bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Responses of terrestrial ecosystem productivity and community structure to intra-annual precipitation patterns: A meta-analysis
Authors: Xie Mingyu , Li Lei , Liu Bo , Liu Yalan , Wan Qian
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The productivity and community structures of terrestrial ecosystems are regulated by total precipitation amount and intra-annual precipitation patterns, which have been altered by climate change. The timing and sizes of precipitation events are the two key factors of intra-annual precipitation patterns and potentially drive ecosystem function by influencing soil moisture. However, the generalizable patterns of how intra-annual precipitation patterns affect the productivity and community structures of ecosystems remain unclear.

Methods

We synthesized 633 observations from 17 studies and conducted a global meta-analysis to investigate the influences of intra-annual precipitation patterns on the productivity and community structures of terrestrial ecosystems. By classifying intra-annual precipitation patterns, we also assess the importance of the magnitude and timing of precipitation events on plant productivity.

Results

Our results showed that the intra-annual precipitation patterns decreased diversity by 6.3% but increased belowground net primary productivity, richness, and relative abundance by 16.8%, 10.5%, and 45.0%, respectively. Notably, we found that the timing uniformity of precipitation events was more important for plant productivity, while the plant community structure benefited from the increased precipitation variability. In addition, the relationship between plant productivity and community structure and soil moisture dynamic response was more consistent with the nonlinear model.

Comclusions

The patterns of the responses of plant productivity and community structure to altered intra-annual precipitation patterns were revealed, and the importance of the timing uniformity of precipitation events to the functioning of production systems was highlighted, which is essential to enhancing understanding of the structures and functions of ecosystems subjected to altered precipitation patterns and predicting their changes.
Global whole-genome comparison and analysis to classify subpopulations and identify resistance genes in weedy rice relevant for improving crops
Authors: Han Zhenyun , Li Fei , Qiao Weihua , Zheng Xiaoming , Cheng Yunlian , Zhang Lifang , Huang Jingfen , Wang Yanyan , Lou Danjing , Xing Meng , Fan Weiya , Nie Yamin , Guo Wenlong , Wang Shizhuang , Liu Ziran , Yang Qingwen
Published: January 2023

Common weedy rice plants are important genetic resources for modern breeding programs because they are the closest relatives to rice cultivars and their genomes contain elite genes. Determining the utility and copy numbers of WRKY and nucleotide-binding site (NBS) resistance-related genes may help to clarify their variation patterns and lead to crop improvements. In this study, the weedy rice line LM8 was examined at the whole-genome level. To identify the Oryza sativa japonica subpopulation that LM8 belongs to, the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 180 cultivated and 23 weedy rice varieties were used to construct a phylogenetic tree and a principal component analysis and STRUCTURE analysis were performed. The results indicated that LM8 with admixture components from japonica (GJ) and indica (XI) belonged to GJ-admixture (GJ-adm), with more than 60% of its genetic background derived from XI-2 (22.98%), GJ-tropical (22.86%), and GJ-subtropical (17.76%). Less than 9% of its genetic background was introgressed from weedy rice. Our results also suggested LM8 may have originated in a subtropical or tropical geographic region. Moreover, the comparisons with Nipponbare (NIP) and Shuhui498 (R498) revealed many specific structure variations (SVs) in the LM8 genome and fewer SVs between LM8 and NIP than between LM8 and R498. Next, 96 WRKY and 464 NBS genes were identified and mapped on LM8 chromosomes to eliminate redundancies. Three WRKY genes (ORUFILM02g002693, ORUFILM05g002725, and ORUFILM05g001757) in group III and one RNL [including the resistance to powdery mildew 8 (RPW8) domain, NBS, and leucine rich repeats (LRRs)] type NBS gene (ORUFILM12g000772) were detected in LM8. Among the NBS genes, the RPW8 domain was detected only in ORUFILM12g000772. This gene may improve plant resistance to pathogens as previously reported. Its classification and potential utility imply LM8 should be considered as a germplasm resource relevant for rice breeding programs.
Label-free quantitative proteomics of arbuscular mycorrhizal Elaeagnus angustifolia seedlings provides insights into salt-stress tolerance mechanisms
Authors: Chang Wei , Zhang Yan , Ping Yuan , Li Kun , Qi Dan-Dan , Song Fu-Qiang
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Soil salinization has become one of the most serious environmental issues globally. Excessive accumulation of soluble salts will adversely affect the survival, growth, and reproduction of plants. Elaeagnus angustifolia L., commonly known as oleaster or Russian olive, has the characteristics of tolerance to drought and salt. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are considered to be bio-ameliorator of saline soils that can enhance the salt tolerance of the host plants. However, there is little information on the root proteomics of AM plants under salt stress.

Methods

In this study, a label-free quantitative proteomics method was employed to identify the differentially abundant proteins in AM E. angustifolia seedlings under salt stress.

Results

The results showed that a total of 170 proteins were significantly differentially regulated in E.angustifolia seedlings after AMF inoculation under salt stress. Mycorrhizal symbiosis helps the host plant E. angustifolia to respond positively to salt stress and enhances its salt tolerance by regulating the activities of some key proteins related to amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and glutathione metabolism in root tissues.

Conclusion

Aspartate aminotransferase, dehydratase-enolase-phosphatase 1 (DEP1), phospholipases D, diacylglycerol kinase, glycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferases, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidases may play important roles in mitigating the detrimental effect of salt stress on mycorrhizal E. angustifolia . In conclusion, these findings provide new insights into the salt-stress tolerance mechanisms of AM E. angustifolia seedlings and also clarify the role of AM fungi in the molecular regulation network of E. angustifolia under salt stress.
Adjustment of self-initiated and organizational expatriates: The moderating role of cross-cultural training
Authors: Noman Muhammad , Sial Muhammad Safdar , Samad Sarminah , Li Rita Yi Man , Shi Miao
Published: January 2023

Globalization and the international labor movement made the ability to work anywhere globally. These individuals are usually organizational expatriates (OEs) deployed to overseas assignments by their employers or self-initiated expatriates (SIEs) who choose to relocate and work in a foreign country. Therefore, this study examines and contrasts the variations in cross-cultural adjustment (CCA) between Chinese SIEs and OEs in Pakistan. Furthermore, it aims to understand how cross-cultural training (CCT) influences the adaptation of Chinese SIEs and OEs. Data were obtained from 35 Chinese expatriates with 17 SIEs and 18 OEs employing a qualitative technique and were analyzed via thematic analysis in MAXQDA 20. According to the study, both SIEs and OEs face distinct hurdles to their CCA in Pakistan, including cultural taboos, language obstacles, and work variations. While numerous aspects that will favorably affect their CCA, including the accessibility of necessities, the friendliness of the Pakistani people, and the brethren relations between Pakistan and China, assist them in making a smooth transition to life in Pakistan. Furthermore, the results indicate that the mediating role of pre-departure CCT and the host country mentors’ support and facilitations acquired through online resources contribute to both Chinese SIEs and OEs’ CCA in Pakistan.
Effects of goal orientation on environment management in technology-based physics learning
Authors: Yang Yanchao , Du Jianxia , Teo Timothy , Xue Sijia , Liu Fangtong
Published: January 2023

The purpose of the current study is to propose and examine a comprehensive model that uses motivational and self-regulated variables to explain factors affecting environment management in technology-based physics learning among Chinese secondary school students. Data were collected from 726 grade-eight secondary school students in Southeast China, who were learning physics. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the relationships among students’ goal orientations, environment management, and time management. Results suggest that students were more likely to manage their environment if they had learning-oriented goals and if they managed their time, but they were less likely to do so if they had social-oriented goals. Implications for teachers’ technology integration in physics class were discussed.
Association between physical activity and online sexual objectification experience: The mediating role of body-image depression
Authors: Du Xiang-Yu , Wang Lin , Zuo Yi-Fan , Wu Qing , Qian You-Ling , Ma Rui
Published: January 2023

Objective

With the popularization and development of online media technology, more and more women are paying attention to their body image and physical behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of online sexual objectification experience on the physical activity of female college students and verify the mediating role of body-image depression between them.

Methods

A cross-sectional convenient sample of 882 female college students from four universities in Hubei Province completed an online survey, and the Online Sexual Objectification Experience Scale (OSOES), the Body-Image Depression Questionnaire, and the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS) were used to collect the data. The mediating effect of the association between online sexual objectification experience and physical activity, was examined using the process procedure in SPSS and the bootstrap method.

Results

Online sexual objectification experience was significantly positively correlated with physical activity (r = 0.420, p < 0.01). Body-image depression was significantly negatively correlated with online sexual objectification experience and physical activity (r = −0.484, p < 0.01; r = −0.569, p < 0.01). Online sexual objectification experience can affect physical activity directly (β = 6.49, p < 0.001, effect value 44.97%) and also indirectly through body-image depression (β = 7.95, p < 0.001, effect value 55.03%); there were significant differences between major and education-level categories in body-image depression and physical activity.

Conclusion

Both online sexual objectification experience and body-image depression can promote physical activity among female college students, and body-image depression has a mediating effect between online sexual objectification experience and physical activity.
What makes Americans fall behind in their finances? Evidence from the national well-being survey
Authors: Miloș Laura Raisa , Miloș Marius Cristian , Barna Flavia Mirela , Boțoc Claudiu
Published: January 2023

The question of how often Americans fall behind on their finances is analyzed using the National Financial Well-Being survey of the United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. An ordered logit model is proposed to study the effect of individual and household characteristics on the likelihood of falling behind in one’s finances. The analysis shows that traditional variables such as income, age, education, and health are statistically significant predictors of falling behind in one’s finances. In addition, the study shows that the volatility of income, saving habits, and individuals’ financial knowledge significantly contribute to the explanation of Americans’ economic behavior.
Does board activeness strengthen the relationship between structure of corporate ownership and firm performance?
Authors: Yuan Feng , Hussain Rana Tanveer , Khalid Iqra , Li Mi
Published: January 2023

This study empirically investigates the moderating effect of board activeness on the relationship between the structure of corporate ownership and firm performance. The objective was evaluated using the hierarchal panel regressions with data from non-financial companies of the Pakistan Stock Exchange from 2009 to 2018, operationalizing the ownership structure as state ownership, associated companies, foreign ownership, ownership concentration, institutional ownership, and family ownership, and firm performance as operating performance, financial performance, and stock market performance. The findings of the study revealed that operating, financial, and stock market performance were favorably influenced by the ownership stakes of the state, associated concerns, institutions, and foreigners. Family interests proved to be diverse for the firm performance. The isolated effect of the board consistently uplifted the firm productivity, but its interactional impact with all the ownership stakeholders postulated differential outcomes for internal and external performance. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers and investors to make optimal strategies to manage ownership interests and enhance value.
Violence risk and personality assessment in adolescents by Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) and high school personality questionnaire (HSPQ): Focus on protective factors strengthening
Authors: Skřivánková Petra , Páv Marek , Faberová Karolína , Perkins Derek , Boukalová Hedvika , Adam David , Mazouchová Aneta , Gillernová Ilona , Anders Martin , Kitzlerová Eva
Published: January 2023

Background

Adolescents are most at risk of engaging in violent interaction. Targeting violence risk and protective factors is essential for correctly understanding and assessing their role in potential violence. We aimed to use the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) tool within the sample of adolescents to capture violence risk and protective factors and personality variables related to risk and protective factors. We further aimed to identify which violence risk and protective factors were positively or negatively related to violence within personal history and if any personality traits are typical for violent and non-violent adolescents. Identifying broader or underlying constructs within the SAVRY tool factor analysis can enable appropriate therapeutic targeting.

Methods

We used the Czech standardized version of the SAVRY tool. The study sample comprised 175 men and 226 women aged 12–18 years divided into two categories according to the presence or absence of violence in their personal history. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare numerical variables between the two groups. SAVRY factor analysis with varimax rotation was used to determine the item factors. We administered the High School Personality Questionnaire (HSPQ) to capture adolescents’ personality characteristics.

Results

In our sample, there were 151 participants with violence in their personal histories and 250 non-violent participants. Non-violent adolescents had higher values for all six SAVRY protective factors. The strongest protective factor was P3, Strong attachment and bonds across gender or a history of violence. Using factor analysis, we identified three SAVRY internal factors: social conduct, assimilation, and maladaptation. The SAVRY protective factors were significantly positively related to several factors in the HSPQ questionnaire.

Conclusion

The results highlight the significance of protective factors and their relationship with violence prevalence. HSPQ diagnostics could be helpful in clinically targeting personality-based violence risks and protective factors. The therapeutic focus should be on tension, peer rejection, and anxiety. It is also essential to foster positive attitudes toward authority, prosocial behavior, and attitudes toward school. These strategies can help strengthen protective factors of the SAVRY.
Development and validation of the Executive Functioning Scale
Authors: Uljarević Mirko , Cai Ru Ying , Hardan Antonio Y. , Frazier Thomas W.
Published: January 2023

Executive functioning (EF) processes are essential for adaptive and flexible responding to the demands and complexities of everyday life. Conversely, if impaired, these processes are a key transdiagnostic risk factor that cuts across autism and a range of other neurodevelopmental (NDD) and neuropsychiatric (NPD) conditions. However, there are currently no freely available informant-report measures that comprehensively characterize non-affective (e.g., working memory, response inhibition, and set shifting) and affective (e.g., emotion regulation) EF subdomains. This study describes the development, refinement, and initial psychometric evaluation of a new 52-item Executive Functioning Scale (EFS). Two independent data collections yielded exploratory (n = 2004, 169 with autism, ages 2–17) and confirmatory (n = 954, 74 with autism, ages 2–17) samples. Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) model with six specific factors that closely matched hypothesized executive functioning subdomains of working memory and sequencing, response inhibition, set-shifting, processing speed, emotion regulation, and risk avoidance, and one general factor, showed the best fit to the data and invariance across age, sex, race, and ethnicity groups. Model reliability and internal consistency were excellent for the general factor (ω = 0.98; α = 0.97) and specific factors (ω ≥ 0.89–0.96; α ≥ 0.84–0.94). Conditional reliability estimates indicated excellent reliability (≥0.90) for the total EF scale and adequate or better reliability (≥0.70) for subscale scores. With further replication, the EFS has excellent potential for wide adoption across research and clinical contexts.
The socio-cultural factors behind the Saudi attitude toward COVID-19 vaccination: A survey-based study
Authors: Al-Ghuraibi Muna , Dighriri Ibrahim M. , Elrggal Mahmoud Essam , Obaid Najla A.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Vaccine distrust and rejection are thought to contribute to disease outbreaks and increased mortality. The present study aimed to analyze the socio-cultural characteristics and attitudes of the Saudi population toward vaccines, using a cross-sectional survey-based approach.

Methods

An online questionnaire was used, following the snowball method. A total of 444 people responded, of whom 333 (75%) were female, and 111 (25%) were male.

Results

The demographic characteristics associated with vaccine confidence were gender, job type, medical problems, and knowledge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms. The hesitancy was highest (31.17%) among individuals aged 21–30 years old, and in more males (27.03%) expressed hesitancy than females (25.23%). However, if we focused on the percentage of the refusal to receive the vaccine, more females (15.23%) refused the vaccine than males (4.5%). More than one-third of the vaccine-hesitant respondents had limited knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms. Personal characteristics associated with vaccine confidence were described as the following: do not fully trust vaccines produced in a short time (42.1%), fear of the future results of the vaccine (30.4%), reluctance to allow a foreign material to enter the body (17.6%), no interaction with others, so no need for the vaccine (11.5%), low interaction with people (67.8%), and reluctance to make decisions (11.3%). The primary social motivation for getting the vaccine was to get back to normal life (67.6%).

Discussion

The results of the present study revealed that more than half of the respondents in Saudi Arabia were confident about the vaccine (61.7%), while only 25.7% were hesitant and 12.6% were unconvinced. Based on these results, in the early period of COVID-19 vaccine administration in the country (early 2021), before any governmental allowance and political intervention, we found that the socio-demographic and socio-cultural characteristics of the population were significant factors contributing to vaccination acceptance. Therefore, policymakers should support long-term safety studies of the vaccine, conduct educational programs giving high-priority to the populations' health, and tailor vaccination hesitancy reduction techniques to local communities.
Knowledge mapping of COVID-19 and dentistry: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Chen Jia , Zhang Qian , Liu Xin , Han Ying , Gong Qiming
Published: January 2023

Background

COVID-19 has a significant impact on dental medicine. The present study aims to overview dental-related research on COVID-19 by visual mapping method.

Methods

We analyzed the publications in the “Dentistry Oral Surgery Medicine” category in the Web of Science core collection. On June 10, 2022, we conducted an advanced search using the items TS = (“Novel coronavirus 2019” or “COVID 19” or “Coronavirus disease 2019” or “2019-nCOV” or “SARS-CoV-2” or “coronavirus-2”) and WC = (“Dentistry Oral Surgery medicine”) to screen publications in the dental field that focus on COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2. The contributions of authors, journals, institutions, and countries were described using Microsoft Excel 2010 and VOSviewer. The keywords co-occurring analysis and references analysis were visualized using VOSviewer and CiteSpace.

Results

A total of 1,732 papers were identified between 2020 and 2022. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Brazil were three major contributors to this field. Univ São Paulo (Brazil) ranked first with 55 publications in this field. Martelli Junior, Hercilio from Universidade Jose do Rosario Vellano (Brazil) was the most prolific author with 19 publications. Oral Diseases and British Dental Journal were the two most productive journals. The central topics were dental practice and infection control, oral manifestation related to COVID-19, dental education and online learning, teledentistry, and mental health problems.

Conclusion

The growth rate of publications regarding dental research on COVID-19 has risen sharply. Research topics shifted from “Dental practice and infection control, oral manifestation related to COVID-19” in 2020 to “Dental education and online learning, teledentistry, mental health problems,” which are three important research topics for the future.
Effectiveness of mobile robots collecting vital signs and radiation dose rate for patients receiving Iodine-131 radiotherapy: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Li Dan , Gao Dingwei , Fan Suyun , Lu GangHua , Jiang Wen , Yuan Xueyu , Jia Yanyan , Sun Ming , Liu Jianjun , Gao Zairong , Lv Zhongwei
Published: January 2023

Objective

Patients receiving radionuclide 131I treatment expose radiation to others, and there was no clinical trial to verify the effectiveness and safety of mobile robots in radionuclide 131I isolation wards. The objective of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of mobile robots in providing vital signs (body temperature and blood pressure) and radiation dose rate monitoring for patients receiving radionuclide therapy.

Methods

An open-label, multicenter, paired, randomized clinical trial was performed at three medical centers in Shanghai and Wuhan, China, from 1 April 2018 to 1 September 2018. A total of 72 participants were assigned to the group in which vital signs and radiation doses were both measured by mobile robots and conventional instruments. Intergroup consistency, completion rate, and first success rate were the primary effectiveness measures, and vital sign measurement results, the error rate of use, and subjective satisfaction were secondary indicators. Adverse events related to the robot were used to assess safety.

Results

Of the 72 randomized participants (median age, 39.5; 27 [37.5%] male participants), 72 (100.0%) completed the trial. The analysis sets of full analysis set, per-protocol set, and safety analysis set included 72 cases (32 cases in Center A, 16 cases in Center B, and 24 cases in Center C). The consistency, completion rate, and first success rate were 100% (P = 1.00), and the first success rates of vital signs and radiation dose rate were 91.7% (P = 1.000), 100.0% (P = 0.120), and 100.0% (P = 1.000). There was no significant difference in vital signs and radiation dose rate measurement results between the robot measurement group and the control group (P = 0.000, 0.044, and 0.023), and subjective satisfaction in the robot measurement group was 71/72 (98.6%), compared to 67/72 (93.1%) in the control group. For safety evaluation, there was no adverse event related to the mobile robot.

Conclusion

The mobile robots have good effectiveness and safety in providing vital signs and radiation dose rate measurement services for patients treated with radionuclides.
The association among SES, screen time, and outdoor play in children at different ages: The GECKO Drenthe study
Authors: Lu Congchao , Wiersma Rikstje , Corpeleijn Eva
Published: January 2023

Introduction

This study examined the association among socioeconomic status (SES), screen time, and outdoor play in children at different ages in the GECKO Drenthe birth cohort study.

Methods

Valid data were obtained from two surveys at ages 3–4 years and 10–11 years. Screen time (TV watching and computer use) and outdoor play were reported by parents. Childhood SES was derived by a synthetic “Equivalized Household Income Indicator,” an estimated disposable income. Quantile regression models (cross-sectional analysis) and linear regression models (change between 3–4 and 10–11 years) were used.

Results

In general, screen time increased strongly from a median of 51 min/day at 3–4 years (n = 888) to 122 min/day at 10–11 years (n = 1023), whereas time spent on outdoor play remained stable over age (77 min/day at 3–4 years and 81 min/day at 10–11 years). More time spent on outdoor play (50th quantile) was found in children with low SES families at 3–4 years, while at 10–11 years, more outdoor play was found in the high SES group. At 10–11 years, in the higher ranges of screen time, children from high SES had relatively lower screen time [50th quantile: −10.7 (−20.8; −0.6); 75th quantile: −13.6 (−24.4; −2.8)]. In the longitudinal analysis (n = 536), high SES was associated with an increasing time spent on outdoor play [11.7 (2.7; 20.8)].

Conclusion

Socioeconomic disparities in children's outdoor play and screen behavior may be more obvious with increasing age. Low SES may facilitate both outdoor play (at 3–4 years) and screen time (at 10–11 years); however, children from high SES families develop slightly more favorable behavior patterns with age.
Identifying Chinese social media users' need for affect from their online behaviors
Authors: Deng Hong , Zhao Nan , Wang Yilin
Published: January 2023

The need for affect (NFA), which refers to the motivation to approach or avoid emotion-inducing situations, is a valuable indicator of mental health monitoring and intervention, as well as many other applications. Traditionally, NFA has been measured using self-reports, which is not applicable in today's online scenarios due to its shortcomings in fast, large-scale assessments. This study proposed an automatic and non-invasive method for recognizing NFA based on social media behavioral data. The NFA questionnaire scores of 934 participants and their social media data were acquired. Then we run machine learning algorithms to train predictive models, which can be used to automatically identify NFA degrees of online users. The results showed that Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) performed best among several algorithms. The Pearson correlation coefficients between predicted scores and NFA questionnaire scores achieved 0.25 (NFA avoidance), 0.31 (NFA approach) and 0.34 (NFA total), and the split-half reliabilities were 0.66–0.70. Our research demonstrated that adolescents' NFA can be identified based on their social media behaviors, and opened a novel way of non-intrusively perceiving users' NFA which can be used for mental health monitoring and other situations that require large-scale NFA measurements.
Stress load of Chinese nurses in Fangcang Shelter Hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A latent profile analysis
Authors: Gu Liyan , Chang Jian , Wang Ji , Feng Ping , Xu Hao
Published: January 2023

The Omicron wave of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected Shanghai, China, from March to June 2022. Numbers of Fangcang Shelter Hospitals (FSHs) were conversed from stadiums and exhibition centers to tackle the pandemic. This study aimed to identify the stress load profiles of nurses working in FSHs and explore the characteristics and factors influencing stress load profiles. Totally, 609 out of 700 FSH nurses (with an effective response rate of 87%) participated in an online survey investigating their socio-demographic information, work-related stressors, and stress load. Results of the latent profile analysis identified four classes of stress load, which were labeled as the low (Class 1), mild (Class 2), moderate (Class 3), and high (Class 4) stress load class. Maternity status and self-perceived health condition were significantly different between the four stress load classes by comparisons using the Chi-square test and the Kruskal–Wallis test. The contributors to the stress load profiles were determined by the multinomial logistic regression analysis, including age, education, maternity status, self-perceived health condition, working time in FSHs, and the four dimensions of work-related stressors. Participants who were less healthy (OR = 0.045, 95% CI:0.012,0.171), worked longer time in FSHs (OR = 40.483, 95% CI: 12.103,135.410), faced with more workload (OR = 3.664, 95% CI: 1.047,12.815), and worse working environment (OR = 12.274, 95% CI: 3.029,49.729) were more likely to be classified to the high stress load class. The task arrangement and working environment for FSH nurses should be optimized, and psychological training should be conducted routinely.
Psychometrics of the Persian version of the COVID-19-related health literacy in the Iranian population
Authors: Torkian Samaneh , Ebrahimi Fatemeh , Shahnazi Hossein , Rashti Roya , Emami Mahasti , Maracy Mohammad Reza
Published: January 2023

Background

Since the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, information dissemination has increased rapidly. Promoting health literacy is currently crucial to prepare people to respond quickly to situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the importance of health literacy in this critical situation, we are looking for a questionnaire to measure COVID-19 health literacy. The COVID-19 Germany Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-COVID-Q22) is an excellent tool, so the study aimed to create a cultural validity of this questionnaire for the Iranian population.

Methods

In this validation study, 880 samples were enrolled using a convenient sampling method. The questionnaire was translated through a backward forwarding procedure. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were employed for Persian version validity. McDonald's omega (Ω), Cronbach's alpha, and average inter-item correlation (AIC) coefficients were assessed for reliability.

Results

Using EFA on the random half sample (n = 440), the EFA indicated that the scale had four factors: accessing, understanding, appraising, and applying health-related information in the COVID-19 pandemic context, which explained 59.3% of the total variance. CFA was used for the sample's second part (n = 440) to evaluate the goodness of fit of the four-factor solution. CFA showed the model fit. All indices RMSEA = 0.067, CFI = 0.934, IFI = 0.934, PCFI = 0.772, PNFI = 0.747, and CMIN/DF = 2.972 confirmed the model fit. The convergent validity of the HLS-COVID-Q22 was confirmed. McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha were very good (α and Ω >0.80).

Conclusion

The Persian version of the HLS-COVID-Q22 had acceptable psychometric properties and is applicable to measure COVID-19 health literacy.
Suicidality among older Australian adults
Authors: Klein Britt , Shandley Kerrie , McLaren Suzanne , Clinnick Lisa , Nguyen Huy Van
Published: January 2023

Background

Vulnerability to suicidality is a concern among older adults, particularly as this proportion of the population is growing. Determining what factors contribute to suicidality will help to create a framework for understanding and assessing suicidal risk among older adults and developing effective treatments. This study examined suicidality among older Australian adults.

Methods

This study forms part of a larger study to trial a survey to collect cross-sectional data on the mental and physical health of older Australian adults across time. One hundred and fourteen Australian residents aged 65 years and over completed an anonymous survey online or by returning a paper-and-pencil version of the survey by post. The survey took approximately 25 min to complete and comprised of (1) sociodemographic questions (e.g., age, gender, education), (2) validated questionnaires measuring depression, general anxiety, psychological distress, insomnia, substance dependence, problem gambling, and stress, and (3) mental and physical health and wellbeing items (e.g., religiosity, assistance with daily tasks, and mental health service usage in the last 12-months). The dependent variable, suicidality, was measured by asking participants whether they had ever seriously thought about committing suicide.

Results

Associations with suicidality were analyzed using Chi-squares and independent samples t-tests. The results found suicidality to be significantly associated with lower levels of satisfaction with the frequency of seeing and/or communicating with friends, and inadequate levels of community engagement.

Conclusion

The results of this survey reinforce the importance of social connectedness as a central and significant protective factor against suicidality among older adults.
Advanced medical micro-robotics for early diagnosis and therapeutic interventions
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Gorochowski Thomas E. , Marucci Lucia , Lee Hyun-Taek , Gil Bruno , Li Bing , Hauert Sabine , Yeatman Eric
Published: January 2023

Recent technological advances in micro-robotics have demonstrated their immense potential for biomedical applications. Emerging micro-robots have versatile sensing systems, flexible locomotion and dexterous manipulation capabilities that can significantly contribute to the healthcare system. Despite the appreciated and tangible benefits of medical micro-robotics, many challenges still remain. Here, we review the major challenges, current trends and significant achievements for developing versatile and intelligent micro-robotics with a focus on applications in early diagnosis and therapeutic interventions. We also consider some recent emerging micro-robotic technologies that employ synthetic biology to support a new generation of living micro-robots. We expect to inspire future development of micro-robots toward clinical translation by identifying the roadblocks that need to be overcome.
Feasibility of mail-based biospecimen collection in an online preconception cohort study
Authors: Koenig Martha R. , Wesselink Amelia K. , Kuriyama Andrea S. , Chaiyasarikul Alina , Hatch Elizabeth E. , Wise Lauren A.
Published: January 2023

Background

Prospective cohort studies that enroll participants before conception are crucial for deepening scientific understanding of how the preconception environment influences reproductive outcomes. While web-based research methods provide efficient and effective strategies to collect questionnaire-based data, few of these studies incorporate biospecimen collection, which can enhance the validity of exposure assessment. There is limited literature on the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of collecting biospecimens in web-based preconception cohort studies.

Methods

We evaluated the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of in-clinic and mail-based biospecimen collection in Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO), a North American web-based preconception cohort study. Both members of the couple were eligible to participate if their conception attempt time was ≤3 months at enrollment. We invited study participants from the Boston, MA and Detroit, MI metropolitan areas to attend a study visit and provide urine and blood (hereafter “in-clinic protocol”). We invited all other participants to complete mail-based collection of urine and blood spots (hereafter “mail-based protocol”). We compared overall consent and protocol completion rates, demographic characteristics of those who consented and completed either of the protocols, and costs between mail-based and in-clinic protocols for biospecimen collection. Finally, we described logistical challenges pertaining to reliance on mail-based delivery of time-sensitive biospecimens compared with in-clinic methods.

Results

During January 2022-July 2022, 69% of female participants (134/195) and 42% of male participants (31/74) consented to participate in the mail-based protocol. Consent rates for the in-clinic protocol were 39% for female participants (289/739 during March 2014-July 2022) and 25% for male participants (40/157 during March 2017-July 2022). Participants who consented to participate were generally of higher socioeconomic position than non-participants. Deviations from the protocol occurred more frequently within the mail-based protocol but were easily corrected. The cost per participant enrolled was similar across protocols (mail-based: $276.14 vs. in-clinic: $270.38).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that mail-based collection of biospecimens may create opportunities to recruit a larger and more geographically diverse participant population at a comparable cost-per-participant enrolled to in-clinic methods.
Getting to the Bottom of Cancer Treatment Pain
Authors: Upadhyayula Smrithi , Pemberton Erica J. , Burton Michael D.
Published: January 2023

What would you do if you had a disease, but the treatment made you feel even more sick? Chemotherapy drugs are a common tool used to treat cancer, but they have negative side effects. These drugs change the cells in our body leading to pain or burning or numbness in the fingers and toes. These drugs also impact cancer patients’ lives and limits their much-needed chemotherapy treatment. Our research investigated how cells and their DNA contribute to this pain. When we are hurt, certain cells send signals that create pain to help us heal. Studying these cell’s DNA could help us learn why cancer treatment pain occurs, and how we can possibly prevent it. While comparing normal mice to mice that have had their DNA changed, we explore how cancer treatment pain develops, and how certain cells are affected by chemotherapy.
Oblique propagation and temperature effects on the resonant right-hand ion beam instability
Authors: Le Ari , Chen Li-Jen , Wetherton Blake , Keenan Brett , Stanier Adam
Published: January 2023

The resonant right-hand instability (RHI) is often the dominant mode driven by reflected ions upstream of Earth’s quasi-parallel bow shock. In the tradition of Peter Gary, this paper further explores the right-hand instability using numerical solutions of the plasma dispersion relation and non-linear kinetic simulations, with parameters inspired by observations from NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. Agreement is found between the ion distributions in the particle-in-cell simulations and Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft data, which show the gyrophase bunching characteristic of the instability. The non-linear structures created by right-hand instability tend to be stronger when the plasma beta is lower. These structures have sizes of around 100 to 200 ion inertial lengths perpendicular to the magnetic field, presenting planet-sized disturbances to the magnetosphere. 2d and 3D hybrid particle-in-cell simulations show that modes with a range of propagation angles oblique to the magnetic field are excited, providing a ground to understand previous statistical studies of observed foreshock waves.
Baseball injuries in adolescent athletes with ADHD
Authors: Feldkamp John M. , Stevens Adam R. , Blaakman Syler R. , Hale Elijah W.
Published: January 2023

At the intersection of injury-prone sports such as baseball and conditions like ADHD that affect all aspects of life, there is a lack of research. This limits the availability of preventive care programs designed to target potential risks and promote a safe experience. In this retrospective cohort study, we assess the frequency of injury in youth baseball players with and without ADHD, along with further investigation into how treatment with stimulant medication may modify risk factors. The data for this study were obtained in deidentified, aggregate format from the TriNetX research database. We identified all patients under 25 years of age with a designation of baseball activity. Within this population, we separated patients by presence or absence of ADHD diagnosis, and then by stimulant usage. The studied outcomes were injuries commonly occurring in baseball, including fractures, sprains, and specific injury patterns. We identified 17,710 patients under 25 years old with designated baseball activity, 1,183 of which had a diagnosis of ADHD. Of these, 511 had a history of stimulant medication and 470 had no history of stimulant use. For most events (i.e., injuries), there were no statistical differences between cohorts. The overall ADHD cohort significantly differed from the Not ADHD cohort in 3 events: “thorax, abdomen, pelvis injuries,” “ankle sprain,” and “concussion.” When athletes with ADHD received treatment, this trend reversed for select injuries: “any fracture”, “head or neck injuries”, “upper limb injuries”, and “lower limb injuries” were less likely in ADHD athletes on stimulants. Given the ongoing debate around stimulant use in athletics, our study is relevant to many patients, providers, and the baseball community.
Does early specialization provide an advantage in physical fitness development in youth basketball?
Authors: Soares André A L , Lima Ahlan B , Miguel Caio G , Galvão Luciano G , Leonardi Thiago J , Paes Roberto R , Gonçalves Carlos E , Carvalho Humberto M
Published: January 2023

The present study examined the influence of the specialization onset on the magnitude and patterns of changes in basketball-specific physical fitness within a competitive season and developmental fitness trends between 11 and 17 years in young basketball players. Repeated measures of 181 young basketball players (female, n = 40; male, n = 141) were examined. Anthropometry, age, estimated maturity status, and basketball-specific physical fitness (assessed with the countermovement jump, line drill, and yo-yo intermittent recovery level-1 and fitness score) were considered. Players were grouped by the onset of specialization as related to biological maturation milestones (pre-puberty, mid-puberty, and late-puberty specialization). The within-season and developmental changes in physical fitness were fitted using multilevel modeling in a fully Bayesian framework. The fitness outcomes were similar between-player and within-player changes when grouped by specialization across a season. Fitness improvements across a season were apparent for female players, while male players maintained their performance levels. There was no variation in the patterns of physical fitness development between 11 and 17 years associated with the onset of specialization. Conditional on our data and models, the assumption that early sport specialization provides a physical fitness advantage for future athletic success does not hold.
Economic analysis of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) production in Northern Benin
Authors: Dossa Kossivi Fabrice , Enete Anselm Anibueze , Miassi Yann Emmanuel , Omotayo Abiodun Olusola
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Sesame is an important cash crop that can be grown with limited resources. In recent decades it has drawn interests of many researchers and developers. This study analyzed the economics of Sesame (Sesamum indicumL.) produced in northern region of the Republic of Benin.

Methods

Structured questionnaire was used to gather primary data from 120 farmers who made up the sample size and were chosen using a multistage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, profitability analytical tools, multiple regression analysis and Likert scale rating technique. Profitability analytical tools were used to assess the economic performance of the sesame production; a multiple regression model was used to analyze factors that determine the output of the production in the study area; a 5-point Likert scale rating technique was utilized to rank the production's challenges according to farmers' observations.

Results

The findings revealed that sesame is mainly produced in sole cropping system and in rotation with other crops. The net farm income analysis showed that sesame farming was a profitable venture in the study area. The study also showed that factors like age, household size, crop rotation, and capital input influence the revenue of sesame production. While age, household size and capital input have a beneficial and significant influence on the farms' net revenue from sesame produce, crop rotation has a negative effect on it. Amongst the various constraints identified, the most significant ones are access to labor and land, uneven ripening, lack of storage facilities and access to improved seed.

Discussion

Based on these results, authorities in agricultural sector should develop and promote this value chain at the national level as it will greatly boost the country's economy.
TERT genetic polymorphism rs2736100 is associated with an aggressive manifestation of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Nie Xilin , Shang Jinbiao , Wang Wendong
Published: January 2023

Objectives

TERT rs2736100 genetic polymorphism is commonly found in human malignancies, indicating its key role in cancer cell transformation. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the functional TERT rs2736100 genetic polymorphism on the outcomes of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective study on the relationship between rs2736100 and clinicopathological outcomes of PTC in 500 patients (378 females and 122 males) aged 43.8 ± 11.4 years (range 15–74 years) with a median follow-up of 60 months (range, 1–455 months).

Results

TERT rs2736100 genetic polymorphism (TG/GG vs. TT) was significantly associated with several high-risk clinicopathological features such as tumor spread, extrathyroidal extension, central/lateral lymph node metastases, and Stage T III or IV disease. However, in Kaplan–Meier survival analyses, the rs2736100 mutation was unrelated to overall disease-free survival with a log-rank value of p > 0.05. In Cox-regression analyses, the overall survival rate of recurrence/neo-metastasis was related to a larger tumor size, younger age, and tumor spread but unrelated to the rs2736100 mutation.

Conclusions and significance

TERT rs2736100 genetic polymorphism mutation is more likely to manifest with aggressive clinicopathological characteristics but cannot worsen prognosis in PTC.