bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing systemic resistance in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) to Bean yellow mosaic virus via soil application and foliar spray of nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strain 33504-Alex1
Authors: Abdelkhalek Ahmed , El-Gendi Hamada , Al-Askar Abdulaziz A. , Maresca Viviana , Moawad Hassan , Elsharkawy Mohsen M. , Younes Hosny A. , Behiry Said I.
Published: August 2022

Rhizobium spp. manifests strong nitrogen fixation ability in legumes. However, their significance as biocontrol agents and antivirals has rarely been investigated. Under greenhouse conditions, the molecularly identified nitrogen-fixing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strain 33504-Alex1, isolated from the root nodules of faba bean plants, was tested as a soil inoculum or a foliar application to trigger faba bean plants’ resistance against Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) infection. Compared to the non-treated faba bean plants, the applications of 33504-Alex1 in either soil or foliar application significantly promoted growth and improved total chlorophyll content, resulting in a considerable reduction in disease incidence and severity and the inhibition index of BYMV in the treated faba bean plants. Furthermore, the protective activities of 33504-Alex1 were associated with significant reductions in non-enzymatic oxidative stress markers [hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA)] and remarkably increased DPPH free radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content compared to the BYMV treatment at 20 days post-inoculation. Additionally, an increase in reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO)] and induced transcriptional levels of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins (PR-1, PR-3, and PR-5) were observed. Of the 19 polyphenolic compounds detected in faba bean leaves by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, gallic and vanillic acids were completely shut down in BYMV treatment. Interestingly, the 33504-Alex1 treatments were associated with the induction and accumulation of the most detected polyphenolic compounds. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed hexadecanoic acid 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester, tetraneurin-A-Diol, oleic acid, and isochiapin B are the major compounds in the ethyl acetate extract of 33504-Alex1 culture filtrate (CF), suggesting it acts as an elicitor for the induction of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in faba bean plants. Consequently, the capacity of R. leguminosarum bv. viciae strain 33504-Alex1 to enhance plant growth and induce systemic resistance to BYMV infection will support the incorporation of 33504-Alex1 as a fertilizer and biocontrol agent and offer a new strategy for crop protection, sustainability, and environmental safety in agriculture production.
Reclamation in southern China: The early Chu’s agriculture revealed by macro-plant remains from the Wanfunao site (ca. 1000–770 BCE)
Authors: Yang Ruichen , Tang Liya , Zhao Dong , Huang Wenxin , Luo Yunbing
Published: August 2022

The Wanfunao site was a large Chu settlement in Zhou Dynasty. It was located on an alluvial plain along the Yangtze River in the Yichang section. The region around the site comprised mountains, hills, and plains, which was a compatible environment for the cultivation of various crops. Previous studies have suggested that the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are one of the most productive regions for rice cultivation. Besides rice, however, seven dryland crops have been found at the Wanfunao site: foxtail millet, broomcorn millet, wheat, barley, oat, buckwheat, and adzuki bean. Among them, foxtail millet and rice are most ubiquitous. The crop assemblage has revealed that the northern dryland crops, including those were newly adapted cereals such as foxtail millet, wheat, and barley, gradually dispersed southward and became a part of the diet along with rice. This can be attributed to southern Chinese inhabitants’ reclamation of the hilly environment for agriculture. Although communities in southern China had cultivated rice on the plains for thousands of years, newly introduced dryland crops from north China adapted to mountainous environments better. The development of multi-cropping systems in southern China likely involved changes in agricultural ontology associated with the adaptation of northern crops in southern environments newly encountered. Additionally, the assemblage of foxtail millet grain/rice spikelet base in the site may have been used for livestock feeding. A wide range of landforms, compatible farming, and surplus agricultural products for husbandry may have been a part of the economic foundation that facilitated the rise of Chu.
Proline-mediated regulation on jasmonate signals repressed anthocyanin accumulation through the MYB-bHLH-WDR complex in rice under chromium exposure
Authors: Zhang Qing , Feng Yu-Xi , Tian Peng , Lin Yu-Juan , Yu Xiao-Zhang
Published: August 2022

Toxic metal-induced overaccumulation of anthocyanin (ATH) in plants can oxidize proteins and break DNA. Herein, the role of exogenous proline (Pro) on the repression of ATH accumulation in rice seedlings during hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] exposure was studied. Results indicated that exogenous Pro-mediated regulation of jasmonate signals activated the MYB-bHLH-WDR complex to repress ATH accumulation in rice tissues under Cr(VI) stress. Biochemical and transcript analysis indicated that exogenous Pro promoted the synthesis of jasmonic acid (JA) and its molecularly active metabolite jasmonic acid isoleucine (JA-Ile) in rice tissues under Cr(VI) stress. Increment in the endogenous level of jasmonates positively triggered the expression of genes responsible for the JA signaling pathway and activated the MYB-bHLH-WDR complex, eventually repressing the glycosylation of anthocyanidin to form ATH in rice tissues. In conclusion, exogenous proline-mediated regulation on jasmonate signals was tissue-specific under Cr(VI) stress and a more positive effect was detected in shoots rather than roots.
Improving Communication in the Red Meat Industry: Opinion Leaders May Be Used to Inform the Public About Farm Practices and Their Animal Welfare Implications
Authors: Munoz Carolina A. , Hemsworth Lauren M. , Hemsworth Paul H. , Rice Maxine , Coleman Grahame J.
Published: August 2022

Opinion leaders (OLs) within the community may lead debate on animal welfare issues and provide a path for information to their social networks. However, little is known about OLs’ attitudes, activities conducted to express their views about animal welfare and whether they are well informed, or not, about husbandry practices in the red meat industry. This study aimed to (1) identify OLs in the general public and among producers and (2) compare OLs and non-OLs’ attitudes, knowledge and actions to express their views about the red meat industry. Two questionnaires, one for the Australian general public (n = 501) and one for Australian red meat producers (n = 200), were developed to identify general attitudes. From these questionnaires, OLs were identified using a two-step cluster analysis. Subsequently, a sub-sample of 19 OLs (including the public and producers) participated in a follow-up phone interview. Results disclosed some clear OLs’ characteristics. Public OLs held more negative perceptions of the red meat industry and perceived they had more knowledge about husbandry procedures. However, their actual knowledge about animal husbandry was not different from non-OLs. Public OLs also used and trusted social and internet media more than did non-OLs. In the producer group, a large percentage of OLs were identified (64.0% compared to 29.1% in the public group). Producer OLs had more actual knowledge about animal husbandry and engaged in more behaviours to express dissatisfaction with the industry than non-OLs (dissatisfaction in relation to the image of the red meat industry). Unlike the public respondents, this group used conventional media more than social and internet media, and their levels of trust in all kinds of media were low. While there were clear differences, both groups believed that is important to increase communication and educate about farm practices. This may present an opportunity to develop an opinion leader intervention strategy where informed OLs could later disseminate accurate information to their social networks. Further studies should test if sustained and facilitated educational sessions between public and producer OLs can assist in increasing communication, knowledge and perhaps, may assist in achieving convergence of concerns and expectations between both groups.
Opportunities and Challenges of Extracting Values in Autobiographical Narratives
Authors: Fischer Ronald , Karl Johannes , Fetvadjiev Velichko , Grener Adam , Luczak-Roesch Markus
Published: August 2022

We report three studies in which we applied a value dictionary to narratives. Our objective was to test a theory-driven value dictionary for extracting valuable information from autobiographical and narrative texts. In Studies 1 (N = 106) and 2 (N = 152), participants wrote short autobiographical narratives and in Study 3 (N = 150), participants wrote narratives based on ambiguous stimuli. Participants in all three studies also completed the Portrait Value Questionnaire as a self-report measure of values. Overall, our results demonstrate that it is possible to extract value-relevant information from these narratives. Extracted values from autobiographical narratives showed average correlations of 0.07 (Study 1) and 0.12 (Study 2) with self-reports compared to an average correlation of 0.01 for the extracted values from implicit motive tasks (Study 3). The correlations with self-reports were in line with previous validation studies. The most salient values in narratives diverged somewhat, with a stronger emphasis on achievement values compared to self-reports, probably due to the nature of salient episodes within one's life that require demonstrating success according to social standards. Benevolence values were consistently most important in both self-ratings and text-based scoring. The value structure emerging from narratives diverged from the theoretically predicted structure, yet broad personally vs. socially focused value dimensions were qualitatively discernible. We highlight opportunities and challenges for future value research using autobiographical stories.
Metonymic event-based time interval concepts in Mandarin Chinese—Evidence from time interval words
Authors: Zhong Lingli , Liu Zhengguang
Published: August 2022

Starting from the overwhelming view that time is metaphorically conceptualized in terms of space, this study will, on the one hand, take the time interval words into minute analysis to confirm our view of event conceptualization of time at a more basic level along with space–time metaphoric conceptualization of time at a relational level. In alignment with the epistemology of the time–space conflation of the Chinese ancestors, our view is supported by the systematic examination of evidence related to the cultural origins of the conceptualization of time, through a scrutiny of the original meanings and construction of words related to intervals of time in Mandarin Chinese. This study offers a new explanation of how: (1) the conceptualization of time in Chinese is realized through metonymic cognition and (2) words related to specific intervals of time are coined based on the metonymic conceptualization of related events or a corresponding event schema. Five major types of event-based metonymies are identified, and their interactive functions are illustrated. Based on this evidence, we argue that the double nature of both metaphoric and metonymic time conceptualization in Mandarin Chinese lies in the fact that time interval words can be used in its time categorial sense or as a time entity which suggests the etymological origins of Chinese as ideograph. It is concluded therefore that the event-based metonymy conceptualization of time can provide better insights into the characteristics of Chinese modes of thinking and its influences on the perception of and interaction with the world. This study can also serve as good evidence for the shaping effect of language on cognition.
Adhering to COVID-19 health guidelines: A behavioral-failure perspective
Authors: Rusou Zohar , Diamant Irene
Published: August 2022

The mitigation of pandemics like that caused by the current COVID-19 virus is largely dependent on voluntary public adherence to government rules and regulations. Recent research has identified various individual covariates that account for some of the variance in compliance with COVID-19 behavioral guidelines. However, despite considerable research, our understanding of how and why these factors are related to adherence behavior is limited. Additionally, it is less clear whether disease-transmitting behaviors during a pandemic can be understood in terms of more general behavioral tendencies. The current research has examined the utility of a behavioral-failure lens in predicting adherence to COVID-19 guidelines and in illuminating mechanisms underlying the previously established relationship between Conscientiousness and adherence. In the two studies reported here, individual variations in the predisposition to behavioral failures predicted adherence to COVID-19 measures, and mediated the relationships between Conscientiousness and adherence. The Failure Proneness (FP) questionnaire predicted compliance with COVID-19 guidelines, while the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ) did not. The results of hierarchical regressions showed that COVID-19 behavior was predicted only through the intentional factors (and mainly by Noncompliance-Violations). Hence, our data lend support to the notion that noncompliance with official COVID-19 prevention guidelines is driven mainly by intentional factors related to violation of norms and rules. The theoretical and practical implications of this finding are discussed.
Interaction between official institutions and influential users of rumor control in online social networks
Authors: Bai Shizhen , Wu Wenya , Jiang Man
Published: August 2022

Online interactions have become major channels for people to obtain and disseminate information during the new normal of COVID-19, which can also be a primary platform for rumor propagation. There are many complex psychological reasons for spreading rumors, but previous studies have not fully analyzed this problem from the perspective of the interaction between official institutions and influential users. The purpose of this study is to determine optimal strategies for official institutions considering the impact of two different influential user types (trolls and reputed personalities) by designing two game-theoretic models, namely “Rumor Clarification and Interaction Model” and “Rumor Verification and Interaction Model,” which can, respectively decide whether to clarify and when to clarify. The results of this article show that clarification strategies can be decided according to the characteristics of rumors and the influential user’s reactions. Meanwhile, publishing verified information prevents trolls’ “loophole advantages” and prevents reputed personalities from spreading false information due to the vague authenticity of rumors. Results also show that the verification strategy is limited by cost, period, and verification index.
Psychological Education Health Assessment Problems Based on Improved Constructive Neural Network
Authors: Li Yang , Li Jia ze , Fan Qi , Li Xin , Wang Zhihong
Published: August 2022

In order to better assess the mental health status, combining online text data and considering the problems of lexicon sparsity and small lexicon size in feature statistics of word frequency of the traditional linguistic inquiry and word count (LIWC) dictionary, and combining the advantages of constructive neural network (CNN) convolutional neural network in contextual semantic extraction, a CNN-based mental health assessment method is proposed and evaluated with the measurement indicators in CLPsych2017. The results showed that the results obtained from the mental health assessment by CNN were superior in all indicators, in which F1 = 0.51 and ACC = 0.69. Meanwhile, ACC evaluated by FastText, CNN, and CNN + Word2Vec were 0.66, 0.67, 0.67, and F1 were 0.37, 0.47, and 0.49, respectively, which indicates the use of CNN in mental health assessment has feasibility.
The effect of distributive justice climate on virtual team performance: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Yu Xuan , He Bin , Liu Meilin , Wang Ai , Yuan Yue
Published: August 2022

Based on the social interdependence theory, we proposed that the distributive justice climate affects virtual team performance via high-quality relationships, and then we investigated the boundary effect of team proactive personality. The data used in this study were collected in China, including 327 virtual team members that belonged to 75 teams. The following results are obtained: (1) Distributive justice climate and high-quality relationships have significant positive effects on virtual team performance. (2) High-quality relationships mediate the relationship between the distributive justice climate and virtual team performance. (3) Team proactive personality strengthens the direct effect of the distributive justice climate on high-quality relationships. (4) Team proactive personality strengthens the indirect effect of the distributive justice climate on virtual team performance through high-quality relationships. These empirical results have important theoretical significance for team climate construction, personnel selection, and team performance promotion.
Osteocalcin levels decrease during the treatment of an acute depressive episode
Authors: Bartečků Elis , Hořínková Jana , Křenek Pavel , Damborská Alena , Tomandl Josef , Tomandlová Marie , Kučera Jan , Fialová Kučerová Jana , Bienertová-Vašků Julie
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Osteocalcin is a protein secreted by osteoblasts with a versatile endocrine role. Several domains in which it plays a role—stress response, monoamine synthesis, and cognitive functioning—are implicated also in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder. In search of possible objective biomarkers of depression, the aim of the study was to assess the relationship between osteocalcin and depressive symptoms during the treatment of depressive episode.

Methods

The study included female inpatients with at least moderate depressive episode. In these patients, depression severity was measured using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and osteocalcin levels were assessed before the stabilization of antidepressive treatment and after 6 weeks. Relationships between osteocalcin levels and symptoms were analyzed with mixed-effect and linear models, taking into account age, menopausal status, and body mass index.

Results

In 11 out of 13 enrolled inpatients, osteocalcin levels decreased during the first 6 weeks of treatment; this decrease was significant according to the mixed-effects model (t = −2.345, p = 0.019). According to the linear model, this decrease was significantly associated with reduction in depressive symptom severity (t = 2.673, p = 0.028). Osteocalcin was not associated with initial depressive symptom severity, and initial osteocalcin levels did not predict response to treatment. Limitations of the study include low sample size and inclusion of both pre- and postmenopausal women of various ages.

Conclusions

This preliminary study suggests that osteocalcin may be a candidate biomarker of antidepressive treatment response and that this topic warrants further investigation.
Reduced glucocorticoid receptor expression in blood mononuclear cells of patients with borderline personality disorder
Authors: López-Villatoro José Manuel , MacDowell Karina S. , Diaz-Marsá Marina , De La Torre-Luque Alejandro , Prittwitz Clara , Galvez-Merlin Alejandra , Leza Juan C. , Carrasco Jose L.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Abnormal cortisol suppression in borderline personality disorder has been consistently reported in previous studies, suggesting that a hypersensitivity response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis might occur in these patients. In this study, the abnormalities of the cortisol response in borderline personality disorder (BPD) are investigated through the cellular expression of the glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in BPD patients and its relationship with traumatic experiences.

Methodology

Sixty-nine male and female patients diagnosed with BPD and 62 healthy controls were studied. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained to investigate the expression of glucocorticoid receptors. Western blot was used to measure protein expression. Statistical correlations of GR expression with BPD clinical features and intensity of previous traumatic events were investigated.

Results

A significant decrease in the nuclear expression of glucocorticoid receptors was found in BPD patients compared to healthy controls in a regression analysis controlling for the effect of medication. GR expression decrease correlated significantly with clinical levels of anxiety and depression, but not with previous traumatic experiences in patients.

Conclusions

BPD patients had a lower nuclear expression of glucocorticoid receptors than healthy controls, when it was controlled for the effect of medication. The reduced GR expression in BPD patients was not associated with previous traumatic events and might be associated with other aspects of BPD, such as emotional instability; more studies with larger samples of patients are still needed to understand the relevance and the implications of these findings.
High expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor S (PTPRS) is an independent prognostic marker for cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Lertpanprom Muntinee , Silsirivanit Atit , Tippayawat Patcharaporn , Proungvitaya Tanakorn , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Proungvitaya Siriporn
Published: August 2022

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive tumor of the bile duct with a high rate of mortality. Lymph node metastasis is an important factor facilitating the progression of CCA. A reliable biomarker for diagnosis, progression status, or prognosis of CCA is still lacking. To identify a novel and reliable biomarker for diagnosis/prognosis of CCA, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in combination with bioinformatics analysis were applied for the representative serum samples of patients with CCA. The proteome results showed that protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor S (PTPRS) had the highest potential candidate. Then, a dot blot assay was used to measure the level of serum PTPRS in patients with CCA (n = 80), benign biliary disease patients (BBD; n = 39), and healthy controls (HC; n = 55). PTPRS level of CCA sera (14.38 ± 9.42 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that of BBD (10.7 ± 5.05 ng/ml) or HC (6 ± 3.73 ng/ml) (P < 0.0001). PTPRS was associated with serum albumin (P = 0.028), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.038), and the survival time of patients (P = 0.011). Using a log-rank test, higher serum PTPRS level was significantly (P = 0.031) correlated with a longer overall survival time of patients with CCA, and PTPRS was an independent prognostic marker for CCA superior to carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) or alkaline phosphatase (ALP). High expression of PTPRS could be a good independent prognostic marker for CCA.
Emphasis on heat strain to the ocular surface: A functional and clinical study of a modified goggle
Authors: Shao Yuting , Wu Jingzhong , Wu Peichen , Liu Xin , Shen Jiaqi , Zhang Li , Bi Yanlong
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The limitations of conventional goggles have caused immense inconvenience, and even damage, to the physical and mental health of healthcare workers. Hence, this study aimed to build a modified goggle (MG) with better physical performance. The temperature-humidity index (THI) was used as an indicator to investigate the impact of goggle-related heat strain on the ocular surface.

Methods

The basic functions of antifog, anti-ultraviolet (UV), and anti-blue-light radiation capabilities were evaluated. Furthermore, the clinical impact on noninvasive keratography tear film break-up time (NIKBUT), intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, Schirmer test I, and the Dry Eye-related Quality of life Score (DEQS) were assessed in 40 healthcare workers by comparing MG with standard goggles (SG). The relationships between THI and the above parameters were explored.

Results

MG had a significantly longer antifog time than SG (212.75 ± 23.95 vs. 138.35 ± 5.54 min, p < 0.05), stronger antiultraviolet ability at 400 nm (99.99 vs. 45.55%), and optimal anti-blue-light performance at 440 nm (33.32 vs. 13.31%). Tear film stability after wearing the goggle was significantly worse than that before wearing them (p < 0.05). Both goggles achieved moderate to strong heat strain, with a THI of >80 at all timepoints. The MG group showed lower THI and DEQS and higher NIKBUT than the SG group (p < 0.05). THI was significantly correlated with DEQS, NIKBUT, and real fogging time (r = 0.876, −0.532, −0.406; all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Wearing goggles for a long time may cause heat strain to the eyes, thereby leading to eye discomfort and changes in the microenvironment of the ocular surface. Our MG exhibited better antifog, antiultraviolet, and optimal anti-blue-light performance and lower heat strain than SG, thus making it ideally suited for healthcare workers.
Responsibility of citizens in food safety social co-governance in the context of China
Authors: Wu Linhai , Qin Ke , Chen Xiujuan
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study aims to identify all actors that hold some responsibility for ensuring food safety based on the complete food supply chain in the context of China's current circumstances.

Methods

The study was conducted among citizens in Wuxi, Jiangsu, China. All citizens fully understood the purpose of the study and voluntarily agreed to participate. From December 10 to 14, 2020, a total of 398 valid samples were collected by the researchers using a structured questionnaire. Survey data were assessed using best–worst scaling and a mixed logit model from the perspective of citizen responsibility.

Results

In descending order, responsibility for ensuring food safety goes from food producers and traders (including producers, distributors, and retailers) to the government, social organizations, news media, and finally to citizens. Food producers and traders are the actors who should take the greatest responsibility, whereas citizens bear the least responsibility.

Conclusion

The responsibility of citizens in food safety co-governance should be recognized but it should not be arbitrarily extended.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global dynamic spillover of financial market risk
Authors: Tan Xiaoyu , Ma Shiqun , Wang Xuetong , Feng Chao , Xiang Lijin
Published: August 2022

The COVID-19 outbreak has greatly impacted the stability of the global financial markets. In the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, the risk contagion patterns of the global financial markets may change. This paper utilizes the conditional value-at-risk (ΔCoVaR) model to measure the risk level of the financial markets in various economies and uses the TVP-VAR-CONNECTEDNESS approach to construct a time-varying spillover index. Based on the dimensions of time and space, we explored the contagion path, contagion status, and contagion structure characteristics of global financial market risk before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results entail several conclusions. (i) The COVID-19 pandemic increased the spillover level of global financial market risk and the risk connectedness of financial markets in different countries. In addition, during the concentrated outbreak period of COVID-19, the risk spillover level in developing countries rose rapidly, while the financial risk spillover level in developed countries decreased significantly. (ii) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the spillover of the global financial market risk is time-varying, and there is a strong correlation between the risk spillover level of the financial markets of the world and the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. (iii) Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brazil, Canada, and Russia have become new risk spillover centers; in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, China's spillover to developed countries has increased, and the financial influence of China has also gradually increased. In addition, the risk contagion capacity of financial markets among European countries is gradually converging. (iv) During the concentrated outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Americas were the main exporter of global financial market risk, while Europe played a role in risk absorption.
Factors related to sustainable employment of people with acquired brain injury or spinal cord injury: The employer's perspective
Authors: Schiffmann Barbara , Finger Monika E. , Karcz Katarzyna , Staubli Stefan , Trezzini Bruno
Published: August 2022

Background

Of those people with an acquired brain injury (ABI) or spinal cord injury (SCI) who initially successfully returned to paid employment, some exit the workforce before reaching official retirement age. Employers play a central role in ensuring a sustainable work situation for employees with a disability and in preventing such exits. However, the factors and mechanisms involved from the employer's perspective are still poorly understood.

Purpose

The purpose was to determine factors which, from employer's perspective, have a particularly positive or negative influence on sustainable employment of people with ABI or SCI.

Methods

Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with employers of people with ABI or SCI and thematically analyzed.

Results

Identified factors could be assigned to four thematic areas for both health conditions: socio-demographic and psychological characteristics of the disabled person, their work performance, the work environment, and other social/environmental conditions. Good disability self-management and proactive communication of needs on the part of the employee are contributing factors to long-term employment from the employer's perspective. Differing expectations and assessments of work performance by employees and employers pose a challenge. Employers feel a responsibility to provide an optimal work environment to allow the employee with a disability to reach his or her full potential. This includes appropriate work tasks, development opportunities, a compassionate work team, flexible work arrangements, providing resources to address specific needs, and an inclusive culture. Employers find the support provided by occupational specialists very helpful, as they often lack the knowledge to design the work environment to meet the person's needs.

Conclusions

Employers emphasize the benefits of professional support during vocational rehabilitation to prepare employers and employees for long-term, sustainable employment. Such support is often lacking when changes and problems occur at a later stage. Therefore, people with a disability should be able to communicate their work-related needs and take charge of their own health so that problems that arise can be addressed as early as possible. Continued awareness of the environment is also beneficial. In addition, the expansion of low-threshold health-specific support services for long-term problems was found to be of great importance for employers in Switzerland.
Exercise engagement drives changes in cognition and cardiorespiratory fitness after 8 weeks of aerobic training in sedentary aging adults at risk of cognitive decline
Authors: Hinchman Carrie A. , Cabral Danylo F. , Ciesla Marissa , Flothmann Marti , Nunez Christina , Rice Jordyn , Loewenstein David A. , Kitaigorodsky Marcela , Cahalin Lawrence P. , Rundek Tatjana , Pascual-Leone Alvaro , Cattaneo Gabriele , Gomes-Osman Joyce
Published: August 2022

Background

With our aging population, many individuals are at risk of developing age-related cognitive decline. Physical exercise has been demonstrated to enhance cognitive performance in aging adults. This study examined the effects of 8 weeks of aerobic exercise on cognitive performance and cardiorespiratory fitness in sedentary aging adults at risk for cognitive decline.

Methods

Fifty-two participants (age 62.9 ± 6.8, 76.9% female) engaged in eight weeks of moderate-to high-intensity exercise (19 in-person, 33 remotely). Global cognition was measured by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System, and the Digit Span subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) Fourth Edition. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured via heart rate recovery at minute 1 (HRR1) and 2 (HRR2), and exercise engagement (defined as percent of total exercise time spent in the prescribed heart rate zone). We measured pre and post changes using paired t-tests and mixed effects models, and investigated the association between cardiorespiratory and cognitive performance using multiple regression models. Cohen's d were calculated to estimate effect sizes.

Results

Overall, 63.4 % of participants demonstrated high engagement (≥ 70% total exercise time spent in the prescribed heart rate zone). There were significant pre-post improvements in verbal fluency and verbal memory, and a significant decrement in working memory, but these were associated with small effect sizes (Cohen's d <0.5). Concerning cardiorespiratory fitness, there was a pre-to-post significant improvement in HRR1 (p = 0.01, d = 0.30) and HRR2 (p < 0.001, d = 0.50). Multiple regressions revealed significant associations between cardiorespiratory and cognitive performance, but all were associated with small effect sizes (Cohen's d < 0.5). Interestingly, there were significant between-group differences in exercise engagement (all p < 0.001), with remote participants demonstrating greater exercise engagement than in-person participants.

Conclusion

Improvements in cognition and cardiorespiratory fitness were observed after 8 weeks of moderate to high-intensity exercise in aging adults. These results suggest that committing to a regular exercise regimen, even for a brief two-month period, can promote improvements in both cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive performance, and that improvements are driven by exercise engagement.
Participants' perspective on a COVID-19 online vocal group stimulation for people with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Hallé Marie-Christine , Delorme Charline , Coulombe Édith , Rekik Ouswa , Verduyckt Ingrid
Published: August 2022

The COVID-19 related confinement and social distancing had negative consequences on the health of individuals living with Parkinson's Disease (PD). In collaboration with a non-profit organization, we developed and implemented a daily online vocal stimulation group named “Musculation de la Voix” (MdlV) in April 2020. To better understand the potential of MdlV to diversify existing services available to people with PD experiencing vocal symptoms, this study aimed to explore participants' experience and perception of MdlV in terms of participation, motivations, feelings, perceived changes, and appreciation. The 45 individuals who registered to the Summer 2020 Semester of MdlV were invited to complete an online ten-question survey. Responses to the four close-ended questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics while statements provided in response to the six open-ended questions were subjected to an inductive qualitative content analysis. Thirty seven participants completed the survey. Results revealed that the sample of respondents was mostly constituted of individuals who were engaged in this activity since its very beginning (62,2%), participated daily (59,5%), intended to keep participating in the activity (97,3%), and had never received speech-language therapy (SLT) services before (72,97%). The qualitative analysis yielded one theme relating to prior services: “Previous SLT services are variable and perceived as beneficial but with limitations,” and three themes pertaining to MdlV: “Seeking improvement and support as initial motivations to engage in MdlV,” “Unanticipated benefits and desired gains catalyzing motivation to participate in MdlV,” and “Perceived limitations of MdlV and persisting needs.” Our study participants' engagement and motivation toward MdlV as well as the benefits they perceived in relation to this activity suggest that an online vocal stimulation group may be a promising complement to currently limited SLT services. As limitations and persisting needs were also identified, future studies are required to elucidate what aspect of MdlV works, for whom and how.
The quality of organic amendments affects soil microbiome and nitrogen-cycling bacteria in an organic farming system
Authors: Ouyang Yang , Reeve Jennifer R. , Norton Jeanette M.
Published: August 2022

Organic amendments are applied in organic farming systems to provide nutrients for crop uptake and to improve soil health. Compost is often favored over fresh manure for food safety reasons, while fresh manure can be a valuable source of readily available nitrogen (N). However, the potential for fresh versus composted manure to differentially affect soil microbial and N-cycling functional communities over multiple seasons remains unknown. We compared the effect of composted vs. fresh cattle manure on soil microbial communities using taxonomic and functional approaches. Soils were collected from field plots with three organic N treatments: control (no amendment), composted manure (compost, 224 kg/ha total N), and fresh manure (manure, 224 kg/ha total N) in an organic production system. Illumina amplicon sequencing was used to comprehensively assess the bacterial community (16S rRNA genes), fungal community (ITS), ureolytic community (ureC), chitinolytic community (chiA), bacterial ammonia oxidizers (AOBamoA), and nitrite oxidizers (Nitrospira nxrB). The results showed that both compost and manure treatment significantly changed the soil microbial communities. Manure had a stronger effect than compost on soil bacterial and fungal community composition, as well as on the ureolytic and chitinolytic communities, while compost treated soils had higher microbial richness than manure treated soils. Both taxonomic and functional approaches showed that the microbial community was more responsive to fresh manure than to compost. Manure treated soil also had more complex microbial interactions than compost treated soil. The abundance and community composition of N-cycling functional groups often played more limited roles than soil chemical properties (soil organic carbon, extractable organic carbon, and pH) in driving N-cycling processes. Results from our study may guide strategies for the management of organic amendments in organic farming systems and provide insights into the linkages between soil microbial communities and soil function.
Stability of crop pollinator occurrence is influenced by bee community composition
Authors: Hutchinson Louise A. , Oliver Tom H. , Breeze Tom D. , Greenwell Matthew P. , Powney Gary D. , Garratt Michael P. D.
Published: August 2022

Bees provide a vital ecosystem service to agriculture by contributing to the pollination of many leading global crops. Human wellbeing depends not only on the quantity of agricultural yields, but also on the stability and resilience of crop production. Yet a broad understanding of how the diversity and composition of pollinator communities may influence crop pollination service has previously been hindered by a scarcity of standardized data. We used outputs from Bayesian occupancy detection models to examine patterns in the inter-annual occupancy dynamics of the bee pollinator communities of four contrasting crops (apples, field bean, oilseed and strawberries) in Great Britain between 1985 and 2015. We compared how the composition and species richness of different crop pollinator communities may affect the stability of crop pollinator occurrence. Across the four crops, we found that the inter-annual occupancy dynamics of the associated pollinator communities tended to be more similar in smaller communities with closely related pollinator species. Our results indicate that crop pollinator communities composed of a small number of closely related bee species show greater variance in mean occupancy compared to crops with more diverse pollinator communities. Lower variance in the occurrence of crop pollinating bee species may lead to more stable crop pollination services. Finally, whilst our results initially indicated some redundancy within most crop pollinator communities, with no, or little, increase in the variance of overall mean occupancy when species were initially removed, this was followed by a rapid acceleration in the variance of crop pollinator occurrence as each crop's bee pollinator community was increasingly depreciated. High inter-annual variations in pollination services have negative implications for crop production and food security. High bee diversity could ensure more stable and resilient crop pollination services, yet current agri-environment schemes predominantly benefit a limited suite of common species. Management may therefore benefit from targeting a wider diversity of solitary species in order to safeguard crop pollination service in the face of increasing environmental change.
Therapeutic perspectives of exosomes in glucocorticoid-induced osteoarthrosis
Authors: Lv Bin , Cheng Zhangrong , Yu Yajie , Chen Yuhang , Gan Weikang , Li Shuai , Zhao Kangcheng , Yang Cao , Zhang Yukun
Published: August 2022

Exosomes are widely involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. These important roles are also hidden in the physiological processes related to bone. Chondrocytes, osteoblasts, synovial fibroblasts, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells produce and secrete exosomes, thereby affecting the biology process of target cells. Furthermore, in the primary pathogenesis of osteoarthrosis induced by steroid hormones, mainly involve glucocorticoid (GC), the exosomes have also widely participated. Therefore, exosomes may also play an important role in glucocorticoid-induced osteoarthrosis and serve as a promising treatment for early intervention of osteoarthrosis in addition to playing a regulatory role in malignant tumors. This review summarizes the previous results on this direction, systematically combs the role and therapeutic potential of exosomes in GC-induced osteoarthrosis, discusses the potential role of exosomes in the treatment and prevention of GC-induced osteoarthrosis, and reveals the current challenges we confronted.
The Resistance Mechanism of Mycoplasma bovis From Yaks in Tibet to Fluoroquinolones and Aminoglycosides
Authors: Niu Jiaqiang , Yan Mingshuai , Xu Jinhua , Xu Yefen , Chang Zhenyu , Sizhu Suolang
Published: August 2022

Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) is one of the important pathogens for yaks. Aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones are frequently used medications for the treatment of M. bovis. Drug-resistant strains were inevitable with the abuse of antibiotics. The resistance of M. bovis to aminoglycosides was related to the base mutations in drug target genes. Amino acid mutations at the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) in gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE conferred resistance to fluoroquinolones. In order to investigate the resistance mechanism of M. bovis from yaks in Tibet to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones, six frequently used antibiotics and ten clinical M. bovis strains were administered for a drug sensitivity test for in vitro-induced highly resistant strains, a drug stable-resistance test, cross-resistance test, and analysis of target gene mutations. The results showed that the clinical strains of M. bovis from yaks in Tibet had varying degrees of resistance to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. The mechanism of resistance to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides was identified preliminarily for M. bovis from yaks: the single-site base mutation mediated the resistance of M. bovis from yaks and both base mutations led to highly resistant strains (aminoglycosides: rrs3 and rrs4; fluoroquinolones: gyrA and parC). The active efflux system results of M. bovis showed that there was no active efflux system based on fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides expressed in M. bovis from yaks. The research could provide a reference for clinical treatment of M. bovis.
Risk Factors and Spatial-Temporal Analysis of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Seroprevalence in China Before and After African Swine Fever Outbreak
Authors: Zhao Pengfei , Wang Chaofei , Cao Wenjian , Fang Rui , Zhao Junlong
Published: August 2022

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is an infectious viral disease that causes great harm to the pig industry. PRRS virus (PRRSV), the causative agent of PRRS, is characterized by severe reproductive failure and respiratory confusion. This study performed a cross-sectional investigation of PRRSV seroprevalence and collected 14,134 serum samples in pig farms without PRRSV vaccination from 12 provinces and two cities in China from 2017 to 2021 to detect PRRSV antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The apparent and true PRRSV antibody prevalence was estimated and compared based on the Clopper-Pearson method and Pearson chi-square test, respectively. Risk factors associated with the PRRSV serological status of pig farms were analyzed through univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis. An automatic autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model procedure was used for time-series analysis for PRRSV seroprevalence. Spatial clusters of high PRRSV seroprevalence were detected by SaTScan software. The total true PRRSV seroprevalence of the animal level was 62.56% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 61.74–63.37%). Additionally, 286 out of 316 pig farms were positive for PRRSV antibodies at the herd level. Pig farms without pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection were 5.413 (95% CI: 1.977–17.435) times more likely to be PRRSV antibody positive than those with PRV. Identically, the possibility of pig farms being PRRSV antibody positive before an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak was 3.104 (95% CI: 1.122–10.326) times more than after ASF. The odd ratio values of medium and large pig farms with PRRSV infection are 3.076 (95% CI: 1.005–9.498) and 6.098 (95% CI: 1.814–21.290). A fluctuant decline pattern for PRRSV prevalence was observed in the temporal analysis. Three significant clusters of high PRRSV seroprevalence were first detected in China, covering a time frame from January 2018 to September 2018, which reveals high PRRSV prevalence before the outbreak of ASF. These findings show the epidemic situation and spatial-temporal distribution of PRRSV infection in China in recent years and could help develop reasonable measures to prevent PRRSV infection.