters to define their exposome. The resulting concept maps offer a community definition of the exposome. Five major themes arose across all four communities: conventional environmental concerns, built environment, social relationships, crime and safety, and individual health and behaviors.

Discussion

The resulting community-exposome definition demonstrates the importance of expanding the scope of exposures beyond traditional environmental influences to include the lived experience of individuals and communities. While newer exposome definitions align more closely with this community definition, traditional exposome methods do not routinely include these factors. To truly capture the totality of lifetime exposures and improve human health, researchers should incorporate community perspectives into exposome research.
Specialized Biopsychosocial Care in Inpatient Somatic Medicine Units—A Pilot Study
Authors: Köbler Paul , Krauss-Köstler Eva K. , Stein Barbara , Ficker Joachim H. , Wilhelm Martin , Dechêne Alexander , Waller Christiane
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Specialized biopsychosocial care concepts are necessary to overcome the dualism between physical and psychosocial treatment in acute care hospitals. For patients with complex and chronic comorbid physical and mental health problems, neither standardized psychiatric/psychosomatic nor somatic care units alone are appropriate to their needs. The “Nuremberg Integrated Psychosomatic Acute Unit” (NIPA) has been developed to integrate treatment of both, psychosocial and physical impairments, in an acute somatic care setting.

Method

NIPA has been established in inpatient internal medical wards for respiratory medicine, oncology and gastroenterology. One to two patients per ward are regularly enrolled in the NIPA treatment while remaining in the same inpatient bed after completion of the somatic care. In a naturalistic study design, we evaluated treatment effects by assessment of symptom load at admission and at discharge using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7). Furthermore, we assessed the severity of morbidity using diagnosis data during treatment. At discharge, we measured satisfaction with treatment through the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (ZUF-8).

Results

Data from 41 NIPA patients were analyzed (18–87 years, 76% female). Seventy-eight percent suffered from at least moderate depression and 49% from anxiety disorders. Other diagnoses were somatoform pain disorder, somatoform autonomic dysfunction, eating disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. Hypertension, chronic lung diseases and musculoskeletal disorders as well as chronic oncological and cardiac diseases were the most common somatic comorbidities. Treatment resulted in a significant reduction of depressive mood (admission: M = 10.9, SD = 6.1, discharge: M = 7.6, SD = 5.3, d = 0.58, p = 0.001), anxiety (admission: M = 10.6, SD = 4.9, discharge: M = 7.3, SD = 4.1, d = 0.65, p< 0.001) and stress (admission: M = 6.0, SD = 3.6, discharge: M = 4.1, SD = 2.5, d = 0.70, p< 0.001). Somatic symptom burden was reduced by NIPA treatment (admission: M = 10.9, SD = 5.8, discharge: M = 9.6, SD = 5.5, d = 0.30), albeit not statistically significant (p = 0.073) ZUF-8 revealed that 89% reported large or full satisfaction and 11% partial dissatisfaction with treatment.

Discussion

NIPA acute care is bridging the gap for patients in need of psychosocial treatment with complex somatic comorbidity. Further long-term evaluation will show whether psychosocial NIPA care is able to reduce the course of physical illness and hospital costs by preventing hospitalization and short-term inpatient re-admissions.
Evaluating the Price, Availability, and Affordability of Essential Medicines in Primary Healthcare Institutions: A Mixed Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Study in Jiangsu, China
Authors: Wang Xiao , He Xuan , Ren Yuqin , Zhang Zhuolin , Cai Lele , Cao Zhaoliu , Li Xin
Published: April 2022

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the price, availability, and affordability of essential medicines in primary healthcare institutions in Jiangsu Province.

Methods

A mixed longitudinal and cross-sectional survey was conducted in primary healthcare institutions in Jiangsu based on the adjusted World Health Organization and Health Action International methodology. 45 essential medicines were collected from 30 primary healthcare institutions in Nanjing from 2016 to 2020. We also collected information on these medicines in 70 primary healthcare institutions across seven cities of Jiangsu in 2021. The availability, price, and affordability were compared with matched sets. Differences of availability between years and cities were further compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

Results

In Nanjing, the variation was significant of availability during the study period. The MPR was generally decreasing between 2016 and 2020, with the median price ratio (MPR) for lowest-priced generics (LPGs) ranging from 1.20 to 2.53 and originator brands (OBs) substantially above international levels. The median availability of generic medicines increased in 2018 and subsequently stabilized at around 55%, and the availability of originator medicines was low. There were no significant regional differences in prices across the sampled cities in Jiangsu, and the median MPR for LPGs was acceptable (1.23), while the median MPR for OBs was 8.54. The mean availability was different across regions (p < 0.001), being higher in Nanjing (54.67%) and Nantong (56.22%), and lower in northern Jiangsu (about 35%). For LPGs, there was little difference in the proportion of medicines with low availability and high affordability (50.00% for urban residents and 40.48% for rural residents). For OBs, there were more than half of rural residents had low availability and low affordability of medicines (58.82%).

Conclusions

In terms of yearly changes, the prices of essential medicines have considerably decreased, and the availability of LPGs has slightly increased. However, the availability of medicines was found to be poor and there were regional differences in the availability and affordability of medicines among metropolitan and rural areas. Policy interventions targeting external factors associated with health resource allocation are essential and possible strategies include effective and efficient government investment mechanisms on primary healthcare.
New Roles for MicroRNAs in Old Worms
Authors: Elder Corrina R. , Pasquinelli Amy E.
Published: April 2022

The use of Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism in aging research has been integral to our understanding of genes and pathways involved in this process. Several well-conserved signaling pathways that respond to insulin signaling, diet, and assaults to proteostasis have defined roles in controlling lifespan. New evidence shows that microRNAs (miRNAs) play prominent roles in regulating these pathways. In some cases, key aging-related genes have been established as direct targets of specific miRNAs. However, the precise functions of other miRNAs and their protein cofactors in promoting or antagonizing longevity still need to be determined. Here, we highlight recently uncovered roles of miRNAs in common aging pathways, as well as new techniques for the ongoing discovery of miRNA functions in aging C. elegans.
The NASA EPIC/DSCOVR Ocean PAR Product
Authors: Frouin Robert , Tan Jing , Compiègne Mathieu , Ramon Didier , Sutton Marshall , Murakami Hiroshi , Antoine David , Send Uwe , Sevadjian Jeff , Vellucci Vincenzo
Published: April 2022

The EPIC/DSCOVR observations of the Earth’s surface lit by the Sun made from the first Lagrange point several times during the day in spectral bands centered on 443, 551, and 680 nm are used to estimate daily mean photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) at the ice-free ocean surface. The PAR algorithm uses a budget approach, in which the solar irradiance reaching the surface is obtained by subtracting from the irradiance arriving at the top of the atmosphere (known), the irradiance reflected to space (estimated from the EPIC Level 1b radiance data), taking account of atmospheric transmission and surface albedo (modeled). Clear and cloudy regions within a pixel do not need to be distinguished, which dismisses the need for often-arbitrary assumptions about cloudiness distribution within a pixel and is therefore adapted to the relatively large EPIC pixels. A daily mean PAR is estimated on the source grid for each EPIC instantaneous daytime observation, assuming no cloudiness changes during the day, and the individual estimates are remapped and weight-averaged using the cosine of the Sun zenith angle. In the computations, wind speed, surface pressure, and water vapor amount are extracted from NCEP Reanalysis 2 data, aerosol optical thickness and Angström coefficient from MERRA-2 data, and ozone amount from EPIC Level 2 data. Areas contaminated by Sun glint are excluded using a threshold on Sun glint reflectance calculated using wind data. Ice masking is based on NSIDC near-real-time ice fraction data. The product is evaluated against in situ measurements at various locations and compared with estimates from sensors in polar and geostationary orbits (MODIS, AHI). Unlike with MODIS, the EPIC PAR product does not exhibit gaps at low and middle latitudes. Accuracy is satisfactory for long-term studies of aquatic photosynthesis, especially given the much larger uncertainties on the fraction of PAR absorbed by live algae and the quantum yield of carbon fixation. The EPIC daily mean PAR product is generated operationally on a Plate Carrée (equal-angle) grid with 18.4 km resolution at the equator and on an 18.4 km equal-area grid, i.e., it is fully compatible with the NASA Greenbelt OBPG ocean-color products. Data are available since the beginning of the DSCOVR mission (i.e., June 2015) from the NASA Langley ASDC website.
Use, Perceptions and Attitudes of Cognitive and Sports Performance Enhancing Substances Among University Students
Authors: Constantinou Demitri , Aguiyi Ivan
Published: April 2022

The use of prohibited performance enhancing substances (PESs) is well-documented among athletes, and includes student athletes in institutions of higher learning. In addition to using PESs to enhance sporting performance, they may be used for cognitive and academic achievement, specifically through the use of neuroactive substances. The latter in particular is under-researched and poses public health risks. Understanding the extent and reasons for using or not using PESs by university students will assist in addressing further research, and means to deter their use. This study aimed to explore the prevalence, attitude, and perceptions of the use of both sport and academic performance-enhancing substances by students at two universities in Johannesburg, South Africa. The study utilized a cross-sectional, descriptive survey design using a self-administered online questionnaire. All registered students were invited to participate via email using the university communications modes, with a link to a Google Forms questionnaire. Ethical approval was granted for the study and data were collected anonymously. The sample size of responses with completed data was 548, comprising predominantly female and undergraduate students, with 32 (6%) indicating current or past use of PESs. Among the prohibited substances used, neuroactive drugs were mostly used, with cannabis the highest followed by stimulants. The most popular reasons reported were for academic and cognitive performance. Most responded with what would be deemed ethically appropriate answers on the perception of PES use and 72% of the participants believe that a drug-testing program will prevent their use in the university, and further, that educational programs will help improve students' knowledge of PES. Although relatively low usage, university students use performance enhancing substances, mostly for cognitive enhancement using neuroactive stimulants. Most believe that the use of all forms of PESs is high among their peers; and favor education and testing programs, suggesting that intervention programs may be effective. Better defined research should be conducted to unpack the broad findings in this study.
A Comparison of Double Poling Physiology and Kinematics Between Long-Distance and All-Round Cross-Country Skiers
Authors: Torvik Per-Øyvind , Sandbakk Øyvind , van den Tillaar Roland , Talsnes Rune Kjøsen , Danielsen Jørgen
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The objective of this study was to compare physiological and kinematic responses to double poling (DP) between long-distance (LDS) and all-round (ARS) cross-country skiers.

Methods

A number of five world-class LDS (28.8 ± 5.1 years, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max): 70.4 ± 2.9 ml·kg−1·min−1) and seven ARS (22.3 ± 2.8 years, VO2max: 69.1 ± 4.2 ml·kg−1·min−1) athletes having similar training volumes and VO2max performed three identical tests; (1) submaximal and incremental tests to exhaustion while treadmill DP to determine gross efficiency (GE), peak oxygen uptake (DP-VO2peak), and peak speed; (2) submaximal and incremental running tests to exhaustion to determine GE, VO2max (RUN-VO2max), and peak speed; and (3) an upper-body pull-down exercise to determine one repetition maximum (1RM) and peak power. Physiological responses were determined during both DP and running, together with the assessments of kinematic responses and electromyography (EMG) of selected muscles during DP.

Results

Compared to ARS, LDS reached higher peak speed (22.1 ± 1.0 vs. 20.7 ± 0.9 km·h−1, p = 0.030), DP-VO2peak (68.3 ± 2.1 vs. 65.1 ± 2.7 ml·kg−1·min−1, p = 0.050), and DP-VO2peak/RUN-VO2max ratio (97 vs. 94%, p = 0.075) during incremental DP to exhaustion, as well as higher GE (17.2 vs. 15.9%, p = 0.029) during submaximal DP. There were no significant differences in cycle length or cycle rate between the groups during submaximal DP, although LDS displayed longer relative poling times (~2.4% points) at most speeds compared to ARS (p = 0.015). However, group × speed interaction effects (p < 0.05) were found for pole angle and vertical fluctuation of body center of mass, with LDS maintaining a more upright body position and more vertical pole angles at touchdown and lift-off at faster speeds. ARS displayed slightly higher normalized EMG amplitude than LDS in the muscles rectus abdominis (p = 0.074) and biceps femoris (p = 0.027). LDS performed slightly better on 1RM upper-body strength (122 vs. 114 kg, p = 0.198), with no group differences in power in the pull-down exercise.

Conclusions

The combination of better DP-specific aerobic energy delivery capacity, efficiency, and technical solutions seems to contribute to the superior DP performance found among specialized LDS in comparison with ARS.
Quantitative Analysis of Abdominal Muscles Using Elastography in Female Patients With Incisional Hernia
Authors: Wang Bo , He Kai , Zhu Yulan , Fu Xiaojian , Yao Qiyuan , Chen Hao , Wang Xiaohong
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to assess the thickness and shear wave speed (SWS) of the anterolateral abdominal wall muscles in female patients with incisional hernias of different widths, in order to analyze the biomechanical properties of abdominal wall muscles. This study included 53 patients with incisional hernia (Group A [hernia width <4 cm]: 21 patients, Group B [hernia width ≥4 cm]: 32 patients). The muscle thickness and SWS values of the external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and transversus abdominis (TrA), and the hernia width were measured using Siemens Acuson S2000 ultrasound systems. Four detection points were labeled on the anterolateral abdominal wall: points 1, 2, 3, and 4, corresponding to the upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left, respectively. The muscle thickness of the IO at point 3 was significantly different between both groups (p = 0.024). Group B had significantly higher SWS values than Group A, especially for the EO (points 1, 2, and 3), IO (points 1 and 2), and TrA (points 2 and 4) (p < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis shows no significant correlation between muscle thickness and the SWS values of EO, IO, and TrA (all p > 0.05). Linear correlation analysis showed a significantly positive correlation between hernia width and the mean SWS value of EO, IO, and TrA (p = 0.004, 0.005, and 0.043, respectively). Muscle thickness was not reliable measure to directly reflect the biomechanical changes of the abdominal wall muscles in patients with incisional hernia. Comparatively, SWE can accurately measure the stiffness of the abdominal wall muscles and intuitively evaluate its biomechanical properties.
Changes in Thromboelastography to Predict Ecchymosis After Knee Arthroplasty: A Promising Guide for the Use of Anticoagulants
Authors: Chen Yuelong , Qin Leilei , Yang Jianye , Wang Jiawei , Huang Jiaxing , Gong Xuan , Hu Ning
Published: April 2022

Background

Ecchymosis is one of the worrisome complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and interferes with functional rehabilitation. Current clinical guidelines do not provide individualized approaches for patients with ecchymoses.

Methods

In this study, we used thromboelastography (TEG) to determine the coagulation state after TKA and to then explore markers that predict the occurrence of ecchymosis events after TKA. In our cohort, patients were divided into ecchymosis (n = 55) and non-ecchymosis (n = 137) groups according to whether ecchymosis events occurred after TKA. Rivaroxaban 10 mg/d was taken orally for thromboprophylaxis after surgery. All patients completed TEG testing. Correlation analysis was used to determine the risk factors for ecchymosis after TKA, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for variables with significant correlation were plotted.

Results

In all, 55 of the 192 patients (28.65%) developed ecchymosis surrounding the surgical site. Multivariate analysis showed that hidden blood loss (OR = 1.003 and p = 0.005) and changes in the coagulation index (ΔCI) values (OR = 0.351 and p = 0.001) were risk factors for ecchymosis after TKA. Using the Youden index, 0.1805 was determined as the optimal threshold value of ΔCI for predicting the occurrence of ecchymosis, with a sensitivity of 74.55% and specificity of 72.99%. ΔCI is a promising marker as an alarm for the occurrence of ecchymosis after TKA.

Trial Registration

The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1800017245). Registered name: The role of thrombelastography in monitoring the changes of coagulation function during perioperative period of arthroplasty. Registered 19 July 2018. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=29220
Polyostotic Fibrous Dysplasia Complicated by Pathological Fracture of Right Femoral Shaft with Nonunion: A Case Report
Authors: Yang Qifan , Liu Jing , Tan Lei , Jiang Ye , Zhu Dong
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Fibrous dysplasia is a benign fibrous bone tumor that accounts for 5% to 10% of benign bone tumors. It can manifest as simple fibrous dysplasia (70%–80%), polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (20%–30%), with approximately the same incidence in men and women. We report a patient with a rare case of multiple fibrous dysplasia combined with proximal femoral shepherd deformity with pathological fracture of the femoral shaft complicated by nonunion. It is necessary to understand the disease in more detail to avoid overtreatment of benign lesions or misdiagnosis of malignant tumors and other diseases.

Case presentation

A 58-year-old man with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, bilateral proximal femur deformity, Shepherd’s angle deformity, right femoral shaft pathological fracture complicated by nonunion, we under fluoroscopy, in the obvious proximal fracture, take osteotomy, and process the shape of the cut bone fragment to adapt it to the corrected force line, and then restore it back to its original position, using intramedullary nailing technology complete the operation. Three months after the operation, he came to the hospital for re-examination, and an X-ray of the right femur was taken. It was found that the fractured end had a tendency to heal. The patient was instructed to gradually bear weight. After six months of re-examination, the patient could walk with a walker. One year after the operation, the patient could walk without a walker and take care of himself at home. However, there was still stretch-like pain in the right lower back, but it was tolerable.

Conclusions

For patients with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia combined with proximal femoral shepherd deformity and pathological fracture of the femoral shaft with nonunion, osteotomy combined with intramedullary nailing is a simple and convenient way to correct the deformity and obtain correct fracture alignment.
The Effect of Anlotinib Combined with anti-PD-1 in the Treatment of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Zheng Wubin , Sun Guoqiang , Li Zhitao , Wu Fan , Sun Guangshun , Cao Hongyong , Zhou Jin , Ma Yong
Published: April 2022

Background

Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) signaling pathway has been confirmed to be involved in the proliferation, differentiation and migration of tumor cells. Anlotinib, as a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which can inhibit the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), has been confirmed to have significant therapeutic effects on non-small cell lung cancer, medullary thyroid carcinoma, and soft tissue sarcoma, but the therapeutic effect on gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear.

Methods

Anlotinib was screened out of 880 drugs through Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) technology. TCGA was used to detect the expression of VEGFR in GC, and Kaplan-Meier Plotter was used to analyze the correlation between the expression of VEGFR and the survival rate of GC patients. The impacts exerted by anlotinib to GC cell proliferating, migrating and invading processes were assessed through wound healing assay, transwell assay, and proliferation assay in vitro. In vivo experiments of GC were performed in C57/B6 mouse model to evaluate the function of anlotinib and PD-1 antibody.

Results

It was found from more than compunds that anlotinib has a significant inhibitory effect on GC cells. In vitro experiments show that anlotinib can significantly inhibit the proliferation, invasion and proliferation of GC cells. The expression level of VEGFR is related to the prognosis and survival of GC. GC patients with low expression of VEGFR have better survival. Anlotinib can inhibit the expression of PD-L1, and achieve better therapeutic effects after combined with PD-1 antibody.

Conclusion

The present study reveals that anlotinib down regulates PD-L1. The combination of anlotinib and PD-1 monoclonal antibody is beneficial to GC therapy.
e-Site Analysis: Process Design of Site Utility Systems With Electrification for Process Industries
Authors: Kim Jin-Kuk
Published: April 2022

A new design methodology for the process synthesis of electrified energy systems, e-site analysis, for the application of process industries, is presented, which allows the systematic selection of electrified units in process levels and provides design guidelines for the configuration of site utility systems. Different characteristics associated with the use of power-to-heat technologies for thermal heating, compared with traditional heat supply from the combustion of fossil fuels, are discussed in the context of process design and site-wide utility management. The new design framework is developed for the transformation of conventional steam-based utility systems to electricity-based ones. The applicability of the proposed design method and its benefits from carbon-neutral energy generation is demonstrated with a case study, which clearly illustrates the impact of electrification on the design and operation of site utility systems in process industries.
The Academic, Societal and Animal Welfare Benefits of Open Science for Animal Science
Authors: Nawroth Christian , Krause E. Tobias
Published: April 2022

Animal science researchers have the obligation to reduce, refine, and replace the usage of animals in research (3R principles). Adherence to these principles can be improved by transparently publishing research findings, data and protocols. Open Science (OS) can help to increase the transparency of many parts of the research process, and its implementation should thus be considered by animal science researchers as a valuable opportunity that can contribute to the adherence to these 3R-principles. With this article, we want to encourage animal science researchers to implement a diverse set of OS practices, such as Open Access publishing, preprinting, and the pre-registration of test protocols, in their workflows.