bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Binge-Watching and Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Alimoradi Zainab , Jafari Elahe , Potenza Marc N. , Lin Chung-Ying , Wu Chien-Yi , Pakpour Amir H.
Published: August 2022

Background: Binge-watching, the viewing of online videos or streamed content, may be associated with different types of mental health problems. The present study aimed to investigate the associations between binge-watching and five mental health concerns including depression, loneliness, sleep problems, anxiety, and stress. Methods: Academic databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, PsycINFO, and Psych Articles were systematically searched through February of 2022. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to assess the methodological quality. A meta-analysis was performed on Fisher’s z values as effect sizes, using a random effect model. Publication bias, small study effect, and moderators in this association were assessed. Results: Binge-watching was significantly associated with the five types of mental health concerns with the most robust correlations found with stress (0.32) and anxiety (0.25). Stronger associations between binge-watching and two types of mental health problems (depression and sleep problems) were found during the COVID-19 pandemic than before the pandemic. Moreover, stronger associations between binge-watching and two types of mental health problems (stress and sleep problems) were found in developing countries than in developed countries. Conclusions: The associations between binge-watching and mental health concerns were significant and positive. Programs and interventions to reduce binge-watching should be considered and tested.
Validation of the Short Food Literacy Questionnaire in the Representative Sample of Polish Internet Users
Authors: Zwierczyk Urszula , Kobryn Mateusz , Duplaga Mariusz
Published: August 2022

Analogous to health literacy, food literacy can be defined as a set of cognitive and social skills associated with the ability to acquire and understand information about food and nutrition to make appropriate nutritional decisions. In the literature, several terms such as food, nutrition, or nutritional literacy are used in parallel, differing in some aspects of their meaning. Food literacy is an important measure of the effectiveness of nutritional education interventions and appropriate instruments for its measurement should be available in every society. The aim of this study was the assessment of the validity and testing of a proposed model of the Short Food Literacy Questionnaire (SFLQ) culturally adapted into Polish. The analysis was performed on data from an online survey in a representative sample of 1286 adult internet users. Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor (CFA) analyses were performed on two different subsets obtained through random splitting of the initial dataset. The Polish version of the SFLQ had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α 0.841; Guttman split-half coefficient was 0.812). The EFA revealed that the tool had a three-factor latent structure. The distinguished dimensions were ‘information accessing’, ‘knowledge’, and ‘information appraisal’. The subscales also showed acceptable internal consistency based on the values of the Cronbach’s α coefficients (ranging from 0.768 to 0.845). The CFA confirmed a good fit of the three-factor model with at least five indexes achieving acceptable levels (CFI = 0.972, GFI = 0.963, AGFI = 0.940, NFI = 0.959, and RMSEA = 0.059). The validation of the Polish version of the SFLQ revealed, contrary to earlier reports, not a single but a three-factor structure of the instrument. The SFLQ will be an important tool for the assessment of the effectiveness of educational interventions and population studies analyzing the determinants of food literacy in Poland.
Exploring the Bedouin Syndrome in the Football Fan Culture: Addressing the Hooliganism Phenomena through Networks of Violent Behavior
Authors: Nepomuceno Thyago Celso Cavalcante , de Carvalho Victor Diogho Heuer , Silva Lúcio Camara e , de Moura Jadielson Alves , Costa Ana Paula Cabral Seixas
Published: August 2022

The Bedouin syndrome represents social interactions based on four premises: a friend of my friend is my friend, a friend of my enemy is my enemy, an enemy of my friend is my enemy, and an enemy of my enemy is my friend. These extensive associations exist in many social and economic relationships, such as market competition, neighborhood relations, political behavior, student gangs, organized crime, and the violent behavior of sports spectators (hooliganism) worldwide. This work tests the Bedouin syndrome hypothesis considering the violent behavior in the football fan culture. We construct relational networks of social affinities to represent the social interactions of organized fan bases (Torcidas organizadas) involved in hooligan violence in Pernambuco, Brazil. Contrary to prior expectations, the results evidence no statistical support for the Bedouin syndrome in 13 of the 15 analyzed clubs. There is weak statistical support in two interactions and strong statistical support in one interaction to state that a friend of my enemy is my friend (instead of an enemy). The only support for the Bedouin syndrome is circumstantial based on a prior assumption of an alliance. We propose a network development that can be more suitable to represent football fans’ violent behavior. The results contribute to understanding the hooliganism social phenomenon in football-rooted cultures and their impact on public health, identifying potential determinants for organized violence by young spectators’ and supporting police strategies by defining relevance scores for the most potential clashes and coalitions of gangs.
Factors Associated with Burnout among Resident Physicians Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A 2-Month Longitudinal Observation Study
Authors: Ju Teressa R. , Mikrut Emilia E. , Spinelli Alexandra , Romain Anne-Marie , Brondolo Elizabeth , Sundaram Varuna , Pan Cynthia X.
Published: August 2022

Background: Burnout during residency may be a function of intense professional demands and poor work/life balance. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, NYC hospital systems were quickly overwhelmed, and trainees were required to perform beyond the usual clinical duties with less supervision and limited education. Objective: The present longitudinal study examined the effects of COVID-19 caseload over time on burnout experienced by resident physicians and explored the effects of demographic characteristics and organizational and personal factors as predictors of burnout severity. Methods: This study employed a prospective design with repeated measurements from April 2020 to June 2020. Participants were surveyed about their well-being every 5 days. Predictors included caseload, sociodemographic variables, self-efficacy, hospital support, perceived professional development, meaning in work, and postgraduate training level. Results: In total, 54 resident physicians were recruited, of whom 50% reported burnout on initial assessment. Periods of higher caseload were associated with higher burnout. PGY-3 residents reported more burnout initially but appeared to recover faster compared to PGY-1 residents. Examined individually, higher self-efficacy, professional development, meaningful work, and hospital support were associated with lower burnout. When all four predictors were entered simultaneously, only self-efficacy was associated with burnout. However, professional development, meaningful work, and hospital support were associated with self-efficacy. Conclusion: Burnout among residency is prevalent and may have implications for burnout during later stages of a physician’s career. Self-efficacy is associated with lower burnout and interventions to increase self-efficacy and the interpersonal factors that promote self-efficacy may improve physician physical and emotional well-being.
Uncovering the Model and Philosophy of Care of a Psychiatric Inpatient Mother-Baby Unit in a Qualitative Study with Staff
Authors: Branjerdporn Grace , Hussain Besalat , Roberts Susan , Creedy Debra
Published: August 2022

The postnatal period is high-risk time for the first onset and recurrence of maternal mental health disorders. Untreated maternal mental illness can have significant adverse impacts on a woman, her baby, and the wider family unit. For women with mental illnesses that cannot be managed in the community, psychiatric inpatient mother-baby units are the gold standard treatment whereby mothers are co-admitted with their infant for specialist perinatal and infant mental health assessment and treatment. The study explores the model of care and examines the philosophies of care that are used within a psychiatric mother-baby unit. Purposive sampling was used to conduct semi-structured focus group and individual interviews with multidisciplinary staff members at a single mother-baby unit. Themes derived from these interviews were coded into two primary themes and a range of sub-themes. The first primary theme focused on the Model of Care consisting of the following sub-themes: mental health care, physical health care, babies’ care, building mother-baby relationship, fostering relationships with supports, and facilitating community support. The second primary theme centered around the Philosophy of Care comprising of: person-centered care, trauma-informed care, compassion-centered care, recovery-oriented care, attachment-informed care, non-judgmental care, strengths-based care and interdisciplinary care. The model can be used to provide consistency across mother-baby units and to support core capabilities of staff in providing an optimal level of care.
Rosinidin Protects against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity via Subsiding Proinflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Rats
Authors: Gilani Sadaf Jamal , Bin-Jumah May Nasser , Al-Abbasi Fahad A. , Nadeem Muhammad Shahid , Alzarea Sami I. , Ahmed Mohammed Muqtader , Sayyed Nadeem , Kazmi Imran
Published: August 2022

Background: Rosinidin is a flavonoid anthocyanin pigmentation found in shrub flowers such as Catharanthus roseus and Primula rosea. The molecular docking studies predicted that rosinidin has adequate structural competency, making it a viable medicinal candidate for the treatment of a wide range of disorders. The current study intends to assess rosinidin nephroprotective efficacy against nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin in rats. Materials and Methods: Oral acute toxicity tests of rosinidin were conducted to assess potential toxicity in animals, and it was shown to be safe. The nephroprotective effect of rosinidin 10, and 20 mg/kg were tested in rats for 25 days with concurrent administration of cisplatin. Several biochemical parameters were measured to support enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxidative stress such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH). Likewise, changes in several non-protein-nitrogenous components and blood chemistry parameters were made to support the theory linked with the pathogenesis of chemical-induced nephrotoxicity. Results: Cisplatin caused significant changes in biochemical, enzymatic, and blood chemistry, which rosinidin efficiently controlled. Conclusions: The present investigation linked rosinidin with nephroprotective efficacy in experimental models.
Factors Affecting the Detection of Hexavalent Chromium in Cr-Contaminated Soil
Authors: Huang Mingtao , Ding Guoyu , Yan Xianghua , Rao Pinhua , Wang Xingrun , Meng Xiaoguang , Shi Qiantao
Published: August 2022

The alkali digestion pretreatment method in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Method 3060A could underestimate the content of Cr(VI) in Cr-contaminated soils, especially for soils mixed with chromite ore processing residue (COPR), which leads to a misjudgment of the Cr(VI) level in soils after remediation, causing secondary pollution to the environment. In this study, a new pretreatment method to analyze Cr(VI) concentration in contaminated soils was established. The impacts of soil quality, particle size, alkali digestion time and the rounds of alkali digestion on Cr(VI) detection in contaminated soils was explored and the alkali digestion method was optimized. Compared with USEPA Method 3060A, the alkaline digestion time was prolonged to 6 h and multiple alkali digestion was employed until the amount of Cr(VI) in the last extraction was less than 10% of the total amount of Cr(VI). Because Cr(VI) in COPR is usually embedded in the mineral phase structure, the hydration products were dissolved and Cr(VI) was released gradually during the alkaline digestion process. The amount of Cr(VI) detected showed high correlation coefficients with the percentage of F1 (mild acid-soluble fraction), F2 (reducible fraction) and F4 (residual fraction). The Cr(VI) contents detected by the new alkaline digestion method and USEPA Method 3060A showed significant differences for soil samples mixed with COPR due to their high percentage of residual fraction. This new pretreatment method could quantify more than 90% of Cr(VI) in Cr-contaminated soils, especially those mixed with COPR, which proved to be a promising method for Cr(VI) analysis in soils, before and after remediation.
Psychological Distress in South African Healthcare Workers Early in the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of Associations and Mitigating Factors
Authors: Lee Hsin-Ling , Wilson Kerry S. , Bernstein Colleen , Naicker Nisha , Yassi Annalee , Spiegel Jerry M.
Published: August 2022

While the global COVID-19 pandemic has been widely acknowledged to affect the mental health of health care workers (HCWs), attention to measures that protect those on the front lines of health outbreak response has been limited. In this cross-sectional study, we examine workplace contextual factors associated with how psychological distress was experienced in a South African setting where a severe first wave was being experienced with the objective of identifying factors that can protect against HCWs experiencing negative impacts. Consistent with mounting literature on mental health effects, we found a high degree of psychological distress (57.4% above the General Health Questionnaire cut-off value) and a strong association between perceived risks associated with the presence of COVID-19 in the healthcare workplace and psychological distress (adjusted OR = 2.35, p < 0.01). Our research indicates that both training (adjusted OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.21–0.81) and the reported presence of supportive workplace relationships (adjusted OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.27–0.97) were associated with positive outcomes. This evidence that workplace resilience can be reinforced to better prepare for the onset of similar outbreaks in the future suggests that pursuit of further research into specific interventions to improve resilience is well merited.
Land Use Dynamic Evolution and Driving Factors of Typical Open-Pit Coal Mines in Inner Mongolia
Authors: Zhang Lijia , Hu Zhenqi , Yang Dazhi , Li Huanhuan , Liu Bo , Gao He , Cao Congjie , Zhou Yan , Li Junfang , Li Shuchang
Published: August 2022

Although coal is difficult to replace in the short term, the large-scale production and consumption of coal have significant impacts on the ecological environment. The severe disturbances, such as land excavation and occupation, that accompany the mining of mineral resources have caused dramatic changes in land cover and a significant pressure on the sensitive and fragile ecological environment. To analyze the temporal and spatial evolution trends and the differences in land use in different typical mining areas in Inner Mongolia, as well as the evaluation system and driving mechanisms of land use evolution, this study takes the typical open-pit coal mines in Inner Mongolia as the research objects and, based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, analyzes the dynamic evolution characteristics and driving factors of land use in typical open-pit coal mines in Inner Mongolia from 2001 to 2020. The change trend of land use in typical open-pit mining areas in Inner Mongolia for the past 20 years is obvious, with the highest fluctuations for grassland, mining land, cropland, and residential/industrial land. Land use in the open-pit coal mining area is greatly affected by mining factors. From the perspective of spatial variation, the most important driving factor is the distance from national roads and railways, followed by the annual average temperature and annual average precipitation and topographical conditions, such as elevation. In terms of policy, land reclamation and ecological restoration in mining areas have a positive impact on land use change. Improving the mechanism for environmental compensation in mining areas can promote the efficient and rational use of mining areas and the protection of ecosystems.
Impact of Work Stress and Job Burnout on Turnover Intentions among Hotel Employees
Authors: Salama Wagih , Abdou Ahmed Hassan , Mohamed Shaimaa Abo Khanger , Shehata Hossam Said
Published: August 2022

This research aims primarily to shed light on the impact of work stress and job burnout on employees’ turnover intention in the hotel industry. Furthermore, it aims to identify the effect of work stress on job burnout besides examining the potential mediating role of job burnout in the relationship between work stress and employees’ turnover intentions in Egyptian hotels. For achieving this aim, the questionnaire was designed for Egyptian hotel employees and structured to cover four key parts: (1) demographic characteristics of employees of hotels, (2) work stress items, (3) job burnout items, and (4) turnover intentions. Structural equation modeling (SEM) results were obtained using AMOS software, IBM, version 24. The results indicate that job burnout partially mediates the relationship between work stress and turnover intentions. To be more specific, work stress has a significant positive effect on the turnover intention (β = +0.40, p < 0.01), and a significant positive effect on job burnout (β = +0.43 p < 0.01). Thus, there exists a strong positive association between work stress and turnover intentions as well as a positive association between job burnout and work stress. The findings of this study would help policymakers, hotel managers as well as practitioners to formulate policies for lessening the work stress, job burnout, and turnover intentions among hotel employees.
Mental Health and Physical Activity of Female Higher Education Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study from Lithuania
Authors: Baranauskas Marius , Kupčiūnaitė Ingrida , Stukas Rimantas
Published: August 2022

During emerging adulthood (EA), higher education medical students undergo a higher risk of anxiety and depression compared to the general population. The aim of this comparative cross-sectional study was to compare the proportions of three mental disorders, namely anxiety, depression and somatisation in terms of their symptoms and self-reported physical activity (PA) levels across the cohorts of biomedical and non-biomedical female students as well as to assess the association between the mental health outcomes and PA use. Between September 2021 and January 2022, a total of 1231 female higher education students aged between 18 and 29 years old were recruited for the study. Severe symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as unexplained somatic complaints, were suffered by 51.9%, 11% and 23% of female students, respectively. Non-biomedical female students, compared to medicine and health sciences students, were more vulnerable due to the increased prevalence of negative mental health outcomes. The relationship between increased sports activity as a potential trigger for mental well-being and decreased severity of depressive symptoms was identified in the cohorts of both biomedical (adjusted odd ratio (ORadj) 0.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.1–1.0) and non-biomedical (ORadj 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2–0.9) female students. The current research highlights the importance of increasing sports activity by involving students in regular physical exercise of specific types for decreasing the severity of depressive symptoms in student-aged female populations.
Self-Care Practices of Patients with Non-Communicable Diseases during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Wattanapisit Apichai , Sottiyotin Tida , Thongruch Jaruporn , Wattanapisit Sanhapan , Yongpraderm Siranee , Kowaseattapon Pichawee
Published: August 2022

Individuals with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. This study explores the lived experience of patients with NCDs during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of COVID-19 on their self-care. An interpretive phenomenological analysis approach was used that involved in-depth interviews with patients who received medical services from a family medicine clinic, along with caregivers who responded on their behalf. An inductive thematic approach was utilized to analyze the data. Interview respondents included 17 patients with NCDs and four caregivers. The patients had a mean age of 65.7 ± 11.3 years and were diagnosed with an NCD, a mean of 4.8 ± 1.1 years previously. Self-care practices used during the pandemic were classified as therapeutic or preventive. Patients responded to changes in healthcare services by seeking in-person services for their acute illnesses and accepting remote services for underlying chronic conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the self-care practices of patients with NCDs. Most patients paid more attention to self-care during this time, while some became more concerned with other aspects of their life.
The Intellectual Structure of Research on Rural-to-Urban Migrants: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Gao Huichen , Wang Shijuan
Published: August 2022

As noted in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 2030 agenda, sustainable cities “without leaving anyone behind” should take into consideration migrant groups, which may play only a marginal role but may be at the root of potential social conflicts. This study thereby promotes cross-disciplinary explorations of knowing and understanding the rural-to-urban internal migrants against the background of rapid urbanization. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis based on 2788 English language articles obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database. As China’s unique Hukou system highlights the divide between rural migrants and urban dwellers, migrant studies have extended to a diverse range of interests. We underlined the most productive sources and authors in this area and identified networks of collaboration among countries and institutions. Furthermore, we found trends in research themes and topics and research clusters through keyword-based analysis techniques. The results provide a rich source of information on the intellectual structure of the chosen domain of rural-to-urban migrants.
Understanding the Influence of Initial Values of College Students in Shaping Pro-Environmental Behavioral Intention
Authors: Song Yanqing , Bao Han , Shen Shan
Published: August 2022

Pro-environmental behaviors are rooted in values, and understanding the initial values among college students is pivotal in developing educational strategies to improve their pro-environmental behavior. However, most pro-environmental behavior studies fail to consider the social values and personal values as different dimensional or even conflicting values. This study integrated two distinct values, namely perceived social values and perceived personal values, with the technology acceptance model (TAM) to examine how different values shape college students’ pro-environmental behavioral intentions. The proposed model was then empirically validated using survey data from 245 responses from freshmen students at a University in Chongqing. The findings reveal that while perceived social values and perceived personal values are both positively related to behavioral intention, the effect sizes of the former are much larger. Our findings highlight that higher institutions and instructors should continue shaping the prosocial values among college students and create personal values from pro-environmental behavior to reduce the detrimental impact on the environment and achieve sustainability.
Associations of Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor rs6265 Gene Polymorphism with Personality Dimensions among Athletes
Authors: Humińska-Lisowska Kinga , Chmielowiec Jolanta , Chmielowiec Krzysztof , Niewczas Marta , Lachowicz Milena , Cięszczyk Paweł , Masiak Jolanta , Strońska-Pluta Aleksandra , Michałowska-Sawczyn Monika , Maculewicz Ewelina , Grzywacz Anna
Published: August 2022

Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) is one of the essential mediating factors of exercise-induced neuroplasticity, but the underlying molecular mechanisms of exercise-induced neuroplasticity are still largely unknown. Personality dimensions differentiate individuals and depend on genes and environmental factors. The dimensions of openness to experience, emotional stability, extraversion and conscientiousness have been reported to be positively related to performance; considering agreeableness, a negative relation with sports performance was emphasized. However, not enough effort has been put into investigating the relationship between genetic polymorphisms affecting psychological abilities and competitive power sports. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the rs6265 polymorphism of BDNF with personality dimensions in martial arts athletes. The study was conducted among martial arts athletes. The study group included 258 volunteers (martial arts athletes (n = 106) and controls (n = 152). BDNF polymorphism testing was performed using the real-time PCR method; personality dimensions were assessed using standardized NEO-FFI questionnaires. All analyses were performed using STATISTICA 13. We observed that martial arts athletes’ G/G genotypes compared to the control group G/G genotypes presented significantly higher severity of personality dimension “conscientiousness”. In comparison with the controls, the case group subjects had significantly higher scores in the dimension extraversion (M 6.89 vs. M 6.43, p = 0.0405) and conscientiousness/scale (M 7.23 vs. M 5.89, p < 0.0001). The results of 2 × 3 factorial ANOVA noticed a statistically significant effect of combined factor BDNF rs6265 genotype of martial arts/control (F2,252 = 3.11, p = 0.0465, η2 = 0.024). Additionally, we observed that the results of 2 × 3 factorial ANOVA showed a statistically significant influence of combined factor BDNF rs6265 of genotype martial arts/ control (F2,252 = 6.16, p = 0.0024, η2 = 0.047). The combination of the analysis of personality dimensions with genetics—as in the case of the polymorphism of the BDNF gene related to neuroplasticity—indicates that neurobiology cannot be ignored in educating sports champions. We already know that this is related to genetics. However, little is still known about the influence of personality traits on sports performance. We observed that martial arts athletes’ G/G genotypes, in comparison to the control group’s G/G genotypes, presented significantly higher severity of personality dimension “conscientiousness”. This is worthy of further analysis and probably longitudinal studies on a more numerous group of athletes.
Vis LED Photo-Fenton Degradation of 124-Trichlorobenzene at a Neutral pH Using Ferrioxalate as Catalyst
Authors: Conte Leandro O. , Dominguez Carmen M. , Checa-Fernandez Alicia , Santos Aurora
Published: August 2022

Chlorinated organic compounds (COCs) are among the more toxic organic compounds frequently found in soil and groundwater. Among these, toxic and low-degradable chlorobenzenes are commonly found in the environment. In this work, an innovative process using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant, ferrioxalate as the catalyst and a visible light-emitting diode lamp (Vis LED) were applied to successfully oxidize 124-trichlorobenzene (124-TCB) in a saturated aqueous solution of 124-TCB (28 mg L−1) at a neutral pH. The influence of a hydrogen peroxide (HP) concentration (61.5–612 mg L−1), Fe3+ (Fe) dosage (3–10 mg L−1), and irradiation level (Rad) (I = 0.12 W cm−2 and I = 0.18 W cm−2) on 124-TCB conversion and dechlorination was studied. A D–Optimal experimental design combined with response surface methodology (RSM) was implemented to maximize the quality of the information obtained. The ANOVA test was used to assess the significance of the model and its coefficients. The maximum pollutant conversion at 180 min (98.50%) was obtained with Fe = 7 mg L−1, HP = 305 mg L−1, and I = 0.12 W cm−2. The effect of two inorganic anions usually presents in real groundwater (bicarbonate and chloride, 600 mg L−1 each) was investigated under those optimized operating conditions. A slight reduction in the 124-TCB conversion after 180 min of reaction was noticed in the presence of bicarbonate (8.31%) and chloride (7.85%). Toxicity was studied with Microtox® (Azur Environmental, Carlsbad, CA, USA) bioassay, and a remarkable toxicity decrease was found in the treated samples, with the inhibition proportional to the remaining 124-TCB concentration. That means that nontoxic byproducts are produced in agreement with the high dechlorination degrees noticed.
The Analysis of Classification and Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics of Ride-Hailing Driver’s Driving Style: A Case Study in China
Authors: Liu Runkun , Yu Haiyang , Ren Yilong , Liu Shuai
Published: August 2022

Monitoring the driving styles of ride-hailing drivers is helpful for providing targeted training for drivers and improving the safety of the service. However, previous studies have lacked analyses of the temporal variation as well as spatial variation characteristics of driving styles. Understanding the variations can also help authorities formulate driver management policies. In this study, trajectory data are used to analyze driving styles in various temporal and spatial scenarios involving 34,167 drivers. The k-means method is used to cluster sample drivers. In terms of driving style time-varying, we found that only 31.79% of drivers could maintain a stable driving style throughout the day. Spatially, we divided the research area into two parts, namely, road segments and intersections, to analyze the spatial driving characteristics of drivers with different styles. The speed distribution, the acceleration and deceleration distributions are analyzed, results indicated that aggressive drivers display more aggressive driving styles in road segments, and conservative drivers exhibit more conservative driving styles at intersections. The findings of this study provide an understanding of temporal and spatial driving behavior factors for ride-hailing drivers and offer valuable contributions to ride-hailing driver training and road safety management.
Zero-Leverage Puzzle Revisited: Evidence from Acquisition Behaviors
Authors: Bae Chang Suk , Chung Hae Jin
Published: August 2022

The prevalence of zero-leverage firms is a puzzle in corporate finance. We analyze the acquisition behavior of zero-leverage firms and offer a new venue to the studies on zero-leverage puzzle and the interdependence of capital structures and investment decisions. The prior literature suggests three explanations regarding the zero-leverage puzzle: limited access to the debt market, managerial preference, and financial flexibility. While non-persistent zero-leverage firms show similar behavior as moderately leveraged firms, persistent zero-leverage firms are conservative in their acquisition behaviors. These firms are less likely to make acquisitions, acquire smaller targets, and are more likely to acquire zero-leverage targets than are moderately leveraged firms. Meanwhile, both persistent and non-persistent zero-leverage firms are not financially constrained, since they are likely to use cash in their offers, and they increase leverage post-acquisition. Overall, our evidence on persistent zero-leverage firms supports the managerial preference hypothesis, while the evidence on non-persistent zero-leverage firms is consistent with the financial flexibility hypothesis. Therefore, studies on corporate investment strategy should be aware of persistent firms’ unique behavior of debt and investment conservatism that differentiates these firms from other under-leveraged firms and non-persistent zero-leverage firms.
The Roles of Histone Post-Translational Modifications in the Formation and Function of a Mitotic Chromosome
Authors: Andonegui-Elguera Marco A. , Cáceres-Gutiérrez Rodrigo E. , López-Saavedra Alejandro , Cisneros-Soberanis Fernanda , Justo-Garrido Montserrat , Díaz-Chávez José , Herrera Luis A.
Published: August 2022

During mitosis, many cellular structures are organized to segregate the replicated genome to the daughter cells. Chromatin is condensed to shape a mitotic chromosome. A multiprotein complex known as kinetochore is organized on a specific region of each chromosome, the centromere, which is defined by the presence of a histone H3 variant called CENP-A. The cytoskeleton is re-arranged to give rise to the mitotic spindle that binds to kinetochores and leads to the movement of chromosomes. How chromatin regulates different activities during mitosis is not well known. The role of histone post-translational modifications (HPTMs) in mitosis has been recently revealed. Specific HPTMs participate in local compaction during chromosome condensation. On the other hand, HPTMs are involved in CENP-A incorporation in the centromere region, an essential activity to maintain centromere identity. HPTMs also participate in the formation of regulatory protein complexes, such as the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) and the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Finally, we discuss how HPTMs can be modified by environmental factors and the possible consequences on chromosome segregation and genome stability.
Conjugation of the 9-kDa Isoform of Granulysin with Liposomes Potentiates Its Cytotoxicity
Authors: Soler-Agesta Ruth , Guerrero-Ochoa Patricia , Marco-Brualla Joaquín , Ibáñez-Pérez Raquel , Marzo Isabel , Martínez-Lostao Luis , Anel Alberto
Published: August 2022

Nine kDa granulysin (GRNLY) is a human cytolytic protein secreted by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and NK cells of the immune system whose demonstrated physiological function is the elimination of bacteria and parasites. In previous studies by our group, the anti-tumor capacity of recombinant granulysin was demonstrated, both in vitro and in vivo. In the present work, we developed lipid nanoparticles whose surfaces can bind recombinant granulysin through the formation of a complex of coordination between the histidine tail of the protein and Ni2+ provided by a chelating lipid in the liposome composition and termed them LUV-GRNLY, for granulysin-bound large unilamellar vesicles. The objective of this formulation is to increase the granulysin concentration at the site of contact with the target cell and to increase the cytotoxicity of the administered dose. The results obtained in this work indicate that recombinant granulysin binds to the surface of the liposome with high efficiency and that its cytotoxicity is significantly increased when it is in association with liposomes. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the main mechanism of death induced by both granulysin and LUV-GRNLY is apoptosis. Jurkat-shBak cells are resistant to GRNLY and also to LUV-GRNLY, showing that LUV-GRNLY uses the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway to induce cell death. On the other hand, we show that LUV-GRNLY induces the expression of the pro-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family Bim and especially PUMA, although it also induced the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL. In conclusion, we demonstrate that binding of GRNLY to the surfaces of liposomes clearly augments its cytotoxic potential, with cell death executed mainly by the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.
Regulatory T Cell Depletion Using a CRISPR Fc-Optimized CD25 Antibody
Authors: van Elsas Marit J. , van der Schoot Johan M. S. , Bartels Alexander , Steuten Kas , van Dalen Duco , Wijfjes Zacharias , Figdor Carl G. , van Hall Thorbald , van der Burg Sjoerd H. , Verdoes Martijn , Scheeren Ferenc A.
Published: August 2022

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are major drivers behind immunosuppressive mechanisms and present a major hurdle for cancer therapy. Tregs are characterized by a high expression of CD25, which is a potentially valuable target for Treg depletion to alleviate immune suppression. The preclinical anti-CD25 (αCD25) antibody, clone PC-61, has met with modest anti-tumor activity due to its capacity to clear Tregs from the circulation and lymph nodes, but not those that reside in the tumor. The optimization of the Fc domain of this antibody clone has been shown to enhance the intratumoral Treg depletion capacity. Here, we generated a stable cell line that produced optimized recombinant Treg-depleting antibodies. A genome engineering strategy in which CRISPR-Cas9 was combined with homology-directed repair (CRISPR-HDR) was utilized to optimize the Fc domain of the hybridoma PC-61 for effector functions by switching it from its original rat IgG1 to a mouse IgG2a isotype. In a syngeneic tumor mouse model, the resulting αCD25-m2a (mouse IgG2a isotype) antibody mediated the effective depletion of tumor-resident Tregs, leading to a high effector T cell (Teff) to Treg ratio. Moreover, a combination of αCD25-m2a and an αPD-L1 treatment augmented tumor eradication in mice, demonstrating the potential for αCD25 as a cancer immunotherapy.
Molecular Dynamics of CYFIP2 Protein and Its R87C Variant Related to Early Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy
Authors: Biembengut Ísis V. , Shigunov Patrícia , Frota Natalia F. , Lourenzoni Marcos R. , de Souza Tatiana A. C. B.
Published: August 2022

The CYFIP2 protein (cytoplasmic FMR1-interacting protein 2) is part of the WAVE regulatory complex (WRC). CYFIP2 was recently correlated to neurological disorders by the association of the R87C variant with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE) patients. In this set of syndromes, the epileptic spasms and seizures since early childhood lead to impaired neurological development in children. Inside the WRC, the variant residue is at the CYFIP2 and WAVE1 protein interface. Thus, the hypothesis is that the R87C modification weakens this interaction, allowing the WRC complex’s constant activation. This work aimed to investigate the impacts of the mutation on the structure of the WRC complex through molecular dynamics simulation. For that, we constructed WRC models containing WAVE1-NCKAP1 proteins complexed with WT or R87C CYFIP2. Our simulations showed a flexibilization of the loop comprising residues 80–110 due to the loss of contacts between internal residues in the R87C CYFIP2 as well as the key role of residues R/C87, E624, and E689 in structural modification. These data could explain the mechanism by which the mutation impairs the stability and proper regulation of the WRC.
Enhancing the Amyloid-β Anti-Aggregation Properties of Curcumin via Arene-Ruthenium(II) Derivatization
Authors: Cuccioloni Massimiliano , Cecarini Valentina , Bonfili Laura , Pettinari Riccardo , Tombesi Alessia , Pagliaricci Noemi , Petetta Laura , Angeletti Mauro , Eleuteri Anna Maria
Published: August 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder associated with severe dementia, progressive cognitive decline, and irreversible memory loss. Although its etiopathogenesis is still unclear, the aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides into supramolecular structures and their accumulation in the central nervous system play a critical role in the onset and progression of the disease. On such a premise, the inhibition of the early stages of Aβ aggregation is a potential prevention strategy for the treatment of AD. Since several natural occurring compounds, as well as metal-based molecules, showed promising inhibitory activities toward Aβ aggregation, we herein characterized the interaction of an organoruthenium derivative of curcumin with Aβ(1–40) and Aβ(1–42) peptides, and we evaluated its ability to inhibit the oligomerization/fibrillogenesis processes by combining in silico and in vitro methods. In general, besides being less toxic to neuronal cells, the derivative preserved the amyloid binding ability of the parent compound in terms of equilibrium dissociation constants but (most notably) was more effective both in retarding the formation and limiting the size of amyloid aggregates by virtue of a higher hindering effect on the amyloid–amyloid elongation surface. Additionally, the complex protected neuronal cells from amyloid toxicity.
Burn-Induced Acute Kidney Injury–Two-Lane Road: From Molecular to Clinical Aspects
Authors: Niculae Andrei , Peride Ileana , Tiglis Mirela , Sharkov Evgeni , Neagu Tiberiu Paul , Lascar Ioan , Checherita Ionel Alexandru
Published: August 2022

Severe burn injuries lead to acute kidney injury (AKI) development, increasing the mortality risk up to 28–100%. In addition, there is an increase in hospitalization days and complications appearance. Various factors are responsible for acute or late AKI debut, like hypovolemia, important inflammatory response, excessive load of denatured proteins, sepsis, and severe organic dysfunction. The main measure to improve the prognosis of these patients is rapidly recognizing this condition and reversing the underlying events. For this reason, different renal biomarkers have been studied over the years for early identification of burn-induced AKI, like neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), cystatin C, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7). The fundamental purpose of these studies is to find a way to recognize and prevent acute renal injury progression early in order to decrease the risk of mortality and chronic kidney disease (CKD) onset.
Effect of Physical Activity/Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Muscle and Vascular Aging
Authors: El Assar Mariam , Álvarez-Bustos Alejandro , Sosa Patricia , Angulo Javier , Rodríguez-Mañas Leocadio
Published: August 2022

Functional status is considered the main determinant of healthy aging. Impairment in skeletal muscle and the cardiovascular system, two interrelated systems, results in compromised functional status in aging. Increased oxidative stress and inflammation in older subjects constitute the background for skeletal muscle and cardiovascular system alterations. Aged skeletal muscle mass and strength impairment is related to anabolic resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased oxidative stress and inflammation as well as a reduced antioxidant response and myokine profile. Arterial stiffness and endothelial function stand out as the main cardiovascular alterations related to aging, where increased systemic and vascular oxidative stress and inflammation play a key role. Physical activity and exercise training arise as modifiable determinants of functional outcomes in older persons. Exercise enhances antioxidant response, decreases age-related oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory signals, and promotes the activation of anabolic and mitochondrial biogenesis pathways in skeletal muscle. Additionally, exercise improves endothelial function and arterial stiffness by reducing inflammatory and oxidative damage signaling in vascular tissue together with an increase in antioxidant enzymes and nitric oxide availability, globally promoting functional performance and healthy aging. This review focuses on the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in aged musculoskeletal and vascular systems and how physical activity/exercise influences functional status in the elderly.
GLW7.1, a Strong Functional Allele of Ghd7, Enhances Grain Size in Rice
Authors: Liu Rongjia , Feng Qinfei , Li Pingbo , Lou Guangming , Chen Guowei , Jiang Haichao , Gao Guanjun , Zhang Qinglu , Xiao Jinghua , Li Xianghua , Xiong Lizhong , He Yuqing
Published: August 2022

Grain size is a key determinant of both grain weight and grain quality. Here, we report the map-based cloning of a novel quantitative trait locus (QTL), GLW7.1 (Grain Length, Width and Weight 7.1), which encodes the CCT motif family protein, GHD7. The QTL is located in a 53 kb deletion fragment in the cultivar Jin23B, compared with the cultivar CR071. Scanning electron microscopy analysis and expression analysis revealed that GLW7.1 promotes the transcription of several cell division and expansion genes, further resulting in a larger cell size and increased cell number, and finally enhancing the grain size as well as grain weight. GLW7.1 could also increase endogenous GA content by up-regulating the expression of GA biosynthesis genes. Yeast two-hybrid assays and split firefly luciferase complementation assays revealed the interactions of GHD7 with seven grain-size-related proteins and the rice DELLA protein SLR1. Haplotype analysis and transcription activation assay revealed the effect of six amino acid substitutions on GHD7 activation activity. Additionally, the NIL with GLW7.1 showed reduced chalkiness and improved cooking and eating quality. These findings provide a new insight into the role of Ghd7 and confirm the great potential of the GLW7.1 allele in simultaneously improving grain yield and quality.
Biodegradable-Glass-Fiber Reinforced Hydrogel Composite with Enhanced Mechanical Performance and Cell Proliferation for Potential Cartilage Repair
Authors: Zhu Chenkai , Huang Changyong , Zhang Wuxiang , Ding Xilun , Yang Yang
Published: August 2022

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels are promising implants due to the similarity of their low-friction behavior to that of cartilage tissue, and also due to their non-cytotoxicity. However, their poor mechanical resistance and insufficient durability restricts their application in this area. With the development of biodegradable glass fibers (BGF), which show desirable mechanical performance and bioactivity for orthopedic engineering, we designed a novel PVA hydrogel composite reinforced with biodegradable glass fibers, intended for use in artificial cartilage repair with its excellent cytocompatibility and long-term mechanical stability. Using structure characterization and thermal properties analysis, we found hydrogen bonding occurred among PVA molecular networks as well as in the PVA–BGF interface, which explained the increase in crystallinity and glass transition temperature, and was the reason for the improved mechanical performance and better anti-fatigue behavior of the composites in comparison with PVA. The compressive strength and modulus for the PBGF-15 composite reached 3.05 and 3.97 MPa, respectively, equaling the mechanical properties of human articular cartilage. Moreover, the increase in BGF content was found to support the proliferation of chondrocytes in vitro, whilst the PVA hydrogel matrix was able to control the ion concentration by adjusting the ions released from the BGF. Therefore, this novel biodegradable-glass-fiber-reinforced hydrogel composite possesses excellent properties for cartilage repair with potential in medical application.