bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of a Hydrophilic Curcumin-Based Formulation in Coadjuvating the Therapeutic Effect of Intravitreal Dexamethasone in Subjects With Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Parravano Mariacristina , Allegrini Davide , Carnevali Adriano , Costanzo Eliana , Giannaccare Giuseppe , Giorno Paola , Scorcia Vincenzo , Spedicato Giorgio Alfredo , Varano Monica , Romano Mario R
Published: January 2022

Purpose: This study evaluates if the addition of a curcumin formulation with a polyvinylpyrrolidone-hydrophilic carrier (CHC; Diabec®, Alfa Intes, Italy) to intravitreal injections of dexamethasone (DEX-IVT) can affect the morphological retinal characteristics, extending the steroid re-treatment period in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out in DME patients, randomly assigned to receive DEX-IVT or DEX-IVT and a CHC. The evaluation of the mean difference of central retinal thickness (CRT) was the primary aim. Secondary aims were the evaluations of best-corrected visual acuity, differences in the predetermined retinal layer thickness, the number/time of re-treatment, and the assessment of safety.

Results: A total of 73 DME patients were included (35 in the control group and 38 in the combined therapy group). In both the control and combined therapy groups, the mean CRT change from T0 to the 6 months’ evaluation was significant (p = 0.00). The mean CRT result was significantly different at month 4 (p = 0.01) between the control and combined therapy groups, with a greater reduction in the combined therapy group, in particular, in patients with ≤10 years of diabetes. A trend of CRT reduction in the combined therapy group has been observed also considering patients with subfoveal neuroretinal detachment. In addition, we observed that the reduction of inner retinal layer thickness was greater in the combination group, in comparison with controls.

Conclusion: The combination of a CHC to DEX-IVT is a promising therapeutic option in case of DME, in particular, for patients with early-stage diabetes and with an inflammatory phenotype. Further studies will be necessary to confirm these findings.
Ultrasound-Induced Destruction of Nitric Oxide–Loaded Microbubbles in the Treatment of Thrombus and Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Liang Zenghui , Chen Huafang , Gong Xuehao , Shi Binbin , Lin Lili , Tao Fangyi , Wu Qilong , Fang Mingling , Li Hui , Lu Cuitao , Xu Helin , Zhao Yingzheng , Chen Bin
Published: January 2022

Objectives: Early recanalization of large vessels in thromboembolism, such as myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, is associated with improved clinical outcomes. Nitric oxide (NO), a biological gas signaling molecule, has been proven to protect against ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. This study investigated whether NO could mitigate IRI and the role of NO during acoustic cavitation.

Methods:In vivo, thrombi in the iliac artery of rats were induced by 5% FeCl3. NO-loaded microbubbles (NO-MBs) and ultrasound (US) were used to treat thrombi. B-mode and Doppler US and histological analyses were utilized to evaluate the thrombolysis effect in rats with thrombi. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and western blotting were conducted to investigate the underlying mechanisms of NO during acoustic cavitation. In vitro, hypoxia was used to stimulate cells, and NO-MBs were employed to alleviate oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Results: We developed NO-MBs that significantly improve the circulation time of NO in vivo, are visible, and effectively release therapeutic gas under US. US-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) and NO-loaded UTMD (NO + UTMD) caused a significant decrease in the thrombus area and an increase in the recanalization rates and blood flow velocities compared to the control and US groups. We discovered that UTMD induced NO generation through activation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in vivo. More importantly, we also observed significantly increased NO content and eNOS expression in the NO + UTMD group compared to the UTMD group. NO + UTMD can mitigate oxidative stress and apoptosis in the hind limb muscle without influencing blood pressure or liver and kidney functions. In vitro, NO-MBs alleviated oxidative stress and apoptosis in cells pretreated with hypoxia.

Conclusion: Based on these data, UTMD affects the vascular endothelium by activating eNOS, and NO exerts a protective effect against IRI.
Molecular Mechanism of Puerarin Against Diabetes and its Complications
Authors: Bai Yi-ling , Han Ling-ling , Qian Jun-hui , Wang Hao-zhong
Published: January 2022

Puerarin is a predominant component of Radix Puerarin. Despite its anti-tumor and anti-virus effects and efficacy in improving cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases and preventing osteoporosis, it has been shown to protect against diabetes and its complications. This review summarizes the current knowledge on Puerarin in diabetes and related complications, aiming to provide an overview of antidiabetic mechanisms of Puerarin and new targets for treatment.
Effects of Sparganii Rhizoma on Osteoclast Formation and Osteoblast Differentiation and on an OVX-Induced Bone Loss Model
Authors: Lee Sungyub , Kim Minsun , Hong Sooyeon , Kim Eom Ji , Kim Jae-Hyun , Sohn Youngjoo , Jung Hyuk-Sang
Published: January 2022

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is caused by an imbalance between osteoclasts and osteoblasts and causes severe bone loss. Osteoporotic medicines are classified into bone resorption inhibitors and bone formation promoters according to the mechanism of action. Long-term use of bisphosphonate and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) can cause severe side effects in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients. Therefore, it is important to find alternative natural products that reduce osteoclast activity and increase osteoblast formation. Sparganii Rhizoma (SR) is the dried tuberous rhizome of Sparganium stoloniferum Buchanan-Hamilton and is called “samreung” in Korea. However, to date, the effect of SR on osteoclast differentiation and the ovariectomized (OVX)-induced bone loss model has not been reported. In vitro, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, western blots, RT-PCR and other methods were used to examine the effect of SR on osteoclast differentiation and osteoblasts. In vivo, we confirmed the effect of SR in a model of OVX-induced postmenopausal osteoporosis. SR inhibited osteoclast differentiation and decreased the expression of TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) and c-Fos pathway. In addition, SR stimulates osteoblast differentiation and increased protein expression of the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)/SMAD signaling pathway. Moreover, SR protected against bone loss in OVX-induced rats. Our results appear to advance our knowledge of SR and successfully demonstrate its potential role as a osteoclastogenesis-inhibiting and osteogenesis-promoting herbal medicine for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Effects of Different Nutritional Conditions on the Growth and Reproduction of Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)
Authors: Kang Kui , Cai Youjun , Yue Lei , Zhang Wenqing
Published: January 2022

Growth and reproduction are the two most basic life processes of organisms and the distribution of energy in these processes is a core issue of the life history of organisms. Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), the brown planthopper (BPH), is a single-feeding rice pest. In the present study, this species was used as a model for testing the effects of nutritional conditions on various growth and reproduction indicators. First, the third-instar nymphs were fed with three different concentrations (100, 50, and 25%) of artificial diet until the second day of adulthood. The results showed that as the nutrient concentration decreased, the body development and oviposition of BPH were hindered. The total lipid content in the fat bodies was also significantly reduced. RT-PCR analysis showed compared to the 100% concentration group, the expression levels of vitellogenin (Vg) genes in the fifth-instar nymphs, adults, and in different tissues (ovary, fat body, and other tissues) were significantly decreased in the 50 and 25% treatment groups. Western blot analysis showed that Vg protein expression was highest in the 100% group, followed by the 50% group, with no expression in the 25% group. These results indicate that growth and reproduction in the BPH are regulated by, or correlated with, nutrient concentration. This study is of great significance as it reveals the adaptive strategies of the BPH to nutritional deficiencies and it also provides valuable information for the comprehensive control of this pest.
Aerobic Exercise Combination Intervention to Improve Physical Performance Among the Elderly: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bai Xiaorong , Soh Kim Geok , Omar Dev Roxana Dev , Talib Othman , Xiao Wensheng , Soh Kim Lam , Ong Swee Leong , Zhao Chenyang , Galeru Ovidiu , Casaru Catalina
Published: January 2022

The benefits of aerobic exercise for the elderly are well-known. They extend beyond cardiovascular changes and can reduce the inactivity-induced loss of strength, mobility, balance, and endurance that are vital for the safe performance of daily activities in older adults. However, the benefits of combined aerobic exercise with other exercises such as strength/resistance, multi-component and aerobic exercise remain unknown. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of combined aerobic exercise on physical performance among the elderly, as opposed to single aerobic exercise. We searched four databases of SCOPUS, PubMed, EBSCOhost, and CINAHL Plus to find 18 articles that met criteria. Data was extracted using PICOs extraction tool and summarized using a narrative synthesis approach. Studies have shown that aerobics combined resistance/strength training (CEX), multi-component training (ME), and dance combined training has positive and significant effects on the physical performance (upper body strength and lower body strength, dynamic balance, fall risk, mobility, gait, agility, flexibility) of the elderly. CEX had additional benefits compared to aerobic training (AER) and resistance/strength training (RES) in gait speed, lower limb strength, and trunk fat. Furthermore, CEX was more effective than AER in improving sitting and stretching, elbow flexion, knee flexion, shoulder flexion and stretching, strength and body fat, function reach test, 30-s chair standing test and 6-min walking test, self-evaluation of body function. Therefore, the combination of multiple components contributes to the overall improvement in physical fitness of the elderly, thus preventing them from losing balance and reducing susceptibility to injury.

Clinical Trial Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails], identifier [CRD42021213147].
Physiological Biochemistry-Combined Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Mechanism of Bacillus cereus G2 Improved Salt-Stress Tolerance of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. Seedlings by Balancing Carbohydrate Metabolism
Authors: Xiao Xiang , Wang Qiuli , Ma Xin , Lang Duoyong , Guo Zhenggang , Zhang Xinhui
Published: January 2022

Salt stress severely threatens the growth and productivity of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Previous results found that Bacillus cereus G2 enhanced several carbohydrate contents in G. uralensis under salt stress. Here, we analyzed the changes in parameters related to growth, photosynthesis, carbohydrate transformation, and the glycolysis Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway-tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle by G2 in G. uralensis under salt stress. Results showed that G2 helped G. uralensis-accumulating photosynthetic pigments during photosynthesis, which could further increase starch, sucrose, and fructose contents during carbohydrate transformation. Specifically, increased soluble starch synthase (SSS) activity caused to higher starch content, which could induce α-amylase (AM) and β-amylase (BM) activities; increased sucrose content due to the increase of sucrose synthase (SS) activity through upregulating the gene-encoding SS, which decreased cell osmotic potential, and consequently, induced invertase and gene-encoding α-glucosidase that decomposed sucrose to fructose, ultimately avoided further water loss; increased fructose content-required highly hexokinase (HK) activity to phosphorylate in G. uralensis, thereby providing sufficient substrate for EMP. However, G2 decreased phosphofructokinase (PFK) and pyruvate kinase (PK) activities during EMP. For inducing the TCA cycle to produce more energy, G2 increased PDH activity that enhanced CA content, which further increased isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) activity and provided intermediate products for the G. uralensis TCA cycle under salt stress. In sum, G2 could improve photosynthetic efficiency and carbohydrate transformation to enhance carbohydrate products, thereby releasing more chemical energy stored in carbohydrates through the EMP pathway-TCA cycle, finally maintain normal life activities, and promote the growth of G. uralensis under salt stress.
Genetic Variation in Drought-Tolerance Traits and Their Relationships to Growth in Pinus radiata D. Don Under Water Stress
Authors: Ismael Ahmed , Xue Jianming , Meason Dean Francis , Klápště Jaroslav , Gallart Marta , Li Yongjun , Bellè Pierre , Gomez-Gallego Mireia , Bradford Ki-Taurangi , Telfer Emily , Dungey Heidi
Published: January 2022

The selection of drought-tolerant genotypes is globally recognized as an effective strategy to maintain the growth and survival of commercial tree species exposed to future drought periods. New genomic selection tools that reduce the time of progeny trials are required to substitute traditional tree breeding programs. We investigated the genetic variation of water stress tolerance in New Zealand-grown Pinus radiata D. Don using 622 commercially-used genotypes from 63 families. We used quantitative pedigree-based (Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction or ABLUP) and genomic-based (Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction or GBLUP) approaches to examine the heritability estimates associated with water stress tolerance in P. radiata. Tree seedling growth traits, foliar carbon isotope composition (δ13C), and dark-adapted chlorophyll fluorescence (Y) were monitored before, during and after 10 months of water stress. Height growth showed a constant and moderate heritability level, while the heritability estimate for diameter growth and δ13C decreased with water stress. In contrast, chlorophyll fluorescence exhibited low heritability after 5 and 10 months of water stress. The GBLUP approach provided less breeding value accuracy than ABLUP, however, the relative selection efficiency of GBLUP was greater compared with ABLUP selection techniques. Although there was no significant relationship directly between δ13C and Y, the genetic correlations were significant and stronger for GBLUP. The positive genetic correlations between δ13C and tree biomass traits under water stress indicated that intraspecific variation in δ13C was likely driven by differences in the genotype’s photosynthetic capacity. The results show that foliar δ13C can predict P. radiata genotype tolerance to water stress using ABLUP and GBLUP approaches and that such approaches can provide a faster screening and selection of drought-tolerant genotypes for forestry breeding programs.
Microwave Assisted Pretreatment of Szarvasi (Agropyron elongatum) Biomass to Enhance Enzymatic Saccharification and Direct Glucose Production
Authors: Jablonowski Nicolai D. , Pauly Markus , Dama Murali
Published: January 2022

Biomass from perennial plants can be considered a carbon-neutral renewable resource. The tall wheatgrass hybrid Szarvasi-1 (Agropyron elongatum, hereafter referred to as “Szarvasi”) belongs to the perennial Poaceae representing a species, which can grow on marginal soils and produce large amounts of biomass. Several conventional and advanced pretreatment methods have been developed to enhance the saccharification efficiency of plant biomass. Advanced pretreatment methods, such as microwave-assisted pretreatment methods are faster and use less energy compared to conventional pretreatment methods. In this study, we investigated the potential of Szarvasi biomass as a biorefinery feedstock. For this purpose, the lignocellulosic structure of Szarvasi biomass was investigated in detail. In addition, microwave-assisted pretreatments were applied to Szarvasi biomass using different reagents including weak acids and alkali. The produced pulp, hydrolysates, and extracted lignin were quantitatively characterized. In particular, the alkali pretreatment significantly enhanced the saccharification efficiency of the pulp 16-fold compared to untreated biomass of Szarvasi. The acid pretreatment directly converted 25% of the cellulose into glucose without the need of enzymatic digestion. In addition, based on lignin compositional and lignin linkage analysis a lignin chemical model structure present in Szarvasi biomass could be established.
The Diesel Tree Sindora glabra Genome Provides Insights Into the Evolution of Oleoresin Biosynthesis
Authors: Yu Niu , Sun Haixi , Yang Jinchang , Li Rongsheng
Published: January 2022

Sindora glabra is an economically important tree that produces abundant oleoresin in the trunk. Here, we present a high-quality chromosome-scale assembly of S. glabra genome by combining Illumina HiSeq, Pacific Biosciences sequencing, and Hi-C technologies. The size of S. glabra genome was 1.11 Gb, with a contig N50 of 1.27 Mb and 31,944 predicted genes. This is the first sequenced genome of the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. As a sister taxon to Papilionoideae, S. glabra underwent an ancient genome triplication shared by core eudicots and further whole-genome duplication shared by early-legume in the last 73.3 million years. S. glabra harbors specific genes and expanded genes largely involved in stress responses and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Moreover, 59 terpene backbone biosynthesis genes and 64 terpene synthase genes were identified, which together with co-expressed transcription factors could contribute to the diversity and specificity of terpene compounds and high terpene content in S. glabra stem. In addition, 63 disease resistance NBS-LRR genes were found to be unique in S. glabra genome and their expression levels were correlated with the accumulation of terpene profiles, suggesting potential defense function of terpenes in S. glabra. These together provide new resources for understanding genome evolution and oleoresin production.
The Change in Environmental Variables Linked to Climate Change Has a Stronger Effect on Aboveground Net Primary Productivity Than Does Phenological Change in Alpine Grasslands
Authors: Wang Jiangwei , Li Meng , Yu Chengqun , Fu Gang
Published: January 2022

More and more studies have focused on responses of ecosystem carbon cycling to climate change and phenological change, and aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) is a primary component of global carbon cycling. However, it remains unclear whether the climate change or the phenological change has stronger effects on ANPP. In this study, we compared the effects of phenological change and climate change on ANPP during 2000–2013 across 36 alpine grassland sites on the Tibetan Plateau. Our results indicated that ANPP showed a positive relationship with plant phenology such as prolonged length of growing season and advanced start of growing season, and environmental variables such as growing season precipitation (GSP), actual vapor pressure (Ea), relative humidity (RH), and the ratio of GSP to ≥5°C accumulated temperature (GSP/AccT), respectively. The linear change trend of ANPP increased with that of GSP, Ea, RH, and GSP/AccT rather than phenology variables. Interestingly, GSP had the closer correlation with ANPP and meanwhile the linear slope of GSP had the closer correlation with that of ANPP among all the concerned variables. Therefore, climate change, mainly attributed to precipitation change, had a stronger effect on ANPP than did phenological change in alpine grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau.
Seasonal Differences in Structural and Genetic Control of Digestibility in Perennial Ryegrass
Authors: Colas Vincent , Barre Philippe , van Parijs Frederik , Wolters Lukas , Quitté Yannick , Ruttink Tom , Roldán-Ruiz Isabel , Escobar Gutiérrez Abraham J. , Muylle Hilde
Published: January 2022

Perennial ryegrass is an important forage crop in dairy farming, either for grazing or haying purposes. To further optimise the forage use, this study focused on understanding forage digestibility in the two most important cuts of perennial ryegrass, the spring cut at heading and the autumn cut. In a highly diverse collection of 592 Lolium perenne genotypes, the organic matter digestibility (OMD) and underlying traits such as cell wall digestibility (NDFD) and cell wall components (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) were investigated for 2 years. A high genotype × season interaction was found for OMD and NDFD, indicating differences in genetic control of these forage quality traits in spring versus autumn. OMD could be explained by both the quantity of cell wall content (NDF) and the quality of the cell wall content (NDFD). The variability in NDFD in spring was mainly explained by differences in hemicellulose. A 1% increase of the hemicellulose content in the cell wall (HC.NDF) resulted in an increase of 0.81% of NDFD. In autumn, it was mainly explained by the lignin content in the cell wall (ADL.NDF). A 0.1% decrease of ADL.NDF resulted in an increase of 0.41% of NDFD. The seasonal traits were highly heritable and showed a higher variation in autumn versus spring, indicating the potential to select for forage quality in the autumn cut. In a candidate gene association mapping approach, in which 503 genes involved in cell wall biogenesis, plant architecture, and phytohormone biosynthesis and signalling, identified significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) which could explain from 29 to 52% of the phenotypic variance in the forage quality traits OMD and NDFD, with small effects of each marker taken individually (ranging from 1 to 7%). No identical QTLs were identified between seasons, but within a season, some QTLs were in common between digestibility traits and cell wall composition traits confirming the importance of hemicellulose concentration for spring digestibility and lignin concentration in NDF for autumn digestibility.
Pseudomentalization as a Challenge for Therapists of Group Psychotherapy With Drug Addicted Patients
Authors: Esposito Giovanna , Formentin Silvia , Marogna Cristina , Sava Vito , Passeggia Raffaella , Karterud Sigmund W.
Published: January 2022

One of the main challenges in group therapy with drug-addicted patients is collective pseudomentalization, i.e., a group discourse consisting of words and clichés that are decoupled from any inner emotional life and are poorly related to external reality. In this study, we aimed to explore the phenomenology of pseudomentalization and how it was addressed by the therapist in an outpatient group for drug-addicted patients. The group was composed of seven members, and the transcripts of eight audio-recorded sessions (one per month) were rated and studied. The interventions of the therapist were measured with the mentalization-based group therapy (MBT-G) adherence and quality scale by independent raters. Two sessions, one with the highest and one with the lowest adherence, were selected, and the clinical sequences of pseudomentalization were analyzed in a comparative way. The findings revealed that pseudomentalization does occur as a collective phenomenon, akin to “basic assumptions” of Wilfred Bion, which we reconceptualized in this study. Any pseudomentalization seemed to be reinforced by the therapist when she was presenting frequent and long interventions, when abstaining from the management of group boundaries, when providing questions focused more on content than on the mental states of the group members, and when not focusing on emotions. However, the ultimate source of collective pseudomentalization seemed to be the fear of the group members of being overwhelmed by painful emotions, mental confusion, and a loss of identity. The findings also indicated that the principles of MBT-G may be a good antidote to pseudomentalization.
Extension of Dancer’s Legs: Increasing Angles Show Motion
Authors: Mastandrea Stefano , Kennedy John M.
Published: January 2022

Usain Bolt’s Lightning Bolt pose, one arm highly extended to one side, suggests action. Likewise, static pictures of animals, legs extended, show animation. We tested a new cue for motion perception—extension—and in particular extension of dancer’s legs. An experiment with pictures of a dancer finds larger angles between the legs suggest greater movement, especially with in-air poses and in lateral views. Leg positions graded from simply standing to very difficult front and side splits. Liking ratings (a small range) were more related to Difficulty ratings (a large range) than Movement ratings (a moderate range).
The Relationship Between and Correlates of Problematic Sexual Behavior and Major Mental Illness
Authors: Moulden Heather M. , Myers Casey , Lori Anastasia , Chaimowitz Gary
Published: January 2022

While research has consistently found that general distress and psychopathology are not predictive of sexual recidivism, examination of specific syndromes and their relationship to offending has revealed a potentially more complicated relationship. One proposed mechanism for the mixed findings with respect to major mental illness and sexual offending may be the confound of neurological injury. As identified in Mann et al. (2010) work on psychologically meaningful risk factors, mental illness represents an area in need of more study given the indirect influence it may exert on risk. To this end, the current paper summarizes the study of the relationship between neurological injury, psychosis and problematic sexual behavior among two Canadian samples of forensic and civil psychiatric patients. In the first study we observed higher than expected rates of sexually-themed psychotic symptoms (45%) and problematic sexual behavior (PSB; 40%) among a combined group of forensic and civil psychiatric patients (n = 109). Indeed 70 percent of those individuals who engaged in PSB endorsed sexually-themed psychotic symptoms. While comorbidity is common amongst this group, brain injury appeared to represent a specific liability. Compared to those who did not engage in PSB, those who did were almost 4x (OR = 3.83) more likely to have a documented history of brain injury (e.g., traumatic and acquired brain injury, including fetal alcohol syndrome). In the second study we sought to replicate this finding in a larger forensic sample of 1,240. However, the recorded rates of brain injury were significantly less, such that no relationship to PSB was observed. Based on the mixed findings to date, including our own data, questions remain about the nature of a potential shared vulnerability for psychosis and PSB previously postulated. Among psychiatrically complex individuals who engage in PSB, understanding etiology and links to risk are helpful, but perhaps more importantly is attention to the mechanisms through which symptoms confer risk (e.g., problem solving, sexual disinhibition, social/intimacy deficits) and how best to treat and manage them.
The Psychological and Biological Impact of “In-Person” vs. “Virtual” Choir Singing in Children and Adolescents: A Pilot Study Before and After the Acute Phase of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Austria
Authors: Grebosz-Haring Katarzyna , Schuchter-Wiegand Anna K. , Feneberg Anja C. , Skoluda Nadine , Nater Urs M. , Schütz Sebastian , Thun-Hohenstein Leonhard
Published: January 2022

Psychobiological responses to music have been examined previously in various naturalistic settings in adults. Choir singing seems to be associated with positive psychobiological outcomes in adults. However, evidence on the effectiveness of singing in children and adolescents is sparse. The COVID-19 outbreak is significantly affecting society now and in the future, including how individuals engage with music. The COVID-19 pandemic is occurring at a time when virtual participation in musical experiences such as singing in a virtual choir has become more prevalent. However, it remains unclear whether virtual singing leads to different responses in comparison with in-person singing. We evaluated the psychobiological effects of in-person choral singing (7 weeks, from January to March 2020, before the COVID-19 outbreak) in comparison with the effects of virtual choral singing (7 weeks, from May to July 2020, after schools partly re-opened in Austria) in a naturalistic pilot within-subject study. A group of children and young adolescents (N= 5, age range 10–13, female = 2) from a school in Salzburg, Austria were recruited to take part in the study. Subjective measures (momentary mood, stress) were taken pre- and post-singing sessions once a week. Additionally, salivary biomarkers (cortisol and alpha-amylase) and quantity of social contacts were assessed pre- and post-singing sessions every second week. Psychological stability, self-esteem, emotional competences, and chronic stress levels were measured at the beginning of in-person singing as well as at the beginning and the end of the virtual singing. We observed a positive impact on mood after both in-person and virtual singing. Over time, in-person singing showed a pre-post decrease in salivary cortisol, while virtual singing showed a moderate increase. Moreover, a greater reduction in stress, positive change in calmness, and higher values of social contacts could be observed for the in-person setting compared to the virtual one. In addition, we observed positive changes in psychological stability, maladaptive emotional competences, chronic stress levels, hair cortisol, self-contingency and quality of life. Our preliminary findings suggest that group singing may provide benefits for children and adolescents. In-person singing in particular seems to have a stronger psychobiological effect.
Do Access to Finance, Technical Know-How, and Financial Literacy Offer Women Empowerment Through Women’s Entrepreneurial Development?
Authors: Andriamahery Anselme , Qamruzzaman Md.
Published: January 2022

The motivation of the study is to gauge the effects of access to finance, technical know-how, and financial literacy on women’s empowerment through establishing women’s entrepreneurial development. A sample of 950 women-owned SMEs was considered, and structured questionnaires were sent from getting target responses. After careful assessment through the data cleansing procedure, it was found that only 795 responses are suitable for further investigation, implying the sample response rate for the study is 74.71%. The study implemented structural equation modeling and multivariate regression analysis for gauging the causal association that is direct and indirect effects of target variables. According to findings, a positive statistically significant linkage was revealed with women’s entrepreneurship sustainability and women empowerment. Furthermore, the mediating effects were also established for women’s empowerment. According to the study findings, it is suggested that for women entrepreneurship sustainability, effective policies surrounding financing accessibility, technical knowledge expansion, and financial understating have to be promulgated in the economy, which allows bringing women empowerment at large.
The Potential Impact of Adjunct Digital Tools and Technology to Help Distressed and Suicidal Men: An Integrative Review
Authors: Balcombe Luke , De Leo Diego
Published: January 2022

Suicidal men feel the need to be self-reliant and that they cannot find another way out of relationship or socioeconomic issues. Suicide prevention is of crucial importance worldwide. The much higher rate of suicide in men engenders action. The prelude is a subjective experience that can be very isolating and severely distressing. Men may not realize a change in their thinking and behaviors, which makes it more difficult to seek and get help, thereby interrupting a “downward spiral”. Stoicism often prevents men from admitting to their personal struggle. The lack of “quality” connections and “non-tailored” therapies has led to a high number of men “walking out” on traditional clinical approaches. But there are complicated relationships in motivations and formative behaviors of suicide with regards to emotional state, psychiatric disorders, interpersonal life events and suicidal behavior method selection. Middle-aged and older men have alternated as the most at-risk of suicide. There is no one solution that applies to all men, but digital tools may be of assistance (e.g., video conferences, social networks, telephone calls, and emails). Digital interventions require higher levels of effectiveness for distress and suicidality but self-guided approaches may be the most suitable for men especially where linked with an integrated online suicide prevention platform (e.g., quick response with online chats, phone calls, and emails). Furthermore, technology-enabled models of care offer promise to advance appropriate linking to mental health services through better and faster understanding of the specific needs of individuals (e.g., socio-cultural) and the type and level of suicidality experienced. Long-term evidence for suicidality and its evaluation may benefit from progressing human computer-interaction and providing impetus for an eminent integrated digital platform.
Intergenerational Impact of Violence Exposure: Emotional-Behavioural and School Difficulties in Children Aged 5–17
Authors: Hashemi Ladan , Fanslow Janet , Gulliver Pauline , McIntosh Tracey
Published: January 2022

Background and Objectives: The intergenerational impacts of parental exposure to violence during childhood and adulthood have largely been investigated separately. This limits our understanding of how cumulative violence exposure over a lifespan elevates the risk of subsequent generation's maladjustment. To address this, we examined if parental exposure to violence during childhood and during adulthood was associated with increased emotional-behavioural and school difficulties among the children of these parents. Further, we examined if parental exposure to cumulative violence increased the odds of their children experiencing difficulties.

Participants and Setting: 705 participants (354 mothers and 351 fathers) from the 2019 New Zealand Family Violence Survey, a population-based study conducted in New Zealand between March 2017 and March 2019.

Methods: Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to ascertain the impact of parental exposure to violence on children's outcomes after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics. The impact of parental cumulative violence exposure on children's outcomes was also explored.

Results: Findings indicated that children of parents who had histories of exposure to violence during childhood were at increased risk for experiencing emotional-behavioural or school difficulties. However, where parents reported a history of childhood abuse but not adult experience of violence, their children had similar odds of experiencing difficulties as the children of parents who had not been exposed to any violence in their lifetime. Children of parents who had been exposed to violence only during adulthood were at higher risk of experiencing emotional-behavioural difficulties compared with children of parents with no violence exposure. Children of parents with histories of exposure to violence during both childhood and adulthood had the highest prevalence of experiencing emotional/behavioural and school difficulties.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the intergenerational impacts of violence exposure and the complex intersections between parents' and children's life experiences. Our findings suggest the need for violence prevention initiatives to foster the development of safe, stable and nurturing relationships and to expand services for parents already exposed to violence to build resilience and to break the inter-generational cycle of disadvantage.
Rumination, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms, and Posttraumatic Growth Among Wenchuan Earthquake Adult Survivors: A Developmental Perspective
Authors: Xu Wenjian , Feng Chengxiang , Tang Wanjie , Yang Yifan
Published: January 2022

This study examined the long-term effects of the Wenchuan earthquake among adult survivors. Specifically, it explored the role of perceived social support (PSS) in the relationship between rumination and posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Data were collected from March to July 2020 using a youth survivor sample (n = 476) of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Participants were divided into three groups depending on their age when the quake occurred: 6–11 years (n = 227), 12–15 years (n = 83), 16–19 years (n = 166). The results indicated that long-term PTG and PTSD symptom levels varied by age group. Both intrusive and deliberate ruminations had a significant effect on PTG as well as PTSD symptoms. PSS played a mediating role between rumination and PTG, and the mediation mechanisms varied by age group (developmental stages). Moderated analyses revealed that PSS from significant others significantly buffered the indirect effect of rumination on PTSD symptoms. Our findings demonstrated the universal nature of traumatic events encountered during childhood and adolescence development and underscore the importance of examining the developmental context of PTG in investigations on traumatic experiences and their consequences.
What Determine the Corporate Tax Rates During the COVID-19? Evidence From 113 Countries
Authors: Li Ronghua , Li Zhenhui , Guo Lin
Published: January 2022

Fiscal policy implications become an important tool to soften the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given this backdrop, this paper analyses the drivers of corporate tax rates during the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., in 2020 and 2021). The results from 113 advanced and developing economies show that a higher level of the COVID-19-related uncertainty is positively associated with the corporate tax rates. Similarly, the country size (measured by total population) increases the corporate tax rates. Per capita income is negatively related to the corporate tax rates, but this evidence is insufficient to consider different estimation techniques. The paper also discusses potential fiscal policy implications for the driving mechanism of corporate tax rates for the post-COVID-19 era.
ExGenNet: Learning to Generate Robotic Facial Expression Using Facial Expression Recognition
Authors: Rawal Niyati , Koert Dorothea , Turan Cigdem , Kersting Kristian , Peters Jan , Stock-Homburg Ruth
Published: January 2022

The ability of a robot to generate appropriate facial expressions is a key aspect of perceived sociability in human-robot interaction. Yet many existing approaches rely on the use of a set of fixed, preprogrammed joint configurations for expression generation. Automating this process provides potential advantages to scale better to different robot types and various expressions. To this end, we introduce ExGenNet, a novel deep generative approach for facial expressions on humanoid robots. ExGenNets connect a generator network to reconstruct simplified facial images from robot joint configurations with a classifier network for state-of-the-art facial expression recognition. The robots’ joint configurations are optimized for various expressions by backpropagating the loss between the predicted expression and intended expression through the classification network and the generator network. To improve the transfer between human training images and images of different robots, we propose to use extracted features in the classifier as well as in the generator network. Unlike most studies on facial expression generation, ExGenNets can produce multiple configurations for each facial expression and be transferred between robots. Experimental evaluations on two robots with highly human-like faces, Alfie (Furhat Robot) and the android robot Elenoide, show that ExGenNet can successfully generate sets of joint configurations for predefined facial expressions on both robots. This ability of ExGenNet to generate realistic facial expressions was further validated in a pilot study where the majority of human subjects could accurately recognize most of the generated facial expressions on both the robots.
Impact of EDDS Dosage on Lead Phytoextraction in Contaminated Urban Residential Soils
Authors: Zhang Zhiming , Sarkar Dibyendu , Sidhu Virinder , Warke Manas , Datta Rupali
Published: January 2022

Lead (Pb) contamination in soils of residential properties due to peeling and chipping of Pb-based paint can cause human health problems. Phytoextraction is a green technology that has the potential to remediate soil Pb. The efficiency of phytoextraction is dependent on the geochemical forms of Pb in soil. A biodegradable chelating agent, ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), was previously shown to enhance Pb removal by facilitating phytoextraction. In this study, EDDS was tested at various concentrations for its potential in mobilizing Pb in urban residential soils in Jersey City, New Jersey, and San Antonio, Texas. Results show that the concentrations of plant-available forms of Pb increased with the increasing dosage of EDDS from 2 to 30 mmol/L. The addition of EDDS at 30 mmol/L resulted in the conversion of up to 61.2% and 68.9% of the total Pb to plant-available forms in Jersey City and San Antonio soils, respectively. Further analysis showed that, after EDDS application, carbonate-bound Pb, oxide-bound Pb, organic-bound Pb, and residual silicate-bound Pb were transformed to plant-available forms. Higher doses of EDDS performed better than lower doses in transforming soil Pb forms, especially for the oxide-bound Pb. Strong correlations between Pb concentrations measured on-site using a portable X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer (p-XRF) and those obtained in the laboratory using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) confirmed that p-XRF is a reliable rapid, convenient technology to measure Pb levels in situ.
Using Direct Numerical Simulation of Pore-Level Events to Improve Pore-Network Models for Prediction of Residual Trapping of CO2
Authors: Kohanpur Amir H. , Chen Yu , Valocchi Albert J.
Published: January 2022

Direct numerical simulation and pore-network modeling are common approaches to study the physics of two-phase flow through natural rocks. For assessment of the long-term performance of geological sequestration of CO2, it is important to model the full drainage-imbibition cycle to provide an accurate estimate of the trapped CO2. While direct numerical simulation using pore geometry from micro-CT rock images accurately models two-phase flow physics, it is computationally prohibitive for large rock volumes. On the other hand, pore-network modeling on networks extracted from micro-CT rock images is computationally efficient but utilizes simplified physics in idealized geometric pore elements. This study uses the lattice-Boltzmann method for direct numerical simulation of CO2-brine flow in idealized pore elements to develop a new set of pore-level flow models for the pore-body filling and snap-off events in pore-network modeling of imbibition. Lattice-Boltzmann simulations are conducted on typical idealized pore-network configurations, and the interface evolution and local capillary pressure are evaluated to develop modified equations of local threshold capillary pressure of pore elements as a function of shape factor and other geometrical parameters. The modified equations are then incorporated into a quasi-static pore-network flow solver. The modified model is applied on extracted pore-network of sandstone samples, and saturation of residual trapped CO2 is computed for a drainage-imbibition cycle. The modified model yields different statistics of pore-level events compared with the original model; in particular, the occurrence of snap-off in pore-throats is reduced resulting in a more frontal displacement pattern along the main injection direction. Compared to the original model, the modified model is in closer agreement with the residual trapped CO2 obtained from core flow experiments and direct numerical simulation.
Blobs in a Solar EUV Jet
Authors: Chen Jie , Erdélyi Robertus , Liu Jiajia , Deng Yuanyong , Dover Fionnlagh Mackenzie , Zhang Qingmin , Zhang Mei , Li Leping , Su Jiangtao
Published: January 2022

An Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) jet that occurred around 22:30 on July 2, 2012 was observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on-board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). There were two phases of the jet. In Phase 1, two blobs were observed. In Phase 2, the intensity of the jet was almost coherent initially. One minute later, three blobs were formed at the same time in the jet, and the width of the jet changed after the formation of these blobs. The formation and evolution processes of the blobs in these two phases are analyzed in this paper. The physical parameters of the blobs are determined. The measured width of the blobs is 0.8 − 2.3 Mm, and the apparent velocities of the blobs are from 59 km s−1 to 185 km s−1. The formation mechanism of the blobs is likely to be tear-mode instability.
Some Notes About the Current Researches on the Physics of Relativistic Jets
Authors: Foschini Luigi
Published: January 2022

Some highlights of the recent researches in the field of relativistic jets are reviewed and critically analyzed. Given the extent of the available literature, this essay symbolically takes the baton from the outstanding and recent review by Blandford, Meier, and Readhead (2019). Therefore, I focus mostly on the results published during the latest few years, with specific reference to jets from active galactic nuclei.
PIC Simulations of Excited Waves in the Plasmoid Instability
Authors: Shahraki Pour Mahdi , Hosseinpour Mahboub
Published: January 2022

Fragmentation of an elongated current sheet into many reconnection X-points, and therefore multiple plasmoids, occurs frequently in the solar corona. This speeds up the release of solar magnetic energy in the form of thermal and kinetic energy. Moreover, due to the presence of multiple reconnection X-points, the particle acceleration is more efficient in terms of the number of accelerated particles. This type of instability called “plasmoid instability” is accompanied with the excitation of some electrostatic/electromagnetic waves. We carried out 2D particle-in-cell simulations of this instability in the collisionless regime, with the presence of non-uniform magnetic guide field to investigate the nature of excited waves. It is shown that the nature and properties of waves excited inside and outside the current sheet are different. While the outside perturbations are transient, the inside ones are long-lived, and are directly affected by the plasmoid instability process.
The Complex Influences on How We Care for Farmed Fish
Authors: Turnbull James F.
Published: January 2022

As a veterinarian and academic in aquaculture, in my personal experience, most farmers are concerned for their animals and want to take good care of them. There has been substantial improvement in the welfare of farmed fish in recent decades, but improvements have been inconsistent across culture systems and species. Where there has been a lack of progress, it is not simply due to the more obvious barriers, for example, lack of clear messages, lack of effective dissemination, or cost of implementation. Why have the good intentions of farmers and research by academics failed to improve the care of many farmed fish? The reasons would appear to be complex; however, human behavioral theory (this term is used to differentiate from animal ethology) offers both a conceptual framework and practical guidelines for improving the care of fish by influencing the behavior of farmers. Here, I present some background context and apply human behavioral theory to examples of on-farm care of fish.