bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Response to Muscle Fatigue and Sex Differences During Consecutive Competition Periods in Young Swimmers: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Castillo-Aguilar Matías , Valdés-Badilla Pablo , Herrera-Valenzuela Tomás , Guzmán-Muñoz Eduardo , Delgado-Floody Pedro , Andrade David Cristóbal , Moraes Michele M. , Arantes Rosa M. E. , Núñez-Espinosa Cristian
Published: November 2021

Objective: To study the differences in cardiac autonomic modulation in response to muscle fatigue caused by high-intensity exercise during two consecutive competition periods in young swimmers.

Methods: Twenty-six competitive swimmers, selected by their training volume, were separated in two groups, females (n = 12 [46%], age: 13.5 ± 1.4 years) and males (n = 14 [54%], age: 13.9 ± 1.7 years), aged between 10 and 16 years, were evaluated five times as follow: (i) 21 days before the first competition (t-0); (ii) two days before (t-1; t-3); and (iii) two days after (t-2; t-4) of the first and second competitions. Morphological measurements (body mass, percentage of total body fat and height), blood pressure, power, and resting heart rate variability (RR with Polar band) were recorded before and after Wingate test at each time.

Results: Body fat was higher in females compared to males. However, no differences were found in other morphological parameters. An intra-subject analysis grouped by sex in cardiovascular parameters shows longitudinal variations in systolic pressure and mean pressure among females. Additionally, females depicted higher, very low frequency (VLF, which is intrinsically generated by the heart and strongly associated with emotional stress) after physical fatigue compared to males at t-1. Further, before the competition, the high frequency (HF) component of HRV (parasympathetic drive) was higher in males than females at t-0 and t-4.

Conclusion: Our data revealed that males displayed greater parasympathetic reactivity after an anaerobic muscle fatigue test during their competition periods. Contrarily, females had a less cardiac autonomic modulation when comparing the pre-post Wingate test after two consecutive competition periods.
Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training With Specific Techniques on Jumping Ability and Change of Direction Speed in Karate Athletes: An Inter-individual Analysis
Authors: Ojeda-Aravena Alex , Herrera-Valenzuela Tomás , Valdés-Badilla Pablo , Martín Eduardo Báez-San , Cancino-López Jorge , Gallardo Jairo Azócar , Zapata-Bastías José , García-García José Manuel
Published: November 2021

This study investigated the effect of 4weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with specific techniques and analyzed inter-individual variability [classified in responders (Rs) and non-responders (NRs)] on jumping ability and change of direction speed (CODS) in youth karate athletes. Athletes of both genders (n=10) were randomly assigned into experimental group (EG; n=5) and the control group (CG; n=5). The EG trained 2–3days per week applying HIIT (three rounds [15 sets of 4s all-out specific efforts with 8s of dynamical pauses] with 3min of recovery between rounds) during their usual training during 4weeks. Assessments included squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) and CODS by T-test. No significant interaction effect group by time was found. Although, in percentage and effect size (ES) terms increases were reported in both groups for SJ (EG: 15.2%, ES=0.91 vs. CG: 12.4%, ES=0.02) and only in EG for the T-test (−1.7%; ES=−0.35). In turn, a trend toward a higher proportion of Rs was observed in the EG (40% Rs) vs. CG (20% Rs) for SJ and CODS, respectively. In conclusion, the addition to regular training of a HIIT with specific techniques and based on the temporal combat structure after 4weeks was not a sufficient stimulus to increase jumping ability and CODS in karate athletes.
Dissection of Quantitative Blackleg Resistance Reveals Novel Variants of Resistance Gene Rlm9 in Elite Brassica napus
Authors: Vollrath Paul , Chawla Harmeet S. , Alnajar Dima , Gabur Iulian , Lee HueyTyng , Weber Sven , Ehrig Lennard , Koopmann Birger , Snowdon Rod J. , Obermeier Christian
Published: November 2021

Blackleg is one of the major fungal diseases in oilseed rape/canola worldwide. Most commercial cultivars carry R gene-mediated qualitative resistances that confer a high level of race-specific protection against Leptosphaeria maculans, the causal fungus of blackleg disease. However, monogenic resistances of this kind can potentially be rapidly overcome by mutations in the pathogen’s avirulence genes. To counteract pathogen adaptation in this evolutionary arms race, there is a tremendous demand for quantitative background resistance to enhance durability and efficacy of blackleg resistance in oilseed rape. In this study, we characterized genomic regions contributing to quantitative L. maculans resistance by genome-wide association studies in a multiparental mapping population derived from six parental elite varieties exhibiting quantitative resistance, which were all crossed to one common susceptible parental elite variety. Resistance was screened using a fungal isolate with no corresponding avirulence (AvrLm) to major R genes present in the parents of the mapping population. Genome-wide association studies revealed eight significantly associated quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosomes A07 and A09, with small effects explaining 3–6% of the phenotypic variance. Unexpectedly, the qualitative blackleg resistance gene Rlm9 was found to be located within a resistance-associated haploblock on chromosome A07. Furthermore, long-range sequence data spanning this haploblock revealed high levels of single-nucleotide and structural variants within the Rlm9 coding sequence among the parents of the mapping population. The results suggest that novel variants of Rlm9 could play a previously unknown role in expression of quantitative disease resistance in oilseed rape.
Novel Tools for Adjusting Spatial Variability in the Early Sugarcane Breeding Stage
Authors: Cursi Danilo Eduardo , Gazaffi Rodrigo , Hoffmann Hermann Paulo , Brasco Thiago Luis , do Amaral Lucas Rios , Dourado Neto Durval
Published: November 2021

The detection of spatial variability in field trials has great potential for accelerating plant breeding progress due to the possibility of better controlling non-genetic variation. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate a digital soil mapping approach and a high-density soil sampling procedure for identifying and adjusting spatial dependence in the early sugarcane breeding stage. Two experiments were conducted in regions with different soil classifications. High-density sampling of soil physical and chemical properties was performed in a regular grid to investigate the structure of spatial variability. Soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) was measured in both experimental areas with an EM38-MK2® sensor. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to reduce the dimensionality of the physical and chemical soil data sets. After conducting the PCA and obtaining different thematic maps, we determined each experimental plot’s exact position within the field. Tons of cane per hectare (TCH) data for each experiment were obtained and analyzed using mixed linear models. When environmental covariates were considered, a previous forward model selection step was applied to incorporate the variables. The PCA based on high-density soil sampling data captured part of the total variability in the data for Experimental Area 1 and was suggested to be an efficient index to be incorporated as a covariate in the statistical model, reducing the experimental error (residual variation coefficient, CVe). When incorporated into the different statistical models, the ECa information increased the selection accuracy of the experimental genotypes. Therefore, we demonstrate that the genetic parameter increased when both approaches (spatial analysis and environmental covariates) were employed.
Small RNA Profiling of Susceptible and Resistant Ty-1 Encoding Tomato Plants Upon Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus Infection
Authors: Voorburg Corien M. , Bai Yuling , Kormelink Richard
Published: November 2021

Ty-1 presents an atypical dominant resistance gene that codes for an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR) of the gamma class and confers resistance to tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and other geminiviruses. Tomato lines bearing Ty-1 not only produce relatively higher amounts of viral small interfering (vsi)RNAs, but viral DNA also exhibits a higher amount of cytosine methylation. Whether Ty-1 specifically enhances posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS), leading to a degradation of RNA target molecules and primarily relying on 21–22 nucleotides (nts) siRNAs, and/or transcriptional gene silencing (TGS), leading to the methylation of cytosines within DNA target sequences and relying on 24-nts siRNAs, was unknown. In this study, small RNAs were isolated from systemically TYLCV-infected leaves of Ty-1 encoding tomato plants and susceptible tomato Moneymaker (MM) and sequence analyzed. While in susceptible tomato plants vsiRNAs of the 21-nt size class were predominant, their amount was drastically reduced in tomato containing Ty-1. The latter, instead, revealed elevated levels of vsiRNAs of the 22- and 24-nt size classes. In addition, the genomic distribution profiles of the vsiRNAs were changed in Ty-1 plants compared with those from susceptible MM. In MM three clear hotspots were seen, but these were less pronounced in Ty-1 plants, likely due to enhanced transitive silencing to neighboring viral genomic sequences. The largest increase in the amount of vsiRNAs was observed in the intergenic region and the V1 viral gene. The results suggest that Ty-1 enhances an antiviral TGS response. Whether the elevated levels of 22 nts vsiRNAs contribute to an enhanced PTGS response or an additional TGS response involving a noncanonical pathway of RNA dependent DNA methylation remains to be investigated.
Chromosome-Scale Reference Genome of Amphicarpaea edgeworthii: A New Resource for Amphicarpic Plants Research and Complex Flowering Pattern
Authors: Song Tingting , Zhou Mengyan , Yuan Yuying , Yu Jinqiu , Cai Hua , Li Jiawei , Chen Yajun , Bai Yan , Zhou Gang , Cui Guowen
Published: November 2021

Amphicarpaea edgeworthii, an annual twining herb, is a widely distributed species and an attractive model for studying complex flowering types and evolutionary mechanisms of species. Herein, we have generated a high-quality assembly of A. edgeworthii by using a combination of PacBio, 10× Genomics libraries, and Hi-C mapping technologies. The final 11 chromosome-level scaffolds covered 90.61% of the estimated genome (343.78Mb), which is a chromosome-scale assembled genome of an amphicarpic plant. Subsequently, we characterized the genetic diversity and population structure of A. edgeworthii species by resequencing individuals collected from their natural area of distribution. Using transcriptome profiling, we observed that specific phenotypes are regulated by a complex network of light, hormones, and MADS-box gene families. These data are beneficial for the discovery of genes that control major agronomic traits and spur genetic improvement of and functional genetic studies in legumes, as well as supply comparative genetic resources for other amphicarpic plants.
Exploring Destination Choice Intention by Using the Tourism Photographic: From the Perspectives of Visual Esthetic Processing
Authors: Deng Weiwei , Lin Yingxing , Chen Lijun
Published: November 2021

This study aims to deepen the understanding of tourism photography by developing and testing a theoretical model that accounts for the relationships between visual esthetics and destination choice intention of tourists. Thus, we sought to use a stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) paradigm to predict destination choice intention, which includes three variables related to visual esthetics: first impression, visual appeal, and esthetic emotion. We used the combination of self-reported and eye movement data to examine the cognitive processes of tourists that visual esthetic formation. We found that compared to the built environment and amateur esthetic images, natural environment and professional esthetic images can get (1) higher visual appeal, (2) better first impression, and (3) higher visual processing fluency (or less cognitive effort) and positive esthetic emotions. Furthermore, visual appeal, first impression, and esthetic emotion deriving from environment esthetics and photograph esthetics have a positive impact on destination choice intention. This study has practical implications for destination planning and management.
Effects of Game Situation-Dependent Emotions on Sport Spectators’ Food Craving
Authors: Chang Yonghwan
Published: November 2021

This study sought to challenge prevalent accounts of emotional eating by exploring the effects of situation-dependent emotions on consumers’ food craving. Four specific game situations in the context of spectator sports, each corresponding to the four types of emotional coping (outcome-desire conflict, avoidance, fulfillment, and pursuit), were identified as follows: decisive victories, decisive losses, close victories, and close losses. By employing laboratory-based virtual reality spectatorship, Study 1 tested the causal effects of happiness (fulfillment), anger (conflict), sadness (conflict), fear (avoidance), and hope (pursuit) on food craving. Study 2 further designed fans’ previous association between emotions and eating as a moderating mechanism in the context of online sport viewership. The results of the two experiments supported the three theoretical principles of eating behavior, including the “food as fuel” principle of anger, the hedonic eating principle of happiness, and the self-regulation principle of hope. However, the results rejected the escape awareness principle of sadness and fear. The study concludes with a discussion of context-dependent emotional positioning and intervention strategies for marketers and policy makers.
Influence of Entrepreneurial Psychology and Spirit on the Cultivation of Students’ Entrepreneurial Values and Ability Under the New Media
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Jiang Ying
Published: November 2021

This article studies the influence of entrepreneurial spirit on college students’ entrepreneurial ability and entrepreneurial values. Firstly, the impact of entrepreneurial psychology and entrepreneurial spirit on entrepreneurial values is analyzed. Secondly, the role of entrepreneurial values in innovation and entrepreneurship education is analyzed and summarized under new media. Then, based on entrepreneurial psychology and entrepreneurial spirit, a Questionnaire Survey (QS) is designed to investigate the entrepreneurial values of students in one university in Shaanxi Province, China. The QS analysis suggests that most respondents hold a positive attitude, and their attitude is on the rise. The QS results of “Reasons for entrepreneurial failure” show that 40.37, 31.9, 25.98, and 11.75% of respondents think they lack financial support, business skills, ability, and understanding of policies and laws, respectively. The QS results of “What factors influence entrepreneurial values?” reveal that 39.43% of the respondents chose the “Models of successful entrepreneurs,” successful entrepreneur models can effectively encourage students to receive entrepreneurship education, followed by 28.94% who choose “Achieve their own life goals.” In terms of “Solutions against entrepreneurial risks,” nearly 70% of the students have chosen the negative options. In terms of “Which is the most important entrepreneurial quality?” more students choose entrepreneurial values rather than entrepreneurial quality, proving that students generally lack entrepreneurial values. Given these problems, corresponding countermeasures are put forward to strengthen entrepreneurial psychology and entrepreneurship education, in an attempt to cultivate college students’ entrepreneurial values and entrepreneurial ability under the new media. The results provide some data support for the impact of college students’ entrepreneurial values and entrepreneurial ability.
Fighting Social Isolation With Nostalgia: Nostalgia as a Resource for Feeling Connected and Appreciated and Instilling Optimism and Vitality During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Puente-Díaz Rogelio , Cavazos-Arroyo Judith
Published: November 2021

In two experiments, we tested the influence of bringing to mind a memory of a special moment versus an ordinary moment on nostalgia and whether this elicited nostalgia was related directly to gratitude and the satisfaction of need for relatedness and indirectly to optimism and vitality. Participants from Mexico were first asked to state how the pandemic of COVID-19 has affected their lives. After, participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Memory of special moment versus memory of ordinary recent moment (study 1) or memory of special moment versus or memory of ordinary moment from the same life period as the special moment (study 2). After, participants completed a battery of questionnaires assessing nostalgia, gratitude and optimism (study 1) or nostalgia, satisfaction of need for relatedness, and vitality (study 2). Results from study 1 showed a positive influence of bringing to mind a special moment on nostalgia. Nostalgia was positively related to gratitude, which was then related positively to optimism. Similarly, results from study 2 showed a positive influence of bringing to mind a special moment on nostalgia. Nostalgia was positively related to satisfaction of need for relatedness, which then had a positive relationship with vitality. In both studies, the indirect sequential effect of bringing to mind a special moment on optimism and vitality was significant.
The Combined Effects of Patient Activation and Relational Aspects on the Quality of Life in Atrial Fibrillation Patients
Authors: Wang Jie , Wang Qin , Bao Zhipeng , Peng Yuanyuan , Liu Shenxinyu , Yu Tianxi , Wang Lin , Yang Gang , Gao Min , Sun Guozhen
Published: November 2021

Objective: This study aims to explore the influence of patient activation (PA) and relational aspects on the quality of life (QoL) in patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) for developing measures to improve PA and QoL.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2021 among 190 AF patients in Nanjing, China. Research instruments included a self-designed social-demographic characteristics scale, the Patient Activation Measure (PAM), the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life (AFEQT). The data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 25.0. Spearman correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to assess the association accordingly.

Results: The average AFEQT score for the 190 AF patients was 69.32 ± 14.52. The distribution of activation Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4, were where 4.7, 34.2, 47.4, and 13.7%, respectively. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that patient activation, work status, and cardiac rehabilitation of AF patients predicted AF-related QoL (β = 0.270, −0.205, and 0.183, respectively; all P < 0.05). The influences of PA level on subdimensions of AF-related QoL were as follows: symptoms, daily activities and treatment concern.

Conclusion: The level of QoL of patients with AF was moderate. Higher levels of patient activation in those with AF were associated with milder symptoms, more positive daily activities and fewer treatment concern. Based on our findings, we suggest that healthcare personnel should encourage AF patients to take active participation in cardiac rehabilitation, disease self-management and foster progression of PA level. Future research is warranted to develop tailor-made interventions aimed at the activation level.
Moral Distress in Hospitals During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-Based Survey Among 3,293 Healthcare Workers Within the German Network University Medicine
Authors: Schneider Juliane Nora , Hiebel Nina , Kriegsmann-Rabe Milena , Schmuck Jonas , Erim Yesim , Morawa Eva , Jerg-Bretzke Lucia , Beschoner Petra , Albus Christian , Hannemann Julian , Weidner Kerstin , Steudte-Schmiedgen Susann , Radbruch Lukas , Brunsch Holger , Geiser Franziska
Published: November 2021

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between moral distress and mental health symptoms, socio-demographic, occupational, and COVID-19-related variables, and to determine differences in healthcare workers’ (HCW) moral distress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: Data from 3,293 HCW from a web-based survey conducted between the 20th of April and the 5th of July 2020 were analyzed. We focused on moral distress (Moral Distress Thermometer, MDT), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2, PHQ-2), anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2, GAD-2), and increased general distress of nurses, physicians, medical-technical assistants (MTA), psychologists/psychotherapists, and pastoral counselors working in German hospitals.

Results: The strongest correlations for moral distress were found with depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, occupancy rate at current work section, and contact with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Nurses and MTA experienced significantly higher moral distress than physicians, psychologists/psychotherapists, and pastoral counselors. The average level of moral distress reported by nurses from all work areas was similar to levels which before the pandemic were only experienced by nurses in intensive or critical care units.

Conclusion: Results indicate that moral distress is a relevant phenomenon among HCW in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of whether they work at the frontline or not and requires urgent attention.
When Does Sharing Stigmatize? Saving Money (vs. Seeking Variety) Through Access-Based Consumption
Authors: Guo Yang Jenny , Lamberton Cait
Published: November 2021

Access-based services allow financially-constrained individuals to consume a variety of goods and services without the cost of sole ownership. But might there be dangers in communicating about access-based consumption in terms of its affordability, particularly among this segment of consumers? To answer this question, we investigate the effects of framing access-based consumption in terms of two primary benefits: affordability and variety. Results from four studies suggest that although affordability might rationally be of most interest to financially-constrained individuals, framing access-based consumption’s benefits in terms of affordability undermines the happiness they may extract from their consumption relative to framing in terms of variety. This difference emerges because communications focused on affordability re-affirm the negative self-identity financially-constrained individuals perceive as a result of their financial situation. Given these findings, we make clear recommendations for communications related to the access-based economy and this vulnerable set of people.
Promoting the Quality of Teacher-Toddler Interactions: A Randomized Controlled Trial of “Thrive by Three” In-Service Professional Development in 187 Norwegian Toddler Classrooms
Authors: Buøen Elisabet Solheim , Lekhal Ratib , Lydersen Stian , Berg-Nielsen Turid Suzanne , Drugli May Britt
Published: November 2021

The effectiveness of the Thrive by Three intervention, a 10-month, multicomponent, in-service professional development model to promote the quality of caregiver-toddler interactions (i.e., process quality), was tested utilizing a clustered randomized controlled design. Eighty childcare centers with 187 toddler classrooms in Norway were randomly assigned to either the Thrive by Three intervention group (n=87) or a usual-activity wait list control group (n=100). Interactional quality was assessed with the Toddler version of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS-Toddler) at three timepoints: pre-, mid-, and post-intervention. There were significant group differences in change in quality during the intervention period in both CLASS domains, Emotional and Behavioral Support (EBS), and Engaged Support for Learning (ESL), with greater overall differences in the ESL domain. Quality increased in the intervention groups, but quality decreased in the control group from baseline to post-intervention. There were significant group differences in quality at baseline. The Thrive by Three intervention had a positive effect on teacher-toddler interactions in both the EBS and ESL domains. Results need to be replicated preferably in more diverse samples.

Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT03879733.
Decentering, Acceptance, and Non-Attachment: Challenging the Question “Is It Me?”
Authors: Soler Joaquim , Montero-Marin Jesus , Domínguez-Clavé Elisabet , González Sara , Pascual Juan Carlos , Cebolla Ausiàs , Demarzo Marcelo , Analayo Bhikkhu , García-Campayo Javier
Published: November 2021

Among mindfulness measures the three constructs acceptance, decentering, and non-attachment are psychometrically closely related, despite their apparent semantic differences. These three facets present robust psychometric features and can be considered core themes in most “third wave” clinical models. The aim of the present study was to explore the apparently different content domains (acceptance, decentering, and non-attachment) by administering various psychometric scales in a large sample of 608 volunteers. Resilience and depression were also assessed. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses performed in two randomly selected subsamples showed a bifactor approximation. The explained common variance suggested a unidimensional nature for the general factor, with good psychometric properties, which we named “Delusion of Me” (DoM). This construct is also strongly correlated with resilience and depression, and appears to be a solid latent general construct closely related to the concept of “ego.” DoM emerges as a potentially transdiagnostic construct with influence on well-being and clinical indexes such as resilience and depression. Further studies should analyze the potential utility of this new construct at a therapeutic level.
The Association Between Concentrations of Arginine, Ornithine, Citrulline and Major Depressive Disorder: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fan Mingyue , Gao Xiao , Li Li , Ren Zhongyu , Lui Leanna M. W. , McIntyre Roger S. , Teopiz Kayla M. , Deng Peng , Cao Bing
Published: November 2021

Alterations in the peripheral (e.g., serum, plasma, platelet) concentrations of arginine and its related catabolic products (i.e., ornithine, citrulline) in the urea and nitric oxide cycles have been reported to be associated with major depressive disorder (MDD). The meta-analysis herein aimed to explore the association between the concentration of peripheral arginine, its catabolic products and MDD, as well as to discuss the possible role of arginine catabolism in the onset and progression of MDD. PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched from inception to June 2020. The protocol for the meta-analysis herein has been registered at the Open Science Framework [https://doi.org/10.17605/osf.io/7fn59]. In total, 745 (47.5%) subjects with MDD and 823 (52.5%) healthy controls (HCs) from 13 articles with 16 studies were included. Fifteen of the included studies assessed concentrations of peripheral arginine, eight assessed concentrations of ornithine, and six assessed concentrations of citrulline. Results indicated that: (1) the concentrations of arginine, ornithine, and citrulline were not significantly different between individuals with MDD and HCs when serum, plasma and platelet are analyzed together, (2) in the subgroups of serum samples, the concentrations of arginine were lower in individuals with MDD than HCs, and (3) concurrent administration of psychotropic medications may be a confounding variable affecting the concentrations of arginine, ornithine, and citrulline. Our findings herein do not support the hypothesis that arginine catabolism between individuals with MDD and HCs are significantly different. The medication status and sample types should be considered as a key future research avenue for assessing arginine catabolism in MDD.
Mitochondria-Related Nuclear Gene Expression in the Nucleus Accumbens and Blood Mitochondrial Copy Number After Developmental Fentanyl Exposure in Adolescent Male and Female C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Calarco Cali A. , Fox Megan E. , Van Terheyden Saskia , Turner Makeda D. , Alipio Jason B. , Chandra Ramesh , Lobo Mary Kay
Published: November 2021

The potency of the synthetic opioid fentanyl and its increased clinical availability has led to the rapid escalation of use in the general population, increased recreational exposure, and subsequently opioid-related overdoses. The wide-spread use of fentanyl has, consequently, increased the incidence of in utero exposure to the drug, but the long-term effects of this type of developmental exposure are not yet understood. Opioid use has also been linked to reduced mitochondrial copy number in blood in clinical populations, but the link between this peripheral biomarker and genetic or functional changes in reward-related brain circuitry is still unclear. Additionally, mitochondrial-related gene expression in reward-related brain regions has not been examined in the context of fentanyl exposure, despite the growing literature demonstrating drugs of abuse impact mitochondrial function, which subsequently impacts neuronal signaling. The current study uses exposure to fentanyl via dam access to fentanyl drinking water during gestation and lactation as a model for developmental drug exposure. This perinatal drug-exposure is sufficient to impact mitochondrial copy number in circulating blood leukocytes, as well as mitochondrial-related gene expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a reward-related brain structure, in a sex-dependent manner in adolescent offspring. Specific NAc gene expression is correlated with both blood mitochondrial copy number and with anxiety related behaviors dependent on developmental exposure to fentanyl and sex. These data indicate that developmental fentanyl exposure impacts mitochondrial function in both the brain and body in ways that can impact neuronal signaling and may prime the brain for altered reward-related behavior in adolescence and later into adulthood.
Neurofilament Light Chain Is a Promising Biomarker in Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Li Yanfei , Duan Ranran , Gong Zhe , Jing Lijun , Zhang Tian , Zhang Yong , Jia Yanjie
Published: November 2021

Background: Alcohol dependence, a global public health problem, leads to structural and functional damage in the brain. Alcohol dependence patients present complex and varied clinical manifestations and live with general complaints existing in contemporary society, making most people with alcohol dependence hard to identify. Therefore, it is important to find potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and evaluation of alcohol dependence. In the study, we explored potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases and evaluated brain structural changes in alcohol dependence patients.

Methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELSA) was employed to detect the expression of serum nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and single-molecule array (Simoa) assay was used to detect the expression of serum neurofilament light (NfL) in 50 alcohol dependence patients and 50 controls with no drinking history. Alcohol consumption was measured by standard drinks. Neuropsychological assessments, including the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), and patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), were conducted to evaluate cognitive function and psychological state. The degree of white matter lesions (WMLs) was rated using the Fazekas scale based on magnetic resonance imaging analysis. White matter structure was quantified using the voxel-based morphometry method. The correlations between NLRP3 levels, NfL levels, neuropsychological dysfunction, the degree of WMLs, and white matter volume (WMV) were analyzed in alcohol dependence patients.

Results: Serum NLRP3 and NfL levels were higher in the alcohol dependence group. NLRP3 levels were irrelevant to monthly alcohol assumption as well as to the MoCA, PSQI, GAD-7, PHQ-9, and Fazekas scale scores and WMV. NfL levels were positively correlated with the PSQI and PHQ-9 scores as well as the degree of WMLs and negatively correlated with the MoCA scores and WMV. No associations were evident between NfL and monthly alcohol assumption and GAD-7 scores in the alcohol dependence group.

Conclusion: This study supports the potential value of serum NfL as a non-invasive biomarker in alcohol dependence. The association with neuropsychological dysfunction and degree of WMLs has implications to use NfL as a promising biomarker to assess the severity of brain damage as well as the progression and prognosis of alcohol dependence.
A Cross-Sectional Survey of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of University Students in Pakistan Regarding COVID-19
Authors: Raza Sohail , Mukhtar Nadia , Nawaz Muhammad , Ali Muhammad Asad , Shabbir Muhammad Abu Bakr , Ashraf Muhammad Adnan , Ali Zeeshan , Saleem Muhammad Rizwan , Latif Rabia , Yaqub Tahir
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is striking the world with serious public health and socioeconomic complications. The pandemic has influenced all forms of daily life, including educational institutions. Therefore, this cross-sectional survey was conducted to understand knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to COVID-19 among the students of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. The data was collected using an online self-directed questionnaire. The survey form includes six items about sociodemographic characteristics, 14 knowledge-based questions, seven questions on attitude, and eight questions on practices. The sample number was calculated using the Raosoft sample size calculator. A total number of 3,854 students, including 1,823 men and 2,031 women, were engaged in this survey, having student representation from all the provinces in the country. The data were analyzed using a chi-square test. A total of 97% of the students knew that the etiological agent of COVID-19 is a virus and that it is a disease of the respiratory system (94%). Many students kept visiting their relatives during the lockdown (45%), and their relatives kept visiting them at home (59%). The responses from the students varied a lot on specific questions about the transmission of the virus. Women tended to have less information regarding precautionary travel measures (p < 0.01), but supplemental knowledge of prevention of disease transmission from positive patients (p < 0.01). Conclusively, the majority of the university students surveyed had imperative knowledge, a good attitude, and active practice in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Moreover, the KAP scores have varied by demography, gender, and the number of family members. Therefore, continuous awareness of preventative behaviors should be disseminated regularly in emergencies.
Comparison of Delay in Tuberculosis Diagnosis Between Migrants and Local Residents in an Eastern County of China: An Analysis of the Electronic Data Between 2015 and 2019
Authors: Xiao Wenhui , Chen Bin , Huang Dajiang , Chan Olivia , Wei Xiaolin , Zhou Lin , Zou Guanyang
Published: November 2021

Introduction: China continues to rank among one of the countries with the highest number of tuberculosis (TB) cases globally. Migrants are a particularly at-risk subgroup for TB and pose a challenge for case management in contemporary China. The early diagnosis and treatment of patients with TB are pivotal for effective TB control. This study investigates the delay in the TB diagnosis of migrants as compared with residents, to provide an evidence base for improved case detection and the better management of migrant patients with TB.

Materials and Methods: The data was collected from the Tuberculosis Information Management System (TBIMS) (2015–2019) in an eastern county of China. The total diagnostic delay, consisting of patient delay and health system delay, is defined as the interval between the onset of TB symptoms and the confirmation of TB diagnosis in the designated TB hospital. The comparison of the delay in the TB diagnosis between migrants and residents was conducted using a Mann-Whitney U-test and chi-square test. The difference in the delay curves between these two groups was examined using a log-rank test.

Results: Of 2,487 patients with TB, 539 (22%) were migrants. The migrants tended to be younger, presented with less severe conditions, received an initial diagnosis at prefectural and above-level hospitals. Compared with the local patients with TB, the migrant patients with TB had a longer median total diagnostic delay (30 vs. 9, P = 0.000) and a higher proportion of patients with this delay >28 days (52 vs. 13%, P = 0.000). Similarly, the migrant patients with TB also had a longer median patient delay (13 vs. 9, P = 0.000) and a higher proportion of patients with this delay >14 days (47 vs. 30%, P = 0.000), longer median health system delay (9 vs. 0, P = 0.000), and a higher proportion of patients with this delay >14 days (42 vs. 0.5%, P = 0.000) than the local patients with TB. The survival curves of delay showed that the longer the time interval was, the more likely the migrant patients with TB were to be diagnosed (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Diagnosis is significantly delayed among migrant patients with TB. Our study highlights the importance of early screening and diagnosis for TB especially among migrants, to improve access and ensure better management for all patients with TB.
A Tailor-Made Metropolitan Union. Is This a Good Solution of the Metropolitan Governance Problem in Poland?
Authors: Kaczmarek Tomasz
Published: November 2021

The scale and dynamics of socio-economic and spatial processes in Poland in the last three decades, including territorial diversification of the pace of economic development and demographic and social changes, as well as processes such as metropolisation and suburbanization, determine new challenges in the management and programming of the development of large cities and their areas functional. The new processes require state and local authorities to take actions in the strictly political, legal and organizational and planning dimensions. In Poland, for almost 20 years, there has been a discussion on the introduction of specific forms of management of metropolitan areas. Failure to adopt systemic solutions at the level of the entire country (lack of political will for metropolitan reform and the creation of metropolitan self-government county) leads to the emergence of numerous grassroots integration initiatives of local governments (metropolitan associations of cities and municipalities). Since 2015, the EU cohesion policy instrument Integrated Territorial Investments has been implemented in functional urban areas. Since 2017, the first multi-task metropolitan union (Metropolitan Union of Upper Silesia—Górnoślasko-Zagłebiowska Metropolis) established by the parliament (special act) and the government (executive regulation) has been operating in Poland. The first—sui generis—statutory metropolis encourages local authorities of other metropolitan areas to adopt their own legislative initiatives (Kraków, Łódz, Tricity: Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot). Is the choice of the path for creating individual statutory solutions for each of the Polish metropolises in the form of a metropolitan union appropriate? Does diferrentia specifica for various metropolitan areas seem to be the most justified at the moment, taking into account the political conditions and the bottom-up and top-down approach to metropolitan governance in Poland? The article presents the complex path to solving the issue of management in Polish metropolitan areas and assesses the legitimacy of a solution based on a model tailored to each metropolis, introduced by a separate metropolitan act.
How Can Collaborative Circular Economy Practices in Modular Construction Help Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup Qatar 2022 to Achieve Its Quest for Sustainable Development and Ecological Systems?
Authors: Kucukvar Murat , Kutty Adeeb A. , Onat Nuri C. , Al Jurf Nasser , Al-Abdulmalek Noora , Naser Ayman , Ermolaeva Yulia
Published: November 2021

Embarking on the World Cup journey with circular collaborative strategies can positively impact the environment and socioeconomic outcomes to prosper development at the center of sustainability. World Cup mega-events are set with overriding priorities in cutting down environmental footprints to accelerate sustainable development across the Fédération Internationale de Football Association movement to leave an enduring legacy post-event in global sports. This paper conducts the first of its kind comprehensive critical analysis on ecological quality in life cycle impact assessment for 2022 Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup modular container stadiums in Qatar. A “cradle-to-cradle” life cycle assessment, including the material and resource production, construction, operation, and end-of-life (EOL) phase, is analyzed in this study, taking the case of Ras Abu Aboud stadium. Ecoinvent v3.7.1 life cycle inventory database was used to quantify the ecosystem damage-related impacts. Two scenarios were considered for the operation phase: scenario 1 (single year of operation) and scenario 2 (30 years of operation). A sensitivity analysis was used to understand the extent of impact per category indicator subject to material quantity variations. The results showed that the planned circularity contributed to savings in the EOL phase of more than 4.26 × 107 species.year compared with 1.7 species.year across the overall life-cycle impacts. Several perspective-based circular and sharing economy scenarios were assessed to reveal the benefits of circular collaborative economy applications in leveraging possible ecological burdens before, during, and post-mega events in sustainable construction. This research acts as a backbone for future single-sport mega-events to attempt to transition to a carbon-neutral, fully sustainable event with an everlasting legacy.
Virtual Reality as a Context for Adaptation
Authors: Yarossi Mathew , Mangalam Madhur , Naufel Stephanie , Tunik Eugene
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated interest in virtual reality (VR) for education, entertainment, telerehabilitation, and skills training. As the frequency and duration of VR engagement increases—the number of people in the United States using VR at least once per month is forecasted to exceed 95 million—it is critical to understand how VR engagement influences brain and behavior. Here, we evaluate neurophysiological effects of sensory conflicts induced by VR engagement and posit an intriguing hypothesis: the brain processes VR as a unique “context” leading to the formation and maintenance of independent sensorimotor representations. We discuss known VR-induced sensorimotor adaptations to illustrate how VR might manifest as a context for learning and how technological and human factors might mediate the context-dependency of sensorimotor representations learned in VR.
Hydrogels Improve Plant Growth in Mars Analog Conditions
Authors: Peyrusson Frédéric
Published: November 2021

Sustainable human settlement on Mars will require in situ resource utilization (ISRU), the collection and utilization of Mars-based resources, including notably water and a substrate for food production. Plants will be fundamental components of future human missions to Mars, and the question of whether Mars soils can support plant growth is still open. Moreover, plant cultivation may suffer from the lack of in situ liquid water, which might constitute one of the biggest challenges for ISRU-based food production on Mars. Enhancing the crop yield with less water input and improving water utilization by plants are thus chief concern for sustainable ISRU food production. Hydrogels are polymers able to absorb large quantity of water and to increase soil water retention, plant establishment and growth. This work reports on the short-term assessment of plant growth in Mars soil analogs supplemented with hydrogels. Soil analogs consisted of sand and clay-rich material, with low organic matter content and alkaline pH. Soils were supplemented with 10% (w/w) potting medium and were sampled in Utah desert, in the vicinity of the Mars Desert Research Station, surrounded by soils sharing similarities in mineralogical and chemical composition to Martian soils. Height and dry biomass of spearmint (Mentha spicata) were compared under various irrigation frequencies, and seed germination of radish (Raphanus sativus) were monitored. Under limited irrigation, results indicate that the soil analogs were less capable of supporting plant growth as a comparison to potting medium. The effects of hydrogel supplementation were significant under limited irrigation and led to spearmint heights increased by 3 and 6% in clay- and sand-containing soils, respectively. Similarly, hydrogel supplementation resulted in spearmint mass increased by 110% in clay-containing soils and 78% in sand-containing soils. Additionally, while radish seeds failed to germinate in soil analogs, hydrogel supplementation allows for the germination of 27% of seeds, indicating that hydrogels might help loosening dense media with low water retention. Collectively, the results suggest that supplementation with hydrogel and plant growth substrate could help plants cope with limited irrigation and poor alkaline Mars soil analogs, and are discussed in the context of strategies for ISRU-based off-world colonization.
Effects of Preoperative Carbohydrate Intake on Inflammatory Markers and Clinical Outcomes in Elderly Patients Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy: A Single-Centre, Double-Blind Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Hu Zhen , Liu Ji , Wang Fen
Published: November 2021

Background: This study aimed to analyse the effects of carbohydrate (CHO) intake on inflammatory markers, comfort, and clinical outcomes in elderly patients undergoing open radical prostatectomy.

Methods: Patients aged ≥65 years who underwent open radical prostatectomy were randomly divided into CHO, drinking water, and fasting groups. A total of 90 patients were enrolled in this study (CHO group, n = 28; placebo group, n = 30 and fasting group, n = 32). Patients in the CHO group were given 800 and 400 ml of carbohydrates 8 and 2–3 h before surgery, respectively. Patients in the placebo group were given 800 and 400 ml of water 8 and 2–3 h before surgery, respectively. Patients in the fasting group did not consume any liquids. The main result is levels of inflammation markers. Secondary results included cellular immunity, comfort, body weight, grip index, and clinical results.

Results: Compared with the fasting group, the CHO group exhibited a decrease in interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels on days 1 and 7 (75.47 and 7.06 pg/mL, respectively), IL-8 levels on day 1 (274.61 pg/mL) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) levels on days 1, 3, and 7 (11.16, 9.55, and 9.67 pg/mL, respectively). The placebo group exhibited a decrease in IL-8 (390.26 pg/mL) and TNF levels (13.99 pg/mL) on day 1. Compared with the placebo group, the CHO group exhibited a decrease in IL-6 levels on day 1 and TNF levels on day 3. In the CHO and placebo groups, the thirst and hunger scores decreased on the morning of surgery.

Conclusion: Preoperative CHO and drinking water are associated with decreased levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF. CHO and water can also reduce thirst and hunger scores. Therefore, we recommend that patients without contraindications should be given 200–400 ml of fluid 2–3 h before surgery, preferably CHO.

Clinical Trial Registration:http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=21783&htm=4; ChiCTR-INR-17012867.