Direct Effect Research Articles

Sleep Quality as a Critical Pathway Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Multimorbidity and the Impact of Lifestyle.

This study aims to establish the effects of ACEs on multimorbidity through sleep quality and investigate whether lifestyle factors (e.g., eating habits and exercise) may influence this relationship among middle-aged and older adults. Participants were drawn from a cross-sectional sample of community dwelling older adults (N = 276, 55+) and three waves of data from the Midlife in the United States study (MIDUS, N = 843). We examined the direct and indirect effects of ACEs, sleep quality, and health conditions, as well as the conditional effects of physical activity and eating habits. Across both samples, sleep quality mediated the relationship between ACEs and chronic health conditions. Moderating effects of unhealthy eating and physical activity differed between samples. Sleep quality is an important pathway connecting ACEs and adult multimorbidity, and health behaviors may provide targets for intervention particularly in older adults.

Effectiveness of Trellis Model and Propagation Direction in Optimizing Growth and Yield of Long Bean Plants (Vigna sinensis L)

Effectiveness of Trellis Model and Propagation Direction in Optimizing Growth and Yield of Long Bean Plants (Vigna sinensis L)

The anticancer mechanism of Terpenoid-based drug candi-dates: focus on tumor microenvironment.

Cancer is considered to be the most lethal threat to human life globally. Although, versatile strategies have been established in the field of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and im-munotherapy against cancer, discovery of new therapeutic drugs from natural products still un-derlays anticancer remedy due to their unique functional mechanisms and potential low side ef-fects. Terpenoids are among the most diversified and enormous natural products which have been proved promising in cancer treatment. Some terpenoids have been through multiple stages of clinical trials and some even approved as anticancer agent, but most of these studies empha-sized the direct effects on tumor cells while paying less attention to their systemic effects on tu-mor microenvironment (TME) Therefore, we recruited the patent drugs and investigated drug candidates of terpenoids in this review and summarized their general anti-tumor mechanisms among which the regulation on TME was highlighted. Finally, the prospect on the drug ability of terpenoids and their potential benefits in immunotherapy were discussed to illuminate fur-ther researches on these natural products. Keywords.

The protective roles of coping self-efficacy and social support for posttraumatic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study examined the roles of social support and coping self-efficacy (CSE) in attenuating posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among a nonclinical university student sample. Participants (n = 610; 59% female) completed questionaries assessing psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) at baseline and 6-month follow-up, and social support (Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12), CSE Scale, and PTS symptoms (Impact of Event Scale-Revised) at 6 months. A path analysis was conducted using SPSS Amos to examine the direct and indirect pathways from psychological distress to PTS symptoms that are accounted for by social support and CSE, controlling for gender. All direct effects in the path analysis were significant except for the relationship between social support and PTS symptoms. Notably, CSE was directly related to PTS symptoms (CSE: β = -.30, p < .001). There was a significant indirect effect of early psychological distress on PTS symptoms 6 months into the pandemic through social support and CSE (β = .14, p < .001). Individuals with higher levels of social support are more likely to have greater confidence in their coping capabilities, which helps to explain PTS symptom severity after controlling for initial levels of psychological distress and gender. These findings suggest that following a potentially traumatic event, CSE may be one factor to screen for to better identify individuals who are at higher risk for significant psychological difficulties and may benefit from interventions that bolster protective factors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessing the indicators of the effectiveness of the strategic environmental directions of sustainable development of Ukraine in war conditions

Assessing the indicators of the effectiveness of the strategic environmental directions of sustainable development of Ukraine in war conditions

Cognitive factors as mediators of the relationship between childhood trauma and depression symptoms: the mediating roles of cognitive overgeneralisation, rumination, and social problem-solving

ABSTRACT Background: Childhood trauma has negative immediate and long-term impacts on depression. Questions remain, however, regarding the cognitive factors influencing this relationship. This study aimed to investigate the role of three cognitive factors – cognitive overgeneralisation, rumination and social problem-solving – as mediating factors in the relationship between childhood trauma and symptoms of depression. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Iran from March to July 2023. Participants (N = 227; Mean age 32.44 ± 8.95 years) with depression completed measures of childhood trauma, depression, self-overgeneralisation, cognitive errors, memory specificity, rumination and social problem-solving. The conceptual model was assessed using structural equation modelling. Results: Structural equation modelling indicated that childhood trauma had a positive direct effect on depression symptoms. Childhood trauma had a positive indirect effect on depression symptoms through both self-overgeneralisation and rumination and a negative indirect effect on depression through effective social problem-solving strategies. Conclusions: The findings suggest increased exposure to childhood trauma may be associated with elevated depression and self-overgeneralisation, rumination, and effective social problem-solving strategies may play an important role in this relationship. These findings hold potential implications for those working with patients with depression and a history of childhood trauma.

Two Birds with One Stone: Drug Regime Targets Viral Pathogenesis Phases and COVID-19 ARDS at the Same Time.

Severe COVID-19 or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a kind of viral pneumonia induced by infection with the coronavirus that causes ARDS. It involves symptoms that are a combination of viral pneumonia and ARDS. Antiviral or immunosuppressive medicines are used to treat many COVID-19 patients. Several drugs are now undergoing clinical studies in order to see if they can be repurposed in the future. In this study, in silico biomarker-targeted methodologies, such as target/ molecule virtual screening by docking technique and drug repositioning strategy, as well as data mining approach and meta-analysis of investigational data, were used. In silico findings of used combination of drug repurposing and high-throughput docking methods presented acetaminophen, ursodiol, and β-carotene as a three-drug therapy regimen to treat ARDS induced by viral pneumonia in addition to inducing direct antiviral effects against COVID-19 viral infection. In the current study, drug repurposing and high throughput docking methods have been employed to develop combination drug regimens as multiple-molecule drugs for the therapy of COVID-19 and ARDS based on a multiple-target therapy strategy. This approach offers a promising avenue for the treatment of COVID-19 and ARDS, and highlights the potential benefits of drug repurposing in the fight against the current pandemic.

Translation of MFL and UT data by using generative adversarial networks: A comparative study

Translation of MFL and UT data by using generative adversarial networks: A comparative study

Influence of different directions of the Kinesio tape application on the rectus femoris muscle on the quality of the knee flexion pattern in a prone position

Introduction: Movement patterns are sequences of movements performed automatically. Due to sedentary lifestyles, lack of physical activity, and poor posture habits, these patterns are often inappropriate. Analysis and re-education of the performance of movement patterns are the methods of preventing pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction. The research aimed to compare the effectiveness of different directions of the Kinesio tape application on knee flexion range of motion in young women. Material and methods: The study involved 40 women aged 21–25; 10 women with a normal range of active knee flexion measured in the prone position and 30 women with limited active flexion of both knee joints, who were randomly assigned to one of two groups: with the Kinesio tape application from the origin to the insertion of the rectus femoris muscle (14 women) and with the Kinesio tape application from the insertion to the origin of the rectus femoris (16 women). The active and passive knee flexion test was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Kinesio tape application. The test was performed before applying the tape, immediately after application, three days after wearing the application, and four days after removing the application. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica v.13 program and the differences and correlations were considered significant for p &lt; 0.05. Results: The Kinesio tape application increased the range of controlled active knee flexion The research showed a statistically significant increase in the range of active flexion of the knee joint after using both directions of the tape application however, in the E1 group, a difference in the range of motion was observed immediately after application, while in the E2 group after three days of wearing it. In both groups, the effect was maintained on the fourth day after removing the application. Conclusions: The Kinesio tape application may be useful in increasing the range of controlled knee flexion however, it does not improve the range of knee flexion to normal values.

Selecting scaling indicators in structural equation models (sems).

It is common practice for psychologists to specify models with latent variables to represent concepts that are difficult to directly measure. Each latent variable needs a scale, and the most popular method of scaling as well as the default in most structural equation modeling (SEM) software uses a scaling or reference indicator. Much of the time, the choice of which indicator to use for this purpose receives little attention, and many analysts use the first indicator without considering whether there are better choices. When all indicators of the latent variable have essentially the same properties, then the choice matters less. But when this is not true, we could benefit from scaling indicator guidelines. Our article first demonstrates why latent variables need a scale. We then propose a set of criteria and accompanying diagnostic tools that can assist researchers in making informed decisions about scaling indicators. The criteria for a good scaling indicator include high face validity, high correlation with the latent variable, factor complexity of one, no correlated errors, no direct effects with other indicators, a minimal number of significant overidentification equation tests and modification indices, and invariance across groups and time. We demonstrate these criteria and diagnostics using two empirical examples and provide guidance on navigating conflicting results among criteria. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Study of spatial spillover effects and threshold characteristics of the influence of urbanization on grain green production efficiency in China under carbon constraints.

Food security is a basic guarantee for maintaining social stability, and improving green and healthy grain production is the way to promote food security. China is currently experiencing rapid urbanization that has an impact on grain production and security, with reduced arable land, environmental pollution, insufficient agricultural population, and inadequate resource allocation. How to deal with the relationship between urbanization and grain production becomes the key to solve this problem. Therefore, this study constructs an evaluation system of grain green production efficiency (GGPE) with non-expected output containing carbon emissions, and uses the super-efficient SBM model to measure the level of GGPE, and constructs a spatial econometric model to examine the spatial correlation and spillover effect of urbanization on GGPE; then constructs a panel threshold model to analyze the nonlinear threshold characteristics between urbanization and GGPE. It was found that (1) from 2000 to 2019, China's GGPE showed an overall upward trend, and the performance of GGPE varied among different provinces. (2) According to the results of the spatial econometric model, China's GGPE shows obvious spatial characteristics, and the level of urbanization not only directly affects regional GGPE but also can indirectly affect neighboring regions' GGPE through spatial spillover effects, and the indirect effects among regions are larger than the direct effects. (3) Spatial threshold effect results, there is a significant non-linear threshold characteristic of the impact of urbanization rate on GGPE. In terms of the influence effects of other variables, the influence of each variable on GGPE is roughly in the same direction as the influence under the spatial spillover effect, but the degree of influence is slightly different.

Associations among military sexual trauma, positive alcohol expectancies, and coping behaviors in female veterans.

Military sexual trauma (MST) is prevalent among female veterans and is associated with deleterious health outcomes. Adaptive coping strategies (e.g., emotional support) are associated with more positive outcomes, while maladaptive strategies (e.g., substance use) are associated with greater impairment. However, research on factors that influence specific coping strategy use is limited. For women with a history of MST, expectancies about the effects of alcohol may enhance the use of maladaptive and reduce the use of adaptive strategies. The present study tested this hypothesis. Associations among MST status and two coping behaviors (emotional support, substance use) in female veterans were examined and the mediating role of positive alcohol expectancies on these relationships was tested. A secondary analysis was conducted using self-report survey data from 186 female veterans in a Northeastern region. Measures included a brief screen for MST, the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Checklist for DSM-5, the Brief Cope, and the Brief Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol Questionnaire. Among all respondents, positive alcohol expectancies were significantly associated with greater substance use coping, while PTSD symptom severity was negatively associated with emotional support coping. Though women with MST reported greater positive alcohol expectancies and PTSD symptom severity, the direct effects of MST on coping were not significant. Mediation was not supported in our sample. Alcohol expectancies may be a viable target for intervention to reduce alcohol use as a maladaptive coping strategy among female veterans. Similarly, treatment targeting PTSD symptoms, regardless of MST status, is important for enhancing the use of adaptive coping strategies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

ОЦІНКА ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ РОЗВИТКУ ВИРОБНИЧОГО ПОТЕНЦІАЛУ ПІДПРИЄМСТВА АВТОСЕРВІСУ

The main task of the automotive service enterprise is to efficiently provide high-quality technical maintenance and repair services for vehicles that meet consumer expectations. The production of quality services in automotive service enter-prises primarily depends on the state and level of the potential of the production process. This is determined by the condition of the technical and technological support of the production base, the level of professionalism of employees involved in the production of technical maintenance and repair services for vehicles, and the perfection of the organization and manage-ment forms of the enterprise’s production potential. There is a need to determine the directions and rational level of costs to increase the production potential of the enterprise. Accordingly, the purpose of the study is to develop a model for assessing and justifying the directions and volumes of increasing the production potential of the automotive service enterprise. When planning the development of production processes and increasing production potential, it is necessary to evaluate the direc-tions and the corresponding level of capital investments in the development of the enterprise and its production process components. It is essential to consider that the costs of increasing production potential must be economically justified. The demand for services and the price per norm-hour of service production work should simultaneously ensure the expected qual-ity of the service for consumers and the reimbursement of costs invested in the development of the enterprise. The level of improvement and development of the service production process in specific directions should be determined and evaluated based on the economic effect obtained from the implementation of measures to increase the production potential of the en-terprise. The analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness of improving the production process of the enterprise are based on determining its real and potential capabilities for carrying out production activities. A mathematical model has been devel-oped to assess the effectiveness of directions for developing production potential and possible losses in the implementation of unjustified, ineffective decisions. A methodology has been developed for determining the effectiveness of investments in the development of the production potential of the enterprise and the directions and volumes of costs for its improvement. Keywords: auto service services, production process, potential, efficiency, evaluation.

The Interaction between Directives and Tax Treaties: Three Case Studies

This article applies the findings of the author’s doctoral thesis, The Effect of Directives in the Area of Direct Taxation on the Interpretation and Application of Tax Treaties, which was awarded the International Fiscal Association’s 2024 Mitchell B. Carroll Prize, to three case studies of conflicts between directives and tax treaties.

Numerical investigation on the suppression of vortex-induced vibration system by assembling different rotors based on quasi-active control method

Numerical investigation on the suppression of vortex-induced vibration system by assembling different rotors based on quasi-active control method

Determining the effect of environmental factors, work postures and mental workload on musculoskeletal disorders in rescue workers and accidents of one of the water and sewage companies in Iran.

Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most important problems faced by ergonomists today. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of weather conditions, working conditions and mental workload on musculoskeletal disorders of rescuers and water and sewage company accidents in hot and cold seasons. The present study was a longitudinal study that was performed on all employees of rescue and disaster teams of Shiraz Water and Sewerage Company in Iran (184 people) by census. Demographic and Nordic questionnaires, NASA Load Index (NASA-TLX), work environment assessment with temperature screening checklist and workplace ergonomic risk factor (WERA) assessment method were performed by the researcher. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 software and parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. The results showed that the highest and lowest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders related to knee and back in winter and thigh in summer with prevalence of 57.1, 55.4 and 6%. The comparison of exposure to heat stress factors in summer and winter seasons showed that the temperature factors and work clothes of the workers in both seasons are in worse conditions than other factors (P < 0968). The results of the mental workload of people in two seasons showed that the highest and lowest mental workload is related to physical changes in the winter season and frustration in the summer season, and this relationship was significant (P < 0.001). Using multiple logistic regression model, the potential risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries including age, height, BMI, level of education and work experience in both hot and cold seasons were compared. The results showed that in summer, work experience (OR = 1.16 (1.06-1.28.)) and height (OR = 1.03(0.98-1.08) had a direct effect on the prevalence of pain and discomfort arranged in the back areas. One year of increase in work experience significantly increases the chance of a disorder in the back by 16% and a one centimeter increase in height increases the chance of a disorder in the lumbar region by 3%, although this relationship is significant. It is recommended that suitable solutions such as using appropriate and up-to-date mechanical tools, reducing activity time, increasing rest time, increasing the number of personnel in order to reduce mental workload, using work clothes suitable for the season and type of work, and ergonomics training for workers are on the agenda of company officials. Water and sewage should be placed.

Aldosterone Effect on Cardiac Structure and Function.

Cardiac remodelling could be a key mechanism in aldosteronemediated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Experimental and clinical evidence has demonstrated that aldosterone causes cardiac structural remodelling and dysfunction by its profibrotic and pro-hypertrophic effects, which result mainly from the direct effects on myocardial collagen deposition, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Clinical studies have investigated the aldosterone effects on the heart in different clinical conditions, including general population, essential hypertension, primary aldosteronism, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Robust findings indicate that aldosterone or the activation of the cardiac mineralocorticoid receptor can cause damage to myocardial tissue by mechanisms independent of the blood pressure, leading to tissue hypertrophy, fibrosis, and dysfunction. Aldosterone-mediated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality mainly result from cardiac structural and functional alterations. In different clinical settings, aldosterone can induce cardiac structural remodelling and dysfunction via several pathological mechanisms, including cardiac fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Aldosterone antagonists could effectively decrease or reverse the detrimental aldosterone-mediated changes in the heart.

Analysis of the Relationship between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoporosis Based on Mendelian Randomization.

As the global population ages, the World Health Organization has found a yearly increase in the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. This trend poses a challenge to public health and healthcare and calls for the implementation of more preventive and treatment measures to address these health issues. This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoporosis (OP) using the Mendelian randomization (MR) method. OP diagnosis was based on the gold standard of bone mineral density (BMD). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified from the genome-wide association research database formed by RA and BMD, with a parameter setting of P < 5×10-8, chain imbalance r2<0.01, and kb = 10,000. Five complementary MR methods, including inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger regression, weighted median, simple mode estimation based on mode, and weighted estimation based on mode, were used to evaluate the causal relationship between RA and OP/BMD using odds ratio (OR) values and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Sensitivity analyses were performed using heterogeneity tests, horizontal pleiotropy, and individual rejection tests. A total of 78 instrumental variables were identified that were closely related to both RA and BMD in mixed populations, while 14 instrumental variables were identified in the European population and 38 instrumental variables were identified in the Asian population. Using IVW as the main analysis method, the MR analysis results of RA and BMD showed the following: mixed population OR = 0.96, 95%CI: 0.93-1.00; European population OR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.27-1.12; and Asian population OR = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.90-1.01. Sensitivity analyses showed that the MR results were robust. The study found insufficient evidence of a causal relationship between RA and OP/BMD, suggesting that RA may not have a direct effect on OP/BMD.

Study of the Effect of Palmitic Acid on the Expression of Myostatin mRNA and its Cytotoxic Properties in the Culture of Myoblast Cells and the Possibility of Exogenous Regulation

Objective: To study the cytotoxic effect of palmitic acid on myoblasts in vitro and the influence of this toxicant on the expression of myostatin mRNA in myoblast culture. Methods: To research the protective action against these processes of a compound with antioxidant activity, for which 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine malate (ethoxidol) was chosen. Results: Our studies have shown that palmitic acid has a noticeable cytostatic effect on myoblasts in vitro, significantly suppressing their proliferation: the rate of MTT recovery in myoblasts treated with palmitate was only 9.6% of that rate in control myoblasts. In experiments, it was shown that palmitic acid slightly activated the expression of myostatin mRNA. At the same time, the protective effect of 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine malate was not so pronounced. Conclusion: The results of our research indicate that the activation of myostatin synthesis is not one of the main causes of the development of myodystrophy in obese people or people following a high-lipid diet, while the direct cytotoxic effect of palmitic acid on myoblasts is. It is obvious that the use of antioxidants such as ethoxide has a protective effect on myoblasts in the experiment and may have a certain potential in clinical practice.

Reinforcing each other: How the combination of European and domestic reforms increased competition in liberalized industries

Reinforcing each other: How the combination of European and domestic reforms increased competition in liberalized industries