bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Acyclovir in Oncologic Pediatric Patients
Authors: Maximova Natalia , Nisticò Daniela , Luci Giacomo , Simeone Roberto , Piscianz Elisa , Segat Ludovica , Barbi Egidio , Di Paolo Antonello
Published: April 2022

Background: Acyclovir represents the first-line prophylaxis and therapy for herpes virus infections. However, its pharmacokinetics in children exposes them to the risk of ineffective or toxic concentrations. The study was aimed at investigating the population pharmacokinetics (POP/PK) of intravenous (IV) acyclovir in oncologic children.

Methods: Patients (age, 8.6 ± 5.0 years, 73 males and 47 females) received IV acyclovir for prophylaxis (n = 94) and therapy (n = 26) under a therapeutic drug monitoring (i.e., minimum and maximal plasma concentrations, >0.5 and <25 mg/L, respectively). Plasma concentrations were fitted by nonlinear mixed effect modeling and a simulation of dosing regimens was performed. Findings were stratified according to an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) threshold of 250 ml/min/1.73 m2.

Results: The final 1-compartment POP/PK model showed that eGFR had a significant effect on drug clearance, while allometric body weight influenced both clearance and volume of distribution. The population clearance (14.0 ± 5.5 L/h) was consistent across occasions. Simulation of standard 1-h IV infusion showed that a 10-mg/kg dose every 6 h achieved target concentrations in children with normal eGFR (i.e., ≤250 ml/min/1.73 m2). Increased eGFR values required higher doses that led to an augmented risk of toxic peak concentrations. On the contrary, simulated prolonged (i.e., 2 and 3-h) or continuous IV infusions at lower doses increased the probability of target attainment while reducing the risk of toxicities.

Conclusion: Due to the variable pharmacokinetics of acyclovir, standard dosing regimens may not be effective in some patients. Prospective trials should confirm the therapeutic advantage of prolonged and continuous IV infusions
On the Pareto Type III Distribution
Authors: Bottazzi Giulio
Published: April 2022

This note analyzes some properties of the Pareto Type III distribution. A three parameter version of the original two parameter distribution proposed by Pareto is introduced and both its density and characteristic function are derived. The analytic expression of the inverse distribution function is also obtained, together with an explicit expression of its moments of any order. Finally, a simple statistical exercise is proposed, designed to show the reliability of the Pareto Type III distribution in describing asymptotically dumped power-like behaviors.
Adaptive Sliding-Mode Synchronization of the Memristor-Based Sixth-Order Uncertain Chaotic System and Its Application in Image Encryption
Authors: Yao Xiurong , Chen Xiangyong , Liu Huawei , Sun Li , He Liping
Published: April 2022

This article presents a memristor-based sixth-order chaotic circuit which is designed based on Chua¡ ¯ s circuit using flux-controlled memristors and charge-controlled memristors. The chaotic characteristics are analyzed, and the chaotic phase diagrams are drawn. The specific upper bound information of the model uncertainty and external disturbance is unknown. We design an adaptive terminal sliding-mode control law for such chaotic systems, which not only compensates the influence of the uncertainty and disturbance but also ensures that the synchronization error system is fixed-time stable when the sliding motion takes place. Also, the accessibility of the sliding surface is guaranteed. Thus, the sufficient conditions for the synchronization of the considered systems are derived. Simulation examples show the significance and superiority of the control scheme. The synchronization strategy is applied to image encryption, and the results show that the encryption effect is excellent and has strong anti-disturbance ability.
Interactions, Diffusion, and Membrane Fluctuations in Concentrated Unilamellar Lipid Vesicle Solutions
Authors: Kelley Elizabeth G. , Blick Emily E. , Prabhu Vivek M. , Butler Paul D. , Nagao Michihiro
Published: April 2022

Lipid vesicles are widely used as models for cell membranes, hosts for membrane protein studies, and containers for hydrophilic molecules. The vesicle solutions in these applications are usually prepared at a specific lipid concentration; however, because vesicles are solvent-filled structures, the corresponding volume fraction of vesicles is at least a factor of three times higher than the corresponding lipid volume fraction and critically depends on the vesicle radii. Here we show that these higher than may be expected vesicle volume fractions result in measurable interactions between the vesicles as well as affect the vesicle diffusion. We show that vesicle solutions prepared with lipid mass fractions, mL, as low as ≈ 0.004, which correspond to a lipid concentration of ≈ 4 mg/mL or 5 mmol/L (mM), not only have a measurable apparent structure factor (S′(q)) in small angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments, but that this repulsive structure factor also affects the measured diffusion coefficient at small scattering vectors (q) such as those probed with dynamic light scattering (DLS). The measured diffusion coefficients are further affected by indirect solvent mediated interactions described by a hydrodynamic factor (H(q)). Accounting for the concentration-dependence of the vesicle diffusion shows that the lipid concentration dependence measured in neutron spin echo (NSE) spectroscopy is due to differences in the effective vesicle diffusion coefficients and not the membrane fluctuation dynamics. The results have practical implications for static and dynamic scattering experiments as well as provide interesting insights into the interactions between soft lipid vesicles.
Ultrafast Laser Direct-Writing of Self-Organized Microstructures in Ge-Sb-S Chalcogenide Glass
Authors: Torun Gözden , Yadav Anupama , Richardson Kathleen A. , Bellouard Yves
Published: April 2022

The structuring of mid-IR materials, such as chalcogenide glass (ChG), at the micro and nano scales, is of high interest for the fabrication of photonic devices in general, and for spectroscopy applications in particular. One efficient method for producing regular patterns with a sub-micron to micron length scale is through self-organization processes occurring during femtosecond laser exposure. These processes occur in a broad set of materials, where such self-organized patterns can be found not only on the surface but also within the material volume. This study specifically investigates the case of chalcogenide glass (Ge23Sb7S70) exposed to femtosecond laser pulses, inducing pulse-to-pulse nanostructure formation that is correlated to the glass network structural evolution using Raman spectroscopy as well as morphological and elemental microscopy analysis.
Influence of Swimming Training Session on Selected Saliva Components in Youth Swimmers
Authors: Grzesiak-Gasek Iwona , Kaczmarek Urszula
Published: April 2022

Exercise may induce many changes in biochemical parameters of the saliva. Thanks to non-invasive access, saliva can be used as a diagnostic material in physical activity monitoring. The aim of the study was comparison of selected salivary components in swimmers before and after training session. 40 male subjects aged 12–15, out of whom 30 were competitive swimmers and 10 control were involved in the study. Salivary samples were collected from all subjects in the morning, and in the afternoon; from the swimmers, they were also collected before and after the workout. Salivary flow rate-V, pH, total protein-P, alpha-amylase-Amy, salivary peroxidase-SPO, cortisol-C, total antioxidant status-TAS, sialic acid (free-FSA, bound-GSA, total-TSA), calcium-Ca, magnesium-Mg were measured. The swimmers assessed the workout intensity of training session using the RPE Foster’s scale. The circadian rhythm pattern of some salivary components and differences after training were found. In swimmers after the morning exercise significant increase of P (0.83 ± 0.27 vs. 1.10 ± 0.58 g/L), Amy (64.91 ± 70.86 vs. 87.07 ± 92.46IU/L), Ca (3.83 ± 1.33 vs. 4.99 ± 2.24 mg/L), Mg (0.52 ± 0.32 vs. 0.73 ± 0.34 mg/L), TAS (0.64 ± 0.27 vs. 0.72 ± 0.26 mmol/L) and decrease V (0.47 ± 0.37 vs. 0.36 ± 0.22 mg/min), C (5.86 ± 5.00 vs. 3.54 ± 5.07 μg/ml) were found. After the afternoon training significant increase of pH (7.13 ± 0.33 vs. 7.27 ± 0.24), Amy (111.53 ± 120.13 vs. 130.91 ± 161.14IU/L), Ca (3.72 ± 1.34 vs. 4.61 ± 1.58 mg/L), Mg (0.48 ± 0.28 vs. 0.60 ± 0.39 mg/L), TSA (5.64 ± 3.78 vs. 6.10 ± 3.08 mg/L), GSA (3.00 ± 3.06 vs. 3.38 ± 2.26 mg/L), and decrease of V (0.63 ± 0.63 vs. 0.49 ± 0.39 ml/min) were noticed. Before training in the morning in the swimmers significantly higher of V (0.47 ± 0.37 vs. 0.26 ± 0.15 mg/min), TAS (0.64 ± 0.27 vs. 0.40 ± 0.16 mmol/L), and lower pH (7.01 ± 0.46 vs. 7.53 ± 0.33), P (0.83 ± 0.27 vs. 1.86 ± 1.28 g/L), Amy (64.91 ± 70.86 vs. 146.56 ± 114.45IU/L) compared to the control were found. In the afternoon in swimmers before training session significantly lower pH (7.13 ± 0.33 vs. 7.53 ± 0.49) and Amy (111.53 ± 120.13 vs. 170.98 ± 107.72IU/L) in comparison to the control were noticed. The RPE scores were negatively correlated with V (rho = −0.500, p = 0.05 and pH (rho = −0.382, p = 0.03) measured after the morning session and after the afternoon training with V (rho = −0.570, p = 0.01) and Ca (rho = −0.401, p = 0.08). The levels of salivary flow rate, alpha amylase, cortisol, calcium, magnesium were associated with swimming training session, and showed circadian variation without a significant effect on their responses to exercise.
Potential Benefits of Combined Statin and Metformin Therapy on Resistance Training Response in Older Individuals
Authors: Long Douglas E. , Kosmac Kate , Dungan Cory M. , Bamman Marcas M. , Peterson Charlotte A. , Kern Philip A.
Published: April 2022

Metformin and statins are currently the focus of large clinical trials testing their ability to counter age-associated declines in health, but recent reports suggest that both may negatively affect skeletal muscle response to exercise. However, it has also been suggested that metformin may act as a possible protectant of statin-related muscle symptoms. The potential impact of combined drug use on the hypertrophic response to resistance exercise in healthy older adults has not been described. We present secondary statin analyses of data from the MASTERS trial where metformin blunted the hypertrophy response in healthy participants (>65 years) following 14 weeks of progressive resistance training (PRT) when compared to identical placebo treatment (n = 94). Approximately one-third of MASTERS participants were taking prescribed statins. Combined metformin and statin resulted in rescue of the metformin-mediated impaired growth response to PRT but did not significantly affect strength. Improved muscle fiber growth may be associated with medication-induced increased abundance of CD11b+/CD206+ M2-like macrophages. Sarcopenia is a significant problem with aging and this study identifies a potential interaction between these commonly used drugs which may help prevent metformin-related blunting of the beneficial effects of PRT.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02308228, Registered on 25 November 2014.
Song Preference in Female and Juvenile Songbirds: Proximate and Ultimate Questions
Authors: Fujii Tomoko G. , Coulter Austin , Lawley Koedi S. , Prather Jonathan F. , Okanoya Kazuo
Published: April 2022

Birdsong has long been a subject of extensive research in the fields of ethology as well as neuroscience. Neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying song acquisition and production in male songbirds are particularly well studied, mainly because birdsong shares some important features with human speech such as critical dependence on vocal learning. However, birdsong, like human speech, primarily functions as communication signals. The mechanisms of song perception and recognition should also be investigated to attain a deeper understanding of the nature of complex vocal signals. Although relatively less attention has been paid to song receivers compared to signalers, recent studies on female songbirds have begun to reveal the neural basis of song preference. Moreover, there are other studies of song preference in juvenile birds which suggest possible functions of preference in social context including the sensory phase of song learning. Understanding the behavioral and neural mechanisms underlying the formation, maintenance, expression, and alteration of such song preference in birds will potentially give insight into the mechanisms of speech communication in humans. To pursue this line of research, however, it is necessary to understand current methodological challenges in defining and measuring song preference. In addition, consideration of ultimate questions can also be important for laboratory researchers in designing experiments and interpreting results. Here we summarize the current understanding of song preference in female and juvenile songbirds in the context of Tinbergen’s four questions, incorporating results ranging from ethological field research to the latest neuroscience findings. We also discuss problems and remaining questions in this field and suggest some possible solutions and future directions.
Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci Associated With Iron Deficiency Tolerance in Maize
Authors: Xu Jianqin , Zhu Xiaoyang , Yan Fang , Zhu Huaqing , Zhou Xiuyu , Yu Futong
Published: April 2022

Iron (Fe) is a limiting factor in crop growth and nutritional quality because of its low solubility. However, the current understanding of how major crops respond to Fe deficiency and the genetic basis remains limited. In the present study, Fe-efficient inbred line Ye478 and Fe-inefficient inbred line Wu312 and their recombinant inbred line (RIL) population were utilized to reveal the physiological and genetic responses of maize to low Fe stress. Compared with the Fe-sufficient conditions (+Fe: 200 μM), Fe-deficient supply (−Fe: 30 μM) significantly reduced shoot and root dry weights, leaf SPAD of Fe-efficient inbred line Ye478 by 31.4, 31.8, and 46.0%, respectively; decreased Fe-inefficient inbred line Wu312 by 72.0, 45.1, and 84.1%, respectively. Under Fe deficiency, compared with the supply of calcium nitrate (N1), supplying ammonium nitrate (N2) significantly increased the shoot and root dry weights of Wu312 by 37.5 and 51.6%, respectively; and enhanced Ye478 by 23.9 and 45.1%, respectively. Compared with N1, N2 resulted in a 70.0% decrease of the root Fe concentration for Wu312 in the −Fe treatment, N2 treatment reduced the root Fe concentration of Ye478 by 55.8% in the −Fe treatment. These findings indicated that, compared with only supplying nitrate nitrogen, combined supply of ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen not only contributed to better growth in maize but also significantly reduced Fe concentration in roots. In linkage analysis, ten quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with Fe deficiency tolerance were detected, explaining 6.2–12.0% of phenotypic variation. Candidate genes considered to be associated with the mechanisms underlying Fe deficiency tolerance were identified within a single locus or QTL co-localization, including ZmYS3, ZmPYE, ZmEIL3, ZmMYB153, ZmILR3 and ZmNAS4, which may form a sophisticated network to regulate the uptake, transport and redistribution of Fe. Furthermore, ZmYS3 was highly induced by Fe deficiency in the roots; ZmPYE and ZmEIL3, which may be involved in Fe homeostasis in strategy I plants, were significantly upregulated in the shoots and roots under low Fe stress; ZmMYB153 was Fe-deficiency inducible in the shoots. Our findings will provide a comprehensive insight into the physiological and genetic basis of Fe deficiency tolerance.
Physiological and Transcriptome Indicators of Salt Tolerance in Wild and Cultivated Barley
Authors: Gharaghanipor Narges , Arzani Ahmad , Rahimmalek Mehdi , Ravash Rudabeh
Published: April 2022

Barley is used as a model cereal to decipher salt tolerance mechanisms due to its simpler genome than wheat and enhanced salt tolerance compared to rice and wheat. In the present study, RNA-Seq based transcriptomic profiles were compared between salt-tolerant wild (Hordeum spontaneum, genotype no. 395) genotype and salt-sensitive cultivated (H. vulgare, ‘Mona’ cultivar) subjected to salt stress (300 mM NaCl) and control (0 mM NaCl) conditions. Plant growth and physiological attributes were also evaluated in a separate experiment as a comparison. Wild barley was significantly less impacted by salt stress than cultivated barley in growth and physiology and hence was more stress-responsive functionally. A total of 6,048 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) including 3,025 up-regulated and 3,023 down-regulated DEGs were detected in the wild genotype in salt stress conditions. The transcripts of salt-stress-related genes were profoundly lower in the salt-sensitive than the tolerant barley having a total of 2,610 DEGs (580 up- and 2,030 down-regulated). GO enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in biological processes associated with stress defenses (e.g., cellular component, signaling network, ion transporter, regulatory proteins, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, hormone biosynthesis, osmotic homeostasis). Comparison of the candidate genes in the two genotypes showed that the tolerant genotype contains higher functional and effective salt-tolerance related genes with a higher level of transcripts than the sensitive one. In conclusion, the tolerant genotype consistently exhibited better tolerance to salt stress in physiological and functional attributes than did the sensitive one. These differences provide a comprehensive understanding of the evolved salt-tolerance mechanism in wild barley. The shared mechanisms between these two sub-species revealed at each functional level will provide more reliable insights into the basic mechanisms of salt tolerance in barley species.
A Meta-Analysis of Biostimulant Yield Effectiveness in Field Trials
Authors: Li Jing , Van Gerrewey Thijs , Geelen Danny
Published: April 2022

Today's agriculture faces many concerns in maintaining crop yield while adapting to climate change and transitioning to more sustainable cultivation practices. The application of plant biostimulants (PBs) is one of the methods that step forward to address these challenges. The advantages of PBs have been reported numerous times. Yet, there is a general lack of quantitative assessment of the overall impact of PBs on crop production. Here we report a comprehensive meta-analysis on biostimulants (focus on non-microbial PBs) of over one thousand pairs of open-field data in a total of 180 qualified studies worldwide. Yield gains in open-field cultivation upon biostimulant application were compared across different parameters: biostimulant category, application method, crop species, climate condition, and soil property. The overall results showed that (1) the add-on yield benefit among all biostimulant categories is on average 17.9% and reached the highest potential via soil treatment; (2) biostimulant applied in arid climates and vegetable cultivation had the highest impact on crop yield; and (3) biostimulants were more efficient in low soil organic matter content, non-neutral, saline, nutrient-insufficient, and sandy soils. This systematic review provides general biostimulant application guidelines and gives consultants and growers insights into achieving an optimal benefit from biostimulant application.
Conjunctive Analyses of Bulk Segregant Analysis Sequencing and Bulk Segregant RNA Sequencing to Identify Candidate Genes Controlling Spikelet Sterility of Foxtail Millet
Authors: Gao Yongbin , Du Lihong , Ma Qian , Yuan Yuhao , Liu Jinrong , Song Hui , Feng Baili
Published: April 2022

Foxtail millet has gradually become a model gramineous C4 crop owing to its short growth period and small genome. Research on the development of its spikelets is not only directly related to the yield and economic value of foxtail millet but also can provide a reference for studying the fertility of other C4 crops. In this study, a hybrid population containing 200 offspring was constructed from the Xinong8852 and An15 parental lines, and two extreme trait populations were constructed from the F2 generation for analysis of the spikelet sterility. The F2 population conformed to a 3:1 Mendelian segregation ratio, and it was thus concluded that this trait is likely controlled by a single recessive gene. Bulk segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-Seq) was used to determine the candidate regions and candidate genes related to the development of foxtail millet spikelets. Additionally, the functional analysis of differentially expressed genes in populations with different traits was conducted by bulk segregant RNA sequencing (BSR-Seq). Finally, conjunctive analysis of BSA-Seq and BSR-Seq results, combined with biological information analysis, revealed six genes on chromosome VII that were ultimately identified as candidate genes controlling foxtail millet spikelet development. This study provides a new reference for research on foxtail millet sterility and lays a solid foundation for the examination of fertility in other gramineous crops.
Deciphering Precise Gene Transcriptional Expression Using gwINTACT in Tomato
Authors: Chu Yiyang , Gong Jiachen , Wu Peiwen , Liu Ye , Du Yinglin , Ma Lili , Fu Daqi , Zhu Hongliang , Qu Guiqin , Zhu Benzhong
Published: April 2022

Functional gene transcription mainly occurs in the nucleus and has a significant role in plant physiology. The isolation of nuclei tagged in specific cell type (INTACT) technique provides an efficient and stable nucleus purification method to investigate the dynamic changes of nuclear gene transcriptional expression. However, the application of traditional INTACT in plants is still limited to seedlings or root cells because of severe chloroplast pollution. In this study, we proposed a newly designed and simplified INTACT based on mas-enhanced GFP (eGFP)-SlWIP2 (gwINTACT) for nuclear purification in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) leaves, flowers, and fruits for the first time. The yield of the nucleus purified using gwINTACT from transgenic tomato leaves was doubled compared with using a traditional INTACT procedure, accompanied by more than 95% removal of chloroplasts. Relative gene expression of ethylene-related genes with ethylene treatment was reevaluated in gwINTACT leaves to reveal more different results from the traditional gene expression assay based on total RNA. Therefore, establishing the gwINTACT system in this study facilitates the precise deciphering of the transcriptional status in various tomato tissues, which lays the foundation for the further experimental study of nucleus-related molecular regulation on fruit ripening, such as ChIP-seq and ATAC-seq.
RING Zinc Finger Proteins in Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance
Authors: Han Guoliang , Qiao Ziqi , Li Yuxia , Yang Zongran , Wang Chengfeng , Zhang Yuanyuan , Liu Lili , Wang Baoshan
Published: April 2022

RING zinc finger proteins have a conserved RING domain, mainly function as E3 ubiquitin ligases, and play important roles in plant growth, development, and the responses to abiotic stresses such as drought, salt, temperature, reactive oxygen species, and harmful metals. RING zinc finger proteins act in abiotic stress responses mainly by modifying and degrading stress-related proteins. Here, we review the latest progress in research on RING zinc finger proteins, including their structural characteristics, classification, subcellular localization, and physiological functions, with an emphasis on abiotic stress tolerance. Under abiotic stress, RING zinc finger proteins on the plasma membrane may function as sensors or abscisic acid (ABA) receptors in abiotic stress signaling. Some RING zinc finger proteins accumulate in the nucleus may act like transcription factors to regulate the expression of downstream abiotic stress marker genes through direct or indirect ways. Most RING zinc finger proteins usually accumulate in the cytoplasm or nucleus and act as E3 ubiquitin ligases in the abiotic stress response through ABA, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and ethylene signaling pathways. We also highlight areas where further research on RING zinc finger proteins in plants is needed.
Ecology and Biodiversity Ontology Alignment for Smart Environment via Adaptive Compact Evolutionary Algorithm
Authors: Xue Xingsi , Tsai Pei-Wei
Published: April 2022

Smart Environment (SE) focuses on the initiatives for healthy living, where ecological issues and biodiversity play a vital role in the environment and sustainability. To manage the knowledge on ecology and biodiversity and preserve the ecosystem and biodiversity simultaneously, it is necessary to align the data entities in different ecology and biodiversity ontologies. Since the problem of Ecology and Biodiversity Ontology Alignment (EBOA) is a large-scale optimization problem with sparse solutions, finding high-quality EBOA is an open challenge. Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) is a state-of-the-art technique in the ontology aligning domain, and this study further proposes an Adaptive Compact EA (ACEA) to address the problem of EBOA, which uses semantic reasoning to reduce searching space and adaptively guides searching direction to improve the algorithm's performance. In addition, we formally model the problem of EBOA as a discrete optimization problem, which maximizes the alignment's completeness and correctness through determining an optimal entity corresponding set. After that, a hybrid entity similarity measure is presented to distinguish the heterogeneous data entities, and an ACEA-based aligning technique is proposed. The experiment uses the famous Biodiversity and Ecology track to test ACEA's performance, and the experimental results show that ACEA-based aligning technique statistically outperforms other EA-based and state-of-the-art aligning techniques.
The Particle Jako (“Like”) in Spoken Czech: From Expressing Comparison to Mobilizing Affiliative Responses
Authors: Oloff Florence
Published: April 2022

This contribution investigates the use of the Czech particlejako(“like”/“as”) in naturally occurring conversations. Inspired by interactional research on unfinished or suspended utterances and on turn-final conjunctions and particles, the analysis aims to trace the possible development ofjakofrom conjunction to a tag-like particle that can be exploited for mobilizing affiliative responses. Traditionally,jakohas been described as conjunction used for comparing two elements or for providing a specification of a first element [“X (is) like Y”]. In spoken Czech, however,jakocan be flexibly positioned within a speaking turn and does not seem to operate as a coordinating or hypotactic conjunction. As a result, prior studies have describedjakoas a polyfunctional particle. This article will try to shed light on the meaning ofjakoin spoken discourse by focusing on its apparent fuzzy or “filler” uses, i.e., when it is found in a mid-turn position in multi-unit turns and in the immediate vicinity of hesitations, pauses, and turn suspensions. Based on examples from mundane, video-recorded conversations and on a sequential and multimodal approach to social interaction, the analyses will first show thatjakofrequently frames discursive objects that co-participants should respond to. By usingjakobefore a pause and concurrently adopting specific embodied displays, participants can more explicitly seek to mobilize responsive action. Moreover, asjakotends to cluster in multi-unit turns involving the formulation of subjective experience or stance, it can be shown to be specifically designed for mobilizingaffiliativeresponses. Finally, it will be argued that the potential ofjakoto open upinteractive turn spacescan be linked to the fundamental comparative semantics of the original conjunction.
Development and Psychometric Properties of the DASS-Youth (DASS-Y): An Extension of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) to Adolescents and Children
Authors: Szabo Marianna , Lovibond Peter F.
Published: April 2022

The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS; Lovibond and Lovibond, 1995b) is a set of psychometrically sound scales that is widely used to assess negative emotional states in adults. In this project, we developed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales for Youth (DASS-Y) and tested its psychometric properties. Data were collected from 2,121 Australian children and adolescents aged 7–18 (61% female). This sample was split randomly into a calibration group (n = 1075, 61% female) and a cross-validation group (n = 1046, 60% female). First, we used Confirmatory Factor Analysis on the calibration group to test the 3-factor DASS model on 40 items we had developed in previous exploratory studies. We then selected the best-performing 21 items based on both statistical and theoretical considerations, guided by the structure and item content of the adult DASS. We cross-validated this new 21-item model in the second half of the sample. Results indicated good fit for the final 21-item 3-factor DASS model in both groups of children and adolescents. Multiple regression analyses showed that when scores on the other DASS-Y scales were held constant, the DASS-Y Depression scale had a strong negative relationship with positive affect and life satisfaction, the DASS-Y Anxiety scale was strongly associated with physiological hyperarousal, and the DASS-Y Stress scale was associated with excessive worrying. However, the relationship between Stress and worrying was only evident from age 10 onwards. Our results show that the core symptoms that define depression, anxiety and stress in children and adolescents are similar to those previously found in adults. The DASS-Y is a public domain instrument that we hope will prove useful in both research and clinical contexts.
COVID-19 Vaccination Behavior Among Frontline Healthcare Workers in Pakistan: The Theory of Planned Behavior, Perceived Susceptibility, and Anticipated Regret
Authors: Khayyam Muhammad , Chuanmin Shuai , Salim Muhammad Asad , Nizami Arjumand , Ali Jawad , Ali Hussain , Khan Nawab , Ihtisham Muhammad , Anjum Raheel
Published: April 2022

Healthcare workers in Pakistan are still fighting at the frontline to control the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and have been identified as the earliest beneficiaries for COVID-19 vaccination by the health authorities of the country. Besides, the high vaccination rates of frontline healthcare workers (FHWs) are essential to overcome the ongoing pandemic and reduce the vaccines hesitancy among the general population. The current research employed the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to investigate the COVID-19 vaccination behavior among FHWs in Pakistan as well as the predictors of such behavior. Following the epidemic control and prevention policies, a sample of 680 FHWs were accessed to fill in the questionnaire evaluating the components of the TPB. Moreover, the potential role of anticipated regret (AR) and perceived susceptibility (PS) on COVID-19 vaccination behavior was also assessed. The partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) results revealed that the TPB components, as well as the AR, have positive associations with the COVID-19 vaccination behavior. The results further confirmed that PS positively affects the anticipated regret, attitude (ATT), and subjective norm (SN) to vaccinate against SARS-CoV-2. The perceived susceptibility also has a positive association with COVID-19 vaccination behavior through the mediation of anticipated regret, ATT, and SN. Our findings highlighted the importance of COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers, which can be applied to reduce vaccine hesitancy among the general public.
Awe Narratives: A Mindfulness Practice to Enhance Resilience and Wellbeing
Authors: Thompson Jeff
Published: April 2022

It is necessary to have available a variety of evidence-based resilience practices as we experience life’s stressors including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Evoking, experiencing, and reflecting on awe moments by developing and sharing an “awe narrative” are a type of mindfulness technique that can have the potential to help someone flourish, enhance their resilience, and have a positive impact on their overall wellbeing. This paper explores how constructing an awe narrative can assist the individual while also possibly having a positive impact on others.
Assessment of Occupational Hearing Loss Associated With Non-Gaussian Noise Using the Kurtosis-Adjusted Cumulative Noise Exposure Metric: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Shi Zhihao , Wang Xin , Gao Xiangjing , Xie Hongwei , Zhou Lifang , Zhang Meibian
Published: April 2022

Objective

There is little literature on the validity of kurtosis-adjusted noise energy metrics in human studies. Therefore, this study aimed to validate the application of cumulative noise exposure (CNE) adjusted by kurtosis in evaluating occupational hearing loss associated with non-Gaussian noise among manufacturing workers.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1,558 manufacturing workers exposed to noise from five industries to collect noise exposure and hearing loss data. Both CNE and kurtosis-adjusted CNE (CNE′) were collapsed into 2-dB(A)∙year bins, and the mean noise-induced permanent threshold shifts at 3, 4, and 6 kHz (NIPTS346) in each bin were calculated. The contributions of CNE and CNE′ to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) were compared using the multiple linear regression. The degree of overlap of two linear regression equations (i.e., between CNE′ and NIPTS346 for non-Gaussian noise and between CNE and NIPTS346 for Gaussian noise) was used to evaluate the validity of the CNE′ using a stratified analysis based on age and sex.

Results

Multiple linear regression models showed that after kurtosis adjustment, the standardized regression coefficient of CNE increased from 0.230 to 0.255, and R2 increased from 0.147 to 0.153. The linear relationship between NIPTS346 and CNE′ or CNE showed that the regression line of non-Gaussian noise was closer to that of Gaussian noise when using CNE′ than using CNE. The mean difference in NIPTS346 between the equations of non-Gaussian noise and Gaussian noise was significantly reduced from 4.32 to 1.63 dB HL after kurtosis adjustment (t = 12.00, p < 0.001). Through a stratified analysis, these significant decreases were observed in male and female workers, and workers aged ≥30 years old.

Conclusion

As a noise exposure metric combining noise energy and temporal characteristics, the kurtosis-adjusted-CNE metric was more effective than CNE alone in assessing occupational hearing loss among manufacturing workers in non-Gaussian noise environment. However, more studies are needed to verify the validity of the kurtosis-adjusted-CNE metric.
Going Green Is Exhausting for Dark Personalities but Beneficial for the Light Ones: An Experience Sampling Study That Examines the Subjectivity of Pro-environmental Behavior
Authors: Kesenheimer Jana Sophie , Greitemeyer Tobias
Published: April 2022

Study 1 examined how personality and attitudes are related to daily pro-environmental behavior (PEB) and whether these relationships are moderated by perceived behavioral costs and benefits. One hundred and seventy-eight participants responded to scales measuring the dark and light side of personality, as well as their pro-environmental attitude. Afterward, they were notified three times a day for 7 days in a row. Each time they reported their PEB that had occurred in the past four hours and indicated their behavioral costs and benefits. Multilevel analyses showed a positive relationship between the frequency of PEB and the light triad of personality and pro-environmental attitude, while the dark tetrad was negatively related to PEB. Unexpectedly, less environmentally aware participants reported to engage in PEB with higher costs and lower benefits than did pro-environmental participants. A second study (N = 159) suggests that less environmentally aware people do not actually engage in PEB with high costs and low benefits, but rather that they only perceive their behavior to be costly and of little benefit. Overall, our findings suggest that the way people perceive their daily PEB is not necessarily shared by others.
White Matter Network Disruption Is Associated With Melancholic Features in Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: He Mengxin , Cheng Yuqi , Chu Zhaosong , Wang Xin , Xu Jinlei , Lu Yi , Shen Zonglin , Xu Xiufeng
Published: April 2022

Background

The efficacy and prognosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) are limited by its heterogeneity. MDD with melancholic features is an important subtype of MDD. The present study aimed to reveal the white matter (WM) network changes in melancholic depression.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-three first-onset, untreated melancholic MDD, 59 non-melancholic MDD patients and 63 health controls underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans. WM network analysis based on graph theory and support vector machine (SVM) were used for image data analysis.

Results

Compared with HC, small-worldness was reduced and abnormal node attributes were in the right orbital inferior frontal gyrus, left orbital superior frontal gyrus, right caudate nucleus, right orbital superior frontal gyrus, right orbital middle frontal gyrus, left rectus gyrus, and left median cingulate and paracingulate gyrus of MDD patients. Compared with non-melancholic MDD, small-worldness was reduced and abnormal node attributes were in right orbital inferior frontal gyrus, left orbital superior frontal gyrus and right caudate nucleus of melancholic MDD. For correlation analysis, the 7th item score of the HRSD-17 (work and interest) was positively associated with increased node betweenness centrality (aBC) values in right orbital inferior frontal gyrus, while negatively associated with the decreased aBC in left orbital superior frontal gyrus. SVM analysis results showed that abnormal aBC in right orbital inferior frontal gyrus and left orbital superior frontal gyrus showed the highest accuracy of 81.0% (69/83), the sensitivity of 66.3%, and specificity of 85.2% for discriminating MDD patients with or without melancholic features.

Conclusion

There is a significant difference in WM network changes between MDD patients with and without melancholic features.
A History of Childhood Maltreatment Has Substance- and Sex-Specific Effects on Craving During Treatment for Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Gerhardt Sarah , Eidenmueller Katharina , Hoffmann Sabine , Bekier Nina K. , Bach Patrick , Hermann Derik , Koopmann Anne , Sommer Wolfgang H. , Kiefer Falk , Vollstädt-Klein Sabine
Published: April 2022

Rationale

Childhood maltreatment (CM) leads to detrimental mental health outcomes, such as substance use disorders (SUD). This study examined prevalence and severity of all five types of CM with respect to specific substances and sex in treatment-seeking individuals with SUD. The influences of type of CM and symptoms of depressiveness, anxiety, and perceived stress on substance craving at admission as well as craving reduction during SUD treatment were examined.

Methods

N = 546 patients in treatment for SUD and N = 109 individuals in opioid maintenance treatment filled out questionnaires regarding CM (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and psychopathologies. Substance craving was assessed throughout treatment using the Mannheim Craving Scale. Group differences in CM, type of substance and sex were examined. General linear models were applied to examine influences on substance craving.

Results

Higher prevalence and severity of all five subtypes of CM were observed in individuals with SUD compared to the general population. Women were more severely affected by emotional and sexual abuse than men. Patients with cannabis use disorder reported more severe experiences of emotional abuse compared to all other substances. Craving at admission to treatment was influenced by emotional abuse, however, symptoms of depressiveness, anxiety, and perceived stress contributed to craving at admission or craving reduction during treatment.

Conclusion

CM relates to SUD and should be incorporated in prevention and treatment of SUD. Underlying mechanisms of the association might relate to impairments in processing and regulation of stress, emotions, and interpersonal relations following a history of CM.
The Acceptability and Initial Effectiveness of “Space From Money Worries”: An Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention to Tackle the Link Between Financial Difficulties and Poor Mental Health
Authors: Richardson Thomas , Enrique Angel , Earley Caroline , Adegoke Adedeji , Hiscock Douglas , Richards Derek
Published: April 2022

Background

Previous research has shown a strong relationship between financial difficulties and mental health problems. Psychological factors such as hope and worry about finances appear to be an important factor in this relationship.

Objective

To develop an online based psychological intervention (Space from Money Worries) to tackle the psychological mechanisms underlying the relationship between poor mental health and financial difficulties, and to conduct an initial evaluation of the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of the intervention.

Materials and Methods

30 participants accessing Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services completed GAD-7 to measure anxiety and PHQ-9 to measure depression upon signing up to the online intervention and again 4 to 8 weeks after this. Participants also completed a measure of perceived financial distress/wellbeing and a “Money and Mental Health Scale” constructed for the evaluation.

Results

Overall, 77% (n = 23) completed the intervention and follow-up assessments. Intent to Treat Analysis showed that there were statistically significant improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety, improved perceived financial wellbeing and reduced scores on the money and mental health scale. The vast majority of participants rated each module positively.

Conclusions

Space from Money Worries appears to be acceptable and may lead to improvements in mental health, perceived financial wellbeing and a reduced relationship between financial difficulties and poor mental health. However, future research with a larger sample and a control group are needed to confirm that these changes are due to the intervention.
Cultivating Psychological Resilience of Israeli Medical Directors of COVID-19 Divisions: The Dynamic Spheres of Salutogenics
Authors: Gillie Gabay , Naamati-Schneider Lior , Pikkel Dvora
Published: April 2022

Purpose

There are a few qualitative studies on the psychological resilience of COVID-19 medical directors upon outbreaks of pandemics. Psychological resilience is essential to providing quality care through the pandemic.

Materials and Methods

We conducted narrative interviews with 14 out of 21 medical directors of COVID-19 divisions in Israeli public hospitals upon the outbreak of the pandemic and through its first wave. We adopted the Salutogenic paradigm to identify personal and organizational resources that both deterred and promoted resilience of front-line medical directors. Thematic analysis was performed based on the Sense of coherence construct, an anchor of Salutogenics.

Results

Low comprehensibility was compensated by ethical boundaries and managerial experience. A few organizational and personal resources promoted manageability. The hospital management both deterred and promoted resilience. In contrast to Salutogenics theory, meaningfulness was driven by the occupational calling rather than by comprehensibility and manageability. Gaps in personal resources inhibited resilience.

Conclusions

Our study adds to the scant qualitative research performed upon the outbreak of the pandemic and extends the Salutogenic paradigm suggesting that the three axes of sense of coherence are multi-layered, intertwined, and evolving. We introduce the dynamic spheres model that we adopted from Physics to illustrate the findings. We propose interventions to build resilience in front-line medical directors.
Status of Sedentary Time and Physical Activity of Rural Residents: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study in Eastern China
Authors: Wang Jiayuan , Wang Ya , Korivi Mallikarjuna , Chen Xi , Zhu Rong
Published: April 2022

Background

The urbanization process may affect the lifestyle of rural residents in China. Limited information exists on the extent of sedentarism and physical activity (PA) level of rural residents in middle-income countries. This is the first survey on sedentary time (ST) and PA among rural residents in eastern China.

Methods

This cross-sectional observational study randomly samples rural adults from Zhejiang Province in eastern China (n = 1,320). Participants' ST and PA levels were determined from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form through face-to-face interviews, and the influencing factors of PA levels were assessed through multi-class logistic regression analysis.

Results

The findings showed that the daily ST of the participants ranged from 30 to 660 min, with a median of 240 min (P25, P75:120, 240 min), and 54.6% of participants were sedentary for 240 min or above. The daily ST in men, people aged 18 to 44 years, people with bachelors' degree and above, people working for government agencies or institutions, people with unmarried status, and people with an average income of < 2,000 Yuan was longer than that of other respective groups (p < 0.01). In contrast, the daily ST of people with hypertension or with patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia was less than that of normal people (p < 0.01). Additionally, 69.4% of participants generally had a low level of PA (LPA). Compared with those living in northern Zhejiang, people living in southern Zhejiang who were aged 18–44 years, had bachelor's degree or above, were farmers, and had household incomes below 10,000 Yuan per month were more likely to engage in LPA compared to people > 60 years, with high school or technical education levels or with junior college degrees, working in government agencies and institutions, and with household income above 10,000 Yuan per month (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was no correlation between ST and PA levels.

Conclusion

Most rural residents in the Zhejiang Province of eastern China had longer daily ST and a LPA. This was predominant in men, young people, highly educated people, unmarried people, and middle to high-income people. Health education programs should be targeted toward specific population groups to decrease the ST and increase PA.