bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disgust sensitivity in early pregnancy as a response to high pathogen risk
Authors: Kaňková Šárka , Takács Lea , Hlaváčová Jana , Calda Pavel , Monk Catherine , Havlíček Jan 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionConsidered a part of the behavioral immune system (BIS), disgust sensitivity is expected to be adjusting as a response to the actual level of the environmental health risks.MethodsIn this preregistered study, we tested the hypothesis that disgust sensitivity would be higher during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period in pregnant women. In this between-subject study with a longitudinal trend design, we administered the Disgust Scale-Revised to 200 pregnant women before the pandemic and to 350 pregnant women during the pandemic.ResultsWe found a small but significant effect of the pandemic on disgust sensitivity, such that higher disgust sensitivity was found in women pregnant during the pandemic. This effect was stronger in primiparae, however, the interaction between parity and the pandemic period was not significant. Disgust sensitivity decreased with age. No differences in terms of nausea and vomiting were found between the women pregnant before and during the pandemic.DiscussionOur findings indicate that although BIS is presumed to function as a complex mechanism to prevent health-threatening behaviors, its activation in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic is rather weak.
Are you more risk-seeking when helping others? Effects of situational urgency and peer presence on prosocial risky behavior
Authors: Liu Changlin , Xiao Xiao , Pi Qiao , Tan Qianbao , Zhan Youlong 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionProsocial risky behavior (PRB) proposes that individuals take risks for others’ benefits or social welfare, and that this may involve trade-offs between risk and social preferences. However, little is known about the underlying cognitive mechanisms of risk-seeking or aversion during PRB.MethodsThis study adopted the dilemma-priming paradigm to examine the interaction between the risk levels of personal cost and situational urgency on PRB (Experiment 1, N  = 88), and it further uncovered the modulation of the risk levels of failure (Experiment 2, N  = 65) and peer presence (Experiment 3, N  = 80) when helping others.ResultsIn Experiment 1, the participants involved in risky dilemmas made more altruistic choices for strangers in urgent situations compared to those for strangers in non-urgent situations. However, increasing the risk levels of personal cost decreased the frequencies of help offered to strangers in urgent situations. Experiment 2 further established that, similar to the risk of personal cost, increasing the risk levels of failure when helping others also decreased the frequencies of help offered to strangers in urgent situations. Furthermore, in dilemmas involving a low-risk personal cost, Experiment 3 showed that peer presence encouraged the participants to make more altruistic choices when providing help to strangers in non-urgent situations.DiscussionIndividuals demonstrate obvious risk-seeking behavior when helping others and that both non-urgent situations and peer presence weaken the effect of increased risk aversion on PRB in a limited manner.
Gender-specific association of blood lipids and reproductive trajectory with cognitive impairment: A community based cross-sectional study from India
Authors: Khate Kevingu , Chaudhary Vineet , Longkumer Imnameren , Saraswathy Kallur Nava , Devi Naorem Kiranmala 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundAbnormal blood lipid levels in the general population and adverse reproductive events among women have been associated with cognitive impairment (CI). However, their relationship has not been extensively studied in community settings. Hence, this study aims to explore the association of CI with blood lipid levels in both sexes and reproductive events/trajectory among women.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among a North Indian rural population. A total of 808 adults were recruited through door-to-door household survey. Data on socio-demographic variables, reproductive profile of women, and cognitive impairment status were collected. Fasting blood sample was collected to estimate serum lipid profile. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to test for association.ResultsThe study demonstrated a lack of association between lipid profile and cognitive impairment among males. Surprisingly, low HDL-C among females was found to be protective against moderate/severe cognitive impairment (value of p = 0.049). Further, menopausal women and those having five or higher live births were found to be at higher risk of CI than pre-menopausal women and those with 1–2 live births, respectively.ConclusionThe present study hints toward a gender-specific association of blood lipid levels with CI. Further, higher live births and menopause appear to be important risk factors for CI among women.
Story telling in bilingual Urdu−Cantonese ethnic minority children: Macrostructure and its relation to microstructural linguistic skills
Authors: Chan Angel , Chen Sarah , Hamdani Saboor , Tse Bernard , Cheng Kelly 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionThe ability to produce a well-structured, coherent and informative narrative requires the integration of lexical and grammatical skills at different levels of complexity. Investigating how narrative macrostructure competence is predicted by microstructural linguistic skills is conceptually enlightening; yet there have been very few, if any, studies documenting the associations between macrostructure and microstructure in both languages of the same bilinguals. In this paper we attempt to address this research gap and report on the first empirical study of Urdu-Cantonese bilingual children’s narrative abilities, bringing in data from a new language pair that is currently understudied.MethodsTwenty-four bilinguals (mean age = 9.17 years) acquiring Urdu as first, family and heritage minority language, and Cantonese as second, school and majority language were assessedviaMultilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives (MAIN). We examined these children’s macrostructural competence and its relations to microstructural skills in both languages (Urdu and Cantonese). Three macrostructure components were scored as response variables: Story Structure (SS), Story Complexity (SC), Internal State Terms (IST). Four microstructural measures were scored as predictor variables: number of different words (NDW), mean length of Communication Units (MLCU), proportion of grammatical Communication Units (Gproportion), proportion of correct connectives linking the major episodic elements (Cproportion).ResultsIn regression analyses, NDW emerged consistently as a positive predictor of SS, SC and IST in both languages. MLCU and NDW were positive predictors of SS in the stronger L1, but NDW was the only positive predictor of SS in L2. By contrast, NDW and an index of syntactic competence (MLCU in L1, but Cproportion in L2) were significant or close-to-significant positive predictors of SC in both languages. NDW was the only positive predictor of IST in both languages. These findings suggested that the relationships between narrative macrostructure and specific microstructural abilities could manifest both similarly and differently between L1 and L2.DiscussionWe discuss the findings by considering the unique nature of each macrostructure component and how each component might be related to specific microstructural linguistic skills. We suggest directions for further research and discuss how the current findings bring deeper implications for educators and clinicians in assessment, pedagogy, and intervention.
Comparing time focus with time importance for measuring future time perspectives in the context of pro-environmental values and outcomes
Authors: Olsen Svein Ottar , Tuu Ho Huy , Tudoran Ana Alina 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionIn the area of environmental psychology, time and the temporal perspective have often been used as an overarching framework to explain or predict environmental outcomes. This study aims to introduce a new Time Importance Scale (TIS) based on the attitude strength theory and to assess its nomological validity in comparison with the more established Temporal Focus Scale (TFS) in the context of consumers’ willingness to pay more for environmentally friendly products. The new TIS scale is short and simple to manage.MethodThe study proposes competing plausible structural models testing alternative relationships between future time perspective (FTP) and environmental values using a nationwide representative survey sample of 633 Norwegians.ResultsThe results confirm the convergent and discriminant validity of the new TIS scale. However, the direct association between the TIS scale and willingness to pay for environmentally friendly products is weak or non-significant depending on the alternative models used to validate the nomological validity.DiscussionThe new TIS scale provides evidence of a possible causal chain, FTP → environmental values → willingness to pay, with strong associations between the present TIS and hedonic values and between the future TIS and biospheric values. Environmental values are activated by FTP. In most cases, the new TIS outperforms the established TFS in nomological validity. Future research should validate our findings in experimental trials to demonstrate more substantial causal relationships.
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patient with schizophrenia: The influence of disorganized symptoms, duration of schizophrenia, and drug resistance
Authors: Panov Georgi , Panova Presyana 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundSchizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder with a many-faced clinical presentation. Obsessive–compulsive symptoms are often part of it. The characteristics of the clinical picture and the course of schizophrenia are factors related to both the resistance and the manifestation of obsessive–compulsive symptoms. Our study aims to establish the relationship between the peculiarities of the schizophrenia process and the influence of resistance on the expression of obsessive–compulsive symptoms.MethodsA study was conducted on 105 patients with schizophrenia. Of them, 39 are men and 66 are women. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatment showed that 45 were resistant to the applied therapy, while the remaining 60 responded. Clinical assessment of patients was performed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Assessment of obsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCS) was conducted with the Dimensional obsessive–compulsive symptoms scale (DOCS).ResultsIn 34% of all patients, we found clinically expressed obsessive–compulsive symptoms. In 40% of the patients with resistance, we found clinically expressed obsessive–compulsive symptoms, which are within the range of moderately expressed. In 30% of the patients in clinical remission, we found obsessive–compulsive symptoms, but mildly expressed. We found a statistically significant relationship between the severity of OCS and the disorganized symptoms and the duration of the schizophrenia process. No differences were found in the expression of OCS in patients of both sexes.ConclusionWe registered both an increased frequency and an increased expression of obsessive–compulsive symptoms in patients with resistant schizophrenia. These symptoms were positively associated with disorganized symptoms and duration of schizophrenia. No relationship was established with the positive, negative symptoms, as well as with the gender distribution.
“I was bullied for being fat in every situation, in every outfit, at every celebration”: A qualitative exploratory study on experiences of weight-based oppression in Qatar
Authors: O'Hara Lily , Alajaimi Bayan , Alshowaikh Bayan 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionWeight-based oppression (WBO) has been documented as a widespread phenomenon in Western countries and is associated with a range of psychological, physiological, and behavioral harms. Research on weight-based oppression is largely absent from the Arab region.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative exploratory study using semi-structured in-depth interviews to examine the internalized attitudes, values, and beliefs related to body weight, and experiences of external weight-based oppression of 29 staff, faculty, and students at Qatar University.ResultsThematic analysis revealed six major themes on the characteristics of internalized WBO, and the nature, timing, source, extent, and impact of external WBO. WBO was regarded as so common in the Arab culture as to be normative, with damaging exposure to WBO beginning in early childhood.ConclusionWBO in the Arab region is an important and unrecognized public health issue. Programs to reduce WBO should be developed in all sectors.
Psychological workplace violence and its influence on professional commitment among nursing interns in China: A multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Yu Zixu , Kong Dong , Li Yaqin , Zhang Jie , Guo Aiwen , Xie Qi , Gao Feng , Luan Xiaoli , Zhuang Xin , Du Chunling , Liu Jin 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundPsychological workplace violence (WPV) is the primary form of workplace violence suffered by nursing interns. Psychological WPV not only damages the physical and mental health of nursing interns, but also has a negative impact on their work quality and career choice.AimTo investigate the characteristics and types of psychological WPV suffered by nursing interns in China, analyze the influencing factors of psychological WPV among nursing interns, and explore the influence of psychological WPV on the professional commitment of nursing interns.MethodsThe subjects were 1,095 nursing interns from 14 medical colleges in Shandong Province. The data were collected electronically using the psychological WPV against nursing interns questionnaire and the professional commitment scale of nursing. The frequency and component ratio were used to describe the incidence and characteristics of psychological WPV. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of psychological WPV, and linear regression investigated the influence of psychological WPV on the professional commitment of nursing interns.ResultsIn the study, 45.0% (n = 493) of nursing interns suffered at least one incidence of psychological WPV during clinical practice, mainly discrimination and verbal abuse. Patients and their relatives were the main perpetrators of psychological WPV. Discrimination and lack of trust were the two main reasons behind psychological WPV. Furthermore, 75.9% of psychological WPV incidents were not effectively reported. Logistic regression showed that clinical internship duration, place of family residence, and hospital level were the influencing factors of psychological WPV among nursing interns. Linear regression results showed that psychological WPV had a negative effect on nursing interns' professional commitment.ConclusionPsychological WPV against nursing interns is highly prevalent in China, negatively impacting their professional commitment. It is suggested that colleges should introduce courses for nursing interns to understand and cope with psychological WPV before entering clinical practice, and hospitals should establish a mechanism to prevent, cope with, report, and deal with psychological WPV to effectively reduce the incidence of psychological WPV against nursing interns, improve their ability to cope with psychological WPV, and enhance their professional commitment.
Ultrasound-assisted extraction of polyphenols from Chinese propolis
Authors: Peng Shiqin , Zhu Meifei , Li Shanshan , Ma Xiaobin , Hu Fuliang 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionPropolis is a beneficial bioactive food with rich polyphenols content. Nowadays, an increasing interest is attracted to the extraction of polyphenols from raw propolis. This study utilized the novel ultrasound-assisted approach for polyphenol extraction from Chinese propolis, aiming to improve its extraction yield and reveal the relevant mechanisms via extraction kinetic study as well as the compositional and structural analysis.MethodsThe optimum ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions were optimized according to the total phenolic content and total flavonoids content. Compositional and structural analysis were conducted using high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).Results and discussionThe optimum ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions were as follows: ratio of liquid to solid, 60:1; ultrasound power, 135 W; ultrasound duration, 20 min. Under the optimum conditions, the antioxidant activities of the extract were increased by 95.55% and 64.46% by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging ability assay and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging ability assay, respectively, compared to those obtained by traditional maceration. The second-order kinetics model was employed to study the extraction process; it was found that ultrasound significantly accelerated the extraction of propolis and increased the maximum extraction volume of phenolic compounds. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of polyphenol compositions showed that ultrasound did not change the polyphenol types in the extract but it significantly improved the contents of various flavonoids and phenolic acids such as galangin, chrysin, pinocembrin, pinobanksin and isoferulic acid. Likewise, the FT-IR analysis indicated that the types of functional groups were similar in the two extracts. The SEM analysis revealed that the ultrasound-assisted extraction enhanced the contact areas between propolis and ethanol by breaking down the propolis particles and eroding the propolis surface.
Tamarindus indica Extract as a Promising Antimicrobial and Antivirulence Therapy
Authors: Ghaly Mohamed F. , Albalawi Marzough Aziz , Bendary Mahmoud M. , Shahin Ahmed , Shaheen Mohamed A. , Abu Eleneen Abeer F. , Ghoneim Mohammed M. , Elmaaty Ayman Abo , Elrefai Mohamed F. M. , Zaitone Sawsan A. , Abousaty Amira I. 
Published: February 2023

The worldwide crises from multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections are pushing us to search for new alternative therapies. The renewed interest in medicinal plants has gained the attention of our research group. Tamarindus indica L. (T. indica) is one of the traditional medicines used for a wide range of diseases. Therefore, we evaluated the antimicrobial activities of ethanolic extract of T. indica. The inhibitions zones, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and fractional inhibitor concentration indices (FICI) against Gram+ve and −ve pathogens were detected. The bioactive compounds from T. indica extract were identified by mass spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography, and bio-autographic assay. We performed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular docking studies to confirm possible mechanisms of actions and antivirulence activities, respectively. We found more promising antimicrobial activities against MDR pathogens with MIC and MBC values for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), i.e., (0.78, 3.12 mg/mL) and (1.56, 3.12 mg/mL), respectively. The antimicrobial activities of this extract were attributed to its capability to impair cell membrane permeability, inducing bacterial cell lysis, which was confirmed by the morphological changes observed under SEM. The synergistic interactions between this extract and commonly used antibiotics were confirmed (FICI values < 0.5). The bioactive compounds of this extract were bis (2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, and bis(8-methylnonyl) ester. Additionally, this extract showed antivirulence activities, especially against the S. aureus protease and P. aeruginosa elastase. In conclusion, we hope that pharmaceutical companies can utilize our findings to produce a new formulation of T. indica ethanolic extract with other antibiotics.
Industrial Production of Proteins with Pichia pastoris—Komagataella phaffii
Authors: Barone Giovanni Davide , Emmerstorfer-Augustin Anita , Biundo Antonino , Pisano Isabella , Coccetti Paola , Mapelli Valeria , Camattari Andrea 
Published: February 2023

Since the mid-1960s, methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii (previously described as Pichia pastoris) has received increasing scientific attention. The interest for the industrial production of proteins for different applications (e.g., feed, food additives, detergent, waste treatment processes, and textile) is a well-consolidated scientific topic, and the importance for this approach is rising in the current era of environmental transition in human societies. This review aims to summarize fundamental and specific information in this scientific field. Additionally, an updated description of the relevant products produced with K. phaffii at industrial levels by a variety of companies—describing how the industry has leveraged its key features, from products for the ingredients of meat-free burgers (e.g., IMPOSSIBLE™ FOODS, USA) to diabetes therapeutics (e.g., Biocon, India)—is provided. Furthermore, active patents and the typical workflow for industrial protein production with this strain are reported.
Antenna Arrangement in UWB Helmet Brain Applicators for Deep Microwave Hyperthermia
Authors: Zanoli Massimiliano , Ek Erika , Dobšíček Trefná Hana 
Published: February 2023

Deep microwave hyperthermia applicators are typically designed as narrow-band conformal antenna arrays with equally spaced elements, arranged in one or more rings. This solution, while adequate for most body regions, might be sub-optimal for brain treatments. The introduction of ultra-wide-band semi-spherical applicators, with elements arranged around the head and not necessarily aligned, has the potential to enhance the selective thermal dose delivery in this challenging anatomical region. However, the additional degrees of freedom in this design make the problem non-trivial. We address this by treating the antenna arrangement as a global SAR-based optimization process aiming at maximizing target coverage and hot-spot suppression in a given patient. To enable the quick evaluation of a certain arrangement, we propose a novel E-field interpolation technique which calculates the field generated by an antenna at any location around the scalp from a limited number of initial simulations. We evaluate the approximation error against full array simulations. We demonstrate the design technique in the optimization of a helmet applicator for the treatment of a medulloblastoma in a paediatric patient. The optimized applicator achieves 0.3 °C higher T90 than a conventional ring applicator with the same number of elements.