bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The PDAC Extracellular Matrix: A Review of the ECM Protein Composition, Tumor Cell Interaction, and Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Perez Vincent M. , Kearney Joseph F. , Yeh Jen Jen
Published: October 2021

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is notorious for a dense fibrotic stroma that is interlaced with a collagen-based extracellular matrix (ECM) that plays an important role in tumor biology. Traditionally thought to only provide a physical barrier from host responses and systemic chemotherapy, new studies have demonstrated that the ECM maintains biomechanical and biochemical properties of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and restrains tumor growth. Recent studies have shown that the ECM augments tumor stiffness, interstitial fluid pressure, cell-to-cell junctions, and microvascularity using a mix of biomechanical and biochemical signals to influence tumor fate for better or worse. In addition, PDAC tumors have been shown to use ECM-derived peptide fragments as a nutrient source in nutrient-poor conditions. While collagens are the most abundant proteins found in the ECM, several studies have identified growth factors, integrins, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans in the ECM. This review focuses on the dichotomous nature of the PDAC ECM, the types of collagens and other proteins found in the ECM, and therapeutic strategies targeting the PDAC ECM.
Mechanical Stimulus-Related Risk Signature Plays a Key Role in the Prognostic Nomogram For Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Xu Xin , Li Xingchen , Zhou Jingyi , Wang Jianliu
Published: October 2021

Background

Tumor biomechanics correlates with the progression and prognosis of endometrial carcinoma (EC). The objective of this study is to construct a risk model using the mechanical stimulus-related genes in EC.

Methods

We retrieved the transcriptome profiling and clinical data of EC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB). Differentially expressed mechanical stimulus-related genes were extracted from the databases, and then the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was used to construct a risk model. A nomogram integrating the genes and the clinicopathological characteristics was established and validated using the Kaplan-Meier survival and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to estimate the overall survival (OS) of EC patients. Protein profiling technology and immunofluorescence technique were performed to verify the connection between biomechanics and EC.

Results

In total, 79 mechanical stimulus-related genes were identified by analyzing the two databases. Based on the LASSO regression analysis, 7 genes were selected for the establishment of the risk model. This model showed a good performance in terms of the prognostic accuracy in high- and low-risk groups. The area under the ROC curves (AUC) of this model was 0.697, 0.712 and 0.723 for 3-, 5- and 7-year OS, respectively. Then, a nomogram integrating the genes of the risk model and clinical features was constructed. The nomogram could accurately predict the OS (AUC = 0.779, 0.812 and 0.806 for 3-, 5- and 7-year OS, respectively). The results of the protein profiling technology and immunofluorescence revealed the expression of cytoskeleton proteins to be correlated with the Matrigel stiffness degree.

Conclusions

In summary, a risk model of 7 mechanical stimulus-related genes was identified in EC. A nomogram based on this risk model and combining the clinicopathological features to assess the overall survival of EC showed high practical value.
The Dynamic Effect of Non-CYP3A4-Metabolized and CYP3A4-Metabolized Statins on Clopidogrel Resistance in Patients With Cerebral Infarction
Authors: Shi Hong Ting , Chen Yong Yuan , Li Xiao Ying , Luo Jian Hua , Zhong Guang Hong , Hu Jia Jia , Zhang Min , Zhou Bo Rong
Published: October 2021

Objective: To explore the treatment effect of statins used together with clopidogrel on cerebral infarction (CI).

Methods: One hundred and thirty non-clopidogrel resistant patients were divided into a dynamic clopidogrel resistant (DCR) group and a continuous Non clopidogrel resistance (NCR) group. Patients were randomly assigned to AC group (atorvastatin 40 mg/d + clopidogrel, 51 patients) and RC group (rosuvastatin 20 mg/d + clopidogrel, 47 patients). The patient’s platelet aggregation rate (PAR) was measured on visit 0 (baseline), visit 1 (1 week after clopidogrel alone treatment), and visits 2 to 4 (one, three, and 6 months after clopidogrel plus statins treatment). The platelet reactivity index (PRI) was assessed on visits 0, 2, and 4, and clopidogrel thiol metabolite (H4) levels was measured on visits 2 and 4. DNA sequencing was used to determine CYP3A4, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 genotypes in all patients.

Results: PAR, PRI, and H4 levels, DCR ratio, and the genotype frequencies of CYP2C9*3εC, CYP2C19*2εA, and CYP2C19*3εA of both groups were similar (p > 0.05). CYP2C19εA *2 and *3 were independent risk factors for DCR (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Clopidogrel combined with atorvastatin does not affect platelet inhibition and does not increase the incidence of DCR. The incidence of DCR in the Chinese population is high and is related to CYP2C19εA.
Pharmacogenomics Factors Influencing the Effect of Risperidone on Prolactin Levels in Thai Pediatric Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Hongkaew Yaowaluck , Gaedigk Andrea , Wilffert Bob , Gaedigk Roger , Kittitharaphan Wiranpat , Ngamsamut Nattawat , Limsila Penkhae , Puangpetch Apichaya , Sukprasong Rattanaporn , Sukasem Chonlaphat
Published: October 2021

We investigated the association between genetic variations in pharmacodynamic genes and risperidone-induced increased prolactin levels in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In a retrospective study, variants of pharmacodynamic genes were analyzed in 124 ASD patients treated with a risperidone regimen for at least 3 months. To simplify genotype interpretation, we created an algorithm to calculate the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene genetic risk score. There was no relationship between prolactin levels and single SNPs. However, the H1/H3 diplotype (A2/A2-Cin/Cin-A/G) of DRD2/ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 (ANKK1) Taq1A, DRD2 -141C indel, and DRD2 -141A>G, which had a genetic risk score of 5.5, was associated with the highest median prolactin levels (23 ng/ml). As the dose-corrected plasma levels of risperidone, 9-OH-risperidone, and the active moiety increased, prolactin levels in patients carrying the H1/H3 diplotype were significantly higher than those of the other diplotypes. DRD2 diplotypes showed significantly high prolactin levels as plasma risperidone levels increased. Lower levels of prolactin were detected in patients who responded to risperidone. This is the first system for describing DRD2 haplotypes using genetic risk scores based on their protein expression. Clinicians should consider using pharmacogenetic-based decision-making in clinical practice to prevent prolactin increase.
Investigation of Barriers and Facilitators to Medication Adherence in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Across Different Health Literacy Levels: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Huang Yen-Ming , Shiyanbola Olayinka O.
Published: October 2021

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) incurs tremendous healthcare costs associated with various complications due to poor blood sugar control. Medication adherence, which is correlated with patients’ health literacy, should be consistently practiced to achieve optimal control of blood sugar. A comprehensive understanding of specific communication and psychosocial factors related to medication-taking behaviors across different levels of health literacy among people with T2D will guide the development of effective interventions and strategies to enhance medication adherence. To understand barriers and facilitators to medication adherence in people with T2D across different health literacy levels, the Health Literacy Pathway Model was used to identify the psychosocial and communication factors that may influence medication adherence. This mixed methods study used an explanatory sequential design, including a quantitative survey followed by qualitative semi-structured interviews. Two hundred and five participants completed the survey questionnaire, and 23 participants completed semi-structured interviews. Confirmed by quantitative and qualitative data, having stronger self-efficacy and fewer concerns about medications, as well as experiencing fewer perceived barriers to medication-taking, are necessary for better medication adherence among those with low adherence. Our findings will be useful to tailor interventions for diabetes care through addressing concerns among low-adherent patients with low health literacy and emphasizing self-efficacy and perceived barriers to medication adherence among all low-adherent patients with T2D.
Allergic Inflammation Caused by Dimerized Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein is Attenuated by Cardamonin
Authors: Pyun Haejun , Nam Joo-Won , Cho Hyunsoo , Park Jiyoung , Seo Eun Kyoung , Lee Kyunglim
Published: October 2021

We demonstrated in our previous reports that dimeric form of translationally controlled tumor protein (dTCTP) initiates a variety of allergic phenomena. In the present study, we examined whether and how dTCTP’s role in allergic inflammation can be modulated or negated. The possible potential of cardamonin as an anti-allergic agent was assessed by ELISA using BEAS-2B cells and OVA-challenged allergic mouse model. The interaction between cardamonin and dTCTP was confirmed by SPR assay. Cardamonin was found to reduce the secretion of IL-8 caused by dTCTP in BEAS-2B cells by interacting with dTCTP. This interaction between dTCTP and cardamonin was confirmed through kinetic analysis (KD = 4.72 ± 0.07 μM). Also, cardamonin reduced the migration of various inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), inhibited OVA specific IgE secretion and bronchial remodeling. In addition, cardamonin was observed to have an anti-allergic response by inhibiting the activity of NF-κB. Cardamonin exerts anti-allergic anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting dTCTP, suggesting that it may be useful in the therapy of allergic diseases.
COVID-19 Importation Risk From Olympic Athletes Prior to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Authors: Vico Lau Hoi Yat , Xu Mingda , Wang Lin , Cowling Benjamin J. , Du Zhanwei
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for 1 year and sparked an unprecedented outbreak in Japan in early July 2021 due to the relaxation of social distancing measures for foreign arrivals. Approximately 11,000 athletes from 205 countries would gather at the Tokyo Olympics held from July 23 through August 8, 2021. Based on the prevalence of infection in different source locations and athlete numbers, we estimated that seven countries would introduce least one infection of COVID-19 to Tokyo and at most eleven unidentified infections after the three requested COVID-19 tests.
Sirtuin 1 in Endothelial Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Aging
Authors: Ministrini Stefano , Puspitasari Yustina M. , Beer Georgia , Liberale Luca , Montecucco Fabrizio , Camici Giovanni G.
Published: October 2021

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a histone deacetylase belonging to the family of Sirtuins, a class of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent enzymes with multiple metabolic functions. SIRT1 localizes in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and is implicated in the regulation of cell survival in response to several stimuli, including metabolic ones. The expression of SIRT1 is associated with lifespan and is reduced with aging both in animal models and in humans, where the lack of SIRT1 is regarded as a potential mediator of age-related cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we will summarize the extensive evidence linking SIRT1 functional and quantitative defects to cellular senescence and aging, with particular regard to their role in determining endothelial dysfunction and consequent cardiovascular diseases. Ultimately, we outline the translational perspectives for this topic, in order to highlight the missing evidence and the future research steps.
Genetic Architecture of Multiphasic Growth Covariation as Revealed by a Nonlinear Mixed Mapping Framework
Authors: Gong Huiying , Zhang Xiao-Yu , Zhu Sheng , Jiang Libo , Zhu Xuli , Fang Qing , Wu Rongling
Published: October 2021

Trait covariation during multiphasic growth is of crucial significance to optimal survival and reproduction during the entire life cycle. However, current analyses are mainly focused on the study of individual traits, but exploring how genes determine trait interdependence spanning multiphasic growth processes remains challenging. In this study, we constructed a nonlinear mixed mapping framework to explore the genetic mechanisms that regulate multiphasic growth changes between two complex traits and used this framework to study stem diameter and stem height in forest trees. The multiphasic nonlinear mixed mapping framework was implemented in system mapping, by which several key quantitative trait loci were found to interpret the process and pattern of stem wood growth by regulating the ecological interactions of stem apical and lateral growth. We quantified the timing and pattern of the vegetative phase transition between independently regulated, temporally coordinated processes. Furthermore, we visualized the genetic machinery of significant loci, including genetic effects, genetic contribution analysis, and the regulatory relationship between these markers in the network structure. We validated the utility of the new mapping framework experimentallyviacomputer simulations. The results may improve our understanding of the evolution of development in changing environments.
Fast Identification of Soybean Seed Varieties Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Combined With Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Li Xiaolong , He Zhenni , Liu Fei , Chen Rongqin
Published: October 2021

Soybean seed purity is a critical factor in agricultural products, standardization of seed quality, and food processing. In this study, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) as an effective technology was successfully used to identify ten varieties of soybean seeds. We improved the traditional sample preparation scheme for LIBS. Instead of grinding and squashing, we propose a time-efficient method by pressing soybean seeds into rubber sand filled with culture plates through a ruler to ensure a relatively uniform surface height. In our experimental scheme, three LIBS spectra were finally collected for each soybean seed. A majority vote based on three spectra was applied as the final decision judging the attribution of a single soybean seed. The results showed that the support vector machine (SVM) obtained the optimal identification accuracy of 90% in the prediction set. In addition, PCA-ResNet (propagation coefficient adaptive ResNet) and PCSA-ResNet (propagation coefficient synchronous adaptive ResNet) were designed based on typical ResNet structure by changing the way of self-adaption of propagation coefficients. Combined with a new form of input data called spectral matrix, PCSA-ResNet obtained the optimal performance with the discriminate accuracy of 91.75% in the prediction set. T-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) was used to visualize the clustering process of the extracted features by PCSA-ResNet. For the interpretation of the good performance of PCSA-ResNet coupled with the spectral matrix, saliency maps were further applied to visually show the pixel positions of the spectral matrix that had a significant influence on the discrimination results, indicating that the content and proportion of elements in soybean seeds could reflect the variety differences.
Late-Season Nitrogen Applications Increase Soybean Yield and Seed Protein Concentration
Authors: Chiluwal Anuj , Haramoto Erin R. , Hildebrand David , Naeve Seth , Poffenbarger Hanna , Purcell Larry C. , Salmeron Montserrat
Published: October 2021

Low seed and meal protein concentration in modern high-yielding soybean [Glycine max L. (Merr.)] cultivars is a major concern but there is limited information on effective cultural practices to address this issue. In the objective of dealing with this problem, this study conducted field experiments in 2019 and 2020 to evaluate the response of seed and meal protein concentrations to the interactive effects of late-season inputs [control, a liquid Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculation at R3, and 202 kg ha−1 nitrogen (N) fertilizer applied after R5], previous cover crop (fallow or cereal cover crop with residue removed), and short- and full-season maturity group cultivars at three U.S. locations (Fayetteville, Arkansas; Lexington, Kentucky; and St. Paul, Minnesota). The results showed that cover crops had a negative effect on yield in two out of six site-years and decreased seed protein concentration by 8.2 mg g−1 on average in Minnesota. Inoculant applications at R3 did not affect seed protein concentration or yield. The applications of N fertilizer after R5 increased seed protein concentration by 6 to 15 mg g−1, and increased yield in Arkansas by 13% and in Minnesota by 11% relative to the unfertilized control. This study showed that late-season N applications can be an effective cultural practice to increase soybean meal protein concentration in modern high-yielding cultivars above the minimum threshold required by the industry. New research is necessary to investigate sustainable management practices that increase N availability to soybeans late in the season.
Multiplex Genome-Editing Technologies for Revolutionizing Plant Biology and Crop Improvement
Authors: Abdelrahman Mohamed , Wei Zheng , Rohila Jai S. , Zhao Kaijun
Published: October 2021

Multiplex genome-editing (MGE) technologies are recently developed versatile bioengineering tools for modifying two or more specific DNA loci in a genome with high precision. These genome-editing tools have greatly increased the feasibility of introducing desired changes at multiple nucleotide levels into a target genome. In particular, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) [CRISPR/Cas] system-based MGE tools allow the simultaneous generation of direct mutations precisely at multiple loci in a gene or multiple genes. MGE is enhancing the field of plant molecular biology and providing capabilities for revolutionizing modern crop-breeding methods as it was virtually impossible to edit genomes so precisely at the single base-pair level with prior genome-editing tools, such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). Recently, researchers have not only started using MGE tools to advance genome-editing applications in certain plant science fields but also have attempted to decipher and answer basic questions related to plant biology. In this review, we discuss the current progress that has been made toward the development and utilization of MGE tools with an emphasis on the improvements in plant biology after the discovery of CRISPR/Cas9. Furthermore, the most recent advancements involving CRISPR/Cas applications for editing multiple loci or genes are described. Finally, insights into the strengths and importance of MGE technology in advancing crop-improvement programs are presented.
Enzyme Complexes of Ptr4CL and PtrHCT Modulate Co-enzyme A Ligation of Hydroxycinnamic Acids for Monolignol Biosynthesis in Populus trichocarpa
Authors: Lin Chien-Yuan , Sun Yi , Song Jina , Chen Hsi-Chuan , Shi Rui , Yang Chenmin , Liu Jie , Tunlaya-Anukit Sermsawat , Liu Baoguang , Loziuk Philip L. , Williams Cranos M. , Muddiman David C. , Lin Ying-Chung Jimmy , Sederoff Ronald R. , Wang Jack P. , Chiang Vincent L.
Published: October 2021

Co-enzyme A (CoA) ligation of hydroxycinnamic acids by 4-coumaric acid:CoA ligase (4CL) is a critical step in the biosynthesis of monolignols. Perturbation of 4CL activity significantly impacts the lignin content of diverse plant species. InPopulus trichocarpa, two well-studied xylem-specific Ptr4CLs (Ptr4CL3 and Ptr4CL5) catalyze the CoA ligation of 4-coumaric acid to 4-coumaroyl-CoA and caffeic acid to caffeoyl-CoA. Subsequently, two 4-hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:shikimic acid hydroxycinnamoyl transferases (PtrHCT1 and PtrHCT6) mediate the conversion of 4-coumaroyl-CoA to caffeoyl-CoA. Here, we show that the CoA ligation of 4-coumaric and caffeic acids is modulated by Ptr4CL/PtrHCT protein complexes. Downregulation ofPtrHCTsreduced Ptr4CL activities in the stem-differentiating xylem (SDX) of transgenicP. trichocarpa. The Ptr4CL/PtrHCT interactions were then validatedin vivousing biomolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and protein pull-down assays inP. trichocarpaSDX extracts. Enzyme activity assays using recombinant proteins of Ptr4CL and PtrHCT showed elevated CoA ligation activity for Ptr4CL when supplemented with PtrHCT. Numerical analyses based on an evolutionary computation of the CoA ligation activity estimated the stoichiometry of the protein complex to consist of one Ptr4CL and two PtrHCTs, which was experimentally confirmed by chemical cross-linking using SDX plant protein extracts and recombinant proteins. Based on these results, we propose that Ptr4CL/PtrHCT complexes modulate the metabolic flux of CoA ligation for monolignol biosynthesis during wood formation inP. trichocarpa.
The Resilience Journal: Exploring the Potential of Journal Interventions to Promote Resilience in University Students
Authors: Lohner Max S. , Aprea Carmela
Published: October 2021

Given the prevalence of mental health issues among university students, they must be regarded as a vulnerable population. Resilience interventions offer one potential means of strengthening students’ capacity to overcome academic challenges and external threats. This is all the more urgent in light of the additional difficulties caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic, such as the demands of remote learning. The present study is a first step toward designing and evaluating an appropriate dynamic resilience intervention for students. The design of the Resilience Journal intervention draws on insights from expressive writing and positive writing research and focuses on reflection on daily challenges. In this online intervention, 100 business school students (66% female, Mage = 23.74) at a German university were randomly assigned to two groups and completed two different versions of the Resilience Journal for 5 days. The two versions focused, respectively on broadening attention to challenges and priming attention to mastered challenges. In a pre-post design, two resilience measures and one measure of life satisfaction were used to assess intervention outcomes. Additionally, a newly developed rating scale was used for daily monitoring of dynamic resilience. While both groups showed a significant increase in resilience as measured by the Brief Resilience Scale, that increase could not be attributed directly to the intervention, as there were no group differences, and the design did not include a control group. The other resilience and life satisfaction measures showed no significant change. This first implementation confirms the potential of the Resilience Journal and indicates directions for the development of dynamic resilience interventions and measures in future studies. To further study the potential of such a positive psychology intervention, future research necessitates the inclusion of control groups.
Shame on You! When and Why Failure-Induced Shame Impedes Employees’ Learning From Failure in the Chinese Context
Authors: Wang Wenzhou , Song Shanghao , Wang Jiaqi , Liu Qi , Huang Lishi , Chen Xiaoxuan
Published: October 2021

The emotional experience brought about by failure, especially the important roles of negative emotions in learning behavior after failure, has received increasingly more attention from organization management scholars. Research on the impact of employees’ sense of failure-induced shame is still controversial. Based on the Chinese context, according to the process model of emotion regulation theory, we have studied the influence of failure-induced shame on employees’ learning from failure and the conditions that have boundary effects on this process. Through a questionnaire analysis of 776 samples from Chinese high-tech enterprises, the results show the following: (1) shame has a negative relationship with learning from failure (2) project commitment alleviates the negative relationship between shame and learning from failure, and (3) restoration orientation alleviates the negative relationship between shame and learning from failure while loss orientation cannot. Our results further enrich the research on negative emotions related to failure and provide a theoretical basis for the failure management of Chinese companies.
Rationing of Nursing Care and Professional Burnout Among Nurses Working in Cardiovascular Settings
Authors: Uchmanowicz Izabella , Kubielas Grzegorz , Serzysko Bogusława , Kołcz Anna , Gurowiec Piotr , Kolarczyk Ewelina
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Nursing needs close interpersonal contact with the patient and emotional involvement, therefore can contribute to professional burnout and rationing of nursing care.

Aim: Assessing the relationship between the rationing of nursing care and professional burnout in nursing staff.

Materials and Methods: The study included a group of 219 nurses working in cardiovascular facilities. This was a cross-sectional study designed to investigate the relationship between factors of the care rationing and professional burnout. The survey data was collected with standardised and research instruments such as the revised Basel Extent of Rationing of Nursing Care questionnaire (BERNCA-R) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI).

Results: The total mean BERNCA-R score was 1.38 (SD = 0.62), while the total MBI score amounted to 38.14 (SD = 22.93). The specific components of professional burnout yielded the values: emotional exhaustion (M = 44.8), job dissatisfaction (M = 40.66), and depersonalisation (M = 28.95). Multiple linear regression showed that independent predictors of BERNCA-R score were emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, job dissatisfaction, and multi-jobs activity (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The level of rationing of nursing care in cardiovascular facilities increases along with emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and job dissatisfaction, and multi-jobs activity.
“You Are Not Alone”–Opportunities and Challenges for University Students’ Collaborative Engagement When Dealing With Online Information About COVID-19
Authors: Mayweg-Paus Elisabeth , Zimmermann Maria , Lefke Claudia
Published: October 2021

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, students had to cope with the challenging situation of handling a vast amount of potentially conflicting online information while staying informed. Reading conflicting scientific information has been shown to require cognitive effort for one to integrate it successfully, but reading such information during a crisis–such as the COVID-19 pandemic–may cause additional emotional stress, as students also had to cope with critical aspects of the pandemic (e.g., physical distancing and uncertainty). Different studies have indicated that in crises, stress can be relieved by seeking online social support (as a coping strategy). Similarly, working together (as collaborative learning) can also help people more critically discuss information on a cognitive level. Based on the approaches of online collaborative learning and online social support seeking, we were interested in whether an individual vs. collaborative communication setting would lead to any differences in students’ cognitive as well as emotional engagement with conflicting information about COVID-19. In a 2 × 2 mixed design, N = 109 education science students were exposed to two conflicting texts regarding COVID-19 testing that contained current scientific information. The online experiment was conducted in Germany in April 2020, which was the beginning of lockdown in that country. After reading the two texts, participants were asked to reflect on their engagement with the conflicting information either individually (individual group, n = 49) or via chat collaboratively (collaboration group, n = 60 in 30 dyads). With respect to participants’ written reflections (content-analyzed regarding cognitive as well as emotional engagement), participants in the collaborative group, compared to those in the individual group, more often discussed the pandemic in general and less often engaged emotionally when discussing the evidence from texts. All participants reported higher perceived information overload, lower self-efficacy in sourcing information about COVID-19, and higher active coping strategies after the reflection task compared to before reading the information, with no significant differences between the collaborative and individual groups. We discuss these findings regarding any opportunities and challenges that arise in online collaboration between students for cognitive and emotional engagement when handling conflicting information about COVID-19.
Explaining People’s Worry Levels During the Covid-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of Socio-Economic and Cultural Dimensions
Authors: Rojas-Méndez José I.
Published: October 2021

This paper examines the influence of socio-economic and cultural dimensions (measured at the country level) on what concerns people the most about the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on secondary data, the study considers the opinion of more than 24,000 individuals living in 30 different countries, with national samples weighted to match each country’s general population older than 18years of age. A set of linear Bayesian regressions was applied to 10 different types of worries reported for economic, health, and safety domains. Results demonstrate that socio-economic variables and cultural dimensions complement each other in explaining people’s concerns about the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic. An overall view of the analysis also reveals that cultural dimensions exceed socio-economic variables in explaining peoples’ worries about health and safety domains. Socio-economic variables are slightly more effective in explaining the worries of the economic domain. Among the cultural dimensions, long-term orientation and uncertainty avoidance are the best in explaining people’s worries. The higher the score in long-term orientation, the lower the worry levels expressed by the respondents. Likewise, low scores on uncertainty avoidance generate lower levels of worries due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Finally, health worries produce a positive outcome because they explain a significant reduction in the fatality rate.
Theory-Based Roadmap for Assessing Sustainability in the Collaborative Economy
Authors: Sun Shouheng , Ertz Myriam
Published: October 2021

This study aims to investigate the current state of sustainability for the collaborative economy (CE). By utilizing the triple bottom line as a founding conceptual framework, the study summarizes and discusses the sustainability of the CE from three dimensions: environment, economy, and society. The study further proposes some targeted measures and suggestions to measure the level of sustainability of the CE and CE platforms. The result shows that the CE has partially fulfilled some of its initial promises pertaining to sustainability, such as creating new job opportunities, economic growth, the efficient use of space and physical resources, as well as social mixing. However, the current sustainability benefits remain much smaller than some claim and hope for. Therefore, governments, platforms, and the public should work together to solve current challenges pertaining to the CE to tap its sustainability potential.
The Role of English as a Foreign Language Teachers’ and Learners’ Emotions and Language Achievement and Success
Authors: Huang Qian
Published: October 2021

It is preserved that one of the noteworthy influential subjects of success and achievement is emotions, and enhancing emotions is dominant in promoting the language learning of students in the classroom. Although emotions are an integral part of the practices of both educators and students, their function has been sidelined due to the emphasis on intellectual instead of emotional scopes of foreign language learning. Therefore, the present theoretical review tries to refocus on the role of emotions of teachers and learners and their effects on language success and achievement. Successively, the effectiveness of verdicts for educators, students, syllabus designers, and future researchers are deliberated.
In the Pursuit of Privacy: The Promises and Predicaments of Federated Learning in Healthcare
Authors: Topaloglu Mustafa Y. , Morrell Elisabeth M. , Rajendran Suraj , Topaloglu Umit
Published: October 2021

Artificial Intelligence and its subdomain, Machine Learning (ML), have shown the potential to make an unprecedented impact in healthcare. Federated Learning (FL) has been introduced to alleviate some of the limitations of ML, particularly the capability to train on larger datasets for improved performance, which is usually cumbersome for an inter-institutional collaboration due to existing patient protection laws and regulations. Moreover, FL may also play a crucial role in circumventing ML’s exigent bias problem by accessing underrepresented groups’ data spanning geographically distributed locations. In this paper, we have discussed three FL challenges, namely: privacy of the model exchange, ethical perspectives, and legal considerations. Lastly, we have proposed a model that could aide in assessing data contributions of a FL implementation. In light of the expediency and adaptability of using the Sørensen–Dice Coefficient over the more limited (e.g., horizontal FL) and computationally expensive Shapley Values, we sought to demonstrate a new paradigm that we hope, will become invaluable for sharing any profit and responsibilities that may accompany a FL endeavor.
Use of Virtual Reality to Improve the Quality of the Hospital Stay for Patients in Neurosurgery
Authors: Vayssiere Pia , Constanthin Paul E. , Baticam Nalla Silva , Herbelin Bruno , Degremont Christine , Blanke Olaf , Schaller Karl , Bijlenga Philippe
Published: October 2021

Background: Virtual Reality (VR) technologies have numerous beneficial applications for patients during hospitalization (through complete immersion in a virtual, distant place allowing to “escape” from the context of hospitalization). Their positive effects in pain and anxiety management, neurorehabilitation and psychotherapy have been demonstrated. Here, we evaluated the effects of VR on the quality of hospitalization and postoperative pain after neurosurgery.

Methods: Patients hospitalized in our department between 2019 and 2020 were prospectively enrolled and divided into a group that received a personal, 30-minutes-long, VR session using an Oculus Go ™ VR headset (VR group) or not (non-VR group). Surgeries were classified in simple or complex spinal and simple or complex cranial. Patient‘s overall satisfaction was considered as primary outcome, with secondary outcomes encompassing duration of hospitalization, pain reduction and patients’ opinion regarding VR.

Results: 161 patients were enrolled (77 in the VR group and 84 in the non-VR group). There was no statistical difference between the two groups regarding satisfaction. The VR group presented with a significantly longer duration of hospitalization and higher maximal pain. Interestingly, pain reduction during hospitalization was significantly higher in the VR group, particularly in simple surgeries and spine surgeries. A vast majority of the VR group patients appreciated their VR experience (89.2%) and advocated for its systematic use (83.8%).

Conclusion: VR can improve pain reduction during hospitalization after neurosurgery, particularly for simple spine surgeries. Furthermore, patients experiencing VR appear to appreciate it and advocate for its systematic use in neurosurgery. Further research is warranted to identify patients for whom addition of VR during hospitalization might bring the most benefit.
Development of Microfluidic, Serum-Free Bronchial Epithelial Cells-on-a-Chip to Facilitate a More Realistic In vitro Testing of Nanoplastics
Authors: Gupta Govind , Vallabani Srikanth , Bordes Romain , Bhattacharya Kunal , Fadeel Bengt
Published: October 2021

Most cell culture models are static, but the cellular microenvironment in the body is dynamic. Here, we established a microfluidic-based in vitro model of human bronchial epithelial cells in which cells are stationary, but nutrient supply is dynamic, and we used this system to evaluate cellular uptake of nanoparticles. The cells were maintained in fetal calf serum-free and bovine pituitary extract-free cell culture medium. BEAS-2B, an immortalized, non-tumorigenic human cell line, was used as a model and the cells were grown in a chip within a microfluidic device and were briefly infused with amorphous silica (SiO2) nanoparticles or polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles of similar primary sizes but with different densities. For comparison, tests were also performed using static, multi-well cultures. Cellular uptake of the fluorescently labeled particles was investigated by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Exposure under dynamic culture conditions resulted in higher cellular uptake of the PS nanoparticles when compared to static conditions, while uptake of SiO2 nanoparticles was similar in both settings. The present study has shown that it is feasible to grow human lung cells under completely animal-free conditions using a microfluidic-based device, and we have also found that cellular uptake of PS nanoparticles aka nanoplastics is highly dependent on culture conditions. Hence, traditional cell cultures may not accurately reflect the uptake of low-density particles, potentially leading to an underestimation of their cellular impact.
WYMIENNOŚĆ PARTNERÓW ASPEKTOWYCH,
CZYLI KILKA UWAG
NA TEMAT IRRELEWANCJI ASPEKT
Authors: Terka Beata
Published: October 2021

This paper discusses the issue of irrelevance of the aspect of the Polish verb.
In specifi c contexts, the grammatical category of aspect, being obligatory in the
Polish language, is in fact redundant. The identifi cation of such contexts (and
hence review of the most important current observations and convictions in
this respect), the attempt at ordering and describing them enabled systematic
material research based on a (Polish–German and German–Polish) translation.
The fi ndings presented in the paper might be a good starting point for a refl ection
on the reasonability of including the described issue in curricula of teaching
Polish as a foreign language. Due to its reach and frequency, the phenomenon
of alternation of aspectual partners should be more frequently discussed in the
literature dedicated to aspect and Polish glottodidactics
JESZCZE RAZ O POLONIZMACH
W SŁODKICH SULEJKACH SIEGFRIEDA LENZA
Authors: Siatkowski Janusz
Published: October 2021

The polonisms present in the text of Słodkie Sulejki, a book by Siegfried Lenz,
clearly indicate the former Polishness of Masuria, the considerable infl uence of
the Polish language on the colloquial variant of German recurring in this region.
S. Lenz did not speak Polish and therefore the polonisms in his artistic idiolect
are a certain language reminiscence from his childhood, when he spoke the
Masurian dialect with his grandmother
Zaburzenia mowy w chorobie Alzheimera o wczesnym
początku – studium przypadku
Authors: Potocka-Pirosz Kamila
Published: October 2021

This paper describes a case study of a 56-year-old patient suffering from
a rare type of early onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD). The selection of the
topic arose from the desire to draw more attention to this group of patients.
While numerous publications in the relevant Polish-language literature have
been dedicated to speech disorders in late onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD),
which is diagnosed in people over 65, there are scarce descriptions of cases
of speech disorders in EOAD. The research made use of a survey method (the
author’s original survey questionnaire fi lled in by the patient’s wife), and the
test method (using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Boston
Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, selected tasks from the so-called Łucki’s tests
and the author’s own tests). The analysis of the collected material revealed
serious defi cits in the patient’s actualisation of words, fl uency, understanding
of compound structures, reading with understanding, and writing, which has
resulted in his withdrawal from communication.
The system of government and the opposition in Poland after the 2015 parliamentary elections
Authors: Machelski Zbigniew
Published: October 2021

The category of the system of government in Poland requires reference to ‘the governance style’ of the right, and to the tendency that has appeared in international politics in recent years to call it populist nationalism. The objective of this paper is to show that in the case of Poland after 2015, the thesis of the retreat of democracy has no factual grounds, and it can be countered through the use of evidence. The system of government in Poland after the Law and Justice party came to power cannot be described as a contradiction to democracy. Citizens are not being manipulated and deceived. They are aware of the content of decisions made by the executive branch. The opposition is able to act freely, and it is supported by independent private media. There are many veto points in the political system. The government can count on public support that is stronger than that of the governments from the period before 2015.
МИХАЙЛО САВЧИН (РЕД.) Конституційний та міжнародний правовий механізм передачі частини суверенних повноважень держави наднаціональним інститутам
Authors: Sadounichy Albert
Published: October 2021

The monography provides an analysis of the importance and complexity of state sovereignty’s nature changing and its implementation in the process of transferring authority to supranational institutions. It deals with the complex description of the Ukraine’s participation in supranational organizations, the problems of transfer mechanisms, evolution of the national legislation. In this context the authors justify the development of practical procedures to legitimize the process of authority transfer in order to guarantee the all participants’ balance of interests and strengthen their political stability. This work integrates the unique classification and research materials. By the reflection of this type the authors lay the base for continuing further researches of the integrational tendencies of post-Soviet states and the degree of their sovereign powers’ transfer to supranational institutions.
Cultural contradictions of post-Fordism in the context of the transformation of European peripheries through the prism of the class of subcontractors
Authors: Popławski Tadeusz
Published: October 2021

The presented paper deals with the basic issues, dilemmas and social and cultural contradictions in the Polish transformation process against the background of Central and Eastern Europe, the processes of the establishment and development of new states and nations as well as the new markets. The author views these problems through the light of the emergence of a broad class of subcontractors in a turbulent environment and the new modes of production, which are a result of changes in the structure of human labour introduced by post-Fordism (in its final stage, lean management) and postmodernity. The author also analyzes the social change as a consequence of social relations resulting from exchanging the life chances of the actors for the class-conditioned market opportunities in the existing social and political situation (conjoncture) and at the present stage of transformation at the moment when the emergent markets get shaped and mature. The study makes use of the hermeneutic method, which is finding out the essence of the present phase of transformation through the light of new concepts against the background of the historical-comparative analysis. The present article is not aimed at ordering reality but it is an inspiration for studies and for approaching transformation in accordance with a new conceptual apparatus of social sciences, sociology, management and political economy.
Potassium Bioavailability in a Tropical Kaolinitic Soil
Authors: Volf Marcelo Raphael , Crusciol Carlos Alexandre Costa , de Azevedo Antônio Carlos , Thompson Michael L. , Kovar John L. , Rosolem Ciro Antonio
Published: October 2021

Some plant species are able to acquire non-exchangeable forms of K, which improve K availability and cycling in cropping systems, and which may explain the lack of response to K. However, this would not be expected in soils dominated by kaolinite. The aim of this study was to assess non-exchangeable K (Kne) use by three selected plant species grown in a tropical Haplic Plinthosol with low exchangeable K (Ke). A greenhouse experiment was conducted with soybean (Glycine max L., Merr.), maize (Zea mays L.), and ruzigrass (Urochloa ruziziensis) with or without K fertilization for three growing cycles. The crop treatments were compared with a control without plants. In the absence of K fertilization, all the tested plants were able to use non-exchangeable K and non-exchangeable K contributed more than 80% of the K demand of the plants in the first growing cycle, even in this kaolinitic soil. In the first growing cycle, soybean and maize took up more non-exchangeable K than ruzigrass, concomitant with higher dry matter yields. Over the three crop cycles, as both biomass yield and K uptake decreased in the unfertilized systems, the dependence of plants on non-exchangeable K decreased. Unfertilized ruzigrass showed a strong ability to acquire non-exchangeable K from the soil. Over the course of three growing cycles, K application decreased the absolute uptake of non-exchangeable K as well as its fractional contribution to total K uptake by the crops.
Control of the Health Risk of Radon Exposure in the Republic of Moldova
Authors: Coretchi Liuba , Ene Antoaneta , Ababii Aurelia
Published: October 2021

The paper presents the results of a national radon survey conducted in the context of the Republic of Moldova. The study included about 2500 homes of different types, located in urban and rural localities in different areas of the country. The RADTRAK2 detectors kindly provided by the RADONOVA laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden, for the MOL9007 project funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have been used. The exposure period was 90 days. The measured radon concentrations are the following: the average (±standard deviation) 252.8 ± 215.9 Bq/m3; the range (minimum–maximum) 10–1480 Bq/m3; the median 200 Bq/m3 and the geometric mean (± geometric standard deviation) 158.5 ± 3.0 Bq/m3. The results of the study allowed mapping indoor radon and identifying localities with increased radon concentrations. In order to reduce the high radon concentrations in places recording >300 Bq/m3, appropriate measures have been proposed according to the legislation in force. The cluster analysis showed positive links between the radon concentration in dwellings and the incidence of respiratory diseases, especially the bronchopulmonary cancer in the country.