bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ferroptosis: a new antidepressant pharmacological mechanism
Authors: Zhang Guangheng , Lv Shimeng , Zhong Xia , Li Xiangyu , Yi Yunhao , Lu Yitong , Yan Wei , Li Jiamin , Teng Jing
Published: January 2024

The incidence rate of depression, a mental disorder, is steadily increasing and has the potential to become a major global disability factor. Given the complex pathological mechanisms involved in depression, the use of conventional antidepressants may lead to severe complications due to their side effects. Hence, there is a critical need to explore the development of novel antidepressants. Ferroptosis, a newly recognized form of cell death, has been found to be closely linked to the onset of depression. Several studies have indicated that certain active ingredients can ameliorate depression by modulating the ferroptosis signaling pathway. Notably, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) active ingredients and TCM prescriptions have demonstrated promising antidepressant effects in previous investigations owing to their unique advantages in antidepressant therapy. Building upon these findings, our objective was to review recent relevant research and provide new insights and directions for the development and application of innovative antidepressant strategies.
New horizons in light control of plant photomorphogenesis and development
Authors: Liebers Monique , Pfannschmidt Thomas
Published: January 2024

Light from Sun has tremendously shaped the evolution of plants and represents one of their key triggers for proper morphogenesis and development. Energy from Sun light is converted by photosynthesis into chemical energy that ultimately drives all energy consuming processes in plants. Besides, Sun light provides information about environmental conditions or constraints and signals important parameters such as day length, time point of season, direction and intensity of illumination or spatial competition with neighbouring plants. Plants possess a sophisticated array of photoreceptors that perceive this information (photoperception) and initiate signalling pathways that control appropriate responses at developmental or physiological level. While the primary processes of photoperception are largely understood, many aspects of the subsequent signalling networks are still elusive and especially the interaction with other signalling networks is far from understood. Light represents also a highly versatile tool for scientists to study morphogenesis and development of plants by a steadily increasing number of remote sensing technologies that allow to observe plants in real time and high resolution (photodetection). Further, scientists now can even use the knowledge about photobiology and photoreceptors to construct synthetic tools that can be genetically introduced into plants to monitor internal processes (so-called biosensors). Recent technological developments in optogenetics even allow to generate tools that actively regulate gene expression or metabolism by selective illumination (photocontrol). In this perspective article we highlight progress in our understanding of light signalling and a number of selected technological improvements in photocontrol with a special focus on the areas of phytochrome signalling and plant optogenetics.
Turning European XFEL raw data into user data
Authors: Schmidt Philipp , Ahmed Karim , Danilevski Cyril , Hammer David , Rosca Robert , Kluyver Thomas , Michelat Thomas , Sobolev Egor , Gelisio Luca , Maia Luis , Manetti Maurizio , Malka Janusz , Wrona Krzysztof , Sztuk-Dambietz Jolanta , Rovensky Vratko , Ramilli Marco , Duarte Nuno , Lomidze David , Dourki Ibrahym , Yousef Hazem , Senfftleben Björn , Meyer Olivier , Turcato Monica , Hauf Steffen , Aplin Steve
Published: January 2024

The European X-ray Free Electron Laser is a research facility located close to Hamburg, offering X-ray pulses with ultra-high brilliance and femtosecond duration at megahertz repetition rates. The detection systems necessary to unlock the full scientific potential made possible by this machine poses considerable challenges both in terms of data volume and rate, as well as the interpretation of their recorded signal. To provide optimal data quality, expert and detector-specific knowledge not easily accessible to external facility users is essential, and its implementation must cope with the generated volumes. We therefore aim to perform these preparatory processing steps and offer users a dataset suitable for further analysis as the primary data product. This work describes the machinery and workflows providing this data to users in an automatic, configurable and reproducible manner, both online during the experiment, and offline for scientific analysis afterward on the way to publication.
Comparisons of heart rate variability responses to head-up tilt with and without abdominal and lower-extremity compression in healthy young individuals: a randomized crossover study
Authors: Oyake Kazuaki , Katai Miyuki , Yoneyama Anzu , Ikegawa Hazuki , Kani Shigeru , Momose Kimito
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Abdominal and lower-extremity compression techniques can help reduce orthostatic heart rate increases. However, the effects of body compression on the cardiac autonomic systems, which control heart rate, remain unclear. The primary objective of this study was to compare heart rate variability, a reflection of cardiac autonomic regulation, during a head-up tilt test with and without abdominal and lower-extremity compression in healthy young individuals. The secondary objective was to conduct a subgroup analysis, considering participant sex, and compare heart rate and heart rate variability responses to head-up tilt with and without compression therapy.

Methods: In a randomized crossover design, 39 healthy volunteers (20 females, aged 20.9 ± 1.2 years) underwent two head-up tilt tests with and without abdominal and lower-extremity compression. Heart rate and heart rate variability parameters were measured during the head-up tilt tests, including the Stress Index, root mean square of successive differences between adjacent R-R intervals, low- and high-frequency components, and low-to-high frequency ratio.

Results: Abdominal and lower-extremity compression reduced the orthostatic increase in heart rate (p < 0.001). The tilt-induced changes in heart rate variability parameters, except for the low-frequency component, were smaller in the compression condition than in the no-compression condition (p < 0.001). These results were consistent regardless of sex. Additionally, multiple regression analysis with potentially confounding variables revealed that the compression-induced reduction in Stress Index during the head-up tilt position was a significant independent variable for the compression-induced reduction in heart rate in the head-up tilt position (coefficient = 0.411, p = 0.025).

Conclusion: Comparative analyses revealed that abdominal and lower-extremity compression has a notable impact on the compensatory sympathetic activation and vagal withdrawal typically observed during orthostasis, resulting in a reduction of the increase in heart rate. Furthermore, this decrease in heart rate was primarily attributed to the attenuation of cardiac sympathetic activity associated with compression. Our findings could contribute to the appropriate application of compression therapy for preventing orthostatic tachycardia. This study is registered with UMIN000045179.
Noninvasive characterization of peripheral sympathetic activation across sensory stimuli using a peripheral arterial stiffness index
Authors: Xu Ziqiang , Anai Reiji , Hirano Harutoyo , Soh Zu , Tsuji Toshio
Published: January 2024

Introduction: The peripheral arterial stiffness index has been proposed and validated as a noninvasive measure quantifying stimulus intensity based on amplitude changes induced by sympathetic innervation of vascular tone. However, its temporal response characteristics remain unclear, thus hindering continuous and accurate monitoring of the dynamic process of sympathetic activation. This paper presents a study aimed at modeling the transient response of the index across sensory stimuli to characterize the corresponding peripheral sympathetic activation.

Methods: The index was measured using a continuous arterial pressure monitor and a pulse oximeter during experiments with local pain and local cooling stimuli designed to elicit different patterns of sympathetic activation. The corresponding response of the index was modeled to clarify its transient response characteristics across stimuli.

Results: The constructed transfer function accurately depicted the transient response of the index to local pain and local cooling stimuli (Fit percentage: 78.4% ± 11.00% and 79.92% ± 8.79%). Differences in dead time (1.17 ± 0.67 and 0.99 ± 0.56 s, p = 0.082), peak time (2.89 ± 0.81 and 2.64 ± 0.68 s, p = 0.006), and rise time (1.81 ± 0.50 and 1.65 ± 0.48 s, p = 0.020) revealed different response patterns of the index across stimuli. The index also accurately characterized similar vasomotor velocities at different normalized peak amplitudes (0.19 ± 0.16 and 0.16 ± 0.19 a.u., p = 0.007).

Discussion: Our findings flesh out the characterization of peripheral arterial stiffness index responses to different sensory stimuli and demonstrate its validity in characterizing peripheral sympathetic activation. This study valorizes a noninvasive method to characterize peripheral sympathetic activation, with the potential to use this index to continuously and accurately track sympathetic activators.
Differences in the microbiome of the small intestine of Leghorn lines divergently selected for antibody titer to sheep erythrocytes suggest roles for commensals in host humoral response
Authors: Nolin Shelly J. , Siegel Paul B. , Ashwell Christopher M.
Published: January 2024

For forty generations, two lines of White Leghorn chickens have been selected for high (HAS) or low (LAS) antibody response to a low dose injection of sheep red blood cells (SRBCs). Their gut is home to billons of microorganisms and the largest number of immune cells in the body; therefore, the objective of this experiment was to gain understanding of the ways the microbiome may influence the differential antibody response observed in these lines. We achieved this by characterizing the small intestinal microbiome of HAS and LAS chickens, determining their functional microbiome profiles, and by using machine learning to identify microbes which best differentiate HAS from LAS and associating the abundance of those microbes with host gene expression. Microbiome sequencing revealed greater diversity in LAS but statistically higher abundance of several strains, particularly those of Lactobacillus, in HAS. Enrichment of microbial metabolites implicated in immune response such as lactic acid, short chain fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins were different between HAS and LAS. The abundance of several microbial strains corresponds to enriched host gene expression pathways related to immune response. These data provide a compelling argument that the microbiome is both likely affected by host divergent genetic selection and that it exerts influence on host antibody response by various mechanisms.
Construction of a police physical evaluation model and standards based on law enforcement ability
Authors: Feng Yuliang , Liu Yang , Wang Dexin
Published: January 2024

Purpose: In the context of police practical combat with the essence of coercion and confrontation, police physical fitness training guided by practical combat is increasingly valued. The objective of this study was to establish a police physical evaluation model and standards based on law enforcement ability.

Methods: Using literature analysis, expert interviews, Delphi method, field testing, and mathematical statistics, the test results of 301 frontline law enforcement police officers from the Shanghai Public Security Bureau were used as sample data. Factor analysis was conducted on the selected indicators to determine the final indicator system for police physical fitness. The percentile method was used to develop evaluation standards, and frequency statistics and chi-squared tests were used to calculate the effectiveness and accuracy of the evaluation standards.

Results: The research results revealed that the police physical fitness evaluation model based on law enforcement ability is Y = 0.115 × 30 s of trigger pulling according to the gun + 0.105 × 30 s of straight punching sandbags + 0.095 × 30 s of wrestling the dummy + 0.062 × push-ups + 0.115 × 50-m run + 0.095 × 10 m × 4 round trips + 0.116 × standing long jump + 0.090 × 2,000-m run + 0.089 × 30 s of hitting sandbags using a short baton + 0.118 × 30 s of poking sandbags using the long baton. The evaluation criteria were divided into single-item and comprehensive evaluation criteria.

Conclusion: A practical police physical fitness evaluation model can effectively evaluate the level of police physical fitness development, and the evaluation standards can provide an effective basis for a practical police physical fitness evaluation.
Omics-driven exploration and mining of key functional genes for the improvement of food and fiber crops
Authors: Naqvi Rubab Zahra , Mahmood Muhammad Arslan , Mansoor Shahid , Amin Imran , Asif Muhammad
Published: January 2024

The deployment of omics technologies has obtained an incredible boost over the past few decades with the advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, innovative bioinformatics tools, and the deluge of available biological information. The major omics technologies in the limelight are genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and phenomics. These biotechnological advances have modernized crop breeding and opened new horizons for developing crop varieties with improved traits. The genomes of several crop species are sequenced, and a huge number of genes associated with crucial economic traits have been identified. These identified genes not only provide insights into the understanding of regulatory mechanisms of crop traits but also decipher practical grounds to assist in the molecular breeding of crops. This review discusses the potential of omics technologies for the acquisition of biological information and mining of the genes associated with important agronomic traits in important food and fiber crops, such as wheat, rice, maize, potato, tomato, cassava, and cotton. Different functional genomics approaches for the validation of these important genes are also highlighted. Furthermore, a list of genes discovered by employing omics approaches is being represented as potential targets for genetic modifications by the latest genome engineering methods for the development of climate-resilient crops that would in turn provide great impetus to secure global food security.
1-nonene plays an important role in the response of maize-aphid-ladybird tritrophic interactions to nitrogen
Authors: Zhao Shi-Wen , Pan Yu , Wang Zhun , Wang Xiao , Wang Shang , Xi Jing-Hui
Published: January 2024

Plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the key distress signals involved in tritrophic interactions, by which plants recruit predators to protect themselves from herbivores. However, the effect of nitrogen fertilization on VOCs that mediate tritrophic interactions remains largely unidentified. In this study, a maize (Zea mays)-aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi)-ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) tritrophic interaction model was constructed under high-nitrogen (HN) and low-nitrogen (LN) regimens. H. axyridis had a stronger tendency to be attracted by aphid-infested maize under HN conditions. Then, volatiles were collected and identified from maize leaves on which aphids had fed. All of the HN-induced volatiles (HNIVs) elicited an electroantennogram (EAG) response from H. axyridis. Of these HNIVs, 1-nonene was attractive to H. axyridis under simulated natural volatilization. Furthermore, our regression showed that the release of 1-nonene was positively correlated with H. axyridis visitation rates. Supplying 1-nonene to maize on which aphids had fed under LN enhanced attractiveness to H. axyridis. These results supported the conclusion that 1-nonene was the active compound that mediated the response to nitrogen in the tritrophic interaction. In addition, the 1-nonene synthesis pathway was hypothesized, and we found that the release of 1-nonene might be related to the presence of salicylic acid (SA) and abscisic acid (ABA). This research contributes to the development of novel environmentally friendly strategies to optimize nitrogen fertilizer application and to improve pest control in maize crops.
The effects of different iron and phosphorus treatments on the formation and morphology of iron plaque in rice roots (Oryza sativa L)
Authors: Hu Haoran , Bi Liyan , Wang Lei , Zhan Fangdong , Liang Xinran , Qin Li , Li Yuan
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a pivotal cereal crop worldwide. It relies heavily on the presence of iron plaque on its root surfaces for optimal growth and enhanced stress resistance across diverse environmental conditions.

Method

To study the crystallographic aspects of iron plaque formation on rice roots, the concentrations of Fe2+ and PO43- were controlled in this study. The effects of these treatments were assessed through comprehensive analyzes encompassing root growth status, root surface iron concentration, root vitality, enzyme activities, and microstructural characteristics using advanced techniques such as root analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultrathin section transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results

The results demonstrated that an increase in the Fe2+ concentration or a decrease in the PO43- concentration in the nutrient solution led to improvements in various root growth indicators. There was an elevation in the DCB (dithionite-citrate–bicarbonate) iron content within the roots, enhanced root vitality, and a significant increase in the activities of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes. Moreover, as the Fe2+ concentration increased, amorphous iron oxide minerals on the root surface were gradually transformed into ferrihydrite particles with sizes of approximately 200 nm and goethite particles with sizes of approximately 5 μm. This study showed that an increase in the Fe2+ concentration and a decrease in the PO43- concentration led to the formation of substantial iron plaque on the root surfaces. It is noteworthy that there was a distinct gap ranging from 0.5 to 3 μm between the iron plaque formed through PO43- treatment and the cellular layer of the root surface.

Discussion

This study elucidated the impacts of Fe2+ and PO43- treatments on the formation, structure, and morphology of the iron plaque while discerning variations in the spatial proximity between the iron plaque and root surface under different treatment conditions.
Multi-omic insights into the cellular response of Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyta) strains under grazing pressure
Authors: Liu Chenqi , Li Liang , Yang Shuo , Wang Mingye , Zhang Hang , Li Si
Published: January 2024

Background/Aims

Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a model organism of diatoms, plays a crucial role in Earth’s primary productivity. Investigating its cellular response to grazing pressure is highly significant for the marine ecological environment. Furthermore, the integration of multi-omics approaches has enhanced the understanding of its response mechanism.

Methods

To assess the molecular and cellular responses of P.tricornutum to grazer presence, we conducted transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses, combined with phenotypic data from previous studies. Sequencing data were obtained by Illumina RNA sequencing, TMT Labeled Quantitative Proteomics and Non-targeted Metabolomics, and WGCNA analysis and statistical analysis were performed.

Results

Among the differentially expressed genes, we observed complex expression patterns of the core genes involved in the phenotypic changes of P.tricornutum under grazing pressure across different strains and multi-omics datasets. These core genes primarily regulate the levels of various proteins and fatty acids, as well as the cellular response to diverse signals.

Conclusion

Our research reveals the association of multi-omics in four strains responses to grazing effects in P.tricornutum. Grazing pressure significantly impacted cell growth, fatty acid composition, stress response, and the core genes involved in phenotype transformation.
Polyphenol oxidase genes in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.): functional activity with respect to black grain pigmentation
Authors: Glagoleva Anastasiia Y. , Kukoeva Tat’jana V. , Khlestkina Elena K. , Shoeva Olesya Y.
Published: January 2024

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is an oxidoreductase. In damaged plant tissues, it catalyzes enzymatic browning by oxidizing o-diphenols to highly reactive o-quinones, which polymerize producing heterogeneous dark polymer melanin. In intact tissues, functions of PPO are not well understood. The aim of the study was to investigate the barley PPO gene family and to reveal the possible involvement of Ppo genes in melanization of barley grain, which is controlled by the Blp1 gene. Based on known barley Ppo genes on chromosome 2H (Ppo1 and Ppo2), two additional genes—Ppo3 and Ppo4—were found on chromosomes 3H and 4H, respectively. These genes have one and two exons, respectively, contain a conserved tyrosinase domain and are thought to be functional. Comparative transcriptional analyzes of the genes in samples of developing grains (combined hulls and pericarp tissues) were conducted in two barley lines differing by melanin pigmentation. The genes were found to be transcribed with increasing intensity (while grains mature) independently from the grain color, except for Ppo2, which is transcribed only in black-grained line i:BwBlp1 accumulating melanin in grains. Analysis of this gene’s expression in detached hulls and pericarps showed its elevated transcription in both tissues in comparison with yellow ones, while it was significantly higher in hulls than in pericarp. Segregation analysis in two F2 populations obtained based on barley genotypes carrying dominant Blp1 and recessive ppo1 (I) and dominant Blp1 and recessive ppo1 and ppo2 (II) was carried out. In population I, only two phenotypic classes corresponding to parental black and white ones were observed; the segregation ratio was 3 black to 1 white, corresponding to monogenic. In population II, aside from descendants with black and white grains, hybrids with a gray phenotype — light hulls and dark pericarp — were observed; the segregation ratio was 9 black to 3 gray to 4 white, corresponding to the epistatic interaction of two genes. Most hybrids with the gray phenotype carry dominant Blp1 and a homozygous recessive allele of Ppo2. Based on transcription and segregation assays one may conclude involvement of Ppo2 but not Ppo1 in melanin formation in barley hulls.
Effect of structural variation in the promoter region of RsMYB1.1 on the skin color of radish taproot
Authors: Kim Jiin , Jang Hoyeol , Huh Sun Mi , Cho Ara , Yim Bomi , Jeong Seung-Hoon , Kim Haneul , Yu Hee-Ju , Mun Jeong-Hwan
Published: January 2024

Accumulation of anthocyanins in the taproot of radish is an agronomic trait beneficial for human health. Several genetic loci are related to a red skin or flesh color of radish, however, the functional divergence of candidate genes between non-red and red radishes has not been investigated. Here, we report that a novel genetic locus on the R2 chromosome, where RsMYB1.1 is located, is associated with the red color of the skin of radish taproot. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 66 non-red-skinned (nR) and 34 red-skinned (R) radish accessions identified three nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the third exon of RsMYB1.1. Although the genotypes of SNP loci differed between the nR and R radishes, no functional difference in the RsMYB1.1 proteins of nR and R radishes in their physical interaction with RsTT8 was detected by yeast-two hybrid assay or in anthocyanin accumulation in tobacco and radish leaves coexpressing RsMYB1.1 and RsTT8. By contrast, insertion- or deletion-based GWAS revealed that one large AT-rich low-complexity sequence of 1.3–2 kb was inserted in the promoter region of RsMYB1.1 in the nR radishes (RsMYB1.1nR), whereas the R radishes had no such insertion; this represents a presence/absence variation (PAV). This insertion sequence (RsIS) was radish specific and distributed among the nine chromosomes of Raphanus genomes. Despite the extremely low transcription level of RsMYB1.1nR in the nR radishes, the inactive RsMYB1.1nR promoter could be functionally restored by deletion of the RsIS. The results of a transient expression assay using radish root sections suggested that the RsIS negatively regulates the expression of RsMYB1.1nR, resulting in the downregulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, including RsCHS, RsDFR, and RsANS, in the nR radishes. This work provides the first evidence of the involvement of PAV in an agronomic trait of radish.
Current perspectives of lncRNAs in abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in plants
Authors: Jin Xin , Wang Zemin , Li Xuan , Ai Qianyi , Wong Darren Chern Jan , Zhang Feiyan , Yang Jiangwei , Zhang Ning , Si Huaijun
Published: January 2024

Abiotic/biotic stresses pose a major threat to agriculture and food security by impacting plant growth, productivity and quality. The discovery of extensive transcription of large RNA transcripts that do not code for proteins, termed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with sizes larger than 200 nucleotides in length, provides an important new perspective on the centrality of RNA in gene regulation. In plants, lncRNAs are widespread and fulfill multiple biological functions in stress response. In this paper, the research advances on the biological function of lncRNA in plant stress response were summarized, like as Natural Antisense Transcripts (NATs), Competing Endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and Chromatin Modification etc. And in plants, lncRNAs act as a key regulatory hub of several phytohormone pathways, integrating abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonate (JA), salicylic acid (SA) and redox signaling in response to many abiotic/biotic stresses. Moreover, conserved sequence motifs and structural motifs enriched within stress-responsive lncRNAs may also be responsible for the stress-responsive functions of lncRNAs, it will provide a new focus and strategy for lncRNA research. Taken together, we highlight the unique role of lncRNAs in integrating plant response to adverse environmental conditions with different aspects of plant growth and development. We envisage that an improved understanding of the mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate plant stress response may further promote the development of unconventional approaches for breeding stress-resistant crops.
Daily positive and negative affect during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ivcevic Zorana , Shen Shuting , Lin Shengjie , Cheng David , Probasco Ryan , Silbermann Ben , Zhang Feng , Lin Xihong , Brackett Marc
Published: January 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic influenced emotional experiences globally. We examined daily positive and negative affect between May/June 2020 and February 2021 (N = 151,049; 3,509,982 observations) using a convenience sample from a national mobile application-based survey that asked for daily affect reports. Four questions were examined: (1) How did people in the United States feel from May/June 2020 to February 2021?; (2) What demographic variables are related to positive and negative affect?; (3) What is the relationship between experienced stressors and daily affect?; and (4) What is the relationship between daily affect and preventive behavior? Positive affect increased, and negative decreased over time. Demographic differences mirrored those from before the pandemic (e.g., younger participants reported more negative and less positive affect). Stressors such as feeling unwell, experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, exposure to COVID-19, and lack of sleep were associated with less positive and more negative affect. Exercising protective behaviors predicted future affect, and affect also predicted future protective behaviors (e.g., less protective behavior when happy but more when grateful and thoughtful). The implications for public health communication were discussed.
Q-learning model of insight problem solving and the effects of learning traits on creativity
Authors: Harada Tsutomu
Published: January 2024

Despite the fact that insight is a crucial component of creative thought, the means by which it is cultivated remain unknown. The effects of learning traits on insight, specifically, has not been the subject of investigation in pertinent research. This study quantitatively examines the effects of individual differences in learning traits estimated using a Q-learning model within the reinforcement learning framework and evaluates their effects on insight problem solving in two tasks, the 8-coin and 9-dot problems, which fall under the umbrella term “spatial insight problems.” Although the learning characteristics of the two problems were different, the results showed that there was a transfer of learning between them. In particular, performance on the insight tasks improved with increasing experience. Moreover, loss-taking, as opposed to loss aversion, had a significant effect on performance in both tasks, depending on the amount of experience one had. It is hypothesized that loss acceptance facilitates analogical transfer between the two tasks and improves performance. In addition, this is one of the few studies that attempted to analyze insight problems using a computational approach. This approach allows the identification of the underlying learning parameters for insight problem solving.
The association between authoritarian parenting style and peer interactions among Chinese children aged 3–6: an analysis of heterogeneity effects
Authors: Li Dexian , Li Wencan , Zhu Xingchen
Published: January 2024

This study explores the effects of authoritarian parenting styles on children’s peer interactions, an aspect often overlooked in the existing literature that primarily focuses on family environmental factors. Data was collected through anonymous child-report questionnaires completed by 2,303 parents and teachers of children aged 3–6 years. The findings reveal that (1) authoritarian parenting significantly hinders children’s peer interactions; (2) the negative effects of authoritarian parenting differ based on gender, age, and family composition: (a) girls generally exhibit higher peer interactions than boys, with authoritarian parenting having a stronger impact on boys’ peer interactions; (b) peer interactions increase significantly with age, and younger children are more susceptible to the negative effects of authoritarian parenting; (c) children with siblings have higher peer interactions, and authoritarian parenting style has a greater influence on their interactions compared to only children. The study discusses potential reasons and provides practical suggestions for families to make informed parenting style choices based on these findings.
Book review: Crossing borders, writing texts, being evaluated: cultural and disciplinary norms in academic writing by Anne Golden, Lars Anders Kulbrandstad and Lawrence Zhang
Authors: Xiao Yuehai (Mike) , He Jingyi , Sun Li
Published: January 2024

In the context of globalization, the demand for English academic writing instruction at the higher education level is experiencing exponential growth. Consequently, it is crucial to conduct research that transcends national, cultural, and disciplinary boundaries in order to address this pressing need. However, there is a scarcity of research examining the intricate and diverse nature of English academic writing instruction across a wide array of national, cultural, and disciplinary contexts, highlighting an area that calls for further investigation. In response to this gap, Anne Golden, Lars Anders Kulbrandstad, and Lawrence Jun Zhang have collaborated as editors on a comprehensive volume titled “Crossing Borders, Writing Texts, Being Evaluated: Cultural and Disciplinary Norms in Academic Writing.” This collection aims to inform educators and researchers about the challenges encountered in multilingual contexts of academic writing and propose empirically substantiated solutions and coping strategies. This article provides a summary of each chapter of the volume, highlights notable features, and offers constructive criticism by identifying areas for improvement. Overall, the authors’ adeptness in unraveling the complexity and diversity of English academic writing instruction permeates the entire book. Their utilization of empirical studies, insightful findings, practical recommendations, and consideration of diverse contexts all enable their contributions to the field of English academic writing instruction. Consequently, this book serves as an indispensable resource for researchers, educators, and graduate students who seek guidance in navigating the intricacies of teaching and learning academic writing in multilingual contexts.
The long-term collateral consequences of juvenile justice involvement for females
Authors: Schweer-Collins Maria L. , Dierkhising Carly B. , Leve Leslie D.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Females are the fastest growing justice involved population in the United States, yet there is relatively little empirical research on the collateral consequences of juvenile justice involvement specifically for females. A growing body of empirical research underscores linkages between juvenile justice involvement and negative health and psychosocial outcomes, both in the short and long term.

Method

The current study describes the long-term collateral consequences of juvenile justice involvement for females previously involved in the juvenile justice system, drawing from a longitudinal dataset of 166 women who were initially recruited in adolescence due to chronic and severe justice system involvement. Participants were 15 years-old on average at study enrollment and 35 years-old on average at the current assessment. This paper describes the adolescent and adult experiences of the sample, therefore depicting the developmental trajectories of risk and protective factors for females involved with juvenile justice.

Results

As adults, 73% of the sample experienced arrest and 36% experienced incarceration. High rates of mental and physical health problems were reported, including that 50% of the sample met diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder. Over 400 children were born to the sample, with high rates of documented intergenerational child welfare involvement.

Discussion

Study findings are discussed in the context of best practices for supporting adolescent girls involved with the juvenile justice system.
Narcissistic and dependent traits and behavior in four archetypal 2-person, 2-choice games
Authors: Reed Lawrence Ian , Cooke Lily , Kasaba Isabella , Harrison Eleanor , Hooley Jill M.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

The characteristic behaviors we use to define personality pathology arise from specific interpersonal interactions. In an effort to create a laboratory-based context in which behavior might be expected to be influenced by particular personality traits, we used four 2-person, 2-choice games (the Prisoner’s Dilemma, Chicken, Leader, and Hero games) to create a simulated interaction and focused specifically on narcissism and dependency.

Method

An online sample of 1137 (35% male, M age = 38.46 years, SD age = 13.20) participants completed brief, self-reported measures of trait narcissism and dependency and played one of the four games. Before deciding how to act or react, participants received either no message, a promise to cooperate, or a threat to defect from a (confederate) partner.

Results

When receiving no message, those who cooperated in the Prisoner’s Dilemma had lower trait narcissism, while those who defected in the Chicken and Leader games had higher trait narcissism. Also with no message, participants who cooperated in the Hero game had higher trait dependency. Promises only affected the relationship between trait narcissism in the Leader game while threats only affected the relationship between trait dependency in the Chicken game.

Discussion

These findings add to the limited behavioral research on personality pathology and largely support established interpersonal conceptualizations and models. Future work might extend these findings using even more ecologically valid approaches to explore the behavioral correlates of personality traits that have important implications for interpersonal interactions.
Attributable risk of suicide for populations in Australia
Authors: Bandara Piumee , Page Andrew , Reifels Lennart , Krysinska Karolina , Andriessen Karl , Schlichthorst Marisa , Flego Anna , Le Long Khanh-Dao , Mihalopoulos Cathrine , Pirkis Jane
Published: January 2024

Objective

Each year approximately 3,000 Australians die by suicide. We estimated the population attributable risk for identified target populations to provide evidence on how much of the overall burden of suicide in the Australian population is experienced by each of them.

Methods

We identified 17 demographic and clinical target populations at risk of suicide and calculated the population attributable fraction (PAF) using a single or pooled suicide risk and the proportional representation of each target population within Australia.

Results

Large PAF estimates were found for men (52%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 51%–53%), people bereaved by suicide (35%, 95% CI 14%–64%), people with a mental health or behavioural condition (33%, 95%CI 17%–48%), people with a chronic physical condition (27%, 95%CI 18%–35%), adults aged 25–64 years (13%, 95%CI 12%–14%), LGB populations (9%, 95%CI 6%–13%), offenders (9%, 95%CI 8%–10%), and people employed in blue collar occupations (8%, 95%CI 4%–12%).

Limitations

The PAF is limited by assumptions, namely, that risk factors are independent, and that the relationship between risk factors and outcomes are unidirectional and constant through time.

Conclusions and implications for public health

Considerable reductions in the overall suicide rate in Australia may occur if risk factors are addressed in identified populations with large PAF estimates. These estimates should be considered as an adjunct to other important inputs into suicide prevention policy priorities.
The longitudinal impact of reinforcement sensitivity on internet addiction among college students: the mediating role of self-control
Authors: Xue Jinfeng , Li Ziyi , Zhang Wei , Li Wendi , Liu Li , Zhang Zhiyou
Published: January 2024

Introduction

As the rapid expanding of internet technology, it is necessary to pay attention to the factors that predict Internet addiction. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal impact of reinforcement sensitivity on internet addiction among college students and the mediating role of self-control.

Methods

The study involves two follow-up assessments with a 5-month interval. 383 college students’ reinforcement sensitivity, self-control, and internet addiction were measured at two-time points.

Results

①The revised Behavioral Approach System (r-BAS) at Time Point 1 (T1) could predict both T1 and Time Point 2 (T2) internet addiction through the complete mediation of T1 self-control. ②The revised Behavioral Inhibition System (r-BIS) at T1, along with the Fight/Flight/Freeze System (FFFS), can predict T1 and T2 internet addiction through the partial mediation of T1 self-control.

Conclusion

Reinforcement sensitivity can predict current and future internet addiction, with self-control playing a mediating role. This study provides longitudinal experimental evidence for the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (r-RST), further revealing the underlying mechanisms through which reinforcement sensitivity influences internet addiction. Additionally, it has implications for clinical intervention.
Exploring relationship satisfaction in mothers of children with disabilities: the predictive role of interparental conflicts and moderating role of dyadic coping
Authors: Vrankić Pavon Marijana , Wagner Jakab Ana , Löw Ajana
Published: January 2024

Background

Parenting responsibilities, while a source of happiness, often lead to considerable stress for parents of children with disabilities. While most parents try to cope with these challenges together, some level of interparental conflict is almost inevitable. Frequently assuming primary responsibility for children with disabilities, mothers can be substantially impacted by interparental conflict with their partners and the resulting stress. However, implementing dyadic coping strategies in managing stressful situations serves as a buffer against adverse effects, while also enhancing relationship satisfaction.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the relationship between interparental conflicts, dyadic coping, and relationship satisfaction among 232 mothers of children with disabilities in Croatia who were in an intimate relationship and shared a household with their partners, regardless of marital status.

Methods

We analysed a non-probabilistic sample of women in Croatia who reported being in an intimate relationship, sharing a household with a partner (whether married or simply cohabitating) and being a mother to a child with a diagnosed developmental disability. Participants completed questionnaires online in March of 2021 (sociodemographic variables, the Parent Problem Checklist, the Dyadic Coping Inventory and the Marriage Quality Index).

Results

Results of hierarchical multiple regression show that mothers’ perceptions of how they help their partner cope with stress do not predict how satisfied they are in a relationship; instead, relationship satisfaction depends on their perceptions of how their partner helps them and how they cope with stress as a team. Furthermore, moderation analysis revealed the effect of interparental conflicts were entirely mitigated by high supportive and low negative dyadic coping of the partner. When mothers felt adequately supported by their partner, the negative impact of stress caused by interparental conflicts did not spill over into their relationship.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that by recognizing the importance of psychological support and couples therapy in strengthening dyadic coping, government and non-profit initiatives can effectively empower parents of children with disabilities, fostering healthier and more resilient family dynamics that promotes the well-being of parents and their children.
The effects of neighborhood socioeconomic status on ADL/IADL among Chinese older adults-neighborhood environments as mediators
Authors: Tan Xiaoshuang , Zhang Hong , Ren Xiaohui
Published: January 2024

Background

There have been few consistencies in the effects and pathways of neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) on functional limitations. This study aimed to investigate whether neighborhood socioeconomic status influences ADL/IADL in older residents in China through the neighborhood built environment and social environment.

Methods

Activities of daily living/IADL were assessed in a sample of 5,887 Chinese individuals aged 60 or older, utilizing data obtained from the 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS 2011). Neighborhood SES was measured by the neighborhood per-capita net income. Neighborhood built environment was measured by the security resources, motion resources, living resources, service resources for older adults, and medical resources of neighborhood. Neighborhood social environment was measured by the organizations, unemployment subsidies, minimum living allowance, subsidies to persons older than 65, and pensions to persons older than 80 of the neighborhood. The two-level logistical regression model and multilevel structural equation model (MSEM) were used.

Results

The rate of ADL/IADL loss among Chinese older adults aged 60 and above in 2011 were 32.17 and 36.87%, respectively. Neighborhood SES was significantly associated with ADL/IADL in older adults. Compared with the respondents living in communities with lower SES, those living in communities with higher SES possessed better ADL (β = −0.33, p < 0.05) and IADL (β = −0.36, p < 0.05) status. The path of neighborhood socioeconomic status on ADL was completely mediated by the neighborhood built environment (β = −0.110, p < 0.05) and neighborhood social environment (β = −0.091, p < 0.05). Additionally, the effect of neighborhood socioeconomic status on IADL was fully mediated by the neighborhood built environment (β = −0.082, p < 0.05) and neighborhood social environment (β = −0.077, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Neighborhood SES was significantly correlated with ADL/IADL through the neighborhood environment. Improving the ADL/IADL status of older adults residing in low socioeconomic neighborhoods requires enhancing the built and social environment by provisioning additional neighborhood resources.
Dispensing of antibiotics for tuberculosis patients using standardized patient approach at community pharmacies: results from a cross-sectional study in Pakistan
Authors: Gillani Ali Hassan , Arshad Hafsa , Mujtaba Hasan , Umer Muhammad Farooq , Xu Sen , Ji Wenjing , Bashir Kamran , Chang Jie , Yang Caijun , Fang Yu
Published: January 2024

Background

Pakistan is among top countries for antibiotic consumption around the globe and patients often receive antibiotics directly from community pharmacies. Thus, our aim was to assess the drug dispensing practices of pharmacies for presumed and confirmed tuberculosis by using standardized patients’ method in Pakistan.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we adopted two standardized patient cases in pharmacies of three cities of Punjab. The first case involved a presumed tuberculosis patient presenting with 2–3 weeks of cough and fever (Case-1), and the second case involved a confirmed tuberculosis patient carrying microbiologically confirmed tuberculosis results (Case-2). The ideal management for Cases-1 and Case-2 is referral of standardized patients to a healthcare provider without dispensing antibiotics or steroids, or both. The differences in antibiotic use, steroid use, and the number of medicines dispensed in referred and non-referred patients between Case-1 and Case-2 were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

Between April 1, 2020, and July 31, 2020, standardized patients completed 575 out of 598 interactions among community pharmacies in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Sialkot. We recorded ideal management in 115 (37.7%) of the 305 Case-1 interactions and 130 (48.1%) of the 270 Case-2 interactions. Antibiotic dispensing was higher in Case-1, with 71 out of 305 instances (23.3%), than in Case-2 interactions, with 27 out of 270 instances (10.0%). Anti-tuberculosis drugs were dispensed to 1 patient in Case-1 (0.3%) and to 19 patients (7.0%) in Case-2.

Conclusion

Slightly more than one-third of pharmacies in Punjab, Pakistan, ideally managed patients with presumed tuberculosis, but almost half of them ideally managed cases of confirmed tuberculosis. The presence of confirmed diagnosis slightly changes the behavior in the correct management of patients.