bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of the molecular determinants of antagonist potency in the allosteric binding pocket of human P2X4
Authors: Pasqualetto Gaia , Zuanon Marika , Brancale Andrea , Young Mark T.
Published: February 2023

P2X receptors are a family of ATP-gated cation channels comprising seven subtypes in mammals, which play key roles in nerve transmission, pain sensation and inflammation. The P2X4 receptor in particular has attracted significant interest from pharmaceutical companies due to its physiological roles in neuropathic pain and modulation of vascular tone. A number of potent small-molecule P2X4 receptor antagonists have been developed, including the allosteric P2X4 receptor antagonist BX430, which is approximately 30-fold more potent at human P2X4 compared with the rat isoform. A single amino-acid difference between human and rat P2X4 (I312T), located in an allosteric pocket, has previously been identified as critical for BX430 sensitivity, implying that BX430 binds in this pocket. Using a combination of mutagenesis, functional assay in mammalian cells and in silico docking we confirmed these findings. Induced-fit docking, permitting the sidechains of the amino-acids of P2X4 to move, showed that BX430 could access a deeper portion of the allosteric pocket, and that the sidechain of Lys-298 was important for shaping the cavity. We then performed blind docking of 12 additional P2X4 antagonists into the receptor extracellular domain, finding that many of these compounds favored the same pocket as BX430 from their calculated binding energies. Induced-fit docking of these compounds in the allosteric pocket enabled us to show that antagonists with high potency (IC50 ≤ 100 nM) bind deep in the allosteric pocket, disrupting a network of interacting amino acids including Asp-85, Ala-87, Asp-88, and Ala-297, which are vital for transmitting the conformational change following ATP binding to channel gating. Our work confirms the importance of Ile-312 for BX430 sensitivity, demonstrates that the allosteric pocket where BX430 binds is a plausible binding pocket for a series of P2X4 antagonists, and suggests a mode of action for these allosteric antagonists involving disruption of a key structural motif required for the conformational change induced in P2X4 when ATP binds.
Echinocystic acid alleviated hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal mice by activating the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway
Authors: Li Yuan , Chen Ling , Zheng Da , Liu Jian-Xia , Liu Chao , Qi Shao-Hua , Hu Peng-Chao , Yang Xiao-Fei , Min Jia-Wei
Published: February 2023

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is considered a major cause of death and long-term neurological injury in newborns. Studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress and apoptosis play a major role in the progression of neonatal HIE. Echinocystic acid (EA), a natural plant extract, shows great antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities in various diseases. However, it has not yet been reported whether EA exerts a neuroprotective effect against neonatal HIE. Therefore, this study was undertaken to explore the neuroprotective effects and potential mechanisms of EA in neonatal HIE using in vivo and in vitro experiments. In the in vivo study, a hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) model was established in neonatal mice, and EA was administered immediately after HIBD. Cerebral infarction, brain atrophy and long-term neurobehavioral deficits were measured. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and dihydroethidium (DHE) staining were performed, and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were detected. In the in vitro study, an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model was employed in primary cortical neurons, and EA was introduced during OGD/R. Cell death and cellular ROS levels were determined. To illustrate the mechanism, the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 were used. The protein expression levels of p-PI3K, PI3K, p-Akt, Akt, Nrf2, NQO1, and HO-1 were measured by western blotting. The results showed that EA treatment significantly reduced cerebral infarction, attenuated neuronal injury, and improved brain atrophy and long-term neurobehavioral deficits in neonatal mice subjected to HIBD. Meanwhile, EA effectively increased the survival rate in neurons exposed to OGD/R and inhibited oxidative stress and apoptosis in both in vivo and in vitro studies. Moreover, EA activated the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway in neonatal mice following HIBD and in neurons after OGD/R. In conclusion, these results suggested that EA alleviated HIBD by ameliorating oxidative stress and apoptosis via activation of the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Numerosity as a visual property: Evidence from two highly evolutionary distant species
Authors: Bengochea Mercedes , Hassan Bassem
Published: February 2023

Most animals, from humans to invertebrates, possess an ability to estimate numbers. This evolutionary advantage facilitates animals’ choice of environments with more food sources, more conspecifics to increase mating success, and/or reduced predation risk among others. However, how the brain processes numerical information remains largely unknown. There are currently two lines of research interested in how numerosity of visual objects is perceived and analyzed in the brain. The first argues that numerosity is an advanced cognitive ability processed in high-order brain areas, while the second proposes that “numbers” are attributes of the visual scene and thus numerosity is processed in the visual sensory system. Recent evidence points to a sensory involvement in estimating magnitudes. In this Perspective, we highlight this evidence in two highly evolutionary distant species: humans and flies. We also discuss the advantages of studying numerical processing in fruit flies in order to dissect the neural circuits involved in and required for numerical processing. Based on experimental manipulation and the fly connectome, we propose a plausible neural network for number sense in invertebrates.
Sinusoidal CO2 respiratory challenge for concurrent perfusion and cerebrovascular reactivity MRI
Authors: Vu Chau , Xu Botian , González-Zacarías Clio , Shen Jian , Baas Koen P. A. , Choi Soyoung , Nederveen Aart J. , Wood John C.
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Deoxygenation-based dynamic susceptibility contrast (dDSC) has previously leveraged respiratory challenges to modulate blood oxygen content as an endogenous source of contrast alternative to gadolinium injection in perfusion-weighted MRI. This work proposed the use of sinusoidal modulation of end-tidal CO2 pressures (SineCO2), which has previously been used to measure cerebrovascular reactivity, to induce susceptibility-weighted gradient-echo signal loss to measure brain perfusion.

Methods:SineCO2 was performed in 10 healthy volunteers (age 37 ± 11, 60% female), and tracer kinetics model was applied in the frequency domain to calculate cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, mean transit time, and temporal delay. These perfusion estimates were compared against reference techniques, including gadolinium-based DSC, arterial spin labeling, and phase contrast.

Results: Our results showed regional agreement between SineCO2 and the clinical comparators. SineCO2 was able to generate robust CVR maps in conjunction to baseline perfusion estimates.

Discussion: Overall, this work demonstrated feasibility of using sinusoidal CO2 respiratory paradigm to simultaneously acquire both cerebral perfusion and cerebrovascular reactivity maps in one imaging sequence.
Altered dynamics of mitochondria and reactive oxygen species in the erythrocytes of migrating red-headed buntings
Authors: Bhardwaj Nitin , Kumar Anit , Gupta Neelu Jain
Published: February 2023

Background: Blood antioxidants provide propensity to mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS) apart from other oxidative challenges during a high-energy state of migration in night migratory songbirds. The study investigated the modulation of erythrocytes, mitochondrial abundance, hematocrit changes, and relative expression of fat transport-related genes during migration in red-headed buntings (Emberiza bruniceps). We hypothesized an increase in antioxidants along with the mitigation of mitochondria-related reactive oxygen species elevation and consequential apoptosis occurring during migration.

Methods: Male red-headed buntings (n = 6) were placed under short days (8 h of light and 16 h of dark, 8L:16D)/long days (14L:10D) and photo induced to simulated non-migratory, nMig; pre-migratory, pMig; and migratory, Mig, states. Erythrocyte shape, reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reticulocyte proportion, and apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry and relative expression of fat metabolizing and antioxidant genes was measured by using qPCR.

Results: There was a significant increase in hematocrit, erythrocyte area, and mitochondrial membrane potential. Reactive oxygen species and apoptotic erythrocyte proportion declined in the Mig state. The changes in antioxidant genes (SOD1 and NOS2), fatty acid translocase (CD36), and metabolic (FABP3, DGAT2, GOT2, and ATGL) genes showed a significant increment during the Mig state.

Conclusion: These results suggested that adaptive changes occur in mitochondrial behavior and apoptosis of erythrocytes. The transition in erythrocytes, antioxidant genes, and fatty acid metabolism gene expressions suggested differences in regulatory strategies at the cellular/transcriptional level during different states of simulated migration in birds.
Considerations for designing trials targeting muscle dysfunction in exercise oncology
Authors: Brooks Alexander , Schumpp Alec , Dawson Jake , Andriello Emily , Fairman Ciaran Michael
Published: February 2023

Individuals diagnosed with cancer commonly experience a significant decline in muscle mass and physical function collectively referred to as cancer related muscle dysfunction. This is concerning because impairments in functional capacity are associated with an increased risk for the development of disability and subsequent mortality. Notably, exercise offers a potential intervention to combat cancer related muscle dysfunction. Despite this, research is limited on the efficacy of exercise when implemented in such a population. Thus, the purpose of this mini review is to offer critical considerations for researchers seeking to design studies pertaining to cancer related muscle dysfunction. Namely, 1) defining the condition of interest, 2) determining the most appropriate outcome and methods of assessment, 3) establishing the best timepoint (along the cancer continuum) to intervene, and 4) understanding how exercise prescription can be configured to optimize outcomes.
Nucleus tractus solitarii is required for the development and maintenance of phrenic and sympathetic long-term facilitation after acute intermittent hypoxia
Authors: Ostrowski Daniela , Heesch Cheryl M. , Kline David D. , Hasser Eileen M.
Published: February 2023

Exposure to acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) induces prolonged increases (long term facilitation, LTF) in phrenic and sympathetic nerve activity (PhrNA, SNA) under basal conditions, and enhanced respiratory and sympathetic responses to hypoxia. The mechanisms and neurocircuitry involved are not fully defined. We tested the hypothesis that the nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS) is vital to augmentation of hypoxic responses and the initiation and maintenance of elevated phrenic (p) and splanchnic sympathetic (s) LTF following AIH. nTS neuronal activity was inhibited by nanoinjection of the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol before AIH exposure or after development of AIH-induced LTF. AIH but not sustained hypoxia induced pLTF and sLTF with maintained respiratory modulation of SSNA. nTS muscimol before AIH increased baseline SSNA with minor effects on PhrNA. nTS inhibition also markedly blunted hypoxic PhrNA and SSNA responses, and prevented altered sympathorespiratory coupling during hypoxia. Inhibiting nTS neuronal activity before AIH exposure also prevented the development of pLTF during AIH and the elevated SSNA after muscimol did not increase further during or following AIH exposure. Furthermore, nTS neuronal inhibition after the development of AIH-induced LTF substantially reversed but did not eliminate the facilitation of PhrNA. Together these findings demonstrate that mechanisms within the nTS are critical for initiation of pLTF during AIH. Moreover, ongoing nTS neuronal activity is required for full expression of sustained elevations in PhrNA following exposure to AIH although other regions likely also are important. Together, the data indicate that AIH-induced alterations within the nTS contribute to both the development and maintenance of pLTF.
Bacterial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) promote growth and induce metabolic changes in rice
Authors: Almeida Octávio Augusto Costa , de Araujo Natália Oliveira , Mulato Aline Tieppo Nogueira , Persinoti Gabriela Felix , Sforça Maurício Luís , Calderan-Rodrigues Maria Juliana , Oliveira Juliana Velasco de Castro
Published: February 2023

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) represent an eco-friendly alternative to reduce the use of chemical products while increasing the productivity of economically important crops. The emission of small gaseous signaling molecules from PGPB named volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has emerged as a promising biotechnological tool to promote biomass accumulation in model plants (especially Arabidopsis thaliana) and a few crops, such as tomato, lettuce, and cucumber. Rice (Oryza sativa) is the most essential food crop for more than half of the world’s population. However, the use of VOCs to improve this crop performance has not yet been investigated. Here, we evaluated the composition and effects of bacterial VOCs on the growth and metabolism of rice. First, we selected bacterial isolates (IAT P4F9 and E.1b) that increased rice dry shoot biomass by up to 83% in co-cultivation assays performed with different durations of time (7 and 12 days). Metabolic profiles of the plants co-cultivated with these isolates and controls (without bacteria and non-promoter bacteria—1003-S-C1) were investigated via1H nuclear magnetic resonance. The analysis identified metabolites (e.g., amino acids, sugars, and others) with differential abundance between treatments that might play a role in metabolic pathways, such as protein synthesis, signaling, photosynthesis, energy metabolism, and nitrogen assimilation, involved in rice growth promotion. Interestingly, VOCs from IAT P4F9 displayed a more consistent promotion activity and were also able to increase rice dry shoot biomass in vivo. Molecular identification by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene of the isolates IAT P4F9 and E.1b showed a higher identity with Serratia and Achromobacter species, respectively. Lastly, volatilomes of these and two other non-promoter bacteria (1003-S-C1 and Escherichia coli DH5α) were evaluated through headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Compounds belonging to different chemical classes, such as benzenoids, ketones, alcohols, sulfide, alkanes, and pyrazines, were identified. One of these VOCs, nonan-2-one, was validated in vitro as a bioactive compound capable of promoting rice growth. Although further analyses are necessary to properly elucidate the molecular mechanisms, our results suggest that these two bacterial isolates are potential candidates as sources for bioproducts, contributing to a more sustainable agriculture.
The role of climate, vegetation, and soil factors on carbon fluxes in Chinese drylands
Authors: Liu Zhaogang , Chen Zhi , Yu Guirui , Zhang Weikang , Zhang Tianyou , Han Lang
Published: February 2023

Drylands dominate the trend and variability of the land carbon (C) sink. A better understanding of the implications of climate-induced changes in the drylands for C sink-source dynamics is urgently needed. The effect of climate on ecosystem C fluxes (gross primary productivity (GPP), ecosystem respiration (ER), and net ecosystem productivity (NEP)) in drylands has been extensively explored, but the roles of other concurrently changing factors, such as vegetation conditions and nutrient availability, remain unclear. We used eddy-covariance C-flux measurements from 45 ecosystems with concurrent information on climate (mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP)), soil (soil moisture (SM) and soil total nitrogen content (soil N)), and vegetation (leaf area index (LAI) and leaf nitrogen content (LNC)) factors to assess their roles in C fluxes. The results showed that the drylands in China were weak C sinks. GPP and ER were positively correlated with MAP, while they were negatively correlated with MAT. NEP first decreased and then increased with increasing MAT and MAP, and 6.6 °C and 207 mm were the boundaries for the NEP response to MAT and MAP, respectively. SM, soil N, LAI, and MAP were the main factors affecting GPP and ER. However, SM and LNC had the most important influence on NEP. Compared with climate and vegetation factors, soil factors (SM and soil N) had a greater impact on C fluxes in the drylands. Climate factors mainly affected C fluxes by regulating vegetation and soil factors. To accurately estimate the global C balance and predict the response of ecosystems to environmental change, it is necessary to fully consider the discrepant effects of climate, vegetation, and soil factors on C fluxes, as well as the cascade relationships between different factors.
Application of proteomics to determine the mechanism of ozone on sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) by time-series analysis
Authors: Zhao Yuehan , Hou Zhaohua , Zhang Na , Ji Haipeng , Dong Chenghu , Yu Jinze , Chen Xueling , Chen Cunkun , Guo Honglian
Published: February 2023

This research investigated the mechanism of ozone treatment on sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) by Lable-free quantification proteomics and physiological traits. The results showed that 4557 master proteins were identified in all the samples, and 3149 proteins were common to all groups. Mfuzz analyses revealed 3149 candidate proteins. KEGG annotation and enrichment analysis showed proteins related to carbohydrate and energy metabolism, protein, amino acids, and nucleotide sugar biosynthesis and degradation, and fruit parameters were characterized and quantified. The conclusions were supported by the fact that the qRT-PCR results agreed with the proteomics results. For the first time, this study reveals the mechanism of cherry in response to ozone treatment at a proteome level.
Population dynamics of migrant wheat aphids in China’s main wheat production region and their interactions with bacterial symbionts
Authors: Li Tong , Yang Gongqiang , Li Qian , Jiang Yueli , Kang Dongmei , Fan Zhiye , Gong Zhongjun , Lu Ruijie , Zhou Guotao , Wu Yuqing , Lu Chuantao
Published: February 2023

Sitobion miscanthi, Rhopalosiphum padi, and Schizaphis graminum are the three main pests in Chinese wheat-producing regions. In 2020, they are classified into the Chinese Class I list of agricultural diseases and pests, due to their severe harm to wheat plantings. S. miscanthi, R. padi, and S. graminum are migrant pests, and understanding their migration patterns and simulating their migration trajectories would improve forecasting and controlling them. Furthermore, the bacterial community of the migrant wheat aphid is also less known. In this study, we employed a suction trap to uncover the migration patterns of the three wheat aphid species in Yuanyang county, Henan province, during 2018 to 2020. And then the migration trajectories of S. miscanthi and R. padi were simulated using the NOAA HYSPLIT model. The interactions between wheat aphids and bacteria were further revealed by specific PCR and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The results showed that the population dynamics of migrant wheat aphids was varied. Most of the trapped samples were identified to be R. padi, and S. graminum was the least collected sample. Typically, R. padi had two migration peaks in the 3 years, whereas S. miscanthi and S. graminum only exhibited one migration peak in 2018 and 2019. Moreover, the aphid migration trajectories varied over the years. Generally, the aphids originated from the south and migrated to the north. Herein, the infections of three main aphid facultative bacterial symbionts, Serratia symbiotica, Hamiltonella defensa, and Regiella insercticola, were detected in S. miscanthi and R. padi with specific PCR. Rickettsiella, Arsenophonus, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia were further identified with 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Biomarker searching indicated that Arsenophonus was significantly enriched in R. padi. Furthermore, diversity analyses showed that the bacterial community of R. padi had a higher richness and evenness than that of S. miscanthi. In conclusion, this study expands our knowledge about the migration patterns of aphids in the main wheat plant region of China and reveals the interactions between bacterial symbionts and migrant aphids.
Comparative transcriptome and metabolome analyses of cherry leaves spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata
Authors: Pan Liu-Yi , Zhou Jing , Sun Yan , Qiao Bai-Xue , Wan Tian , Guo Rui-Quan , Zhang Juan , Shan Dong-Qian , Cai Yu-Liang
Published: February 2023

Alternaria alternata is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen with a broad host range that causes widespread and devastating disease in sweet cherry (Prunus avium). We selected a resistant cultivar (RC) and a susceptible cultivar (SC) of cherry and used a combined physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic approach to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the plant’s resistance to A. alternata, of which little is known. We found that A. alternata infection stimulated the outbreak of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cherry. The responses of the antioxidant enzymes and chitinase to disease were observed earlier in the RC than in the SC. Moreover, cell wall defense ability was stronger in the RC. Differential genes and metabolites involved in defense responses and secondary metabolism were primarily enriched in the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, tropane, piperidine and pyridine alkaloids, flavonoids, amino acids, and α-linolenic acid. Reprogramming the phenylpropanoid pathway and the α-linolenic acid metabolic pathway led to lignin accumulation and early induction of jasmonic acid signaling, respectively, in the RC, which consequently enhanced antifungal and ROS scavenging activity. The RC contained a high level of coumarin, and in vitro tests showed that coumarin significantly inhibited A. alternata growth and development and had antifungal effect on cherry leaves. In addition, differentially expressed genes encoding transcription factors from the MYB, NAC, WRKY, ERF, and bHLH families were highly expressed, they could be the key responsive factor in the response of cherry to infection by A. alternata. Overall, this study provides molecular clues and a multifaceted understanding of the specific response of cherry to A. alternata.
Connecting foreign language enjoyment and English proficiency levels: The mediating role of L2 motivation
Authors: Wang Haihua , Xu Lin , Li Jiaxin
Published: February 2023

To further understand the connections between positive emotions, in particular foreign language enjoyment, second language (L2) motivation, and English achievement, the present study investigated how foreign language enjoyment and L2 motivation contribute to learners’ English achievement and the mediating role of motivation in the pathway. A questionnaire was employed to collect quantitative data from 512 university students learning English as a foreign language (EFL) in China. The results showed that the higher the language proficiency level, the higher the foreign language enjoyment level and the stronger the L2 motivation. Participants reported a significant difference in the private factor of foreign language enjoyment, the ideal L2 self, and the L2 learning experience among different language proficiency groups. Overall, foreign language enjoyment has a positive predictive effect on L2 motivation; however, the influence of different dimensions varies among language proficiency groups. Foreign language enjoyment is a positive predictor of English achievement, and motivation partially mediates this pathway. These findings provided an in-depth profile of foreign language enjoyment and L2 motivation of Chinese EFL learners at different language proficiency levels, highlighting the connections between positive emotion, motivation, and English achievement, and the contribution of foreign language enjoyment and L2 motivation in English learning. Based on these findings, pedagogical implications are suggested for English teaching and learning in Chinese tertiary education.
Family functioning and mobile phone addiction in university students: Mediating effect of loneliness and moderating effect of capacity to be alone
Authors: Li Guan-Ru , Sun Jian , Ye Jia-Nuo , Hou Xiao-Hui , Xiang Ming-Qiang
Published: February 2023

Background

With the increasing popularity of smartphones, mobile phone addiction in university students has attracted widespread societal attention. Previous studies showed that family functioning and mobile phone addiction are related. However, the potential mechanisms involved in this relationship are unknown. This study examined the mediating effect of loneliness and the moderating effect of capacity to be alone on the relationship between family functioning and mobile phone addiction.

Methods

A total of 1,580 university students were recruited. A cross-sectional study design and online questionnaire survey were employed to measure demographic variables, family functioning, loneliness, capacity to be alone, and mobile phone addiction in university students.

Results

Family functioning is a significantly negative predictor of mobile phone addiction in university students, and loneliness has a mediating effect on the relationship between family functioning and mobile phone addiction. The capacity to be alone has moderating effects on the relationship between family functioning and loneliness and between family functioning and mobile phone addiction, and these correlation is stronger in university students with a low capacity to be alone.

Conclusion

The moderated mediation model in this study improves understanding of the correlation between family functioning and mobile phone addiction in university students. Education professionals and parents should pay particular attention to family functioning in mobile phone addiction, particularly university students with low capacity to be alone.
Meaning in military service among reservists: Measuring the effect of prosocial motivation in a moderated-mediation model
Authors: Smaliukienė Rasa , Bekesiene Svajone , Kanapeckaitė Rosita , Navickienė Olga , Meidutė-Kavaliauskienė Ieva , Vaičaitienė Ramutė
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The meaningful commitment to serve one’s country and the desire to defend others make military service unique compared to other human activities. This is especially true for the army reservists who are typically working in the civilian labor market and serving military for the short-term military training or military missions only. As scholars provide limited insights into the effects and influences of prosocial motivation on meaning in military service, this study contributes to the understanding of direct, mediated, and moderated processes which link prosocial motivation to meaning in military service among reservists. Specifically, the objective of this study was to examine both direct and indirect pathways interconnecting prosocial motivation and meaning in military service. The former is analyzed as a direct effect, while the latter includes the effects of role fit within the military environment, the soldiers’ self-efficacy, as well as the socio-moral climate of military organization—that is, a variable making military service an exceptional activity.

Methods

This study followed a quantitative method analysis by utilizing a hierarchical regression analysis which revealed direct, moderating, and mediating links between the variables. The analysis was based on a sample of 375 soldiers from the Active Reserve of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, and the data were collected before and after training exercises in one military unit (repeated measures). The effects on providing meaning to military service were evaluated using the following: Occupational Self-Efficacy Scale, Prosocial Motivation Scale, Motivation at Work Scale, and Socio-Moral Climate Scale. Prosocial motivation assumes meaning in military service among reservists through different, yet related, pathways.

Results and discussion

The direct pathway confirmed that reserve soldiers with higher levels of prosocial motivation experience a higher level of meaning in service. The indirect pathway indicated that role fit mediated this relationship. Following the latter, we found that prosocial motivation was a significant predictor of both role fit and meaning in military service. Finally, we confirmed the moderated-mediation effects of self-efficacy and socio-moral climate in our suggested models. The results can be used to improve training programs for reservists.
Psychometric properties of the Persian social media intrusion questionnaire
Authors: Abedi Zahra , Ashouri Ahmad , Ramezani Farani Abbas , Farahani Hojjatollah
Published: February 2023

In recent years, social media use has dramatically increased worldwide, which has raised many concerns concerning the excessive use of social media. In this regard, Facebook Intrusion Questionnaire (FIQ) was developed to assess the level of addiction to Facebook. In this study, we first modified the FIQ items to cover all social media besides Facebook and labeled it the measure as Social Media Intrusion Questionnaire (SMIQ). Then, we examined its factor structure, reliability, and validity with 374 participants (M age = 25.91; SD = 5.81; 69.80% females) from the Iranian community sample. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the originally proposed uni-factor model, which was also invariant across gender groups. The SMIQ score demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.85) and yielded expected associations with external correlates (e.g., cell-phone based addiction to social media, depression, and low self-esteem), supporting the measure’s convergent and divergent validity. Overall, our findings indicated that Persian SMIQ enjoys sound psychometric properties.
Impact of swiping direction on the interaction performance of elderly-oriented smart home interface: EEG and eye-tracking evidence
Authors: Zhou Chengmin , Shi Ziyan , Huang Ting , Zhao Hanxiao , Kaner Jake
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Smart home technology is increasingly popular, yet not all seniors are receptive and comfortable with it. This situation recognizes that the usability of smart home interfaces is particularly important. Most studies on interface swiping direction demonstrate the advantages of horizontal over vertical swiping, but the findings lack age-based as well as gender-specific judgments.

Methods

In this paper, we use cognitive neural techniques of EEG and eye-tracking, combined with a subjective preference questionnaire, to analyze the preference of older persons for the swiping direction of smart home interfaces in a multimodal manner.

Results

The EEG data showed that swiping direction had a significant effect on potential values (p = 0.001). Also, the mean power in the δ and the θ band was enhanced during vertical swiping. Gender had no significant effect on potential values (p = 0.085), but the cognitive task was more EEG stimulating for females. The eye-tracking metrics data showed a significant effect of swiping direction on fixation duration (p = 0.047) and a non-significant effect on pupil diameter (p = 0.576). These results were consistent with the results of the subjective preference questionnaire, both demonstrating a preference for vertical swiping among participants.

Discussion

This paper uses three research tools simultaneously, combining objective perceptions as well as subjective preferences, to make the findings more comprehensive and reliable. Gender differences were also taken into account and differentiated in the data processing. The findings of this paper are different from most previous studies and better reflect the preference of elderly people for swiping directions, which can provide a reference for the future elderly-friendly smart home interface design.
Home language use and shift in Australia: Trends in the new millennium
Authors: Zhang Lubei , Tsung Linda , Qi Xian
Published: February 2023

The 25 million Australians today are identified with more than 300 ancestries. People’s home language use and shift patterns had demonstrated great variations as more immigrants from Asia-Pacific regions entered Australia. The ethnolinguistic composition of Australia’s population had undergone substantial changes in the last few decades. Based on the statistics from Australian censuses, the present paper aims to analyze the changes of people’s home language use and the shift patterns in the new Millennium. Five sets of census data released by Australian Bureau of Statistics were adopted as the secondary data source and descriptive analysis was conducted to disclose the dynamic picture of different home languages in Australia after 2000. The results suggest that the number of home language speakers in Australia has soared up quickly in the last two decades and great variations have been found between the traditional European migrant groups and the newly Asian arrivers. Mandarin has overtaken Italian and Greek to become the most populous home language other than English used in Australia since 2011 and great regional differences were also found to exist among different states and territories. Moreover, the ranking order of different home language speakers had changed considerably as compared with that in the last century. The language shift rates of different language communities and their cross-tabulations with generations, gender, age, and duration of residence in the latest available censuses after 2000 also revealed diverse developmental directions. The findings give us a glimpse of the current status of different home languages in Australia and help us to identify the potential factors impacting the shifting trends of different language communities. A better understanding of the language needs of different migrant communities may further help policymakers set more effective plans to accommodate an increasingly diverse Australian society.
The effect of perceived value on farmers’ livestock manure resource utilization behavior: Evidence from Shandong, China
Authors: Gao Runze , Liu Guoliang , Fan Yuze , Wang Xueyang , Ren Zhong
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The rapid development of animal husbandry has brought many problems such as ecological environmental pollution and public health damage. The resource utilization of livestock manure is the key way to deal with the above crisis and turn waste into treasure.

Methods

Based on the theory of perceived value, this paper uses multi-group structural equation model to explore the driving mechanism of perceived value on the resource utilization behavior of livestock manure.

Results and discussion

The results showed that: (1) The resource utilization behavior of livestock manure followed the logic of “cognitive level → cognitive trade-off → perceived value → behavioral intention → behavioral performance.” Perceived benefit and perceived risk have positive and reverse driving effects on perceived value, respectively. Perceived value has a positive driving effect on behavioral intention. The behavioral intention has a positive driving effect on utilization behavior. (2) Among the observed variables of perceived benefits, ecological benefits have the greatest impact; Among the observed variables of perceived risk, economic risk has the greatest impact. Among the observed variables of perceived value, Significance cognition has the greatest influence. Among the observed variables of behavioral intention, utilization intention has the greatest influence. (3) The perceived value has a differential effect on the utilization behavior of livestock manure resources of different part-time farmers, and the driving effect is more obvious for full-time farmers.

Conclusions

Therefore, it is necessary to improve the resource utilization system of livestock manure, increase the channel for realizing the output of manure resources, strengthen technical assistance and policy subsidies, and implement policies according to local conditions to improve the overall perceived value of farmers.
Developing a stress induction tool relevant to relationships in a health context
Authors: Kim Youngmee , Carver Charles S. , Hurwitz Barry E.
Published: February 2023

Concerns pertaining to health and to problems in close relationships are both known to be major stressors, yet existing tools are inadequate to assess individual reactions to such stressors. Thus, we sought to develop and preliminarily validate a stress-inducing task for use in a laboratory setting that pertains to the sorts of health-related concerns people face in close relationships. Heterosexual dating couples (44 individuals: mean age 22) were randomized to be paired with their own partner or a stranger and to play a role of speaker or listener. Participants were asked to imagine a scenario in which one person is hit by a car (listener role) and the partner has no means to provide or seek out help for the victim (speaker role). The session consisted of baseline, speech preparation, stress task, and recovery phases. General linear modeling results revealed that the task induced stress, evidenced in cardiovascular activities and self-reported negative affect. Giving a brief speech about the stressful situation creates physiological and psychological strains, regardless of pairing with one’s own partner or stranger. Furthermore, cardiovascular and negative affect reactivity to the STress Induction Tool for Close relationships and Health (STITCH) task tended to vary by individual characteristics that reflect one’s sensitivity to close relationship-and health-related stress. This tool is intended to be used for testing relationship theory-driven phenomenon and longer-term implications of physiological and affective reactivities in the quality of life and health outcomes of those who experienced a medically stressful circumstance personally or in the family.
Impact of entrepreneurial orientation and risk sharing on organizational performance influencing role of news media and public opinion
Authors: Zhang Zhixiu , Xing Yunwen
Published: February 2023

An entrepreneurial orientation is a method of implementing a strategy that makes use of a variety of resources that are owned by organizations. Entrepreneurial orientation is one of the primary factors that led to the company's founding. Risk sharing is a useful tactic that can be implemented by businesses in order to mitigate the amount of risk to which they are exposed. As a consequence of this, the objective of the research is to ascertain how the performance of an enterprise can be affected by the presence of both an entrepreneurial orientation and shared risk. The proliferation of news media has led to modifications in the ways in which businesses carry out their day-to-day operations, which in turn has an effect on the overall success of the organization. As a direct consequence of this, the research looked into the function that the news media play as a moderator of the connections that exist between entrepreneurial orientation, risk sharing, and the level of performance achieved by organizations. Even for enormous, well-known businesses that are active on a global scale, damaging publicity has the potential to lower the value of their companies. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of entrepreneurial orientation and risk sharing on organizational performance with the mediating role of news media and moderating role of public opinion. In order to achieve the objective of the study, a quantitative research approach was utilized. Data were collected from 450 managers of SMEs with the help of a questionnaire that was adapted from previous studies. A simple random sampling technique was used to collect data. The findings of the study showed that the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation, risk sharing, and organizational performance is positive and significant. The findings also showed that news media significantly mediated this relationship and public opinion moderated the relationship between news media and organizational performance. The current study has some practical and managerial implications which help SMEs to increase their performance.
The impact of environment-friendly short videos on consumers’ low-carbon tourism behavioral intention: A communicative ecology theory perspective
Authors: Chen Xin , Cheng Zhen-feng
Published: February 2023

As key participants in tourism activities, the tourists have an important role in the carbon emissions. Therefore, it is essential to identify the key elements that can arouse consumers’ low-carbon tourism behavioral intention; this has become an important topic for the academic community. However, to the best of my knowledge, most studies have explored the process of formation of consumers’ low-carbon tourism behavioral intention from the cognitive or emotional perspective, and have seldom paid attention to the communication perspective. As a result, the interpretation and prediction of consumers’ low-carbon tourism behavioral intention is limited. Based on the framework of communicative ecology theory (CET) and stimulus-organism-response theory (SOR), our study constructs an integrated model of the relationship between environment-friendly short video experience and consumers’ low-carbon tourism behavioral intention at the technological, content and social levels, introduces emotional elements such as empathy with nature and perceived environmental responsibility. Structural equation model and bootstrap method were employed for analyzing the data. Results revealed that the presence and perception of environmental education are the cognitive factors that impact consumers’ low-carbon tourism behavioral intention; these can effectively stimulate consumers’ low-carbon tourism behavioral intention. Empathy with nature and perceived environmental responsibility are the emotional factors that impact consumers’ low-carbon tourism behavior; they play significant mediating roles between environment-friendly short video experience (presence, perception of environmental education, online interaction) and consumers’ low-carbon tourism behavioral intention. On the one hand, the research conclusions enrich the perspective and content of the research on consumers’ low-carbon tourism behavioral intention and its influencing mechanism; on the other hand, they acquaint with the practical significance of implementing environmental educationviathe emerging communication modes such as short videos, improve consumers’ awareness of their environmental responsibility, and promote environmental governance and sustainable development of tourist destinations.
Mendelian randomization reveals no associations of genetically-predicted obstructive sleep apnea with the risk of type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and coronary heart disease
Authors: Ding Xiaoxu , Zhao Lanqing , Cui Xiangguo , Qi Li , Chen Yu
Published: February 2023

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been reported to affect cardiometabolic diseases. However, whether such association is causal is still unknown. Here, we attempt to explore the effect of OSA on type 2 diabetes (T2D), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods

Genetic variants associated with OSA were requested from a published genome-wide association study (GWAS) and those qualified ones were selected as instrumental variables (IV). Then, the IV-outcome associations were acquired from T2D, NAFLD and CHD GWAS consortia separately. The Mendelian randomization (MR) was designed to estimate the associations of genetically-predicted OSA on T2D, NAFLD and CHD respectively, using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method. We applied the Bonferroni method to adjust the p-value. Besides, MR-Egger regression and weighted median methods were adopted as a supplement to IVW. The Cochran's Q value was used to evaluate heterogeneity and the MR-Egger intercept was utilized to assess horizontal pleiotropy, together with MR-PRESSO. The leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was carried out as well.

Results

No MR estimate reached the Bonferroni threshold (p < 0.017). Although the odds ratio of T2D was 3.58 (95% confidence interval (CI) [1.06, 12.11], IVW-p-value = 0.040) using 4 SNPs, such causal association turned insignificant after the removal of SNP rs9937053 located in FTO [OR = 1.30 [0.68, 2.50], IVW p = 0.432]. Besides, we did not find that the predisposition to OSA was associated with CHD [OR = 1.16 [0.70, 1.91], IVW p = 0.560] using 4 SNPs.

Conclusion

This MR study reveals that genetic liability to OSA might not be associated with the risk of T2D after the removal of obesity-related instruments. Besides, no causal association was observed between NAFLD and CHD. Further studies should be carried out to verify our findings.
Navigating intensive altered states of consciousness: How can the set and setting key parameters promote the science of human birth?
Authors: Dahan Orli
Published: February 2023

The subjective childbirth experience is crucial from a public health standpoint. There is a correlation between a negative childbirth experience and a poor mental state after birth, with effects that go far beyond the postpartum (PP) period. This paper offers a new approach as to how birthing experiences, and birth in general, can be navigated. The theory of set and setting proves that psychedelic experiences are shaped, first and foremost, by the mindset of an individual entering a psychedelic experience (set) and by the surroundings in which the experience happens (setting). In research on altered states of consciousness during psychedelic experiences, this theory explains how the same substance can lead to a positive and life-changing experience or to a traumatic and frightening experience. Because recent studies suggest that birthing women enter an altered state of consciousness during physiological birth (“birthing consciousness”), I suggest analyzing the typical modern birthing experience in terms of set and setting theory. I argue that the set and setting key parameters can help design, navigate, and explain many psychological and physiological elements of the human birth process. Thus, an operative conclusion that emerges from the theoretical analysis presented in this paper is that framing and characterizing the birth environment and birth preparations in terms of set and setting is a central tool that could be used to promote physiological births as well as subjective positive birthing experiences, which is currently a primary, yet unreached goal, in modern obstetrics and public health.