bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of previous summer drought and fertilization on winter non-structural carbon reserves and spring leaf development of downy oak saplings
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Schönbeck Leonie , Gessler Arthur , Yang Yue , Rigling Andreas , Yu Dapao , He Peng , Li Maihe 
Published: November 2022

It is still unknown whether the previous summer season drought and fertilization will affect the winter non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) reserves, spring leaf development, and mortality of trees in the next year. We, therefore, conducted an experiment with Quercus pubescens (downy oaks) saplings grown under four drought levels from field capacity (well-watered; ~25% volumetric water content) to wilting point (extreme drought; ~6%), in combination with two fertilizer treatments (0 vs. 50 kg/ha/year blended) for one growing season to answer this question. We measured the pre- and post-winter NSC, and calculated the over-winter NSC consumption in storage tissues (i.e. shoots and roots) following drought and fertilization treatment, and recorded the spring leaf phenology, leaf biomass, and mortality next year. The results showed that, irrespective of drought intensity, carbon reserves were abundant in storage tissues, especially in roots. Extreme drought did not significantly alter NSC levels in tissues, but delayed the spring leaf expansion and reduced the leaf biomass. Previous season fertilization promoted shoot NSC use in extreme drought-stressed saplings over winter (showing reduced carbon reserves in shoots after winter), but it also showed positive effects on survival next year. We conclude that: (1) drought-stressed downy oak saplings seem to be able to maintain sufficient mobile carbohydrates for survival, (2) fertilization can alleviate the negative effects of extreme drought on survival and recovery growth of tree saplings.
Transcriptional and biochemical profiling of defense enzymes in Citrus sinensis during salicylic acid and cinnamon mediated suppression of green and blue mold
Authors: Moosa Anam , Zulfiqar Faisal , Siddique Kadambot H. M. 
Published: November 2022

Green and blue mold of citrus are threatening diseases that continuously inflict economic post-harvest loss. The suppressive effect of salicylic (SA) and Cinnamomum verum (CV) on green and blue mold of sweet oranges was investigated in this study. Among five tested plant extracts methanolic extract of Cinnamon caused the highest colony growth inhibition of P. digitatum and P. italicum in an in vitro antifungal assay. The methanolic extract of Cinnamon in combination with SA showed the lowest disease incidence and severity of green and blue mold on citrus fruit without affecting the fruit quality. Transcriptional profiling of defense enzymes revealed that the polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and peroxidase (POD) genes were upregulated in fruit treated with CV, SA, and their combination compared to the control. The treatment SA+CV caused the highest upsurge in PPO, POD, and PAL gene expression than the control. Furthermore, the biochemical quantification of PPO, POD and PAL also revealed a similar pattern of activity. The present findings unravel the fact that the escalation in the activity of tested defense enzymes is possibly associated with the reduced incidence of blue and green molds. In conclusion, the study unveils the promising suppressive potential of SA+CV against green and blue mold by regulating the expression of PPO, POD, and PAL genes. Therefore, these treatments can find a role as safer alternatives to chemicals in the management of post-harvest green and blue mold.
Conscientious objection as structural violence in the voluntary termination of pregnancy in Chile
Authors: Montero Adela , Ramirez-Pereira Mirliana , Robledo Paz , Casas Lidia , Vivaldi Lieta , Gonzalez Daniela 
Published: November 2022

IntroductionAfter three decades of the absolute prohibition of abortion, Chile enacted Law 21,030, which decriminalizes voluntary pregnancy termination when the person is at vital risk, when the embryo or fetus suffers from a congenital or genetic lethal pathology, and in pregnancy due to rape. The law incorporates conscientious objection as a broad right at the individual and institutional levels.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to explore the exercise of conscientious objection in public health institutions, describing and analyzing its consequences and proposals to prevent it from operating as structural violence.Materials and methodsThis study uses a qualitative, post-positivist design. At the national level, according to the chain technique, people who were identified as key actors due to their direct participation in implementing the law were included. Grounded theory was used to analyze the information obtained through a semi-structured interview. The methodological rigor criteria of transferability or applicability, dependability, credibility, auditability, and theoretical-methodological adequacy were met.ResultsData from 17 physicians, 5 midwives, 6 psychologists, 8 social workers, 2 nursing technicians, and 1 lawyer are included. From an inductive process through open coding, conscientious objection as structural violence and strategies to minimize the impact of objection emerge as meta-categories. The first meta-category emerges from the barriers linked to the implementation of the law, the infringement of the rights of the pregnant person, and pseudo conscientious objection, affecting timely and effective access to pregnancy termination. The second meta-category emerges as a response from the participants, proposing strategies to prevent conscientious objection from operating as structural violence.ConclusionConscientious objection acts as structural violence by infringing the exercise of sexual and reproductive rights. The State must fulfill its role as guarantor in implementing public policies, preventing conscientious objection from becoming hegemonic and institutionalized violence.
Self-regulated learning, online mathematics learning engagement, and perceived academic control among Chinese junior high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A latent profile analysis and mediation analysis
Authors: Dai Wenwu , Li Zhaolan , Jia Ning 
Published: November 2022

ObjectivesUnder the COVID-19 prevention and control policy, online learning has been widely used. The current study aimed to identify latent profiles of self-regulated learning in the context of online mathematics learning during the recurrent outbreak of COVID-19, and examine the mechanisms underlying the relationship between self-regulated learning and online mathematics learning engagement among Chinese junior high school students using variable-and person-centered approaches.MethodsA sample of 428 Chinese junior high school students (47.66% female) completed questionnaires on self-regulated learning, perceived academic control, and learning engagement. Mplus7.0 was used to analyze the latent classes of self-regulated learning. A mediation model was conducted using the software SPSS PROCESS macro.ResultsThree profiles of self-regulated learning were identified and named as low self-regulated learning (16.12%), medium self-regulated learning (43.23%), and high self-regulated learning (40.65%). In the mediating analysis, results of the variable-centered approach showed that perceived academic control mediated the effects of self-regulated learning on learning engagement. For the person-centered approach, we selected the low self-regulated learning type as the reference profile, and the analysis revealed that compared with the reference profile, perceived academic control partially mediated the link between the medium self-regulated learning profile and learning engagement; perceived academic control partially mediated the relationship between the high self-regulated learning profile and learning engagement.ConclusionThis study showed the heterogeneity in the online mathematics self-regulated learning patterns of Chinese junior high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing the internal mechanisms of Chinese junior high school students’ online mathematics learning engagement using variable-and person-centered approaches. Furthermore, the findings of the study have important implications for promoting online mathematics learning engagement among junior high students during the pandemic.
Management behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of healthcare middle managers
Authors: Mackay Marie-Christine , Gilbert Marie-Hélène , Fournier Pierre-Sébastien , Dextras-Gauthier Julie , Boucher Frédéric 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundThe spread of COVID-19 has disrupted the lifestyles of the world’s population. In the workplace, the pandemic has affected all sectors and has changed the way work is organized and carried out. The health sector has been severely impacted by the pandemic and has faced enormous challenges in maintaining healthcare services while providing care to those infected by the virus. At the heart of this battle, healthcare managers were key players in ensuring the orchestration of operations and the physical and mental availability of employees during the crisis. Although few studies have been conducted to identify organizational practices or leadership skills to be adopted in a crisis context, the concrete behaviors of managers have not been documented yet. Therefore, this study aims at filling this gap by studying middle managers’ behaviors facing COVID-19 crisis in the healthcare sector.MethodsUsing a qualitative approach, eight focus groups were conducted online during the pandemic with 37 middle managers from the healthcare community of a Quebec health establishment (Canada) from April to June 2020. Thematic analyses were conducted, and a mixed-methods approach was used to analyse the data based on Viitala’s hierarchical model of management skills.ResultsBased on the six managerial skills proposed in the model of Viitala, 21 specific management behaviors were identified as having been deployed by middle managers at the beginning of the pandemic. Considering that the health sector has been profoundly shaken by this health crisis, in addition to being an environment likely to experience other crises, managers need to develop practical skills in various crisis management situations. Thus, the results guide practitioners by highlighting the importance of team-oriented management behaviors (leadership, supervisory competencies), especially in a crisis context.
Increased plasma levels of IL-6 are associated with striatal structural atrophy in major depressive disorder patients with anhedonia
Authors: Lu Shaojia , Wu Congchong , Jia Lili , Fang Zhe , Lu Jing , Mou Tingting , Hu Shaohua , He Hongjian , Huang Manli , Xu Yi 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundAnhedonia, as the core endophenotype of major depressive disorder (MDD), is closely related to poor prognosis, but the mechanism of this feature remains to be understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the inflammatory factors and brain structural alterations in MDD patients with anhedonia and evaluate the relationship between these factors.MethodsWe assessed the plasma levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in MDD patients with anhedonia (n = 22), MDD patients without anhedonia (n = 20), and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs, n = 20) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. All participants underwent high-resolution brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to evaluate their gray matter volume (GMV). We compared inflammatory factors and GMV among the three groups and explored their relationships in MDD patients with anhedonia.ResultsCompared with those of HCs, plasma levels of IL-1β were increased in patients with MDD independent of anhedonia features, while plasma levels of IL-6 were elevated in MDD patients with anhedonia only. Meanwhile, MDD patients with anhedonia exhibited reduced GMV in the left striatal structures compared to MDD patients without anhedonia and HCs. Moreover, a significant association was observed between increased plasma levels of IL-6 and decreased GMV of the left putamen in MDD patients with anhedonia.ConclusionsThe present research outcomes suggest that anhedonia is associated with increased plasma levels of IL-6 and decreased GMV in the left striatal structures. In addition, this study demonstrates that GMV loss in the left putamen is related to increased plasma levels of IL-6 in MDD with anhedonia, which provides further insights into the possible mechanisms of anhedonia.
Correlations of psychological distress with plasma cytokine levels and gene mutations in acral and non-acral melanoma
Authors: Kim Hong Euy , Shim Hyun Jung , Jung Chaeyong , Shin Il Seon , Kim Jae-Min , Yun Sook Jung 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundThe presence of psychological distress has negatively affected the course and prognosis of melanoma. Psychological distress is influenced by cytokines and gene mutations, particularly in cancer, but no studies have investigated this phenomenon in melanoma patients. This study investigated the correlations of psychological distress, plasma cytokine levels, and gene mutations in melanoma patients, focusing on melanoma sites and TNM stages.MethodsThis study prospectively evaluated melanoma patients who visited Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital from September 2020 to March 2021. Melanoma sites were divided into acral and non-acral sites. Anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and quality of life was evaluated with EuroQol-5 Dimensions. Plasma cytokine levels, and depression- and cytokine-related gene mutations were analyzed.ResultsThis study included 151 melanoma patients. Anxiety was found in 14.6% of the patients, and depression in 29.8%. The melanoma sites were not significantly associated with anxiety, depression, or quality of life. However, psychological distress was significantly associated with the plasma cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γ. COMT, SLC6A4, SLC6A3, and IL-12b gene mutations were also associated with melanoma sites and TNM stage, anxiety, and QOL.ConclusionPsychological distress was associated with plasma cytokine levels and depression- and cytokine-related gene mutations. Using psychiatric intervention and emotional support, cytokine levels related to melanoma can be changed, which may have positive effects on the prognosis and treatment of melanoma. More careful follow-up, evaluation, and management are needed for patients with gene mutations.
Examining the dimensionality, reliability, and invariance of the Chinese version of the Resilience Scale-14: A multicenter cross-sectional survey in Chinese junior nurses
Authors: Zhao Weidong , Shu Ting , Ma Yue , Wei Xuemei , Zhu Cairong , Peng Liping , Zhao Lihong , Zhang Qin 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundThis study aimed to present the psychometric properties (dimensionality, reliability, and invariance) of the Chinese 14-Item Resilience Scale (RS-14) within Chinese register nurses (RNs) with less than 3 years work experiences. And we aimed to compare the fit of a unidimensional model and a bifactor model.Materials and methodsThis multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted from August to September in 2019. A total of 7,231 registered nurses from 90 hospitals were recruited. Data was anonymously obtained through online questionnaires. Both reliability and validity of Chinese RS-14 were assessed. The confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were used to compare the fit of two different factor structures of the RS-14 (unidimensional model vs. a bifactor model). Moreover, multigroup CFA (MGCFA) were applied to evaluate the measurement invariance (MI) across sociodemographic parameters (gender, educational level, marital status, and et al.).DesignCross-sectional quantitative analyses.ResultsOur study confirmed that the bifactor model presented the best fit within Chinese nurses (CFI = 0.924, TLI = 0.909, RMSEA = 0.095, SRMR = 0.043), and found strong factorial invariance across gender, marital status, and status of receiving standardized training. The reliability of RS-14 was high with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.939. Moreover, RS-14 was positively correlated with the social support and was negatively correlated with workplace bullying.ConclusionThis is the first study to explore the latent factor structure for the RS-14 among Chinese RNs and evaluated MI across a series of sociodemographic variables. Based on our findings, the Chinese version RS-14 is both valid and reliable.
Correlates of dietary diversity among children aged 6–23 months of head porters in Ghana
Authors: Amoah Adwoa Nyantakyiwaa , Danquah Angelina Opoku , Stanislav Traore Seydou , Drokow Emmanuel Kwateng , Yacong Bo , Wang Ling , Lyu Quanjun 
Published: November 2022

ObjectiveIn many developing countries, most children cannot meet minimum dietary diversity (MDD), defined as the consumption of four or more of the seven food groups. In Ghana, only 35% of children met MDD nationwide in 2017, but rates are worse among the rural poor and resource-constrained individuals like Head Porters (HPs). The current study investigated the correlates of MDD in children of HPs aged 6–23 months old in Ghana.Methods and materialsA cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2021 among 423 HPs selected purposively from eight market centers in two commercial cities. A multi-stage sampling method was used in obtaining the sample, while a structured interview guide was used to collect data from the caregivers. Stata version 15.1 and descriptive and inferential statistics like frequency, percentage, chi-square and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. All results were deemed significant if the p-value was &lt; 0.05 and the odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval.ResultsThe children had a mean age of 14.3 (±4.9) months, while half of the caregivers (48.2%) were between 15 and 25 years. Approximately 59% (251) had good knowledge of infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF). About 45% of the children consumed a diversified diet. The number of postnatal care (PNC) visits, delivery in a health facility, meeting minimum meal frequency (MMF), and the child's age was independently associated with MDD at the multivariate level.ConclusionOver a third of the caregivers had poor knowledge of IYCF practices. Furthermore, less than half of the children achieved MDD reflecting the need for more education by the stakeholders. Regular PNC visits and delivery in health facilities were independently associated with MDD; therefore, interventions to combat low MDD should prioritize the relevance of these predictors.
“Some are healthy and others not”: Characterization of vended food products by Accra-based food retailers
Authors: Nanema Silver , Adjei Akosua , Amevinya Gideon Senyo , Laar Amos 
Published: November 2022

Background and objectivesIncreasing the availability of healthy foods within food retail outlets can improve consumers' food environments. Such actions or inactions by food retailers may affect people's food purchasing and consumption behavior. This study explored Accra-based food retailers' perceptions and appreciation of “healthiness of food” as a concept. It also documented measures that food retailers adopt to encourage healthy food choices.MethodsIn-person semi-structured interviews were conducted with owners and managers of Accra-based supermarkets (n = 7) and corner stores (n = 13) in March 2021. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically.ResultsThe retailers' understanding of healthy food, or lack thereof, is exemplified by such expressions as “health, absence of disease, longevity, balanced diet, diversity, sanitation, and certification.” A handful of retailers described what they sell as “products that meet consumer needs,” “harmless,” or “generally good.” Very few retailers described the food they sell as “junk,” high in sugar, fat, and salt, or energy-dense but nutrient poor foods, or as food that could pose some health risk to consumers. However, some retailers indicated that they advise their customers against the overconsumption of some foods.ConclusionOverall, Accra-based retailers have a fair understanding of what constitutes healthy food – exhibiting limited knowledge of the connection between very salty, very sugary, and very fatty foods and health outcomes. Retailers in Accra require interventions that improve their food, health, and nutrition literacy. Improving retailers' food and nutrition literacy may improve the availability of healthier options in food retail outlets in Accra.
Stress, anxiety, and depression in times of COVID-19: Gender, individual quarantine, pandemic duration and employment
Authors: Levy Inna 
Published: November 2022

ObjectivesThis study explores the inter-relationship between emotional distress in adults and gender, quarantine experiences, pandemic duration, and employment.MethodsAn online cross-sectional online survey comprised 943 Israelis. The link to the survey was distributed via different personal and academic social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter). The survey was administered using the online survey portal Google Forms. Participants addressed questions about their socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., gender, age, family status, employment, and quarantine experiences) and ranked their levels of stress, anxiety, and depression using the Hebrew version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-DASS-21.ResultsThe majority of the respondents (72%) were women, 39% experienced quarantine, and 55% were unemployed. About 42% experienced a short-term pandemic (one lockdown), and the rest experienced a continuous pandemic (two lockdowns). The MANCOVA results, controlling for family status, indicated that women and unemployed participants reported higher stress, anxiety, and depression levels than men and employed participants. Participants who experienced individual quarantine reported higher anxiety and depression. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction between gender, employment, and pandemic duration. The experience of individual quarantine intensified the stress, anxiety, and depression for both employed and unemployed women. Conversely, the quarantine intensified stress, anxiety, and depression only for unemployed men, whereas the quarantine did not affect stress, anxiety, and depression among employed men.ConclusionsEmployment is a critical factor regarding men's emotional state during such stressful situations as the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, individual quarantine and long-term pandemics are associated with opposite outcomes regarding individual mental health. The individual quarantine is associated with increased anxiety and depression, while a long-term, continuous pandemic is associated with decreased stress.