bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tomato Oxalyl-CoA Synthetase Degrades Oxalate and Affects Fruit Quality
Authors: Li Pengfei , He Qiyu , Jin Jianfeng , Liu Yu , Wen Yuxin , Zhao Kai , Mao Guangqun , Fan Wei , Yang Jianli
Published: July 2022

Acyl activating enzyme 3 (AAE3) encodes oxalyl-CoA synthetase involved in oxalate degradation. In this study, we investigated the role of AAE3 (SlAAE3) in the fruit quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The purified recombinant SlAAE3 protein from Escherichia coli exhibited a high activity toward oxalate, with a Km of 223.8 ± 20.03 μm and Vmax of 7.908 ± 0.606 μmol mg–1 protein min–1. Transient expression of SlAAE3-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins suggests that SlAAE3 is a soluble protein without specific subcellular localization. The expression of SlAAE3 is both tissue- and development-dependent, and increased during fruit ripping. The Slaae3 knockout mutants had improved fruit quality as evidenced by the increased sugar-acid ratio and mineral nutrient content. To find the mechanism by which SlAAE3 affects fruit quality, transcriptome, and metabolome were employed on SlAAE3 over-expressed line and wide type fruits. The transcriptomic and metabolic profiles indicated that SlAAE3 in fruits mainly functions at 20 days post-anthesis (20 DPA) and mature green (MG) stages, resulting in up-regulation of amino acid derivatives, nucleotides, and derivatives, but down-regulation of lipid compounds. However, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly enriched at redox pathways. Taken together, both in vivo and in vitro results suggest that SlAAE3-encoded protein acts as an oxalyl-CoA synthetase, which also participates in redox metabolism. These data provide a further understanding of the mechanism by which SlAAE3 participates in tomato fruit quality.
First Language Matters: Event-Related Potentials Show Crosslinguistic Influence on the Processing of Placement Verb Semantics
Authors: Andersson Annika , Gullberg Marianne
Published: July 2022

Second language (L2) learners experience challenges when word meanings differ across L1 and L2, and often display crosslinguistic influence (CLI) in speech production. In contrast, studies of online comprehension show more mixed results. Therefore, this study explored how L2 learners process fine-grained L2 verb semantics in the domain of caused motion (placement) and specifically the impact of having similar vs. non-similar semantics in the L1 and L2. Specifically, we examined English (20) and German (21) L2 learners of Swedish and native Swedish speakers (16) and their online neurophysiological processing and offline appropriateness ratings of three Swedish placement verbs obligatory for placement supported from below: sätta “set,” ställa “stand,” and lägga “lay.” The learners’ L1s differed from Swedish in that their placement verbs either shared or did not share semantic characteristics with the target language. English has a general placement verb put, whereas German has specific verbs similar but not identical to Swedish, stellen “set/stand” and legen “lay.” Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded while participants watched still frames (images) of objects being placed on a table and listened to sentences describing the event with verbs that either matched the image or not. Participants also performed an offline appropriateness rating task. Both tasks suggested CLI. English learners’ appropriateness ratings of atypical verb use differed from those of both native Swedish speakers’ and German learners, with no difference in the latter pair. Similarly, German learners’ ERP effects were more similar to those of the native Swedish speakers (increased lateral negativity to atypical verb use) than to those of the English learners (increased positivity to atypical verb use). The results of this explorative study thus suggest CLI both offline and online with similarity between L1 and L2 indicating more similar processing and judgments, in line with previous production findings, but in contrast to previous ERP work on semantic L2 processing.
Comparison and Analysis of Timbre Fusion for Chinese and Western Musical Instruments
Authors: Liu Jingyu , Wang Shuang , Xiang Yanyin , Jiang Jian , Jiang Yujian , Lan Jing
Published: July 2022

Timbre fusion is the theoretical basis of instrument acoustics and Chinese and Western orchestral acoustics. Currently, studies on timbre fusion are mainly focused on Western instruments, but there are some studies on the timbre fusion of Chinese instruments. In this paper, the characteristics of timbre fusion for Chinese and Western instruments are explored, focusing on the subjective attributes and objective acoustic parameters, and a series of experiments is carried out. First, a database containing 518 mixed timbre stimuli of Chinese and Western instruments was constructed to provide basic data that are necessary for the subjective and objective analyses of timbre fusion. We designed and conducted a subjective evaluation experiment of timbre perception attributes based on the method of successive categories. The experimental data were processed using statistical approaches, such as variance analysis, multidimensional preference analysis, and correlation analysis, and we studied the influence of the temporal envelopes and instrument types on fusion, segregation, roughness, and pleasantness. In addition, the differences between Chinese and Western instruments were compared based on these four perception attributes. The results show that fusion and segregation are the most important attributes for Chinese instrument timbre, while roughness is the most important attribute for Western instrument timbre. In addition, multiple linear regression, random forest, and multilayer perceptron were used to construct a set of timbre fusion models for Chinese and Western instruments. The results show that these models can better predict the timbre fusion attributes. It was also found that there are some differences between the timbre fusion models for Chinese and Western instruments, which is consistent with the analysis results of subjective experimental data. The contribution of acoustic objective parameters to the fusion model is also discussed.
Income, Demographics, and Life Experiences of Clinical-Forensic Psychologists in the United States
Authors: Neal Tess M.S. , Line Emily N.
Published: July 2022

We provide aggregate data about income, demographics, and life experiences of women and men practicing clinical-forensic psychology primarily in the United States (N = 376). We examine how these variables relate to one another, as well as how gender demographics of the field have changed over time. The average hourly rate charged by psychologists for forensic work, aggregated across all types of referral questions, regions, and employment settings is $280.23 (US Dollars; SD = $108.12; median and mode = $250). Total median annual income is = $125,000 - $149,999 and mode is = $100,000 - $124,999. Men’s annual income (median = $175,000 - $199,000) is significantly higher than women’s (median = $100,000 - $124,999) even while controlling for years of experience and number of hours worked per week. Women forensic psychologists earn $0.83 for every $1.00 men make. Having a Ph.D. is disproportionately associated with men and PsyD with women; however, the difference is not significant once controlling for years of experience. Employment type related to pay, such that people in private practice make significantly more than those who work in institutions (e.g., prisons, hospitals) or universities. Year of highest degree associated with employment type, such that people in practice longer are more likely to be in private practice. Although we expected caretaking responsibilities and children would relate to gender and pay, no differences emerged in this sample. Women are more likely than men to have completed a formal postdoctoral fellowship in forensic psychology, even when controlling for year of highest degree. Regarding the gender composition of the field over time, we calculated the Index of Dissimilarity for each five year increment spanning 1965-2019. Before the late 1990s, proportionally more men entered the field; after the late 1990s, proportionally more women entered. We discuss the promising and less promising implications of these findings for gender equity and work-life management in forensic psychology, as well as how professionals in the field and students might make use of these data.
Sense of Agency, Affectivity and Social-Ecological Degradation: An Enactive and Phenomenological Approach
Authors: Siqueiros-García Jesús M. , Manuel-Navarrete David , Eakin Hallie , Mojica Laura , Charli-Joseph Lakshmi , Pérez-Belmont Patricia , Ruizpalacios Beatriz
Published: July 2022

In the last few years, there has been an interest in understanding the impact of environmental change and degradation on people's affective life. This issue has become particularly pressing for populations whose form of life is heavily dependent on ecosystem services and functions and whose opportunities for adaptation are limited. Based on our work with farmers from the Xochimilco urban wetland in the southwest of Mexico City, we begin to draw a theoretical approach to address and explain how environmental degradation impacts people's affective life and sense of agency. Farmers who were part of our project referred to a sense of despair and helplessness toward the loss of the ecosystem and their traditional farming-based form of life. From the perspective of phenomenology, enactivism and ecological psychology, we argue that the loss of this form of life in the area is related to the degradation of socio-ecological systems, limiting the opportunities for people to relate meaningfully to others and the environment. We posit that losing meaningful interaction with the environment generates a feeling of loss of control while leading farmers to feel frustrated, anxious and stressed. Such affective conditions have a direct impact on their sense of agency. In terms of adaptation, the negative interaction between degradation, affective states and a diminished sense of agency can create a downward spiral of vulnerability, including political vulnerability.
The Effects of Pitch Manipulation on Male Ratings of Female Speakers and Their Voices
Authors: Krumpholz Christina , Quigley Cliodhna , Ameen Karsan , Reuter Christoph , Fusani Leonida , Leder Helmut
Published: July 2022

Vocal and facial cues typically co-occur in natural settings, and multisensory processing of voice and face relies on their synchronous presentation. Psychological research has examined various facial and vocal cues to attractiveness as well as to judgements of sexual dimorphism, health, and age. However, few studies have investigated the interaction of vocal and facial cues in attractiveness judgments under naturalistic conditions using dynamic, ecologically valid stimuli. Here, we used short videos or audio tracks of females speaking full sentences and used a manipulation of voice pitch to investigate cross-modal interactions of voice pitch on facial attractiveness and related ratings. Male participants had to rate attractiveness, femininity, age, and health of synchronized audio-video recordings or voices only, with either original or modified voice pitch. We expected audio stimuli with increased voice pitch to be rated as more attractive, more feminine, healthier, and younger. If auditory judgements cross-modally influence judgements of facial attributes, we additionally expected the voice pitch manipulation to affect ratings of audiovisual stimulus material. We tested 106 male participants in a within-subject design in two sessions. Analyses revealed that voice recordings with increased voice pitch were perceived to be more feminine and younger, but not more attractive or healthier. When coupled with video recordings, increased pitch lowered perceived age of faces, but did not significantly influence perceived attractiveness, femininity, or health. Our results suggest that our manipulation of voice pitch has a measurable impact on judgements of femininity and age, but does not measurably influence vocal and facial attractiveness in naturalistic conditions.
Innovation in Neighborhood Management Web Service: A Precise Initiative to Augment Audiences' Interaction on Social Media
Authors: Sadiq Muhammad Waqas , Huo Chunhui , Almogren Abeer S. , Aljammaz Norah Abdullah , Al-Rahmi Waleed Mugahed , Al-maatuok Qusay , Zulfiqar Salman
Published: July 2022

In this article, two significant elements in social media websites, system operation, and social technology are examined in connection to website visitors' online loyalty and interaction, namely, commitment and satisfaction, in neighborhood management through social media websites. A total of 287 social media users completed a systematic questionnaire. After confirmatory factor analysis, data were examined in AMOS 24 using structural equation modeling with bootstrap. The research showed that both variables indirectly influence website visitors' online loyalty and interactionviatrust and satisfaction, but not directly. Online relationship quality characteristics impact the interaction pattern of social media users after changes in services applied by the respective organizations on their websites. As for managers, the research gives crucial data on user behavior in connection to new services launched by organizations on their websites and shows how value creation to the target audience may help them reduce costs and optimize revenues.
From Endorsement of Ambivalent Sexism to Psychological IPV Victimization: The Role of Attitudes Supportive of IPV, Legitimating Myths of IPV, and Acceptance of Psychological Aggression
Authors: Cinquegrana Vincenza , Marini Maddalena , Galdi Silvia
Published: July 2022

Research on intimate partner violence (IPV) has recognized psychological abuse as a precursor of physical and sexual violence in intimate relationships. However, risk factors in predicting women’s psychological abuse victimization in such a context are still unclear. The goal of the present work was to investigate the role of ambivalent sexism on psychological IPV victimization, by taking into account in the same study the effect of three additional social-psychological factors: women’s (i) attitudes supportive of IPV, (ii) endorsement of legitimating myths of IPV, and (iii) acceptance of psychological aggression in intimate relationships. A total of 408 Italian young women (Mage = 23.87; SD = 2.39) involved in non-marital heterosexual romantic relationships completed measures aimed at assessing (i) hostile and benevolent sexism, (ii) attitudes supportive of IPV, (iii) legitimating myths of IPV, (iv) prevalence of psychological abuse experienced within the last 12 months, and performed a task developed ad hoc to measure, and (v) acceptance of psychological aggression in intimate relationships. Results showed that the effect of ambivalent sexism on participants’ prevalence of psychological abuse was mediated by the endorsement of attitudes supportive of IPV and legitimating myths of IPV, as well as by acceptance of psychological aggression. Findings are discussed based on literature about ambivalent sexism, and attitudes and beliefs about IPV.
Corporate Social Responsibility Activities and Green Innovation Performance in Organizations: Do Managerial Environmental Concerns and Green Absorptive Capacity Matter?
Authors: Mo Xiaoping , Boadu Francis , Liu Yunqing , Chen Zhen , Ofori Adwoa Serwaa
Published: July 2022

From the environmental sustainability perspective, scholars have considered corporate social responsibility activities as an essential mechanism for enhancing enterprise performance and innovation outcomes. However, how and under what conditions corporate social responsibility activities influence green innovation performance in emerging economies is still unclear. From the perspective of the theory of planned behavior, we construct a theoretical model to assess how corporate social responsibility activities affect enterprises’ green innovation performance. Explicitly, we investigate the mediating and moderating effects of managerial environmental concern and green absorptive capacity on the relationship between corporate social responsibility activities and enterprises’ green innovation performance. This research relies on a sample of 358 enterprises from the manufacturing and service sectors in China, and uses regression analysis and bootstrap to test the hypotheses proposed. The empirical results demonstrate that (1) corporate social responsibility activities positively enhance enterprises’ green innovation performance; (2) corporate social responsibility activities have a positive influence on managerial environmental concern; (3) managerial environmental concern has a mediating role between corporate social responsibility activities and green innovation performance; (4) managerial environmental concern has a powerful influence on green innovation performance; (5) green absorptive capacity positively moderates the association between managerial environmental concern and green innovation performance. This research work proposes that managerial environmental concern and green absorptive capacity play a mediating and moderating function on the linkage amongst corporate social responsibility activities and green innovation performance.
The Impact of Technology Adaptation on Academic Engagement: A Moderating Role of Perceived Argumentation Strength and School Support
Authors: Zhao Jing , Awais-E-Yazdan Muhammad , Mushtaque Iqra , Deng Limei
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted routine activities such as attending to school and transferring education online. This study explores students’ perceptions of technology adoption and academic engagement using data from a survey (N = 465), with perceived argumentation and school support serving as moderators. The data were collected using a convenience sampling technique. The authors examined the association between perceived utility, perceived digital competitiveness, and perceived ease of use and academic engagement. While perceived utility and ease of use of online learning technologies do not appear to be connected with academic engagement, digital competence is. It is argued that there is a need to introduce an improvised mechanism for technology in schools. Academic involvement has no effect on perceived reasoning power, but social support has a considerable effect on academic engagement.
Personality-Related Factors and Depressive Symptomatology Predict Behavioral Control in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorders
Authors: Lebiecka Zofia , Skoneczny Tomasz , Tyburski Ernest , Samochowiec Jerzy , Jędrzejewski Adam , Wirtz Janina , Kühn Simone , Nielsen Anette Søgard , Mellentin Angelina Isabella , Michelis Leonie Ascone , Kucharska-Mazur Jolanta
Published: July 2022

In the face of increasing social, economic, and health consequences of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and limited effects of available treatment options, the search for novel prevention and management methods continues to remain a timely and valid endeavor. This, however, requires a better grasp of the theoretical framework underlying addiction mechanisms. With the goal to extend the existing body of evidence on AUDs, we set out to investigate the effect of personality-related factors and depressive symptomatology on (i) impulsivity, (ii) cognitive response inhibition, and (iii) the links between the two measures of behavioral control (different facets of impulsivity and response inhibition) in a treatment-seeking AUD sample. To this end, 53 male (n = 45) and female (n = 8) inpatients at an alcohol rehabilitation center completed three self-report questionnaires: the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP-50), the Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition (BDI-II) and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and performed one behavioral task—an alcohol go/no go task. Regression analyses revealed conscientiousness, intellect, and depression level to be important potential predictors of self-report impulsivity and processing speed in recovering drinkers. No significant links were observed between the two measures of behavioral control, thus complementing evidence that while they both encompass behavioral under-regulation, they may indeed represent distinct psychological constructs.
Diverse Trajectories of Hikikomori Symptoms During Job Search and the Role of Identity Distress: Three Wave Longitudinal Research
Authors: Hihara Shogo , Kambara Kohei , Umemura Tomotaka , Handa Kyonosuke , Sugimura Kazumi
Published: July 2022

Objective

Hikikomori, a prolonged form of social withdrawal, has received attention in various research areas. This longitudinal study aimed to identify diverse trajectories of hikikomori symptoms among young Japanese adults engaged in a job search. It also tested whether identity distress, a critical developmental issue, predicts these trajectories while controlling for other risk factors (depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, career expectations, and gender).

Methods

A total of 756 third-year Japanese university students (at Time 1, Mage = 20.88 years; women: 78.97%) who engaged in job search participated in our three-wave longitudinal survey at six-month intervals. To assess hikikomori symptoms, we used the 25-item Hikikomori Questionnaire. In addition, identity distress was measured using the 10-item Identity Distress Survey.

Results

Latent class growth analysis revealed four different trajectories of hikikomori symptoms. Most young adults showed severe levels and escalating hikikomori symptoms over time. In contrast, a small proportion of young adults prevented hikikomori symptoms through the period of job search. Additionally, young adults with more severe levels of identity distress followed trajectories marked by severe hikikomori symptoms after controlling for other risk factors.

Conclusion

The present study's findings contribute to developing a primary intervention for hikikomori symptoms by identifying the period of greatest risk. Group-based counseling support for hikikomori from the perspective of identity is recommended.
Risks and Resources for Depressive Symptoms and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Results of the Longitudinal COPSY Study
Authors: Güzelsoy Neslihan , Ravens-Sieberer Ulrike , Westenhöfer Joachim , Devine Janine , Erhart Michael , Hölling Heike , Kaman Anne
Published: July 2022

Background

Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic is of particularly high relevance. Especially for children and adolescents, the pandemic and its restrictions represent a significant burden. The present study aims to identify risks and resources for depressive symptoms and anxiety in children and adolescents during the pandemic in Germany.

Materials and Methods

Self-reported data from the first wave of the longitudinal COVID-19 and Psychological Health (COPSY) study were used to investigate risks and resources among n = 811 children and adolescents aged 11–17 years. Depressive symptoms and anxiety were measured at the first follow-up 6 months later. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the effects of risks and resources on depressive symptoms and anxiety.

Results

Parental depressive symptoms predicted depressive symptoms and anxiety in children and adolescents 6 months later. Female gender was identified as a risk factor for anxiety during the pandemic. None of the potential resources were associated with depressive symptoms or anxiety at the follow-up.

Conclusion

The findings provide evidence of risk factors for depressive symptoms and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children and adolescents who face risk factors need to be identified early and monitored during the pandemic. Family-based intervention programs are needed to help vulnerable children and adolescents cope with the challenges of the pandemic.
Online Sex Addiction: A Qualitative Analysis of Symptoms in Treatment-Seeking Men
Authors: Blinka Lukas , Ševčíková Anna , Dreier Michael , Škařupová Katerina , Wölfling Klaus
Published: July 2022

Background

Problematic sexual internet use has been attracting increasing research attention in recent years. However, there is a paucity of qualitative studies about how this problem manifests on a daily basis in the clinical population and whether the phenomenon should fall within the hypersexual, compulsive-impulsive, or addictive spectrums of disorders.

Methods

Twenty-three semi-structured interviews, including AICA-C clinical interviews, were conducted with men who were in treatment for problematic internet sex use (aged 22–53; Mage = 35.82). The interview structure focused on the patterns of sexual behavior in question, their development, the manifestation of symptoms, and other associated psychosocial problems. A thematic analysis was applied as the main analytical strategy.

Results

Typical problematic patterns included pornography use and cybersex, together with continuous masturbation for several hours several times a week. This pattern emerged relatively early in young adulthood and became persistent for years. The majority of participants fulfilled the criteria for behavioral addiction (as defined, e.g., by the components model of addiction), with loss of control and preoccupation being the most pronounced and withdrawal symptoms being the least. Together with the onset of erectile dysfunction, negative consequences were reported as being slowly built up over years and typically in the form of deep life dissatisfaction, regret, and feelings of unfulfilled potential.

Discussion and Conclusion

The Addiction model is relevant for describing the difficulties in treatment-seeking men who suffer from problematic sexual internet use. However, the manifestations of the additional criteria are nuanced. In the case of negative consequences, their onset might be very slow and not easily reflected. While there was evidence of several forms of tolerance, potential withdrawal symptoms in online sex addiction need further attention to be verified.
Abnormal Brain Structure Morphology in Early-Onset Schizophrenia
Authors: Cai Jia , Wei Wei , Zhao Liansheng , Li Mingli , Li Xiaojing , Liang Sugai , Deng Wei , Du Xiang Dong , Wang Qiang , Guo Wan-jun , Ma Xiaohong , Sham Pak C. , Li Tao
Published: July 2022

With less exposure to environmental and medication influences, individuals with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) may provide valuable evidence to study the pathogenesis and phenotypic pattern of schizophrenia.T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were collected in 60 individuals with EOS and 40 healthy controls. Voxel-based morphometry and surface-based morphometry analyzes were performed. Gray matter volume, cortical thickness and cortical surface area were compared between the EOS and healthy controls and among schizophrenia subgroups (with or without family history of schizophrenia). Compared with healthy controls, the EOS group had reduced gray matter volume in the bilateral middle temporal gyrus and reduced cortical thickness in several brain regions. The sporadic early onset schizophrenia and the familial early onset schizophrenia showed different brain structure morphology. These findings suggest that abnormal brain structure morphology, especially in the temporal and frontal lobes, may be an important pathophysiological feature of EOS.
Application of the Delphi Method in the Study of Depressive Disorder
Authors: Wu Hengjin , Xu Linjie , Zheng Yu , Shi Lei , Zhai Liangfan , Xu FengQuan
Published: July 2022

Depressive disorder is a common mental disorder that has a high prevalence and low visiting rate, which caused patients years lived with disability. Due to the complexity of the depressive disorder, the Delphi method is a better choice compared with other commonly used methods, which provides a new perspective for the prevention and treatment of depression. This article will summarize the clinical studies of depressive disorders using the Delphi method from four perspectives, and summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the Delphi method in depressive disorders research, arguing that the Delphi method can cross the gap between clinical research and clinical practice, and is a highly practical part of the research process.
How Psychological Wellbeing and Digital Mental Health Services Intervene the Role of Self-Efficacy and Affective Commitment of University Students in Their Performance?
Authors: Min Wang , Jun Gao , Feng Liu
Published: July 2022

Student performance is a critical factor in academic achievement. Other factors like the students' self-efficacy, affective commitment, and psychological wellbeing play a significant role in shaping their performance. The present study aims to understand the role of self-efficacy, affective commitment, and psychological wellbeing in the students' performance. To carry out the study, the data were collected from the 308 students currently enrolled in the public sector universities of China. Smart-PLS is used to check the validation of the proposed hypotheses. Partial least square structural equation modeling is used for hypothesis testing. Results of the study show that self-efficacy does not play a role in the student performance in public sector universities; however, the affective commitment of the students plays a significant role in their performance. The psychological wellbeing of the students has a substantial influence on their performance. Furthermore, the results have also indicated that psychological wellbeing is an important indicator of student performance. It has also been revealed that psychological wellbeing significantly mediates the relationship between self-efficacy, affective commitment, and student performance. The students who availed of the digital mental health services were found to have a low relationship between their self-efficacy and performance.
Arsenic Speciation and Metallomics Profiling of Human Toenails as a Biomarker to Assess Prostate Cancer Cases: Atlantic PATH Cohort Study
Authors: Keltie Erin , Hood Kalli M. , Cui Yunsong , Sweeney Ellen , Ilie Gabriela , Adisesh Anil , Dummer Trevor , Bharti Veni , Kim Jong Sung
Published: July 2022

Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic and trace metals has been linked to prostate cancer, and altered arsenic methylation capacity may have an important role in arsenic carcinogenesis. Biomarkers may be able to elucidate this role. Our objectives were to characterize profiles of arsenic species and metallome in toenails and urine samples, compare profiles between prostate cancer cases and controls, and determine the discriminant ability of toenail and urine biomarkers. Toenail samples (n = 576), urine samples (n = 152), and questionnaire data were sourced from the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow's Health (PATH) cohort study. Healthy controls were matched to prostate cancer cases (3:1 ratio) on sex, age, smoking status, and the province of residence. Metallome profiles and proportions of arsenic species were measured in toenail and urine samples. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare the mean percent monomethylarsonic acid (%MMA), dimethylarsonic acid (%DMA), inorganic arsenic (%iAs), primary methylation index (PMI, MMA/iAs), and secondary methylation index (SMI, DMA/MMA). Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to compare selected metal concentrations. Mean %MMA was significantly lower and SMI was significantly higher in toenails from prostate cancer cases compared to controls in unadjusted and adjusted models. Proportions of arsenic species were correlated with total arsenic in toenails. Arsenic speciation in urine was not different between cases and controls, nor were metallome profiles in toenails and urine. Our results indicate that toenails are a viable biomarker for altered arsenic speciation in prostate cancer cases and may have greater utility than urine in this context.
Effects of Social Participation by Middle-Aged and Elderly Residents on the Utilization of Medical Services: Evidence From China
Authors: Liu Tai-Yi , Qiu De-Chao , Chen Ting
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Aim to evaluate the effect of social participation on utilization of medical services among middle-aged and elderly residents in China.

Methods

We used data from the 2018 wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Social participation is classified into three types. Furthermore, to control for confounding factors, our study computed propensity score matching (PSM) to evaluate the effect of social participation on the utilization of medical services.

Result

The result of PSM indicates that social participation significantly positively affects the utilization of outpatient services, the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT = 0.038***) and the utilization of inpatient services (ATT = 0.015**) by middle-aged and elderly residents. Furthermore, the utilization of outpatient health care services was significantly positively associated with leisure activities (ATT = 0.035***), social activities to help others (ATT = 0.031***), and learning activities to gain new knowledge (ATT = 0.034***) among middle-aged and elderly residents. The utilization of inpatient health care was significantly positively associated with leisure activities (ATT = 0.015***) but had no significant association with social deeds that help others and increased new knowledge among middle-aged and elderly residents.

Conclusion

Thus, social participation significantly positively affects healthcare utilization by middle-aged and elderly residents. Hence, the government and society should provide more conveniences and promote social participation among middle-aged and elderly residents.
Queueing Theory and COVID-19 Prevention: Model Proposal to Maximize Safety and Performance of Vaccination Sites
Authors: Di Pumpo Marcello , Ianni Andrea , Miccoli Ginevra Azzurra , Di Mattia Andrea , Gualandi Raffaella , Pascucci Domenico , Ricciardi Walter , Damiani Gianfranco , Sommella Lorenzo , Laurenti Patrizia
Published: July 2022

Introduction

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 19) has rapidly spread all around the world. Vaccination represents one of the most promising counter-pandemic measures. There is still little specific evidence in literature on how to safely and effectively program access and flow through specific healthcare settings to avoid overcrowding in order to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Literature regarding appointment scheduling in healthcare is vast. Unpunctuality however, especially when targeting healthcare workers during working hours, is always possible. Therefore, when determining how many subjects to book, using a linear method assuming perfect adhesion to scheduled time could lead to organizational problems.

Methods

This study proposes a “Queuing theory” based approach. A COVID-19 vaccination site targeting healthcare workers based in a teaching hospital in Rome was studied to determine real-life arrival rate variability. Three simulations using Queueing theory were performed.

Results

Queueing theory application reduced subjects queueing over maximum safety requirements by 112 in a real-life based vaccination setting, by 483 in a double-sized setting and by 750 in a mass vaccination model compared with a linear approach. In the 3 settings, respectively, the percentage of station's time utilization was 98.6, 99.4 and 99.8%, while the average waiting time was 27.2, 33.84, and 33.84 min.

Conclusions

Queueing theory has already been applied in healthcare. This study, in line with recent literature developments, proposes the adoption of a Queueing theory base approach to vaccination sites modeling, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as this tool enables to quantify ahead of time the outcome of organizational choices on both safety and performance of vaccination sites.
Improve Cardiac Emergency Preparedness by Building a Team-Based Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Educational Plan
Authors: Xu Jianing , Dong Xuejie , Yin Hongfan , Guan Zhouyu , Li Zhenghao , Qu Fangge , Chen Tian , Wang Caifeng , Fang Qiong , Zhang Lin
Published: July 2022

Objective

To design an innovative team-based cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) educational plan for multiple bystanders and evaluate whether it was associated with better teamwork and higher quality of resuscitation.

Methods

The team-based CPR plan defined the process for a three-person team, emphasize task allocation, leadership, and closed-loop communication. Participants qualified for single-rescuer CPR skills were randomized into teams of 3. The teamwork performance and CPR operation skills were evaluated in one simulated cardiac arrest scenario before and after training on the team-based CPR plan. The primary outcomes were measured by the Team Emergency Assessment Measure (TEAM) scale and chest compression fraction (CCF).

Results

Forty-three teams were included in the analysis. The team-based CPR plan significantly improved the team performance (global rating 6.7 ± 1.3 vs. 9.0 ± 0.7, corrected p < 0.001 after Bonferroni's correction). After implementing the team-based CPR plan, CCF increased [median 59 (IQR 48–69) vs. 64 (IQR 57–71%)%, corrected p = 0.002], while hands-off time decreased [median 233.2 (IQR 181.0–264.0) vs. 207 (IQR 174–222.9) s, corrected p = 0.02]. We found the average compression depth was significantly improved through the team-based CPR training [median 5.1 (IQR 4.7–5.6) vs. 5.3 (IQR 4.9–5.5) cm, p = 0.03] but no more significantly after applying the Bonferroni's correction (corrected p = 0.35). The compression depths were significantly improved by collaborating and exchanging the role of compression among the participants after the 6th min.

Conclusion

The team-based CPR plan is feasible for improving bystanders teamwork performance and effective for improving resuscitation quality in prearrival care. We suggest a wide application of the team-based CPR plan in the educational program for better resuscitation performance in real rescue events.
Risky Lives? Self-Directed Violence and Violence From Others Among Young People Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET)
Authors: Haugland Siri Havas , Stea Tonje Holte
Published: July 2022

Self-directed violence and violence from others comprise a major public health concern in youth. However, we lack knowledge about the prevalence of violent experiences among young people that are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), whether violent occurrences are similar among girls and boys, and whether violence differs between NEET youths and young students. This cross-sectional study compared the occurrences of self-directed violence (suicide attempts and self-harm) and exposure to violence from others (violent threats, beaten without visible marks, or injured due to violent events) between 96 NEET youth and 384 age- and sex-matched upper secondary school students (16–21 years). Suicide attempts were reported by 45.2% of NEET girls and 18.8% of schoolgirls (p < 0.001), but no significant difference was found between NEET boys (17.6%) and schoolboys (13.1%). Self-harm was reported by 78.9% of NEET girls and 33.9% of schoolgirls (p < 0.001). Self-harm was less prevalent among boys; it was reported by 34.6% of NEET boys and 21.8% of schoolboys (p = 0.056). A multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusted for parental education, showed that, compared to schoolgirls, NEET girls had much higher odds ratios (ORs) for both self-directed violence and violence from others with OR ranging from 4.39; CI 1.96–9.85 to 7.68; CI 3.20–18.41. The risk of injury due to violent events was higher among NEET boys (OR: 3.23, 95%CI: 1.21–8.62) compared to schoolboys. Our findings highlighted the importance of including NEET individuals in studies on violence and emphasized the importance of psychosocial health services for young people marginalized from education and the labor market.
Integrating the Role of UTAUT and TTF Model to Evaluate Social Media Use for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Al-Rahmi Ali Mugahed , Shamsuddin Alina , Wahab Eta , Al-Rahmi Waleed Mugahed , Alturki Uthman , Aldraiweesh Ahmed , Almutairy Sultan
Published: July 2022

Investigation of task-technology fit and intention to use social media tools needs to focus specifically on higher education for teaching and learning, and its impact on students' academic performance. This article aims to develop a model that would identify essential aspects that are predicted to continue to play a large role in TTF for learning in BI, which could be used to improve academic performance in higher education. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and aspects of SM and the relationship between their use in the TTF and UTAUT theory to determine how they affect research students' satisfaction and AP in HE institutions. Data for the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and task-technology fit (TTF) theories were collected using a questionnaire survey. This research hypothesizes that behavioral intention to utilize social media and task-technology fit for learning will influence social characteristics, technology characteristics, performance expectancy, and effort expectancy, all of which will improve academic performance. As a test bed for this research, a structural equation model (SEM) was constructed examining the relationships between factors that affect students' academic performance. A stratified random sample strategy was used to disseminate the main tool of data collection, a questionnaire, to 383 students. A quantitative method was used to examine the results. The obtained outcomes showed that there was a correlation among social characteristics, technological characteristics, behavioral intention to use social media, and task-technology fit for academic performance, which aided student performance and results. The study indicates that PEX and EEX also demonstrated a strong relation to task-technology fit and behavioral intent to use social media for academic purposes, both of which positively impacted academic performance. As a result, the study found that behavioral intention to utilize and task-technology-fit social media promote students' active learning and enable them to discuss and exchange knowledge and information more efficiently. In conclusion, we encourage students to use social media for educational purposes in their studies and teaching through lectures in HE institutions.
A National Cross-Sectional Survey of Bullying in Syrian Graduate Medical Education
Authors: Swed Sarya , Shoib Sheikh , Almoshantaf Mohammad Bader , Bohsas Haidara , Hassan Ahmad Salah Eldin Mohamed , Motawea Karam R. , Hassan Noheir Ashraf Ibrahem Fathy , Ahmad Eman Mohammed Sharif , Sheet Lana , Khairy Lina Taha , Bakkour Agyad , Muwaili Ali Hadi Hussein , Muwaili Dhuha Hadi Hussein , Abdelmajid Fatima Abubaker Abdalla , Ahmad Shoaib , Hasan Mohammad Mehedi , Elkalagi Nashaat Kamal Hamdy
Published: July 2022

Bullying is defined as unpleasant behavior that causes someone to feel disturbed or embarrassed, affecting their self-esteem. Based on this premise, we set out to investigate bullying among Syrian graduate medical education residents and fellows, estimate its prevalence among specific subgroups, and give recommendations to help validate the findings and enhance the graduate medical education training experience. A sample of 278 residents and fellows in Syrian graduate medical school were recruited for the study in a national cross-sectional survey, with 276 participants completing a Bullying survey in 2021 and two people refusing to participate. Participants in the survey were asked to provide basic demographic and programming information and three general Bullying and 20 specific bullying behavior items. Differences across groups were compared for demographic and programmatic stratifications. About 51% of participants had experienced one or more bullying behaviors, 69% said they had been bullied, and 87% said they had witnessed Bullying. Residents and supervisor-attendings were the most common sources of perceived Bullying (~67 and 62%, respectively), followed by patients (58%), nurses (46%), and pharmacists (46%) (33%). More specific bullying behaviors have been recorded by female Arabic Syrians who are shorter than 5'8, have a body mass index (BMI) of 25, and are 30 years old or younger who were -compared to males- more likely to report attempts to minimize and devalue work (55 vs. 34%, P ≤ 0.01) and criticism and work monitoring (56 vs. 33%, P ≤ 0.01). In addition, general medical graduates and PGY-2-PGY-6 respondents reported more specific bullying behaviors than private medical graduates and post-graduate participants in the first year (PGY 1), respectively. For example, a significant difference is noticed when reporting unreasonable pressure to perform work (83 vs. 6%, P ≤ 0.01). Except for physical violence, which does not differ statistically between groups, most bullying behaviors were reported by participants with statistically significant differences between study groups—many residents and fellows in Syria's graduate medical school system report being bullied. Anti-bullying rules and a multidisciplinary strategy including all players in the medical system are essential to eradicating these pervasive practices in healthcare.
Understanding the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nursing Homes (Aragón, Spain): Sociodemographic and Clinical Factors Associated With Hospitalization and Mortality
Authors: Aguilar-Palacio Isabel , Maldonado Lina , Marcos-Campos Iván , Castel-Feced Sara , Malo Sara , Aibar Carlos , Rabanaque MªJosé
Published: July 2022

Old people residing in nursing homes have been a vulnerable group to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with high rates of infection and death. Our objective was to describe the profile of institutionalized patients with a confirmed COVID-19 infection and the socioeconomic and morbidity factors associated with hospitalization and death. We conducted a retrospective cohort study including data from subjects aged 65 years or older residing in a nursing home with a confirmed COVID-19 infection from March 2020 to March 2021 (4,632 individuals) in Aragón (Spain). We analyzed their sociodemographic and clinical profiles and factors related to hospitalization and mortality at 7, 30, and 90 days of COVID-19 diagnosis using logistic regression analyses. We found that the risk of hospitalization and mortality varied according to sociodemographic and morbidity profile. There were inequalities in hospitalization by socioeconomic status and gender. Patients with low contributory pensions and women had a lower risk of hospitalization. Diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease were associated with a higher risk of hospitalization. On the contrary, people with dementia showed the highest risk of mortality with no hospitalization. Patient-specific factors must be considered to develop equitable and effective measures in nursing homes to be prepared for future health threats.