bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Their Associations With Quality of Life in a Nationwide Sample of Psychiatrists in China During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Li Mengdie , Xia Lei , Yang Yating , Zhang Ling , Zhang Shujing , Liu Tingfang , Liu Yuanli , Kaslow Nadine J. , Jiang Feng , Tang Yi-lang , Liu Huanzhong
Published: June 2022

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected wellbeing. However, the impact on the mental health status of Chinese psychiatrists and their relationship with quality of life (QOL) has not been examined.

Methods

This was a national cross-sectional survey performed between January 11 and March 15, 2021. Demographic and work-related data were collected anonymously using an online questionnaire. Common mental health symptoms and QOL were assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-Chinese version and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Schedule-Brief, respectively.

Results

A total of 3,783 psychiatrists completed this questionnaire. The prevalence of depressive, anxious, and stress symptoms were 26.7% (95%CI = 25.3–28.1%), 24.1% (95%CI = 22.8–25.5%), and 11.6% (95%CI = 10–12%), respectively. Moreover, 11.1% of the participants endorsed both depressive and anxious symptoms, and 8% endorsed symptoms in all three domains. Binary logistic regression showed that aged 30–39 years (OR = 1.5, P = 0.03), male gender (OR = 1.2, P = 0.04), single (OR = 1.44, P = 0.01), and having a negative perception of the COVID-19 on healthcare (OR = 2.34, P <0.001) were factors associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. Participants who were divorced and widowed (OR = 1.56, P = 0.03), worked more than 4 night shifts/month (OR = 1.33, P<0.001) and/or longer working years (OR = 1.71, P < 0.001), and had a negative perceived impact of the COVID-19 on healthcare (OR = 2.05, P < 0.001) were more inclined to experience anxious symptoms. In addition, psychiatrists with high QOL scores had lower odds of experiencing depressive, anxious, and stress symptoms (all P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of each of the three types of mental health symptoms was independently associated with lower QOL (all P < 0.05). In addition, the depression × anxious × stress interaction was significantly correlated with lower QOL (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Approximately one-fourth of psychiatrists in China experienced depressive and anxious symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more than one-tenth reported stress. Mental health symptoms were significant contributors to lower QOL. The psychological wellbeing of psychiatrists during the pandemic requires more attention, and interventions are needed to improve the psychological wellbeing and QOL of physicians who care for individuals with mental disorders.
Online Collaborative Documents as Media Logic: The Mediatization of Risk Response in the Post-pandemic Era
Authors: Jiang Hao , Zhang Yi , Guo Wodong , Cheng Wei , Peng Jian
Published: June 2022

Online collaborative documents (OCDs) have previously been the focus of office efficiency, but today they can be a special approach to risk response in public health and natural disaster situations. Studying the mediatization of the risk response by OCDs can help us understand the interaction between digital technologies, online users, and emotions in a post-pandemic world. A mixed-method design involving online ethnography and focus groups was employed to discuss OCD performance during the 2021 Henan flood. The empirical results indicate that four dimensions of technological affordances (i.e., editability, accessibility, activability, and normability) connected the functional features of the digital platform with users’ potential actions. Risk communication as a contextual element of media exposure and discursive practice provided a participatory and constructive framework for users’ gathering. Therefore, affective ties including anxiety, fear, and encouragement supported the affective publics’ mass deliberation and social mobilization. These findings provide an institutional lens for mediatization research to view OCD as media logic and reveal some methods that can be referred to for risk management and humanistic concerns globally.
Wellbeing as Capability: Findings in Hearing-Impaired Adolescents and Young Adults With a Hearing Aid or Cochlear Implant
Authors: Rijke Wouter J. , Vermeulen Anneke M. , Willeboer Christina , Knoors Harry E. T. , Langereis Margreet C. , van der Wilt Gert Jan
Published: June 2022

In the Western world, for deaf and hard-of-hearing children, hearing aids or cochlear implants are available to provide access to sound, with the overall goal of increasing their wellbeing. If and how this goal is achieved becomes increasingly multifarious when these children reach adolescence and young adulthood and start to participate in society in other ways. An approach to wellbeing that includes personal differences and the relative advantages and disadvantages that people have, is the capability approach, as developed by Nobel Prize laureate Amartya Sen. Capability is the set of real opportunities people have to do and be things they have reason to value. We interviewed 59 young people, aged 13 through 25, with cochlear implants (37) or hearing aids (22) to capture their capability. We found that their hearing devices enabled them to actively participate in a predominantly hearing society, with few differences between cochlear implant and hearing aid recipients. They did, however, report challenges associated with prejudices and expectations, and with feeling poorly understood, all of which appeared to impact their capability. Through the lens of capability, alleged differences between hearing aid and cochlear implant recipients began to fade. We discuss the implications for initiatives focused on the long-term support young recipients of hearing devices to meet their specific requirements over time.
Family Socioeconomic Status and Internalizing Problem Behavior Among Chinese Adolescents: The Chain Mediation Effect of Academic Performance and Peer Conflict
Authors: Wang Yangyang , Xie Tian , Xu Jian
Published: June 2022

This study aims to provide a new perspective on the relationship between family socioeconomic status (SES) and internalizing problem behavior (IPB) among adolescents. Many studies have focused on the relationship between family SES and IPB among adolescents; however, research on the underlying mechanism is still insufficient, and peer conflict has been ignored as a crucial social relationship factor for adolescents. This study identifies two new mediating variables and a chain mediating mechanism model between them. Using national longitudinal data from 2,467 adolescents aged 10–15 published in the China Family Panel Studies of wave 2018, this study found the following: (1) higher family SES can significantly reduce peer conflict and IPB among adolescents; (2) adolescents with better academic performance were less likely to be involved in peer conflict; (3) peer conflict mediated 30.41% of the relationship between family SES and adolescent’s IPB; and (4) there was a chain mediating mechanism, and the mediating effect of peer conflict was much stronger than the mediating effect of both academic performance and the chain mediation pathways. This is the first study to develop a chain mediation model to examine the roles of academic achievement and peer conflict in the relationship between family SES and IPB. These findings are significant in that they highlight the importance of providing adolescents with proper emotional de-escalation and peer conflict resolution strategies, contributing to the management of adolescent mental health in urban governance and rural development.
Preventing Knowledge Hiding Behaviors Through Workplace Friendship and Altruistic Leadership, and Mediating Role of Positive Emotions
Authors: He Ying , Wei Xiaoying
Published: June 2022

Studies related to knowledge hiding prevention are limited and need attention. Hence, the present study attempts to measure the direct impact of workplace friendship and altruistic leadership on preventing the knowledge hiding behavior; and also, in the presence of positive emotions. The study has also checked the mediating role of positive emotions in these relationships. The target population of the study is the employees working in the government sector (sample size of 496). The present study has employed quantitative research techniques for testing the hypotheses. Smart-PLS 3 software has been employed to run the partial least square structural equation modeling. Findings of the study have given major indications about the positive role of workplace friendship and altruistic leadership in preventing the hiding of knowledge among employees. It has also been revealed that positive emotions play a significant role in augmenting the relationship of workplace friendship and altruistic leadership with knowledge hiding behavior. This study adds a significant contribution to the body of knowledge by measuring the mediating role of positive emotions in decreasing the knowledge hiding behavior in the presence of workplace friendship and altruistic leadership.
Associations Between Personality Functioning, Childhood Trauma and Non-adherence in Cardiovascular Disease: A Psychodynamically-Informed Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Haller Karl , Fritzsche Stefan , Kruse Irina , O’Malley Grace , Ehrenthal Johannes C. , Stamm Thomas
Published: June 2022

Objective

Although treatment adherence and lifestyle changes significantly improve the prognosis of cardiovascular disease, many patients do not comply with clinician recommendations. Personality functioning appears to be of importance and is hypothesized to be superior to symptom-based measures in explaining individual differences in non-adherence.

Methods

194 cardiology inpatients (mean age = 70.6 years, 60% male) were assessed using self-report measures in a cross-sectional design. Patients were assessed using the short version of the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis Structure Questionnaire (OPD-SQS) to measure personality functioning, as well as the Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for symptoms of depression, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7). To assess non-adherence we introduced a brief, novel scale.

Results

Non-adherence correlated significant with personality functioning (r = 0.325), childhood trauma (r = 0.204) and depressiveness (r = 0.225). In a stepwise multiple regression analysis with socio-demographic variables inputted into the model, higher deficits in personality functioning, higher levels of childhood trauma, and male gender were associated with non-adherence (adjusted R2 = 0.149, F(3,190) = 12.225, p < 0.01). Level of depressive symptoms, anxiety, age, education, and income showed no significant additional predictive value and were excluded from the model.

Conclusion

In cardiovascular disease, personality functioning, childhood trauma and male gender are associated with non-adherence and appear to be more important than symptom reports of depression and anxiety. This highlights the relevance of basic impairments in intra- and interpersonal functioning in chronic disease, where the patient’s adherence is central.
Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in Argentinian Population: Vaccination Is Associated With a Decrease in Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Benedetti Pedro , Barbuzza Alejo , Moscato Franco , Reppucci Victoria , Goyeneche Celina , Katche Cynthia , Medina Jorge H. , Viola Haydee , Ballarini Fabricio , Moncada Diego
Published: June 2022

Background

Since the irruption of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) the planet has submerged in a time of concern and uncertainty, with a direct impact on people's mental health. Moreover, the recurrent outbreaks that periodically harry different regions of the world constantly refocus people's concerns to the pandemic. Yet, each new wave heats the diverse countries in different situations, including the advances in their vaccination campaigns. In this research, we studied the levels of the general anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression in the Argentine population across the first and second waves of infections that occurred in our country.

Methods

We conducted an on-line survey, within each peak of the pandemic. People were asked to self-report GAD and depression symptoms using the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 questioners, inform their vaccination status, the frequency they performed physical activity as well as working condition and modality. Here, we identified the more vulnerable groups and evaluated factors that could mitigate the rise of these mental disorders, focusing on vaccination.

Results

Our data shows that reported GAD and depression levels were higher during the second wave than during the first one. More importantly, vaccinated people were less depressed than non-vaccinated people, while GAD levels remained equivalent in both groups. Other factors directly associated with lower GAD and depression levels were performing frequent physical activity and being employed, regardless of the employment modality. These observations were replicated in different age ranges and genders.

Conclusion

This work evidences GAD and depression in different pandemic waves in Argentina, as well the factors that may contribute to reducing the magnitude of these disorders, including vaccination.
Mental Health Survey of Social Entrepreneurs During COVID-19: A Study From Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Nida , Li Baoming
Published: June 2022

Background

COVID-19 is widely considered one of the worst pandemics in history, resulting in worldwide lockdowns, social isolation, unemployment, and economic recession. With the prolongation of COVID-19, numerous people experience stress, depression, and other mental health challenges. Recently, several studies have been documented in the literature on mental health issues among students (related to medical or other fields), teachers, medical personnel, and nurses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, social entrepreneurs (SEs) have received insufficient attention. This study aims to conduct an online survey in Pakistan's five major cities to investigate more about the mental health status of social entrepreneurs.

Materials and Methods

An online survey which included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) was employed to collect data. The data analyses were carried out employing descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and multiple regression analyses.

Results

A total of 840 social entrepreneurs from Pakistan participated in the survey. Among these, 366 (43.6%) were female and 474 (56.4%) were male. The findings revealed that 709 (84%) social entrepreneurs were suffering from depression symptoms, and 600 (80%) were suffering from anxiety symptoms. The majority of social entrepreneurs with depression (N = 546) and anxiety (N = 567) had mild and moderate stages. In addition, optional open-ended questions were asked from SE participants that help to understand their perception and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

The study concluded that several SEs in major cities of Pakistan were experiencing depression and anxiety symptoms. Based on data analysis, male SEs were highly suffering from depression and anxiety than female SEs. Limited resources and changes in customers' behavior were one of the major problems that lead SEs to depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 epidemic. In addition, SEs revealed that the lack of a social business execution policy is the most distressing factor for them. Therefore, a local government must take rigorous precautionary measures to prevent mental health issues among social entrepreneurs. Moreover, the Government of Pakistan needs to adopt supportive policies to assist social entrepreneurs in stressful circumstances.
Cognitive Impairment and Its Associated Factors in Older Adults Living in High and Low Altitude Areas: A Comparative Study
Authors: Liu Shou , Wang Fei , Zhang Cheng , Zhang Qinge , Dang Zhan-Cui , Ng Chee H. , Xiang Yu-Tao
Published: June 2022

Background

Cognitive impairment is a major health concern in older adults. Few studies have examined the association between environmental factors and cognitive impairment, especially in high altitude areas. In this study, the prevalence of cognitive impairment in older adults living in high altitude was compared with those living in low altitude areas.

Methods

This was a comparative study conducted at Qinghai (high altitude group), and Guangzhou (low altitude group), China. Cognition, depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL) were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and WHO Quality of Life brief version–WHOQOL-BREF, respectively.

Results

Altogether, 644 older adults (207 in Qinghai and 437 in Guangzhou) completed the assessment. The prevalence rate of cognitive impairment was 94.7% (95% CI: 91.6–97.7%) in older adults living in the high altitude area, while the corresponding figure was 89.2% (95% CI: 86.3–92.1%) in the low altitude area. After controlling for covariates, the high altitude group appeared more likely to have cognitive impairment (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.23–6.91, P = 0.015) compared with the low altitude group. Within the high altitude group sample, multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that older age (aged 74 and above) was significantly associated with higher risk of severe cognitive impairment (OR = 3.58, 95%CI: 1.44–8.93, P = 0.006), while higher education level (secondary school and above) was associated with decreased risk of moderate cognitive impairment (OR = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.22–0.85, P = 0.006). Within the high altitude group, QOL did not differ significantly between normal/mild, moderate and severe cognitive impairment subgroups across physical [F(1, 207) = 1.83, P = 0.163], psychological [F(1, 207) = 1.50, P = 0.225], social [F(1,207) = 2.22, P = 0.111] and environmental domains [F(1,207) = 0.49, P = 0.614].

Conclusion

This study found that cognitive impairment was more common among older adults living in the high altitude area. Regular screening and appropriate interventions should be provided to older adults in need.
Exploring the Personal Recovery Construct in Bipolar Disorders: Definition, Usage and Measurement. A Systematic Review
Authors: Chirio-Espitalier Marion , Schreck Benoit , Duval Melanie , Hardouin Jean-Benoit , Moret Leila , Bronnec Marie Grall
Published: June 2022

Personal recovery from psychiatric disorders is a journey toward a satisfying and hopeful life despite the possible persistence of symptoms. This concept has gained interest and become an increasingly important goal in mental health care programmes. Personal Recovery is well described in the context of severe mental illnesses in general, but little is known about this journey in bipolar disorders and the factors underlying it. A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA recommendations, focusing on studies exploring personal recovery in bipolar disorder specifically. The latter have integrated a comprehensive approach to the concept, the existing means of measurement or have explored the levers of recovery in care. Twenty-four articles were selected, including seven qualitative, 12 observational, and five interventional studies. The Bipolar Recovery Questionnaire was the only scale developed de novo from qualitative work with bipolar people. Personal recovery did not correlate very closely with symptomatology. Some elements of personal recovery in bipolar disorder were similar to those in other severe mental illnesses: meaning in life, self-determination, hope, and low self-stigma. Specific levers differed: mental relationships with mood swings, including acceptance and decrease in hypervigilance, and openness to others, including trust and closeness. The studies highlighted the role of caregiver posture and the quality of communication within care, as well as the knowledge gained from peers. The choice to exclude articles not focused on bipolar disorder resulted in the provision of very specific information, and the small number of articles to date may limit the scope of the evidence. New components of personal recovery in bipolar disorder emerged from this review; these components could be taken into account in the construction of care tools, as well as in the caregiving posture. Strengthening skills of openness to others could also be a central target of recovery-focused care.
A Role for Data Science in Precision Nutrition and Early Brain Development
Authors: Morton Sarah U. , Leyshon Brian J. , Tamilia Eleonora , Vyas Rutvi , Sisitsky Michaela , Ladha Imran , Lasekan John B. , Kuchan Matthew J. , Grant P. Ellen , Ou Yangming
Published: June 2022

Multimodal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide biomarkers of early influences on neurodevelopment such as nutrition, environmental and genetic factors. As the exposure to early influences can be separated from neurodevelopmental outcomes by many months or years, MRI markers can serve as an important intermediate outcome in multivariate analyses of neurodevelopmental determinants. Key to the success of such work are recent advances in data science as well as the growth of relevant data resources. Multimodal MRI assessment of neurodevelopment can be supplemented with other biomarkers of neurodevelopment such as electroencephalograms, magnetoencephalogram, and non-imaging biomarkers. This review focuses on how maternal nutrition impacts infant brain development, with three purposes: (1) to summarize the current knowledge about how nutrition in stages of pregnancy and breastfeeding impact infant brain development; (2) to discuss multimodal MRI and other measures of early neurodevelopment; and (3) to discuss potential opportunities for data science and artificial intelligence to advance precision nutrition. We hope this review can facilitate the collaborative march toward precision nutrition during pregnancy and the first year of life.
The Relationship Among BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism, Plasma BDNF Level, and Trait Anxiety in Chinese Patients With Panic Disorder
Authors: Chu Lijun , Sun Xia , Jia Xiaoju , Li Dazhi , Gao Ping , Zhang Yong , Li Jie
Published: June 2022

Background

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a candidate for susceptibility locus of Panic disorder (PD). However, the findings about the role of the BDNF Val66Met variant in PD were not consistent. Till now, the relationship between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and anxiety-related traits in PD patients has been rarely explored. This study aimed to explore the relationship among BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, plasma BDNF level and anxiety-related trait in Chinese PD patients.

Method

This multi-center study included 116 PD patients and 99 health controls. We detected single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of BDNF rs6265 (Val66Met) and BDNF plasma level in the two groups. In addition, PD patients were administered the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Panic Disorder Severity Scale-Chinese Version (PDSS-CV) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA-14). Quantitative comparison of the differences of BDNF concentration among subjects with different genotypes and association between BDNF Val66Met genotype and trait anxiety were performed.

Results

There were no significant differences in the genotype frequency (p = 0.79) or allele frequency (p = 0.88) between PD patients and health controls. BDNF plasma levels of PD patients were significantly lower than those in control group (p = 0.003). BDNF plasma levels of the Met/Met genotype were significantly lower than those of Val/Met genotype in PD patients (p = 0.033). PD patients carried Met/Met genotype showed significantly higher scores in STAI trait compared to those carried Val/Val genotype (p = 0.045) and Val/Met genotype (p = 0.018). STAI trait scores of PD patients with agoraphobia were significantly higher than those of patients without agoraphobia (p < 0.05). The ANCOVA showed that the dependent variable STAI trait score was significantly affected by factor “genotype” (Val/Val, Val/Met, Met/Met, p = 0.029), and covariate “agoraphobia” (p = 0.008). In this model, 11.5% of the variance of the STAI trait score was explained by the BDNF genotype. Contrast analysis showed STAI trait scores of Met/Met subjects were significantly higher than those of Val/Met (p = 0.018) and Val/Val individuals (p = 0.045).

Conclusion

We found that anxiety trait was associated with the BDNF polymorphism in PD patients. BDNF Met/Met genotype may decrease plasma BDNF level and increase trait anxiety in panic disorder.
The Implementation Process of Two Evidence-Based Protocols: A Spatial Neglect Network Initiative
Authors: Hreha Kimberly , Barrett A. M. , Gillen Robert W. , Gonzalez-Snyder Chris , Masmela Jenny , Chen Peii
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Spatial neglect, a neurocognitive disorder of lateralized spatial attention, is prevalent among stroke survivors especially in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs). The ultimate goal of the project was to improve spatial neglect care in inpatient rehabilitation and trained as many OTs as possible using both tools in their regular practices as the means to achieve our overall objective. Therefore, we conducted a project aimed at implementing two evidence-based protocols, one for assessment (KF-NAP®) and the other for treatment (KF-PAT®), and share the implementation process, which included barriers and facilitators identified during and after the process, and implementation outcomes.

Methods

Sixteen IRFs were involved. The Knowledge-To-Action Cycle was used to describe the process of knowledge inquiry (training), translating knowledge (implementation) and evaluating the use of knowledge in clinical practice (outcomes). Barriers and strategies were reported using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and identified through a survey, after the study concluded.

Results

Thirty-two therapists at the participating sites were trained to some level of the KF-NAP and KF-PAT. Throughout the project and also once after it finished, different barriers were identified by researchers and clinicians, who then determined together actions to eliminate or minimize the barriers. For example, multiple sites reported: “not having time to train other staff at their hospital due to high patient volume and other responsibilities.”

Discussion

The project shared our implementation process which demonstrated the importance of using implementation methods and incorporating a researcher-clinician partnership, not only for knowledge generation but also knowledge translation. Frequent communications and exchanging information with stakeholders at different levels, may be determinant to the success of each implementation phase. Further research is needed.
Network Layer Analysis for a RL-Based Robotic Reaching Task
Authors: Feldotto Benedikt , Lengenfelder Heiko , Röhrbein Florian , Knoll Alois C.
Published: June 2022

Recent experiments indicate that pretraining of end-to-end reinforcement learning neural networks on general tasks can speed up the training process for specific robotic applications. However, it remains open if these networks form general feature extractors and a hierarchical organization that can be reused as in, for example, convolutional neural networks. In this study, we analyze the intrinsic neuron activation in networks trained for target reaching of robot manipulators with increasing joint number and analyze the individual neuron activation distribution within the network. We introduce a pruning algorithm to increase network information density and depict correlations of neuron activation patterns. Finally, we search for projections of neuron activation among networks trained for robot kinematics of different complexity. As a result, we show that the input and output network layers entail more distinct neuron activation in contrast to inner layers. Our pruning algorithm reduces the network size significantly and increases the distance of neuron activation while keeping a high performance in training and evaluation. Our results demonstrate that robots with small difference in joint number show higher layer-wise projection accuracy, whereas more distinct robot kinematics reveal dominant projections to the first layer.
Scalable Fabrication and Actuation of a Human Inspired Hand Through 3D Printed Flexures and Combinatorial Actuation
Authors: Bosio Carlo , Junge Kai , Hughes Josie
Published: June 2022

The fabrication and control of robot hands with biologically inspired structure remains challenging due to its cost and complexity. In this paper we explore how widely available FDM printers can be used to fabricate complex hand structures by leveraging compliant PLA flexures. In particular, we focus on the fabrication of fingers printed as a single piece with tunable compliance, a multi degree of freedom thumb joint, and sensorized compliant fingertips. To address the challenge of control and actuation, we model the behavior of the flexure joints and propose a new method for control: combinatorial actuation. This control method combines the use of a single continuous actuated tendon per finger with two shared “combinatorial” actuators which act across all fingers. We demonstrate that the fingertip workspace using this method is comparable to fully actuated fingers while using significantly less independent actuators. The proposed approach of fabrication and combinatorial actuation provides a rapid and scalable method of designing and controlling complex manipulators.
Sustainability in Industry 4.0 Business Practice: Insights From a Multinational Technology Company
Authors: Mayer Claude-Hélène , Oosthuizen Rudolf M.
Published: June 2022

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) needs new business practices, which focus on its positive impacts and sustainability. This article presents original empirical research from a multinational engineering company operating in South Africa and the challenges that area managers experience in this organization. It explores the meaning and meaning-making in times of organizational change and transformation within the South African business context. The authors present findings which present the 4IR and sustainability issues in the company and themes which are identified, such as speed, effectivity, and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE). However, findings also indicate that emotions and the human touch are key in technologising work environments. The study further denotes that sustainable business practice requires the constant development of skills and knowledge of employees, as well as the systemic integration of the ecological environment and the care for the eco-system.
Identifying and Coding Behavioral Indicators of Social Presence With a Social Presence Behavioral Coding System
Authors: Hayes Aleshia Taylor , Hughes Charles E. , Bailenson Jeremy
Published: June 2022

Social presence, the sense of connection with another, is more important than ever as teachers, healthcare providers, and other professionals are using immersive tools to facilitate the social interaction for education, training, therapy and collaboration between geographically distributed humans and surrogates (avatars, agents, or robots). Leading researchers cite the subjective nature of the traditional self-report measures of social presence and the absence of a standardized approach to measuring social presence as a constraint to gaining deeper understanding of user’s experiences of emerging and existing tools. This discourse highlights behavioral indicators of social presence that have been identified over decades across disciplines from psychology, communication, computer science, education, and engineering. The authors explicate the behavioral themes of social presence and describe a classification system grounded in exogenic and endogenic themes of social presence. This article goes on to describe the design of a social presence behavioral coding system (SPBCS) instrument that provides a structure to coding behaviors associated with a users’ experience of social presence. The behavioral coding system described in this paper is the first step in creating a robust standardized approach to quantifying social presence through behavioral, physiological, and subjective indicators that ultimately may replace the current standard subjective approaches to describing the user’s experience in all realities.
Jogging in Your Avatar’s Footsteps: The Effects of Avatar Customization and Control Intuitiveness
Authors: Rheu Minjin MJ , Ratan Rabindra , Sah Young June , Cherchiglia Leticia , Day Tom
Published: June 2022

This study examined the effects of customization and intuitiveness of control on the feeling of identification and embodiment, and the actual running performance of game players after playing a digital runner game developed for this research. A 2 (avatar design: customized vs. not customized) × 2 (avatar controls: intuitive vs. not intuitive) within-subjects experiment (N = 44) found that playing the game with a customized avatar increased identification with and embodiment in the avatar. However, using unintuitive controls with a customized avatar diminished the feeling of identification. Customizing an avatar increased identification with and embodiment in the avatar. However, using unintuitive controls with a customized avatar diminished the feeling of identification. Further, participants’ running performance was significantly hindered in the customized avatar and unintuitive controls condition, compared to the other conditions. The expectation that identification and embodiment would mediate the effect of avatar customization and control intuitiveness on physical activity was not supported. Together, these results suggest that avatar customization and control intuitiveness should be prioritized when designers intend to use video games to promote post-game physical activity.
Cropland Net Ecosystem Exchange Estimation for the Inland Pampas (Argentina) Using EVI, Land Cover Maps, and Eddy Covariance Fluxes
Authors: Marconato Ulises , Fernández Roberto J. , Posse Gabriela
Published: June 2022

Estimations of Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) are crucial to assess the carbon sequestration/carbon source capacity of agricultural systems. Although several global models have been built to describe carbon flux patterns based on flux tower data, South American ecosystems (and croplands in particular) are underrepresented in the databases used to calibrate these models, leading to large uncertainties in regional and global NEE estimation. Despite the fact that almost half of the land surface is used worldwide for agricultural activities, these models still do not include variables related to cropland management. Using enhanced vegetation index (EVI) derived from MODIS imagery (250 m) and monthly CO2 exchange from a 9-year record of an eddy covariance (EC) flux tower in a crop field in the Inland Pampas region, we developed regression models to predict monthly NEE. We tested whether including a term for crop identity/land cover as a categorical variable (maize, soybean, wheat, and fallow) could improve model capability in capturing monthly NEE dynamics. NEE measured at the flux tower site was scaled to croplands across the Inland Pampa using crop-type maps, from which annual NEE maps were generated for the 2018–2019, 2019–2020, and 2020–2021 agricultural campaigns. The model based solely on EVI showed to be a good predictor of monthly NEE for the study region (r2 = 0.78), but model adjustment was improved by including a term for crop identity (r2 = 0.83). A second set of maps was generated taking into account carbon exports during harvest to estimate Net Biome Productivity (NBP) at the county level. Crops across the region as a whole acted as a carbon sink during the three studied campaigns, although with highly heterogeneous spatial and temporal patterns. Between 60% and 80% of the carbon sequestered was exported during harvest, a large decrease from the carbon sequestration capacity estimated using just NEE, which further decreased if fossil carbon emissions from agricultural supplies are taken into account. Estimates presented in this study are a first step towards upscaling carbon fluxes at the regional scale in a South American cropland area, and could help to improve regional to global estimations of carbon fluxes and refine national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories.
Flowing Gas Experiments Reveal Mechanistic Details of Interfacial Reactions on a Molecular Level at Knudsen Flow Conditions
Authors: Iannarelli Riccardo , Ludwig Christian , Rossi Michel J.
Published: June 2022

Knudsen flow experiments and its interpretation in terms of adsorption/desorption kinetics as well as quantitative uptake on substrates of interest is presented together with the description of critical design parameters of the Knudsen Flow Reactor (KFR). Hitherto focused almost exclusively on the uptake phase exposing a virgin substrate to interacting gases, we now extend the experiment and its interpretation to the desorption phase at ambient temperature. We present analytical expressions for different experimental situations in terms of adsorption (ka), desorption (kd) and effusion (ke) rate constants. The measurement of kd leads to surface residence times (1/kd) obtained under the same experimental conditions as the uptake (ka) that results in the determination of the Langmuir equilibrium constant KL = ka/kd. We emphasize the interaction of semivolatile organic probe gases and small polar molecules with amorphous carbon and mineral dust materials at ambient temperatures. The latter leads to a molecular characterization scheme based on the use of up to ten different reactive probe gases. After saturation of the uptake of each probe gas this results in a reactivity map of the interface. Several examples are used to underline the broad applicability of the technique such as the silver/air (Ag) interface and the reactivity of TiO2 materials towards uptake of CO2 and CH3OH. Following characterization of several types of amorphous carbon a model incorporating several structural elements in agreement with the reactive gas titration is proposed. For instance, an interface that is at the same time weakly basic and strongly reducing is composed of pyrones and hydroquinones whose simultaneous occurrence leads to stable free radicals that may play a role in atmospheric chemistry (EPFR). The question is raised what makes an interface hydrophobic in terms of surface functional groups when interacting with small polar molecules such as H2O(D2O), HCl, NO2 and NH2OH. Multidiagnostic studies of heterogeneous reactions are enabled using stirred-flow reactors (SRF) that are a logical extension of the KFR approach thus relaxing the Knudsen flow requirements. Previous work using SRF on low-temperature substrates such as H2O ices is highlighted that may be of interest to the exoplanetary and space sciences community.
Visuomotor Adaptation of Lower Extremity Movements During Virtual Ball-Kicking Task
Authors: Moriyama Mai , Kouzaki Motoki , Hagio Shota
Published: June 2022

Sophisticated soccer players can skillfully manipulate a ball with their feet depending on the external environment. This ability of goal-directed control in the lower limbs has not been fully elucidated, although upper limb movements have been studied extensively using motor adaptation tasks. The purpose of this study was to clarify how the goal-directed movements of the lower limbs is acquired by conducting an experiment of visuomotor adaptation in ball-kicking movements. In this study, healthy young participants with and without experience playing soccer or futsal performed ball-kicking movements. They were instructed to move a cursor representing the right foot position and shoot a virtual ball to a target on a display in front of them. During the learning trials, the trajectories of the virtual ball were rotated by 15° either clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the actual ball direction. As a result, participants adapted their lower limb movements to novel visuomotor perturbation regardless of the soccer playing experience, and changed their whole trajectories not just the kicking position during adaptation. These results indicate that the goal-directed lower limb movements can be adapted to the novel environment. Moreover, it was suggested that fundamental structure of visuomotor adaptation is common between goal-directed movements in the upper and lower limbs.
Modelling the Effects of Medium-Chain Triglycerides on Cerebral Ketone Body Metabolism
Authors: Espina Abigail , Mendoza Eduardo , Lao Angelyn
Published: June 2022

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes drastic structural brain atrophy and affects multiple brain functions. Cerebral glucose hypometabolism, associated with senile plaque density formation, is a pre-symptomatic feature of AD and significantly contributes to AD’s future development and progression. As cerebral glucose metabolism gradually slows down due to advanced aging, a healthy adult brain experiences an 8% decrease in cerebral glucose metabolic rate (CGMR) compared to a decline of 20%–40% CGMR in AD patients. To bridge the increasing brain energy gap caused by glucose hypometabolism, ketone bodies (KBs) are used as a supplementary source of energy as cerebral KB metabolism remains unaffected in AD patients. Ketogenic interventions such as Medium-Chain Triglyceride (MCT)-induced treatment can help augment the brain’s energy source availability and might delay further cognitive decline. With this, we constructed a mathematical model on cerebral glucose and KB metabolism to illustrate the drastic effects of glucose hypometabolism on healthy aging individuals, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) subjects, and AD patients. Through the generated simulations, we have shown that KB concentration levels rise during prolonged starvation, and in consideration of glucose hypometabolism, MCT-induced intervention increases the concentration levels of acetyl-CoA (AC) in MCI/AD patients. Furthermore, MCT-induced supplement helps increase the AC concentration levels in healthy adults under normal conditions.
Immunization of Cattle With Recombinant Structural Ectodomains I and II of Babesia bovis Apical Membrane Antigen 1 [BbAMA-1(I/II)] Induces Strong Th1 Immune Response
Authors: Rittipornlertrak Amarin , Nambooppha Boondarika , Muenthaisong Anucha , Apinda Nisachon , Koonyosying Pongpisid , Srisawat Wanwisa , Chomjit Paweena , Sangkakam Kanokwan , Punyapornwithaya Veerasak , Tiwananthagorn Saruda , Yokoyama Naoaki , Sthitmatee Nattawooti
Published: June 2022

Both strong innate and adaptive immune responses are an important component of protection against intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites. Resistance to bovine babesiosis is associated with interferon (IFN)-γ mediated responses. CD4+ T cells and macrophages have been identified as major effector cells mediating the clearance of pathogens. Previously, the apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) was found to significantly induce the immune response inhibiting B. bovis merozoite growth and invasion. However, a detailed characterization of both humoral and cellular immune responses against the structure of B. bovis AMA-1 (BbAMA-1) has not yet been established. Herein, the present study aimed to express the recombinant BbAMA-1 domain I+II protein [rBbAMA-1(I/II)], which is the most predominant immune response region, and to characterize its immune response. As a result, cattle vaccinated with BbAMA-1(I/II) significantly developed high titters of total immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies and a high ratio of IgG2/IgG1 when compared to control groups. Interestingly, the BbAMA-1(I/II)-based formulations produced in our study could elicit CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells producing IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Collectively, the results indicate that immunization of cattle with BbAMA-1(I/II) could induce strong Th1 cell responses. In support of this, we observed the up-regulation of Th1 cytokine mRNA transcripts, including IFN-γ, TNF-α, Interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-12, in contrast to down regulation of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10, which would be indicative of a Th2 cytokine response. Moreover, the up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was observed. In conclusion, this is the first report on the in-depth immunological characterization of the response to BbAMA-1. According to our results, BbAMA-1 is recognized as a potential candidate vaccine against B. bovis infection. As evidenced by the Th1 cell response, it could potentially provide protective immunity. However, further challenge-exposure with virulent B. bovis strain in immunized cattle would be needed to determine its protective efficacy.
Activated Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy for Treatment of Multi-Drug Resistant Bacterial Infections in Dogs
Authors: Johnson Valerie , Chow Lyndah , Harrison Jacqueline , Soontararak Sirikul , Dow Steven
Published: June 2022

New and creative approaches are required to treat chronic infections caused by increasingly drug-resistant strains of bacteria. One strategy is the use of cellular therapy employing mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) to kill bacteria directly and to also activate effective host immunity to infection. We demonstrated previously that activated MSC delivered systemically could be used effectively together with antibiotic therapy to clear chronic biofilm infections in rodent models. Therefore, we sought in the current studies to gain new insights into the antimicrobial properties of activated canine MSC and to evaluate their effectiveness as a novel cellular therapy for treatment of naturally-occurring drug resistant infections in dogs. These studies revealed that canine MSC produce and secrete antimicrobial peptides that synergize with most classes of common antibiotics to trigger rapid bactericidal activity. In addition, activated canine MSC migrated more efficiently to inflammatory stimuli, and secreted factors associated with wound healing and fibroblast proliferation and recruitment of activated neutrophils. Macrophages incubated with conditioned medium from activated MSC developed significantly enhanced bactericidal activity. Clinical studies in dogs with chronic multidrug resistant infections treated by repeated i.v. delivery of activated, allogeneic MSC demonstrated significant clinical benefit, including infection clearance and healing of infected tissues. Taken together, the results of these studies provide new insights into antimicrobial activity of canine MSC, and their potential clinical utility for management of chronic, drug-resistant infections.
Landing Performance Study for Four Wheels Twin Tandem Landing Gear Based on Drop Test
Authors: Fang Wei , Zhu Lingang , Wang Youshan
Published: June 2022

The drop tests of a twin tandem landing gear with different filling parameters are carried out in two different landing attitudes (level and tail-down). The overload coefficient and power absorption efficiency are obtained. Curves of dynamic oscillation and pressure change for the pitch damper are obtained. The results show that twin tandem landing gear has a good ability to absorb the work of landing impact. Under landing weight, the vertical overload coefficients during level landing and tail-down landing are 1.14 and 1.07, respectively, when the corresponding efficiencies of its buffer system are 80.9% and 83.3%. During tail-down landing, the work absorbed by the pitch damper accounts for only 14.9% of the maximum pitching kinetic energy of the trolley. When the orifice diameter of the pitch damper keeps the same, its peak axial load does not change significantly with the change of its initial pressure. When the initial pressure of the pitch damper keeps the same, the decrease of its orifice diameter is beneficial to the vibration attenuation of the trolley. The smaller recoil channel may lead to a significant increase in the peak pressure of the pitch damper, which should be a consideration in its design.