bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Active Participation and Interaction, Key Performance Factors of Face-to-Face Learning
Authors: Marco-Fondevila Miguel , Rueda-Tomás Mar , Latorre-Martínez María Pilar
Published: June 2022

During the last decade and, particularly, from the restrictions on mobility brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, online and digital teaching is positioning itself as an alternative to face-to-face teaching. As of today, however, the soundness of this alternative teaching in terms of learning outcomes and students’ success is not yet clear, even though it is particularly important, since it may determine future teaching plans, strategies and methodology. This article presents the results of a teaching research project analyzing the impact of active participation and face-to-face interaction of students on their performance from a quantitative approach. Through an empirical study carried out with several groups of university students in financial accounting over a four-year period, we analyze the effect of including face-to-face techniques of participation and teaching innovation on students’ success and performance. The quantitative results indicate a significant improvement in all the indicators of the “experimental” groups, compared to face-to-face standard teaching groups and streaming teaching groups. By enhancing active participation, better marks and performance are achieved, especially in the continuous evaluation system. The qualitative results, based on the opinion of the students, also indicate their preference for models of active participation and interaction, as well as their positive perception of the success of the initiative. The advantages derived from innovative face-to-face teaching are evidenced since it favors group interaction and active participation of the students, which are crucial elements for performance and academic success.
Depositional Environment and Organic Matter Enrichment of Early Cambrian Niutitang Black Shales in the Upper Yangtze Region, China
Authors: Xia Peng , Hao Fang , Tian Jinqiang , Zhou Wenxi , Fu Yong , Guo Chuan , Yang Zhen , Li Kunjie , Wang Ke
Published: June 2022

Natural gas generation is the result of organic matter degradation under the effects of biodegradation and thermal degradation. Early Cambrian black shales in the Upper Yangtze Region are rich in organic matter and have shown great shale gas potentiality in recent years. Nevertheless, the enrichment mechanism and distribution of organic matter in these black shales between different sedimentary settings, such as intra-platform basin, slope, and deep basin, are still poorly understood. In this paper, based mainly on elemental geochemistry, a comprehensive study of the marine redox conditions, primary productivity, sedimentation rate, terrigenous input, hydrothermal activity, and water mass restrictions was conducted on the Early Cambrian Niutitang black shale in the Upper Yangtze Region. Our data showed that an intra-platform basin received a higher terrigenous input and that it deposited under more restricted conditions than the slope and deep basin settings. The primary productivity in the slope and deep basin settings was higher than that in the intra-platform basin setting. In the intra-platform basin, the productivity increased from its inner part to its margin. For the slope and deep basin settings, the high paleoproductivity generated large amounts of organic matter and its preservation was synergistically affected by the redox conditions. In contrast to the slope and deep basin, the preservation of organic matter in the inner part of the intra-platform basin was mainly controlled by redox conditions because the paleoproductivity in it was much lower than in the slope and deep basin settings. The intra-platform basin margin was the most favorable area for accumulating organic matter.
ICT, Energy Intensity, and CO2 Emission Nexus
Authors: Bildirici Melike E. , Castanho Rui Alexandre , Kayıkçı Fazıl , Genç Sema Yılmaz
Published: June 2022

The relationship between information and communication technology investment (ICT), environmental impacts, and economic growth has received increasing attention in the last 20 years. However, the relationship between ICT, energy intensity, environmental impacts, and economic growth was relatively neglected. In this paper, we aimed to contribute to the environmental literature by simultaneously analyzing the relationship between ICT, energy intensity, economic growth, Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and energy consumption for the period of 1990–2020 in G7 countries. We employed the Panel Quantile Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (PQARDL) method and Panel Quantile Granger Causality (PQGC) methods. According to the results of PQARDL method, energy consumption, ICT, CO2 emission, and energy intensity have effects on economic growth in the long and short run. According to the of PQGC methods allowing causality results for different quantiles, there is evidence of a bidirectional causality between ICT investment and economic growth for all quantiles and evidence of a unidirectional causality from ICT to energy consumption and from CO2 emissions to ICT investment and energy efficiency. Our results indicate that the governments of the G7 countries have placed energy efficiency and ICT investment at the center of their policies while determining their environmental and energy policies, since energy consumption is a continuous process.
Flower Greenhouse Energy Management to Offer Local Flexibility Markets
Authors: Roncancio Juan Sebastian , Vuelvas José , Patino Diego , Correa-Flórez Carlos Adrián
Published: June 2022

Electricity access is strongly linked to human growth. Despite this, a portion of the world’s population remains without access to energy. In Colombia, rural communities have energy challenges due to the National Interconnected System’s (NIS) lack of quality and stability. It is common to find that energy services in such locations are twice as costly as in cities and are only accessible for a few hours every day due to grid overload. Implementing market mechanisms that enable handling imbalances through the flexible load management of main loads within the grid is vital for improving the rural power grid’s quality. In this research, the energy from the rural grid is primarily employed to power a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system that chills flowers for future commerce. This load has significant consumption within the rural grid, so handling HVAC consumption in a suitable form can support the grid to avoid imbalances and improve the end-user access to energy. The primary responsibilities of the flower greenhouse operator are to reduce energy costs, maximize flexibility, and maintain a proper indoor temperature. Accordingly, this research proposes a flexible energy market based on the bi-level mixed-integer linear programming problem (Bi-MILP), involving the Agricultural Demand Response Aggregator (ADRA) and the flower greenhouse. ADRA is responsible for assuring the grid’s stability and quality and developing pricing plans that promote flexibility. A flower greenhouse in Colombia’s Boyacá department is used as an application for this research. This study looked at the HVAC’s flexibility under three different pricing schemes (fixed, time-of-use, and hourly) and graded the flower greenhouse’s flexibility as a reliable system.
Vehicle and Traffic Safety
Authors: Guzek Marek , Jurecki Rafał S. , Wach Wojciech
Published: June 2022

The role of the road transportation of people and goods is increasing [...]
Evaluation of Aphid Resistance and Oleoresin Production in Indigenous Tropical Pine (Pinus merkusii Jungh. and de Vriese)
Authors: Purwanto  , Baskorowati Liliana , Sumantoro Pujo , Hendrati Rina Laksmi , Susanto Mudji , Mashudi  , Setiadi Dedi , Nurtjahjaningsih I.L.G. , Pudjiono Sugeng , Kurniawan Agus , Wirabuana Pandu Yudha Adi Putra , Sumardi
Published: June 2022

The native tropical pine (Pinus merkusii Jungh. and de Vriese) has been genetically improved in Indonesia since 1977; nevertheless, minor evaluations of aphid resistance have been conducted since 2004. As a result, a progeny test for aphid resistance was established in 2010 in Lawu, Central Java, Indonesia. Subjects in the trial were attacked significantly at the rate of 30.7% after 4 years, but surprisingly, some individuals were found to be healthy without any aphid attack. The observed a 7-year progeny trial comprised 34 families with 4 trees per unitary plot and replicated in 10 blocks. At 7 years, observations during 9 months (April–December) showed that there were differences in the range of resistance across families. The stem diameter, oleoresin production, and resistance to aphid attack were evaluated, and all traits were distinct among families except for oleoresin exudation from the western side of the stem. Five families performed above average for all three traits, while three other families had high diameter and maintained good oleoresin production. These eight families can be included in a forward selection strategy. Cluster analysis revealed that the eight best families were grouped into two of the eight clusters. Phenotypic correlations revealed that all pairs of traits were significantly related, with the highest correlation registered between stem diameter and resistance to aphid attack (0.99). Forward selection ensures the simultaneous improvement of the three traits.
Nucleosome-Omics: A Perspective on the Epigenetic Code and 3D Genome Landscape
Authors: Kong Siyuan , Lu Yuhui , Tan Shuhao , Li Rongrong , Gao Yan , Li Kui , Zhang Yubo
Published: June 2022

Genetic information is loaded on chromatin, which involves DNA sequence arrangement and the epigenetic landscape. The epigenetic information including DNA methylation, nucleosome positioning, histone modification, 3D chromatin conformation, and so on, has a crucial impact on gene transcriptional regulation. Out of them, nucleosomes, as basal chromatin structural units, play an important central role in epigenetic code. With the discovery of nucleosomes, various nucleosome-level technologies have been developed and applied, pushing epigenetics to a new climax. As the underlying methodology, next-generation sequencing technology has emerged and allowed scientists to understand the epigenetic landscape at a genome-wide level. Combining with NGS, nucleosome-omics (or nucleosomics) provides a fresh perspective on the epigenetic code and 3D genome landscape. Here, we summarized and discussed research progress in technology development and application of nucleosome-omics. We foresee the future directions of epigenetic development at the nucleosome level.
Integrated sRNA-seq and RNA-seq Analyses Reveal a microRNA Regulation Network Involved in Cold Response in Pisum sativum L.
Authors: Mazurier Mélanie , Drouaud Jan , Bahrman Nasser , Rau Andrea , Lejeune-Hénaut Isabelle , Delbreil Bruno , Legrand Sylvain
Published: June 2022

(1) Background: Cold stress affects growth and development in plants and is a major environmental factor that decreases productivity. Over the past two decades, the advent of next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has opened new opportunities to understand the molecular bases of stress resistance by enabling the detection of weakly expressed transcripts and the identification of regulatory RNAs of gene expression, including microRNAs (miRNAs). (2) Methods: In this study, we performed time series sRNA and mRNA sequencing experiments on two pea (Pisum sativum L., Ps) lines, Champagne frost-tolerant and Térèse frost-sensitive, during a low temperature treatment versus a control condition. (3) Results: An integrative analysis led to the identification of 136 miRNAs and a regulation network composed of 39 miRNA/mRNA target pairs with discordant expression patterns. (4) Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the cold response in pea involves 11 miRNA families as well as their target genes related to antioxidative and multi-stress defense mechanisms and cell wall biosynthesis.
Gene-Based Association Tests Using New Polygenic Risk Scores and Incorporating Gene Expression Data
Authors: Yan Shijia , Sha Qiuying , Zhang Shuanglin
Published: June 2022

Recently, gene-based association studies have shown that integrating genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) data can boost statistical power and that the genetic liability of traits can be captured by polygenic risk scores (PRSs). In this paper, we propose a new gene-based statistical method that leverages gene-expression measurements and new PRSs to identify genes that are associated with phenotypes of interest. We used a generalized linear model to associate phenotypes with gene expression and PRSs and used a score-test statistic to test the association between phenotypes and genes. Our simulation studies show that the newly developed method has correct type I error rates and can boost statistical power compared with other methods that use either gene expression or PRS in association tests. A real data analysis figure based on UK Biobank data for asthma shows that the proposed method is applicable to GWAS.
Academic Achievements, Satisfaction with Studies and Risky Behaviours among First-Year Students of Kaunas (Lithuania) Universities, 2000–2017
Authors: Petkeviciene Janina , Kriaucioniene Vilma , Raskiliene Asta
Published: June 2022

Risky behaviours are prevalent among university students and may affect academic achievements. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between academic achievements, satisfaction with studies and risky behaviours among first-year students of Kaunas (Lithuania) universities. Three cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2000, 2010, and 2017. The self-administered questionnaires were filled in during lectures and assessed frequency and amount of alcohol consumption, drinking problems (CAGE test), smoking and drug use frequency, and academic achievements. The associations between risky behaviours and academic achievements were analysed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Altogether 3325 students (1341 men and 1984 women) aged 20.0 (1.5) years participated in the survey. The proportion of students who consumed alcohol at least once a week and drank 11 or more standard alcoholic units (SAU) a week decreased. Every fifth student reported a drinking problem. Daily smoking prevalence declined, and drug use increased among male students. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that frequent alcohol consumption and problem drinking were associated with low importance of good grades. Students who rated their academic performance below average and were dissatisfied with studies were more likely to consume ≥11 SAU a week. Daily smoking was more common among students who reported low importance of good grades and academic performance below average. A higher prevalence of drug use was found only in male students who declared low importance of good grades. Health promoting interventions at the individual and student community level are required to reduce the prevalence of substance use and improve the academic achievements of students.
The Association of Dietary Pattern with the Risk of Prehypertension and Hypertension in Jiangsu Province: A Longitudinal Study from 2007 to 2014
Authors: Xia Hui , Zhou Yuhao , Wang Yuanyuan , Sun Guiju , Dai Yue
Published: June 2022

Hypertension is the most common chronic disease and the primary risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Prehypertension is closely related to a variety of cardiovascular disease risk factors during the development of hypertension. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between dietary patterns and hypertension in Jiangsu Province. Specifically, we included the participants from 2007 and then followed up in 2014 in the Jiangsu Province of China and collected information from food frequency questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and disease self-reports. A total of 1762 women and men were included in the final analysis. We extracted four dietary patterns using factor analysis, calculated the pattern-specific factor scores, and divided the scores into quartiles, which increased from Q1 to Q4. Compared with participants in Q1, an increased risk of high diastolic blood pressure was found in Q4 of the snack dietary pattern. Additionally, participants in Q2–Q4 of the frugal dietary pattern were found to have a positive association with abnormal blood pressure. However, the results found in the frugal dietary pattern vanished after adjusting more confounders in Q4 of high systolic blood pressure. We found that some food items were associated with hypertension and prehypertension. The overconsumption of salt and alcohol are risk factors for both prehypertension and hypertension. Added sugar and saturated fatty acids are risk factors for hypertension, which may provide suggestions for the residents in China to change dietary habits to prevent prehypertension and hypertension.
Bottom-Up and Cognitive Top-Down Emotion Regulation: Experiential Emotion Regulation and Cognitive Reappraisal on Stress Relief and Follow-Up Sleep Physiology
Authors: Wang Yulin , Vlemincx Elke , Vantieghem Iris , Dhar Monica , Dong Debo , Vandekerckhove Marie
Published: June 2022

Emotional stress throughout the day is known to affect objective sleep physiology and subjective sleep quality. In the interplay between emotions and sleep, emotion regulation plays a critical role in the recovery from stressful, emotional events and subsequent sleep. While the effects of top-down emotion regulation strategies such as cognitive reappraisal on sleep have been studied before, the impact of bottom-up emotion regulation strategies such as experiential emotion regulation is understudied. Cognitive reappraisal reflects the cognitive reinterpretation of the meaning of a stressful event, while experiential emotion regulation involves an active, non-intervening, accepting, open and welcoming approach of acknowledging awareness of raw sensory affective experiences or ‘experiential awareness’ in a first phase and expression in a second phase. The present study aims to investigate the effects of experiential emotion regulation and cognitive reappraisal on the recovery from pre-sleep emotional stress measured by (1) negative affect and (2) sleep structure. Sleep of forty-three healthy Dutch-speaking participants (22 females, 21 males) has been assessed using EEG polysomnography. Stress was triggered using a pre-sleep emotional failure induction, after which emotion regulation by experiential emotion regulation versus cognitive reappraisal versus control was induced twice. The control condition consisted of the reallocation of attention towards the neutral aspects of the emotional event. The results indicated that recovery from negative affect of the failure experience after single or repeated deployment of experiential emotion regulation and cognitive reappraisal was not significantly different from the control condition. Moreover, after repeated deployment, sleep physiology did not significantly differ between experiential emotion regulation, cognitive reappraisal, and the control condition in the impact of the regulation of the failure experience. The implications of the distinctive impact of experiential emotion regulation and cognitive reappraisal on both the pre-sleep emotional experience and follow-up sleep physiology are discussed.
Bi-Directionality between Physical Activity within School and Fundamental Movement Skills in School-Aged Students: A Cross-Lagged Study
Authors: Han Shanshan , Li Bo , Meng Shuqiao , Li Yaxing , Tong Wenxia
Published: June 2022

Background: Evidence has indicated the health importance of fundamental movement skills (FMS) and physical activity (PA) in children and their relationships seems bidirectional. However, their bidirectional relationship has not yet been fully answered in the literature. Aim: This study sought to determine bidirectional relationship between FMS and PA in children using cross-lagged study design. Methods: A total of 183 second-level students (8.8 ± 1.1 years old) from three primary schools in Henan Province, China were selected as subjects. The average number of steps per school day was used as the amount of PA in the school environment; the third edition of the test of gross motor development was used for FMS testing. The baseline data (T1) and tracking data (T2) were collected at the beginning and end of the fall semester, respectively. The two tests were separated by 3 months (11 weeks), and a cross-lag model analysis was performed. Based on the hypothetical model, we tested the cross-lag effect of children’s PA and FMS. Results: The model fit index was χ2/df = 2.861 (p < 0.001, n = 183); goodness of fit index GFI = 0.900; NFI = 0.909; CFI = 0.931 and the 95%CI was between 0.071–0.192. The RMSEA = 0.063, and the standardized residual root mean square SRMR = 0.029. The T1 FMS can be used to predict the number of steps in the T2 teaching days with statistical significance (β = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.07–0.38, p = 0.003). However, the T1 steps cannot be used to predict the T2 FMS (β = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.07–0.13, p = 0.475). Further analysis shows that the main contributor to these relationships are ball skills in the FMS. Conclusions: The relationship between children’s fundamental movement skills and PA is not two-way. Students with higher FMS are expected to reach higher levels of PA after undergoing school PA in a teaching cycle. The PA of the students can be improved by improving their motor skills, which further improves their physical and mental health.
Does Circular Economy Contribute to Smart Cities’ Sustainable Development?
Authors: Dincă Gheorghița , Milan Ana-Angela , Andronic Maria Letiția , Pasztori Anna-Maria , Dincă Dragoș
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this research paper is to investigate and identify the factors which can support the development of one characteristic of smart cities, namely, the smart environment. More specifically, the main goal is to measure the extent to which air pollution may be reduced, taking as determinants several circular economy, fiscal, and environmental factors. The Ordinary Least Squares, the Fixed Effects, and Random Effects regression models using balanced panel data were employed, over the 2011–2019 period, for 28 European states. After rigorously studying the literature, 11 indicators with a predictable impact on the exposure to air pollution were kept. According to current analysis, the most effective methods of reducing air pollution are the use of renewable energy, the investments in educating the population to reduce pollution, the proper implementation of the circular economy, and the adoption of the most suitable policies by the European Union governments. Particular attention needs to be paid to factors such as carbon dioxide-generating activities, which are significantly increasing the air pollution. Another strong value is that of providing information on the assessment of ambient air quality, and on the promotion of appropriate policies to achieve two major objectives: well-being, and sustainable cities.
Effort–Reward Imbalance at Work and Prescription Drug Misuse—Prospective Evidence from Germany
Authors: Sattler Sebastian , von dem Knesebeck Olaf
Published: June 2022

This study examines how work stress affects the misuse of prescription drugs to augment mental performance without medical necessity (i.e., cognitive enhancement). Based on the effort–reward imbalance model, it can be assumed that a misalignment of effort exerted and rewards received increases prescription drug misuse, especially if employees overcommit. To test these assumptions, we conducted a prospective study using a nationwide web-based sample of the working population in Germany (N = 11,197). Effort, reward, and overcommitment were measured at t1 and the 12 month frequency of prescription drug misuse for enhancing cognitive performance was measured at a one-year follow-up (t2). The results show that 2.6% of the respondents engaged in such drug misuse, of which 22.7% reported frequent misuse. While we found no overall association between misuse frequency and effort, reward, or their imbalance, overcommitment was significantly associated with a higher misuse frequency. Moreover, at low levels of overcommitment, more effort and an effort–reward imbalance discouraged future prescription drug misuse, while higher overcommitment, more effort, and an imbalance increased it. These findings suggest that a stressful work environment is a risk factor for health-endangering behavior, and thereby underlines the importance of identifying groups at risk of misusing drugs.
No Control, No Consumption: Association of Low Perceived Control and Intention to Accept Genetically Modified Food
Authors: Yang Shen-Long , Yu Feng , Li Kai , Rao Ting-Ting , Lian Da-Peng
Published: June 2022

Based on compensatory control theory, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of perceived control on people’s acceptance of genetically modified (GM) foods by using both correlational and experimental methods. Compensatory control theory proposes that the lower an individual’s perceived control, the higher their need for structure, order, and certainty. Therefore, based on beliefs about GM foods that make some people less certain that those foods are as safe as traditional foods, we hypothesized that individuals with lower levels of perceived control are more inclined to reject GM foods. The analysis of questionnaire responses in Study 1 revealed that individuals’ sense of control negatively predicted their risk perception of GM foods, while the need for structure played a mediating role. In Study 2, using a between-subject design, we manipulated participants’ perceived control (higher vs. lower) and subsequently measured their risk perception and purchasing preferences for GM foods. The results in Study 2 show that under lower control conditions, individuals recognize higher risks related to GM foods, which, in turn, decreases their willingness to purchase GM foods. These results not only suggest that perceived control is a potential influential personal factor of the acceptance of GM foods but also extend the scope of the application of compensatory control theory.
Relationship between Eating Behavior, Quality of Life and Weight Regain in Women after Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Berino Talita Nogueira , Reis Aline Leão , Carvalhal Manuela Maria de Lima , Kikuchi Jeane Lorena Dias , Teixeira Rachel Coêlho Ripardo , Gomes Daniela Lopes
Published: June 2022

Individuals undergoing bariatric Surgery (BS) may have long-term weight regain. There is a need to investigate factors that may be related to this and if they can interfere with Quality of Life (QOL). This study aims to evaluate the relationship between eating behavior, perception of QOL, and weight regain in women after 24 months of bariatric surgery. This was a transversal study with 50 adult women residents in the city of Belém, Brazil. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, eating behavior (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire—TFEQ-21) and perception of QOL (Item Short Form Healthy Survey—SF-36) data were collected. In 60% (n = 30) there was weight regain (≥15%), with a mean weight regain of 23.3% (±18.4). Emotional eating was the most frequent pattern (p = 0.047). Regarding QOL, the functional capacity and limitation due to physical aspects domains had a better perception (p < 0.0001). Women without weight regain showed a better perception of the functional capacity aspects (p = 0.007), limitation due to physical aspects (p = 0.044), social aspects (p = 0.048), and general physical components (p = 0.016) and also had an inverse association with the perception of QOL in physical components (p = 0.008). Patterns of eating behavior and weight regain can damage the perception of QOL, especially physical capacity. Long-term follow-up is essential to evaluate the behavior of people who have undergone BS in order to prevent weight regain and QOL damage.
Spontaneous Perineal Trauma during Non-Operative Childbirth—Retrospective Analysis of Perineal Laceration Risk Factors
Authors: Bączek Grażyna , Rzońca Ewa , Sys Dorota , Rychlewicz Sylwia , Durka Anna , Rzońca Patryk , Bień Agnieszka
Published: June 2022

Childbirth-related perineal trauma (CRPT) is defined as damage to the skin, muscles of the perineum, as well as to the anal sphincter complex and anal epithelium. The aim of the study was to analyze the risk factors for spontaneous injuries to the soft tissues of the birth canal during non-operative delivery. This was a single-center retrospective case-control study. The study included the analysis of two groups, the study group featured 7238 patients with spontaneous perineal laceration (any degree of perineal laceration) and the control group featured patients without perineal laceration with 7879 cases. The analysis of single-factor logistic regression showed that the factors related to perineal laceration during childbirth are the age of the patients giving birth (p = 0.000), the BMI before delivery (p = 0.000), the number of pregnancies (p = 0.000) and deliveries (p = 0.000), diagnosed gestational diabetes (p = 0.046), home birth (p = 0.000), vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) (p = 0.001), the use of oxytocin in the second stage of childbirth (p = 0.041), the duration of the second stage of childbirth (p = 0.000), body weight (p = 0.000), and the circumference of the newborn head (p = 0.000). Independent factors that increase the risk of perineal laceration during childbirth are an older age of the woman giving birth, a history of cesarean section, a higher birth weight of the newborn, and factors that reduce the risk of spontaneous perineal trauma are a higher number of deliveries and home birth.
Ischemic Preconditioning with High and Low Pressure Enhances Maximum Strength and Modulates Heart Rate Variability
Authors: Telles Luiz Guilherme , Billaut François , de Souza Ribeiro Aline , Junqueira Christian Geórgea , Leitão Luís , Barreto Ana Cristina , Panza Patricia , Vianna Jeferson Macedo , da Silva Novaes Jefferson
Published: June 2022

Background: The application of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) to resistance exercise has attracted some attention, owing to increases in muscle performance. However, there is still no consensus on the optimal occlusion pressure for this procedure. This study compared the acute effects of IPC with high and low pressure of occlusion on upper and lower limb maximal strength and heart rate variability in recreationally trained individuals. Methods: Sixteen recreationally trained men (25.3 ± 1.7 years; 78.4 ± 6.2 kg; 176.9 ± 5.4 cm; 25.1 ± 1.5 m2 kg−1) were thoroughly familiarized with one repetition maximum (1 RM) testing in the following exercises: bench press (BP), front latissimus pull-down (FLPD), and shoulder press (SP) for upper limbs, and leg press 45º (LP45), hack machine (HM), and Smith Squat (SS) for lower limbs. The 1 RM exercises were then randomly performed on three separate days: after a high pressure (220 mmHg, IPChigh) and a low pressure (20 mmHg, IPClow) IPC protocol and after no intervention (control, CON). Heart rate variability was also measured at rest, during and after the entire IPC protocol, and after the exercises. Results: Maximal strength was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in both IPChigh and IPClow compared with CON in all upper- and lower-limb exercises. There was no difference between the two experimental conditions. No significant differences were found in the comparison across the different experimental conditions for LFnu, HFnu, LF/HF ratio, and RMSSDms. Conclusions: IPC performed with both high and low pressures influenced heart rate variability, which may partly explain the maximal strength enhancement.
Inward FDI, IFRS Adoption and Institutional Quality: Insights from the MENA Countries
Authors: Cieślik Andrzej , Hamza Sarhad
Published: June 2022

The adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by 166 countries since 2004 has been a major achievement in the international standardization of accounting regulations. The present paper draws on the Eclectic Paradigm as the analytical framework to investigate the effects of IFRS adoption on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. The analysis is conducted based on panel data from 22 Middle Eastern and North African economies (MENA) between 1996 and 2019. The findings indicate that FDI inflows are positively associated with IFRS, and countries implementing the accounting standards receive a higher increase in FDI inflows. Furthermore, the results show that institutional quality plays an important role in attracting FDI. These results remain robust using lag and time-fixed effect estimation methods. The findings have several implications for policymakers.
Chronic SSRI Treatment, but Not Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor Treatment, Increases Neurogenesis in Juvenile Rats
Authors: Hovorka Michelle , Ewing David , Middlemas David S.
Published: June 2022

There has been growing recognition that major depressive disorder is a serious medical disorder that also affects children. This has been accompanied by an increased use of antidepressant drugs in adolescents; however, not all classes of antidepressants are effective in children and adolescents. There is an increasing need to understand the differences in antidepressant action in different developmental stages. There are some data indicating that the behavioral effect of chronic antidepressant treatment in adult rodents is dependent on hippocampal neurogenesis; however, it is not known which classes of antidepressant drugs induce hippocampal neurogenesis in adolescent rodents. Three classes of antidepressant drugs were tested in two age groups of Sprague Dawley rats, pre-adolescent (postnatal days 11–24) and adolescent (postnatal days 21–34): monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs); and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). To address which classes of antidepressant drugs might alter the rate of mitogenesis in neural progenitor cells in an adolescent rodent model, adolescent Sprague Dawley rats were treated with the thymidine analog 5-bromo-deoxy-2′-uridine (BrdU) on postnatal days 21 and 22 and antidepressant drugs or vehicle for 14 days (postnatal days 21–34). To address which classes of antidepressant drugs might alter the rate of neurogenesis, postnatal day-21 Sprague Dawley rats were treated with antidepressant drugs or vehicle for 14 days (postnatal days 21–34) and BrdU on postnatal days 33 and 34. In both experimental paradigms, BrdU-positive cells in the subgranular zone and the granule cell layer were counted. Newborn neurons were identified in the neurogenic paradigm by identifying cells expressing both the neuronal specific marker NeuN and BrdU using confocal microscopy. Only the SSRI fluoxetine significantly altered the basal mitogenic and neurogenic rates in adolescent rats. Treatment with the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) tranylcypromine (TCP) and the TCA desipramine did not alter the rate of hippocampal neurogenesis in the adolescent rats. This is consistent with human clinical observations, where only SSRIs have efficacy for treatment of depression in patients under the age of 18. In pre-adolescent rats, postnatal days 11–24, none of the drugs tested significantly altered the basal mitogenic or neurogenic rates. All of the classes of antidepressant drugs are known to induce hippocampal neurogenesis in adult rats. The mechanisms of action underlying this developmental difference in antidepressant drug action between juveniles and adults are not known.
Aging of Vascular System Is a Complex Process: The Cornerstone Mechanisms
Authors: Poznyak Anastasia V. , Sadykhov Nikolay K. , Kartuesov Andrey G. , Borisov Evgeny E. , Sukhorukov Vasily N. , Orekhov Alexander N.
Published: June 2022

Aging is one of the most intriguing processes of human ontogenesis. It is associated with the development of a wide variety of diseases affecting all organs and their systems. The victory over aging is the most desired goal of scientists; however, it is hardly achievable in the foreseeable future due to the complexity and ambiguity of the process itself. All body systems age, lose their performance, and structural disorders accumulate. The cardiovascular system is no exception. And it is cardiovascular diseases that occupy a leading position as a cause of death, especially among the elderly. The aging of the cardiovascular system is well described from a mechanical point of view. Moreover, it is known that at the cellular level, a huge number of mechanisms are involved in this process, from mitochondrial dysfunction to inflammation. It is on these mechanisms, as well as the potential for taking control of the aging of the cardiovascular system, that we focused on in this review.
Intramyocardial Inflammation after COVID-19 Vaccination: An Endomyocardial Biopsy-Proven Case Series
Authors: Baumeier Christian , Aleshcheva Ganna , Harms Dominik , Gross Ulrich , Hamm Christian , Assmus Birgit , Westenfeld Ralf , Kelm Malte , Rammos Spyros , Wenzel Philip , Münzel Thomas , Elsässer Albrecht , Gailani Mudather , Perings Christian , Bourakkadi Alae , Flesch Markus , Kempf Tibor , Bauersachs Johann , Escher Felicitas , Schultheiss Heinz-Peter
Published: June 2022

Myocarditis in response to COVID-19 vaccination has been reported since early 2021. In particular, young male individuals have been identified to exhibit an increased risk of myocardial inflammation following the administration of mRNA-based vaccines. Even though the first epidemiological analyses and numerous case reports investigated potential relationships, endomyocardial biopsy (EMB)-proven cases are limited. Here, we present a comprehensive histopathological analysis of EMBs from 15 patients with reduced ejection fraction (LVEF = 30 (14–39)%) and the clinical suspicion of myocarditis following vaccination with Comirnaty® (Pfizer-BioNTech) (n = 11), Vaxzevria® (AstraZenica) (n = 2) and Janssen® (Johnson & Johnson) (n = 2). Immunohistochemical EMB analyses reveal myocardial inflammation in 14 of 15 patients, with the histopathological diagnosis of active myocarditis according the Dallas criteria (n = 2), severe giant cell myocarditis (n = 2) and inflammatory cardiomyopathy (n = 10). Importantly, infectious causes have been excluded in all patients. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has been detected sparsely on cardiomyocytes of nine patients, and differential analysis of inflammatory markers such as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells suggests that the inflammatory response triggered by the vaccine may be of autoimmunological origin. Although a definitive causal relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and the occurrence of myocardial inflammation cannot be demonstrated in this study, data suggest a temporal connection. The expression of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein within the heart and the dominance of CD4+ lymphocytic infiltrates indicate an autoimmunological response to the vaccination.
Immune Responses to Multi-Frequencies of 1.5 GHz and 4.3 GHz Microwave Exposure in Rats: Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis
Authors: Zhao Li , Yao Chuanfu , Wang Hui , Dong Ji , Zhang Jing , Xu Xinping , Wang Haoyu , Yao Binwei , Ren Ke , Sun Liu , Peng Ruiyun
Published: June 2022

With the rapidly increasing application of microwave technologies, the anxiety and speculation about microwave induced potential health hazards has been attracting more and more attention. In our daily life, people are exposed to complex environments with multi-frequency microwaves, especially L band and C band microwaves, which are commonly used in communications. In this study, we exposed rats to 1.5 GHz (L10), 4.3 GHz (C10) or multi-frequency (LC10) microwaves at an average power density of 10 mW/cm2. Both single and multi-frequency microwaves induced slight pathological changes in the thymus and spleen. Additionally, the white blood cells (WBCs) and lymphocytes in peripheral blood were decreased at 6 h and 7 d after exposure, suggesting immune suppressive responses were induced. Among lymphocytes, the B lymphocytes were increased while the T lymphocytes were decreased at 7 d after exposure in the C10 and LC10 groups, but not in the L10 group. Moreover, multi-frequency microwaves regulated the B and T lymphocytes more strongly than the C band microwave. The results of transcriptomics and proteomics showed that both single and multi-frequency microwaves regulated numerous genes associated with immune regulation and cellular metabolism in peripheral blood and in the spleen. However, multi-frequency microwaves altered the expression of many more genes and proteins. Moreover, multi-frequency microwaves down-regulated T lymphocytes’ development, differentiation and activation-associated genes, while they up-regulated B lymphocytes’ activation-related genes. In conclusion, multi-frequency microwaves of 1.5 GHz and 4.3 GHz produced immune suppressive responses via regulating immune regulation and cellular metabolism-associated genes. Our findings provide meaningful information for exploring potential mechanisms underlying multi-frequency induced immune suppression.
Regulation of S100As Expression by Inflammatory Cytokines in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Mitrović Ajtić Olivera , Subotički Tijana , Diklić Miloš , Đikić Dragoslava , Vukotić Milica , Dragojević Teodora , Živković Emilija , Antić Darko , Čokić Vladan
Published: June 2022

The calcium-binding proteins S100A4, S100A8, and S100A9 are upregulated in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), while the S100A9 promotes NF-κB activity during disease progression. The S100-protein family has been involved in several malignancies as mediators of inflammation and proliferation. The hypothesis of our study is that S100A proteins are mediators in signaling pathways associated with inflammation-induced proliferation, such as NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, and JAK/STAT. The mononuclear cells (MNCs) of CLL were treated with proinflammatory IL-6, anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokines, inhibitors of JAK1/2, NF-κB, and PI3K signaling pathways, to evaluate S100A4, S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 expression as well as NF-κB activation by qRT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, and immunoblotting. The quantity of S100A4, S100A8, and S100A9 positive cells (p < 0.05) and their protein expression (p < 0.01) were significantly decreased in MNCs of CLL patients compared to healthy controls. The S100A levels were generally increased in CD19+ cells compared to MNCs of CLL. The S100A4 gene expression was significantly stimulated (p < 0.05) by the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in MNCs. IL-6 stimulated S100A4 and S100A8 protein expression, prevented by the NF-κB and JAK1/2 inhibitors. In contrast, IL-10 reduced S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 protein expressions in MNCs of CLL. Moreover, IL-10 inhibited activation of NF-κB signaling (4-fold, p < 0.05). In conclusion, inflammation stimulated the S100A protein expression mediated via the proliferation-related signaling and balanced by the cytokines in CLL.
The Design and Evaluation of a Telematic Automated System of Weight Control for Heavy Vehicles
Authors: Belikova Daria Dmitrievna , Safiullin Ravil Nurullovich
Published: June 2022

In this article, the authors reviewed the existing system of weight control of heavy vehicles in the Russian Federation. In this research, the main shortcomings of the system, which prevent its effective functioning in relation to the use of road infrastructure, were determined. To solve these problems, we developed a model of the functionality of a telematic automated system of weight control of heavy vehicles, as well as defining the optimization tasks of the transportation process. Mathematical modeling of the operational factors that influence the system of weight control of heavy vehicles on roads was carried out. As a result of the research, the most significant parameters that have the greatest impact on the efficiency of the road were determined. By means of these parameters, it is feasible to choose suitable hardware and equipment for a weight control system. The methodology of developing automatic points for the weight control of heavy loads during road transportation was formulated. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the introduction of a telematic automated system of weight control of heavy vehicles would increase the efficiency of road transport on the highway by positively affecting its basic transport and performance indicators.
Anthracene-Containing Metallacycles and Metallacages: Structures, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Tang Jian-Hong , Zhong Yu-Wu
Published: June 2022

Due to its highly conjugated panel-like structure and unique photophysical and chemical features, anthracene has been widely used for fabricating attractive and functional supramolecular assemblies, including two-dimensional metallacycles and three-dimensional metallacages. The embedded anthracenes in these assemblies often show synergistic effects on enhancing the desired supramolecular and luminescent properties. This review focuses on the metallasupramolecular architectures with anthracene-containing building blocks, as well as their applications in host-guest chemistry, stimulus response, molecular sensing, light harvesting, and biomedical science.
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: The Last Decade
Authors: Karkos Petros D. , Lechien Jerome R.
Published: June 2022

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and its consequences for the upper aerodigestive tract have been an issue of debate and controversy for more than three decades [...]
Evolution of Procedure Indication and Cardiovascular Risk in Transvenous Lead Extraction
Authors: Hofer Daniel , Bebié Michelle C. , Kuster Noah , Steffel Jan , Breitenstein Alexander
Published: June 2022

Background: The use of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) to treat tachy- and bradyarrhythmia has significantly increased over the past decades. Consequently, transvenous lead extractions (TLE) have been performed more frequently, particularly in the treatment of device infection or malfunction. We aimed to evaluate the development of procedure indications and cardiovascular risk factors of patients undergoing TLE over time. Materials and methods: 277 TLE cases from 2013 to 2020 performed at the University Hospital Zurich were included in this retrospective analysis. Patient charts and follow-up letters were screened for procedure indication and cardiovascular risk factors to evaluate trends over time. Results: 502 leads were extracted in 273 patients. The main indications for TLE remained lead dysfunction (48.7%) and infection (31.4%) throughout the investigated period; however, infections were less and device upgrade more frequently encountered indications for TLE over time. Mean patient age at the time of TLE (64.0 ± 0.9 in the entire sample) decreased over time, while the incidence of chronic kidney disease (33.6%), heart failure (48.6%), or diabetes mellitus (22%) demonstrated an increasing trend. Conclusions: The main indications for TLE remain device malfunction and infection, while device upgrade was increasingly encountered as an indication for TLE in recent years. Over time, patients undergoing TLE were increasingly younger and more often presented with cardiovascular risk factors.