Significant Interaction Effect Research Articles

Dopamine transmission at D1 and D2 receptors in the nucleus accumbens contributes to the expression of incubation of cocaine craving.

Relapse represents a consistent clinical problem for individuals with substance use disorder. In the incubation of craving model of persistent craving and relapse, cue-induced drug seeking progressively intensifies or "incubates" during the first weeks of abstinence from drug self-administration and then remains high for months. Previously, we and others have demonstrated that expression of incubated cocaine craving requires strengthening of excitatory synaptic transmission in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcc). However, despite the importance of dopaminergic signaling in the NAcc for motivated behavior, little is known about the role that dopamine (DA) plays in the incubation of cocaine craving. Here we used fiber photometry to measure DA transients in the NAcc of male and female rats during cue-induced seeking tests conducted in early abstinence from cocaine self-administration, prior to incubation, and late abstinence, after incubation of craving has plateaued. We observed DA transients time-locked to cue-induced responding but their magnitude did not differ significantly when measured during early versus late abstinence seeking tests. Next, we tested for a functional role of these DA transients by injecting DA receptor antagonists into the NAcc just before the cue-induced seeking test. Blockade of either D1 or D2 DA receptors reduced cue-induced cocaine seeking after but not before incubation. We found no main effect of sex or significant interaction of sex with other factors in our experiments. These results suggest that DA contributes to incubated cocaine seeking but the emergence of this role reflects changes in postsynaptic responsiveness to DA rather than presynaptic alterations.

Performance de crescimento do feijão caupi sob diferentes concentrações iônicas da solução nutritiva

ABSTRACT: Cowpea is a food crop representing an important source of proteins and income, mainly for people living in the north and northeast of Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the growth performance of two cowpea cultivars under four different ionic concentrations of the growth solution. Thus, a pot experiment was performed using the sand culture technique and set up in a completely randomized design with a 2 x 4 factorial scheme, using four replications and one plant per plot. After the period of growth, the parameters such as length of the shoot, stem diameter, number of leaves, number of secondary branches, number of pods, fresh weight of the stem, stem dry mass, leaf dry mass, shoot dry mass, and root/shoot ratio were obtained. The results pointed out that there was a significant interaction effect on parameters like stem diameter, leaf dry mass, shoot dry mass, and number of leaves. Both cultivars were strongly responsive to changes in ionic concentration, indicating a greater biomass production at ionic concentrations of 90% and 120%. A greater growth performance for BRS Rouxinol than BRS Itaim was observed, while the second cultivar indicated a high tolerance as exposed to the highest ionic concentrations.

Minimal Social Cues, Body Proportion, Head Shape, and Participant’s Gender on the Trustworthiness of Social Robots

Exploring and validating factors that may influence the trustworthiness of social robots is of great significance to improving the effect of human-robot interaction. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of several design factors on people’s perceptions of the trustworthiness of social robots. The research variables were social cues (ie, watching-eyes configuration, control configuration, and neutral configuration), head shape (ie, round head and rectangular head), body proportion (ie, low body proportion and high body proportion), and participant’s gender (ie, male and female). Twelve static synthetic social robots were created and presented to the participants as digital pictures. A total of 175 participants took part in the experiment through the online survey via the convenience sampling method. The generated results were as follows: (1) The robots with round heads appear to be more trustworthy than those with rectangular heads. (2) Robots with high body proportion are considered to be more trustworthy than robots with low body proportion. (3) Minimal social cues and body proportion of robots also have a significant interaction effect on improving the trustworthiness of robots. In the watching-eyes configuration, high body proportion is considered more trustworthy than low body proportion. On one hand, the results of this study can provide a good reference for the appearance form of social robots in human-robot interaction to serve human beings, and on the other hand, it also lays a foundation for further exploring the influence of social cues elicited by a series of social robot appearances and social behaviors regarding the trustworthiness of social robots.

Linking personality trait-facets and value-domains

Previous research has established that personality traits and personal values are intertwined constructs reporting sizable correlations. However, few previous studies have examined facet level traits in relation to values. The Big Five model contains lower-order facets representing specific contents of each trait domain. To this end, we provide a correlational map of 30 facets (IPIP-NEO-120) and Schwartz’s 10 values using an Mturk sample (N = 406). Results show moderate to strong correlations at the facet-level, indicating construct overlap between trait-facets and values. For example, the link between trait-facet excitement-seeking and the value-domain stimulation was r = .91. We also show that moderation analyses of trait-value relations result in very few significant interaction-effects with sex, age, and socioeconomic status. We discuss that traits at facet-level may be beneficial for a better understanding of the robust links between personality traits and values.

Abstract 877: Molecular and radiographic profiling of lung cancer in never-smokers

Abstract Gene expression changes in nasal and bronchial epithelium, and quantitative features from chest CT reflect the presence of lung cancer in current and former smokers and can serve as biomarkers. Between 10-20% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed in patients who have never smoked (<100 lifetime cigarettes) and biomarkers could assist the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules discovered incidentally in this population. We compared lung cancer-associated gene expression and radiomic features in never-smokers and ever-smokers. Nasal epithelial RNA was isolated and sequenced from brushings collected at UCLA from 73 patients presenting to interventional radiology for biopsy for suspected lung cancer. Limma was used to identify genes with lung cancer-associated expression in never-smokers by comparing 13 patients with benign nodules with 14 patients diagnosed with lung cancer. Similarities between cancer-associated genes in never-smokers and those previously identified in ever-smokers were assessed by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Next, using all 73 samples, genes whose lung cancer-associated expression is modified by smoking status were identified via an interaction term. Radiomic features for 46 patients (31 ever-smokers, 15 never-smokers) were extracted using PyRadiomics, including features from the interior of the nodule and perinodular features generated 10, 15, and 20 mm away from the boundary of the nodule. A binomial model was used to identify features with a significant interaction effect between cancer and smoking status. We identified 74 genes decreased and 84 genes increased in cancer in never-smokers (p < 0.005), controlling for age and median TIN. Genes changed in ever-smoker lung cancer patients were significantly enriched among the genes most associated with lung cancer in never smokers (GSEA; p = 0.0059 and p = 4.38e-15). Next, there were 51 genes with a p-value < 0.01 for the cancer*smoking interaction term. Lastly, four radiomic features were associated with the perinodular term for cancer and smoking status (FDR< 0.2), including two nodular and two boundary features. These results suggest that lung cancer-associated gene expression differences in ever-smokers are preserved in never-smokers, suggesting the potential relevance of previously derived biomarkers for this population. There may also be never-smoker-specific gene expression patterns associated with lung cancer. Our radiomic findings suggest that both nodular and perinodular characteristics may be important predictors of malignancy. Citation Format: Minyi Lee, Anil Yadav, Gang Liu, Steven Dubinett, Jennifer Beane, William Hsu, Ashley Prosper, Denise Aberle, Marc Lenburg. Molecular and radiographic profiling of lung cancer in never-smokers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 877.

Optimizing indicated cognitive behavioral therapy to prevent child anxiety and depression: A cluster-randomized factorial trial

Identifying effective components can lead to interventions that are less resource-intensive and better suited for real-world needs. In this 2×2×2 cluster-randomized factorial trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT04263558), we investigated the effects of three components of an indicated, transdiagnostic CBT intervention for children: 1) Intervention Delivery Format (child group format versus a blended format with group sessions and automated web-based sessions), 2) Parental Involvement in the intervention (group-based versus psychoeducational brochure), and 3) a Measurement Feedback System (MFS; on versus off). The intervention was delivered at schools in a group-based format. The participants (N = 701 children) were school children (age 8–12 years) with elevated symptoms of anxiety or depression, and their parents. The main outcomes were self-reported (N = 633) and parent-reported (N = 725) symptoms of child anxiety and depression post-intervention. The secondary outcome was children's user satisfaction with the intervention. We did not find significant main or interaction effects of Delivery Format, Parental Involvement, or MFS on children's symptom levels. There were no significant effects on children's user satisfaction. Results were compatible with retaining the least resource intensive combination (i.e., blended format, parental brochure, no MFS) in an optimized intervention.

Soil Ecoenzymatic Stoichiometry Reveals Microbial Metabolic Limitations in Apple Orchards with Cover Crop and Organic Fertilizer Incorporation

Understanding the stoichiometry of extracellular enzymes in soil, particularly in relation to nutrient acquisition (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus), provides valuable insights into microorganisms’ resource requirements. This study investigates the metabolic constraints of soil microorganisms in response to different growth stages of apple trees under various soil management practices. A 14-year long-term experiment with a split-plot design was conducted, where the main plots received different cover crop treatments (bare vs. cover crop), and subplots were subjected to four fertilizer treatments (CK, M, NPK, MNPK). The significant main and interactive effects of cover crops, fertilizer treatment, and growth period on soil nutrients were observed (p < 0.001). Both cover crop and fertilizer treatments significantly increased the soil organic matter content, with implications for orchard resilience to drought. However, the cover factor alone did not notably influence soil carbon–nitrogen ratios or microbial communities. Microbial carbon limitations were driven by soil water dynamics and microbial biomass, while microbial phosphorus limitations were closely linked to total nitrogen levels. The results underscore the combination of cover crops and MNPK fertilizer-enhanced soil nutrient levels and enzyme activities, mitigating microbial carbon and phosphorus limitations. These findings suggest practical strategies for optimizing fertilization practices to improve soil fertility and address nutrient constraints in orchard ecosystems.

Collaboration in in-service teacher training - the missing link between empirical evidence and practice?

ABSTRACT Cooperative learning is an evidence-based teaching strategy that has positive effects on students’ academic and social learning, but teachers use the strategy in class infrequently. Teacher collaboration has the potential to support teachers in the transformation of knowledge into the implementation of new teaching methods. In an experimental pre-test-post-test design (N = 53), an in-service teacher training with teacher collaboration for the implementation of cooperative learning in class was compared to a training without teacher collaboration. At both points of measurement, teachers’ knowledge about cooperative learning was tested and they reported on their self-efficacy beliefs for the implementation of cooperative learning and their use of cooperative learning in class, including the frequency, quality, and challenges of cooperative learning implementation. In both conditions, teachers’ knowledge and self-efficacy beliefs, and the quality of their use of cooperative learning increased strongly, whereas perceived challenges decreased. A significant interaction effect occurred only for the frequency of teachers’ use of cooperative learning in class. These results are discussed against the background of the efficacy of collaboration in in-service teacher training.

Food Environments and Cardiovascular Disease: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study

IntroductionResidential food environments are one of the important determinants of cardiovascular health. However, past literature has been limited by short-term follow-ups, time-invariant environmental measurements at baseline, and/or not investigating both healthy and unhealthy aspects of the food environment. This study examines the effects of time-varying healthy and unhealthy food environments on incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) over ten years, extracting data from the Health and Retirement Study (2006-2016; N=10,413). MethodsCox proportional hazards modeling was performed with inverse probability weighting to assess the association between time-varying food environmental measures (i.e., densities of grocery stores, supercenters/club stores, full-service restaurants, and fast-food restaurants) and incident CVD over 10 years. Education level and race/ethnicity were tested as potential moderators. Analyses were conducted in 2022-2023. ResultsRace/ethnicity had a significant interaction effect with supercenters/club stores and indicated that a 1-standard-deviation increase in the density of supercenters/club stores was associated with a 6-8% lower risk of incident CVD in non-Hispanic Black (HR=0.78, 95% CI=0.70-0.87) and Hispanic older adults (HR=0.69, 95% CI=0.50-0.96), but not non-Hispanic White older adults. Additionally, education had a significant interaction effect with full-service restaurants, indicating that a 1-standard-deviation increase in the density of full-service restaurants was associated with a 10% lower risk of incident CVD in individuals with 13+ years of schooling, but not those with zero to 12 years of schooling. ConclusionsFindings suggest that public policymakers should be aware of the benefits and nuances of varying food environment components as they can contribute to positive or negative cardiovascular health.

Cognitive bias modification for perfectionism and intolerance of uncertainty: A randomized controlled trial.

This study investigated the efficacy of combined cognitive bias modification (CBM) on perfectionism and intolerance of uncertainty. Fifty-four university students scoring over 70.5 on the Brief Symptom Measure were randomly assigned to experimental and placebo control groups. The CBM intervention was administered online for 4 weeks. Assessments were given at baseline, after the 4-week intervention, and 1 month post-intervention. Results showed a statistically significant decrease in two dimensions of perfectionism, concern over mistakes and parental criticism, and intolerance of uncertainty of those in the experimental group, compared to those in the control group. The findings related to the interpretation of perfectionism revealed a significant interaction effect of time and direction of sentences for the experimental group. Lastly, the experimental group's interpretation bias scores for intolerance of uncertainty showed a statistically significant increase after the intervention compared to those in the control group. The study's findings provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of CBM on perfectionism and intolerance of uncertainty.

Intervening Effect of Maladaptive Personality on the Relationship Between Defense Styles and Psychiatric Symptoms Among Prisoners

Background: Prison settings are stress-inducing environments that make individuals more vulnerable to psychopathology. Defense styles and personality traits have long been associated with psychopathology. The current study aimed to explain the intervening role of maladaptive personality domains on the relationship between defense styles and psychiatric symptoms among male convicts imprisoned in nine Central Jails of Punjab, Pakistan. Method: Through cross-sectional design, data was collected through purposive sampling. 509 respondents (who were serving their sentence for the crime committed) with a Mean age of 35 years (10.21) provided data on self-reported translated versions of the Cross-Cutting Symptoms Measure, Personality Inventory for DSM 5 - Adult version (Short Form), and Defense Style Questionnaire. Results: Findings of the mediation analysis showed that negative affectivity, disinhibition, and psychoticism mediated the relationship between immature defense style and psychiatric symptoms whereas moderation analysis showed a significant interactional effect of antagonism with mature and neurotic defense style on psychiatric symptoms exclusively. Implication: Findings have highlighted that defense styles and certain personality domains intervene to have a combined indirect effect on psychiatric symptoms. The study also contributes to the literature by specifying the interactional effect of antagonism and mature defense style on predicting psychiatric symptoms.

The impact of ultrasound treatment on glycolytic enzymes when applied to crude extracts from early post-mortem bovine muscle

The rate of pH decline post – mortem and its interaction with temperature influences the final tenderness of meat, and therefore, the manipulation of the rate of pH decline is a strategy of interest in order to obtain consistent high quality meat. Ultrasound is a potential early post - mortem carcass intervention, which may alter the rate of glycolysis based on its ability to alter enzyme activity. In this study, homogenates (prepared from early post-mortem Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle) were subjected to different ultrasound intensities (0 %/60 %/100 % amp) and treatment durations (15/ 30 min). The effect of these treatments on the inherent activity of the glycolytic enzymes was investigated using an in vitro glycolytic buffer model system. It was found that ultrasound treatment intensity and duration had a significant interactive effect on the rate of pH decline, and on reducing sugars and lactic acid concentrations, specifically following the 100 % amp ultrasound for 30 min treatment and between 30 and 240 min incubation. No significant differences in pH or metabolites content were observed between treatments after 1440 min of incubation. No effect of ultrasound intensity or treatment duration was observed on the degradation of glycogen. Under the reported conditions of this trial, it can be concluded that the application of ultrasound has limited potential to have an impact on the glycolytic pathways in bovine muscle.

Parental burnout, coparenting, and internalized sexual stigma during COVID-19 in parents with minoritized sexual identities.

The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a model of stressful situations for parents insofar as it led to unprecedented difficulties in childcare and caregiving, resulting in increased levels of parental burnout, worldwide. To date, research on parental burnout has mainly involved heterosexual parents. However, parents with minoritized sexual identities face partially different stressors, including internalized sexual stigma, and they also have partially different resources, including a more egalitarian division of childcare labor. Between April 2020 and February 2021, 32 lesbian mother families by donor insemination (n = 64 lesbian mothers) and 28 gay father families by gestational surrogacy (n = 56 gay fathers), all with a child aged 6-10 years and living in Italy, were recruited. In each family, both parents self-rated their parental burnout, coparenting, and internalized sexual stigma. Multilevel modeling indicated that lesbian mothers reported greater parental burnout than gay fathers. Moreover, lower coparenting quality was associated with greater parental burnout. Finally, internalized sexual stigma had a significant both direct and interactive effect on parental burnout, with higher levels of internalized sexual stigma resulting in greater parental burnout, especially in gay fathers. Considering the sexual minority stress theory and the risks and resources balance theory, the results indicate the importance of preventing and treating parental burnout in lesbian and gay parents by focusing on their internalized sexual stigma and coparenting relationship. Also, incorporating the positive psychology framework in future research would help identify in these parents the resources deriving from their minoritized sexual identities to deal with parental burnout. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Early-life tobacco smoke elevating later-life osteoporosis risk: Mediated by telomere length and interplayed with genetic predisposition

IntroductionThe growing prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) in an aging global population presents a significant public health concern. Tobacco smoke negatively affects bone turnover, leading to reduced bone mass and heightened OP and fracture risk. However, the impact of early-life tobacco smoke exposure on later-life OP risk remains unclear. ObjectivesThis study was to explore the effects of early-life tobacco smoke exposure on incident OP risk in later life. The mediating role of telomere length (TL) and the interaction with genetic predisposition were also studied. MethodsData on in utero tobacco smoke exposure (IUTSE) status and age of tobacco use initiation from the UK Biobank were used to estimate early-life tobacco smoke exposure. Incident OP cases were identified according to health-related records. Linear, Cox, and Laplace regression models were mainly used for data analysis. ResultsIndividuals with IUTSE showed a higher OP risk [hazard ratio (HR): 1.06, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.11] and experienced earlier OP onset by 0.30 years [50th percentile difference = -0.30, 95 % CI: −0.51, −0.09] compared to those without. Participants initiating tobacco smoke in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood had 1.41 times (95 % CI: 1.23, 1.61), 1.17 times (95 % CI:1.10, 1.24), and 1.14 times (95 % CI: 1.07, 1.20) the risk of OP, respectively, compared to never smokers. They also experienced earlier OP onset by 2.16, 0.95, and 0.71 years, sequentially. The TL significantly mediated the early-life tobacco exposure and OP association. Significant joint and interactive effects were detected between early-life tobacco smoke exposure and genetic elements. ConclusionsOur findings implicate that early-life tobacco smoke exposure elevates the later-life OP risk, mediated by telomere length and interplayed with genetic predisposition. These findings highlight the importance of early-life intervention against tobacco smoke exposure and ageing status for precise OP prevention, especially in individuals with a high genetic risk.

Serving Alcohol to an "Obviously Intoxicated" Patron.

Alcohol overservice at on-premises establishments is associated with driving while intoxicated, violence, and other harms. This study examined rates of alcohol overservice and service refusal among licensed on-premises establishments in northern California and characteristics of establishments, servers, and pseudo-patrons (PPs) that may be associated with service refusal. In 2022, 300 licensed on-premises establishments were sampled in nine counties representing the San Francisco Bay Area. From July 2022 to January 2023, PP and observer teams visited each establishment, and PPs attempted to buy alcohol while displaying obvious signs of intoxication. The outcome of each purchase attempt; characteristics of establishments, servers, and PPs; and month, day, and time were recorded. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted to address study objectives. Twenty-one percent of the establishments refused alcohol service to PPs. No establishment or server characteristics were significantly associated with service refusal in logistic regression analysis, nor were month, day, or time. However, service refusal was significantly more likely among female PPs (odds ratio = 3.71, 95% CI [1.67, 8.24], p < .01) and PPs displaying obvious or very obvious signs of intoxication (odds ratio = 9.28, 95% CI [1.99, 43.40], p < .01). There was no significant interaction effect of PP × Server Gender on the likelihood of service refusal. This study indicates that alcohol overservice to obviously intoxicated patrons remains common at licensed on-premises establishments. Mandatory responsible beverage service training of servers and enforcement of alcohol overservice laws are needed to reduce overservice and related harms.

Possibility of Enhancing Students’ Academic Performance in Electrolysis Using Collaborative-Predict-Observe-Explain-Write (CPOEW) and 3E’s Learning Models

This research investigated the possibility of enhancing senior secondary school students’ academic performance in electrolysis using Collaborative-Predict-Observe-Explain-Write (CPOEW) and Exploration, Explanation and Evaluation (3E’s) learning models. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design. Electrolysis Performance Test (EPT) was the instrument used for data collection. Kuder-Richardson (KR-21) formula was used to test the internal consistency of EPT which yielded a reliability value of 0.91. The population was 7,152 SS2 students offering chemistry in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. A sample of 143 students drawn from 3 schools in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria was selected using multi-stage sampling techniques. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The research questions were answered using Mean and Standard Deviation scores while the null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using results from Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The study revealed that there was significant difference in the mean academic performance of students taught Electrolysis using CPOEW, 3E’s model and discussion method [F2, 140=1943.116, P&lt;0.05]. The study revealed that there was no significant interaction effect of treatments and gender on the mean academic performance scores of students in electrolysis [F2, 140=114.340, P&lt;0.05]. It was recommended among others that to enhance students’ academic performance in electrolysis, serving teachers should be encouraged to use CPOEW and 3E’s learning models in teaching electrolysis.

Soil respiration and controls in warmer winter: A snow manipulation study in postfire and undisturbed black pine forests.

Climate change impacts drive warmer winters, reduced snowfall, and forest fires. In 2020, a wildfire scorched about 1508 hectares of black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) forests in Türkiye. Whether the combined effects of lack of snow and forest fires significantly alter winter soil respiration (Rs) and soil temperature remains poorly understood. A field experiment was conducted in the postfire and undisturbed black pine forests during the winter to quantify Rs rates as affected by lack of snow and forest fire. We applied four treatments: snow-exclusion postfire (SEPF), snow postfire (SPF), snow-exclusion-undisturbed forest (SEUF), and snow undisturbed forest (SUF). The SEPF exhibited the significantly lowest mean Rs rates (0.71 μmol m-2 s-1) compared to the SPF (1.02 μmol m-2 s-1), SEUF (1.44 μmol m-2 s-1), and SUF (1.48 μmol m-2 s-1). The Rs also showed significant variations with time (p < .0001). However, treatments and time revealed no statistically significant interaction effects (p = .6801). Total winter Rs (January-March) ranged from 4.47 to 4.59 Mt CO2 ha-1 in the undisturbed forest and 2.20 to 3.16 Mt CO2 ha-2 in the postfire site. The Rs showed a significantly positive relationship (p < .0001) with the soil (0.59) and air (0.46) temperatures and a significantly negative relationship (p = .0017) with the soil moisture (-0.20) at the 5 cm depth. In contrast, the Rs indicated a negative but not statistically significant relationship (p = .0932) with the soil moisture (-0.16) at the 10 cm soil depth. The combined effects of lack of snow and forest fire significantly decreased Rs, thus conserving the soil's organic carbon stocks and reducing the CO2 contribution to the atmosphere. In contrast, a warmer winter significantly increased Rs rates in the undisturbed forest, suggesting an acceleration of soil organic carbon losses and providing positive feedback to climate change.

Screening of Litter-Size-Associated SNPs in NOX4, PDE11A and GHR Genes of Sheep.

In previous studies, NOX4, PDE11A and GHR genes have been screened as important candidate genes for litter size in sheep by using the GWAS method; however, neither their effects on litter size nor the loci associated with litter size have been identified. In this study, three candidate loci (c.1057-4C > T in NOX4, c.1983C > T in PDE11A and c.1618C > T in GHR) were first screened based on our previous resequencing data of 10 sheep breeds. After the three loci were genotyped using Sequenom MassARRAY technology, we carried out population genetics analysis on the three loci and performed association analysis between the polymorphism of the three loci and the litter size of sheep. The results of population genetics analysis suggested that c.1057-4C > T in NOX4 and c.1983C > T in PDE11A may be subject to natural or artificial selection. The results of association analysis indicated that litter size was significantly associated with c.1057-4C > T in NOX4 and c.1983C > T in PDE11A (p < 0.05) in Small Tail Han sheep, and there was no significant interaction effect between the two loci on the litter size. In summary, c.1057-4C > T in NOX4 and c.1983 C > T in PDE11A can be considered candidate molecular markers for improving litter size in sheep.

International and domestic university students' mental health over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: Comparison between 2020, 2021, and 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected university students' mental health worldwide. International students were presenting high levels of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms before the pandemic. This study aimed to investigate (i) differences between various timepoints of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020, 2021, and 2022) in mental health outcomes and social and emotional aspects in domestic and international students, separately, (ii) differences between international and domestic students between the three timepoints on mental health outcomes and social and emotional aspects, and (iii) possible moderation effects of timepoints on mental health outcomes and social and emotional aspects of domestic and international students. Data from three cross-sectional anonymous online surveys conducted in German universities were analyzed and compared. Data were collected in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, with a total N = 14,498. Depressive symptoms, hazardous alcohol use, social support, self-efficacy, resilience, perceived stress, and loneliness were assessed through standardized self-report instruments. Differences between domestic and international students in mental health outcomes, and social and emotional aspects across three timepoints were assessed with one-way and two-way ANCOVAs. Regardless of the timepoint, international students presented more depressive symptoms and perceived stress, lower perceived social support and resilience, but higher levels of self-efficacy and less alcohol consumption compared to domestic students. A significant interaction effect between timepoint and student status emerged only for loneliness. International students generally presented poorer mental health outcomes than domestic students. Mental health care and prevention such as low-threshold, online counseling should address university students, especially international students.

The effect of modifier and a water-soluble fertilizer on two forages grown in saline-alkaline soil.

Saline-alkali soil significantly impairs crop growth. This research employs the impacts of the modifier and water-soluble fertilizer, as well as their interaction, on the root systems of alfalfa and leymus chinensis in saline-alkali soil. The results exhibit that the hydrochar source modifier effectively enhances the root growth of both forage species. There are certain improvements in the root growth indicators of both crops at a dosage of 20 g/kg. Root enzyme activity and rhizosphere soil enzyme activity are enhanced in alfalfa, showing significant improvements in the first planting compared to the second planting. The application of water-soluble fertilizers also promotes root growth and root dehydrogenase activity. The root dehydrogenase activity of alfalfa and leymus chinensis are enhanced 62.18% and 10.15% in first planting than that of blank, respectively. Additionally, the two-factor variance analysis revealed a correlation between rhizosphere soil enzyme activity and changes in root traits. Higher rhizosphere soil enzyme activity is observed in conjunction with better root growth. The combined application of a modifier and water-soluble fertilizer has demonstrated a significant interaction effect on various aspects of the first planting of alfalfa and leymus chinensis. Moreover, the combined application of the modifier and water-soluble fertilizer has yielded superior results when compared to the individual application of either the modifier or the water-soluble fertilizer alone. This combined approach has proven effective in improving saline-alkali soil conditions and promoting crop growth in such challenging environments.