Direct Effect Research Articles

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

Magnetic flux leakage (MFL) and ultrasonic testing (UT) are widely used in-line inspection technologies to detect corrosion defects along pipelines. The integration of MFL and UT data has the potential to provide complementary insights that facilitate a comprehensive assessment of pipeline integrity. However, due to the inherent dissimilarity with their underlying physical principles, these techniques yield notable disparities in signal characteristics, posing challenges in integrating these multimodal data. This study aims to establish a translation mapping between MFL and UT signals to achieve consistent physical interpretations across the two modalities. Thus, this study explored the feasibility of generative adversarial network (GAN) based models encompassing both supervised and unsupervised translation approaches contingent on the availability of aligned data. Furthermore, two translation modes, MFL-UT and UT-MFL, were analyzed separately to understand the effectiveness of the translation direction. The experimental results demonstrate satisfactory performance for both aligned and unaligned data translation, with the UT-MFL translation direction yielding superior results. Overall, the translation approaches pave the way for future applications, especially in subsequent data analysis tasks such as registration, comparison, and fusion of multimodal data.

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).

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

Combining the innovative concept of quasi-active control method, a numerical simulation is conducted to investigate the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) responses. The objects of this study include a main cylinder (MC) and a cylindrical system outfitted with a pair of rotors of different types (with Banki rotors, Darrieus rotors, and Savonius rotors, denoted as WBR, WDR, and WSR), and the VIV responses are analyzed within the Reynolds number range of 0.8 × 103≤Re ≤ 5.6 × 103. The findings indicate that all three kinds of rotors show excellent vibration suppression effect in downstream and cross-flow directions by adjusting the VIV response (amplitude, frequency, hydrodynamic coefficient) and vortex pattern (vortex mode, wake shape). The maximum amplitude suppression rate can reach 99% for the Banki and Savonius cases at high reduced velocity. Within the whole velocity range, the maximum amplitudes of WBR, WDR, and WSR cases in the downstream and cross-flow directions were 0.32 and 0.45 times, 0.73 and 0.65 times, and 0.28 and 0.33 times, respectively, compared to the maximum amplitude of MC. The time-averaged drag coefficient of the controlled cylinder in the WBR case was minimized to about 0.015. The Banki rotor and Savonius rotor significantly reduced the vibration frequency of the VIV system compared to the Darrieus rotor. Especially, the Banki rotor could keep the VIV system vibration frequency within a narrow range at different reduced velocity. Moreover, the vorticity contour of the VIV system with assembled rotors was significantly improved, with a narrower flow wake width and more regular vortex shedding at high reduced velocity. Considering both amplitude suppression and drag coefficient, Banki rotors were recommended.

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

There is a consensus over Europe’s transformation into a highly competitive economy through a series of ambitious pro-competition reforms. However, both the European Commission and national actors have legislative authority over competition policies. Thus, who are the critical actors behind this legislative and economic transformation in this multi-level system? Focusing on the liberalization of state-owned industries and using a staggered difference-in-differences approach, the paper shows that the effectiveness of European directives in decreasing firm-level market power increased with the extent of preceding domestic pro-competition reforms. For every unit increase of the early domestic reform index, EU directives decrease market power in liberalized industries by an additional 7.8%. However, this effect is not significant in countries that did not reform their industries ex-ante. This finding contradicts the established view in the literature identifying the Commission as the dominant force driving this transformation, which implemented ambitious reforms by often overcoming the resistance of reluctant national governments. Instead, it is shown that the effectiveness of the Commission’s reforms depends on the support of domestic actors and compatible national institutions.

Transformational leadership and organizational citizenship behavior: The role of person-job fit and person-organization fit in social exchange perspective

BACKGROUND: Transformational leadership is critical in today’s organizations from a social exchange perspective as it helps create a positive work environment, drives innovation and change, and leads to improved organizational effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to test the direct effect of transformational leadership on person-job fit (PJ fit), person-organization fit (POF), and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). This study also examines the mediating role of PJ fit and POF on the relationship between transformational leadership and OCB. METHODS: This study collects data using a cross-sectional survey from professional lecturers of three selected public universities in Southeast Sulawesi - Indonesia. A total of 221 purposively sampled responses are utilized in the data analysis. A quantitative approach with structural equation modeling (SEM) via Amos 21.0 software is used to test the proposed hypotheses. RESULTS: The findings acknowledge that transformational leadership seems to have a direct positive effect on PJ fit, POF and OCB. Also, this study reveals that PJ fit and POF have significant positive effects on OCB. This study further unveils that PJ fit and POF fully mediate the relation between transformational leadership and OCB. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the more transformational leadership behaviors are demonstrated by leaders within organization, the more PJ fit and POF of followers will accomplish and experience with their organization, which in turn, increase OCB. It further means that transformational leadership can be crucial for recent organizations from a social exchange perspective by promoting healthy relationships and positive outcomes by encouraging followers to engage in behaviors that benefit the organization.

마음챙김이 초등학생의 불안에 미치는 영향

Objectives This study aim to explore the relationship between mindfulness and anxiety and the mediating effects of emotion regulation and worry on the relationship between mindfulness and anxiety. Methods The data were analyzed from 289 elementary school children in Seoul. Reliability analysis, technical sta-tistics, correlation analysis, and mediating effect analysis of each scale were conducted using the SPSS 18.0 and PROCESS Macro Model 4.2. Results Research results were as follows. First, the correlation between mindfulness and anxiety were significant, and regression analysis showed that mindfulness significantly predicted anxiety. Second, the mediating effect of emotion regulation and worry were significant in the relationship between mindfulness and anxiety. Conclusions This study was verified that children's mindfulness is a useful variable that directly affects anxiety re-duction and indirectly through emotional control and worry. It also provides useful information for making mindful-ness-based interventions. Considering the results that the indirect effect through worry was greater than the di-rect effect of mindfulness on anxiety, it suggests the need to include mindfulness activities on children's worry.

Estimating Who Benefits from Productivity Growth: Local and Distant Effects of City Productivity Growth on Wages, Rents, and Inequality

Abstract We first estimate the direct effects on local workers’ earnings and housing costs from increases in local labor demand caused by gains in city-level manufacturing productivity. We find that local workers benefit from productivity growth, even after subtracting increases in housing costs. These gains are larger for local less educated workers, such that productivity growth reduces local inequality. We then propose and implement a new transparent method of estimating indirect effects of local productivity growth on earnings and housing costs of workers in other cities. We find that these general equilibrium effects are economically important and disproportionately benefit college-educated workers.

PENGARUH KEIKUTSERTAAN DALAM KEGIATAN EKSTRAKURIKULER TERHADAP PRESTASI BELAJAR MELALUI KEDISIPLINAN BELAJAR SISWA SEKOLAH MENENGAH ATAS

This study explores the impact of student participation in extracurricular activities on learning achievement mediated by learning discipline. This research was conducted at SMA Negeri 1 Seberida, Indragiri Hulu Regency, with a sample of 30 students in class XI IPS. This research uses a quantitative approach with descriptive quantitative research type, the data analysis used to test the hypothesis is path analysis. The results showed that extracurricular activities have a positive but insignificant direct and indirect effect on learning achievement mediated by student discipline. The results of this study confirm previous research which states that there is a positive and significant effect of participation in extracurricular activities on discipline and learning achievement. However, this study was able to show that discipline and learning achievement can be controlled by school management policies in maintaining student discipline and achievement.

Quality of Life Among Older Adults With Frailty: A Structural Equation Modeling.

Frailty is a complex age-related clinical condition among older adults. Quality of life (QOL) among older adults with frailty is an important topic of interest. The current cross-sectional study aimed to develop a structural equation model to identify factors affecting QOL. A total of 180 older adults with frailty were recruited from general units in two hospitals in Fuzhou, China. Data were collected using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Geriatric Depression Scale-15, and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data. The final model exhibited a good fit. Poor sleep quality was associated with depression, passive coping style, and poor QOL. Depression was also associated with poor QOL. Passive coping style was associated with better QOL. This study demonstrated that sleep quality has direct and indirect effects on QOL of older adults with frailty through depression and passive coping style. Recommendations are that care providers pay attention to biological and physiological variables, symptom status, and functional status of older adults with frailty. This study also provides a theoretical basis for developing interventions that may lead to improvements in QOL among older adults with frailty. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(5), 49-55.].

Associations among meaning in life, coping, and distress in trauma-exposed U.S. military veterans.

Experiencing meaning in life may be particularly relevant following traumatic experiences as individuals who report meaning post trauma report less psychological distress. Engaging in avoidant coping, however, may be a sign of underlying psychological distress in the aftermath of traumatic experiences. We sought to examine associations among meaning in life, avoidant coping, and psychological distress in a sample of trauma-exposed veterans. Secondary cross-sectional analyses were conducted on data from veterans exposed to a traumatic event(s) who experienced clinically meaningful guilt (N = 145). Questionnaires on meaning in life, avoidant coping, and psychological distress were administered, and structural equation modeling was used to test direct effects. Path analysis revealed that greater meaning was associated with lower depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptomatology, while higher avoidant coping was associated with greater depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and somatization symptomatology. Participants who report more meaning in life and report lower avoidant coping post trauma may experience less psychological distress. If replicated longitudinally, results could suggest cultivating meaning in life and reducing avoidant coping may decrease psychological distress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The effect of configural processing on mentalization.

Eight studies (N = 2,561) reveal that how we perceptually process a person's face affects our capacity to understand their mind. Studies 1A and B indicate this relationship functions via two separate pathways: (a) indirectly by increasing our sensitivity to the cues of a mind in a face and (b) directly by changing the way we relate to the mind behind the face. Six additional studies adopt perspective taking paradigms to provide further support for a direct effect of configural processing on mentalization. Studies 2 and 3 find that processing faces configurally increases perspective taking on spatial tasks compared to processing faces featurally. Study 4 demonstrates configural face processing gives rise to inferences about the target's mental states such as beliefs and desires. Study 5 finds manipulation of a target's face that heightens configural processing increases perspective taking. Using a positive control, Study 6 demonstrates real-world consequences. Taken together, these findings document that the multiple and complex consequences of configural processing are critical to the social function of mentalization. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The impact of job satisfaction on organizational commitment with employee engagement as moderating variable

The purposes of the study are to analyze; 1) the impact of job satisfaction on banking employee’s organizational commitment, 2) the impact of employee engagement on organizational commitment, 3) the impact of job satisfaction on employee engagement, and 4) the indirect effect of job satisfaction on organizational commitment of banking employees in Padang with employee engagement as a moderating variable. The type of research is causative research, which aims to see how far the independent variables affect the dependent variable. The research data was collected came from 180 employees who worked in banking, in which they had more than 2 years of experience. Then the data to analyze using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach with Smart PLS 3.0 software. The results showed that: 1) Job satisfaction has not a direct effect on organizational commitment in banking employees in Padang; 2) Employee engagement has a direct and significant effect on organizational commitment of banking employees in Padang; 3) Job satisfaction has a direct and significant effect on employee engagement banking employees in Padang and 4) Job satisfaction has an indirect and significant influence on employee organizational commitment when mediated by employee engagement. The contribution of this study is expected to provide information for companies in developing and improving employee attitudes to have a high commitment to the company. This is intended so that employees can contribute to providing excellent service to increase organizational competitiveness.