Subsequent Increase Research Articles

Maternal autonomy support and intrusive control in the United States and China: Moment-to-moment associations with preschoolers' agency and defeat.

This study examines the moment-to-moment within-person associations between maternal and child behaviors during a challenging puzzle task and compares these associations between mother-child dyads from the United States (n = 99, 52 boys, Mchild age = 56.05 months, SD = 6.44) and China (n = 101, 46 boys, Mchild age = 57.41 months, SD = 6.58). Maternal autonomy support and intrusive control and child agency and defeat were rated in 15-s intervals by native and bicultural coders. Country was examined as a moderator of the moment-to-moment within-person associations between maternal and child behaviors. The results showed that for both U.S. and Chinese dyads, increases in maternal intrusive control predicted subsequent decreases in child agency, and increases in child defeat predicted subsequent increases in maternal autonomy support. Furthermore, increases in maternal autonomy support predicted subsequent increases in child defeat, but for the Chinese dyads only. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Enhancing Axial Flow Fan Performance in Air-Cooled Condensers: Tip Vortex Manipulators and Comparative Analysis of Numerical Simulation and Experimental Testing

Abstract Direct dry-cooled power plants typically operate numerous large-diameter axial flow fans in air-cooled condensers (ACCs) to facilitate the condensation of steam in the plant's thermodynamic cycle. Enhanced fan efficiency may, at scale, lead to significant parasitic power reductions and subsequent increases in plant power output. The performance of these fans may be increased by adding blade-tip modifications, which act to control blade-tip leakage flow. Previous studies have shown that manipulating the tip leakage vortex (TLV) increases the blade-to-air momentum transfer and stabilizes the air flow structures as it traverses the fan blade. This paper takes a step toward the development of improved tip vortex manipulators for an ACC fan. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, and experimental testing of the modified and unmodified fan within an ISO test facility are performed. The results are then utilized to assess the accuracy of the simulation model, visualize the manipulated flow structures at the blade tip, and ultimately quantify the effect of the endplate designs on fan performance. Excellent correlation between numerical and test results for the unmodified fan is observed, and the benefit of blade-tip modification on fan performance is again confirmed experimentally. The simulation model, however, fails to predict improvements in fan performance under modification, and simulated tip leakage flows are investigated for clarification. It is hypothesized that deflection of tip endplates under operation account for differences between simulation and experiment, and that fluid–structure interaction analyses could potentially resolve discrepancies.

Attitudes of high school students towards visualization of mathematical content

Teaching is a process for which its plan should contain reflection onto previous experience. With that in mind, teaching situations should be continuously researched and improved in accordance with the research results. Led by this thought and the fact that students are uncritically using visualization to solve mathematical problems, we defined the aim of this research–determine the attitude of students about the visualization of mathematical content (VMC). The subject of this research are the attitudes of students towards VMC. By analyzing our research subject, we have discovered the research problem–students use visual aid to solve problems uncritically. Based on this problem, we have set the aim of our research. Our aim was to determine the students’ attitudes (and their opinions) about VMC. Based on the aim of our research, we have set four research tasks. Based on these research tasks, we have established the main (leading) research question–What is the attitude of high school students towards the application of VMC? We divided the main research question into five questions: Do high school students consider that they understand the term ‘VMC’? Who considers they use more methods of solving mathematical problems using visual aid–high school male students or female students? Students of which grades consider that they use solving problems using visual aid more? What is the attitude of high school students about the relationship between the substantiality of the picture (the amount of data it encompasses) and the difficulty of solving the problem? What is the attitude of students about the use of software to solve mathematical problems? The research has been conducted with 1,240 high school students from Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. For the purposes of this article, we employed a survey, questionnaire-based research. The research was created as part of a larger study conducted in the context of preparing a doctoral dissertation related to VMC. It is one fundamental research. An essential aspect of this research involves students’ attitudes toward VMC. After obtaining all necessary approvals from relevant institutions and parents, students proceeded to testing and surveying in their school classrooms, under the supervision of designated individuals who facilitated the conduct of the research. The distribution of the data was not normal, so we used the Pearson Chi-square, likelihood ratio Chi-square, and linear-by-linear association test to examine the association between student attitudes and categorical variables (gender and grade). In addition, we used frequencies and percentages. It has been concluded that the students are mostly positive towards applying visualization in their process of solving mathematical problems and these should be used in the direction of improving the students’ success, their confidence and their level of contentment in their mathematics class, as well as in other life situations that encompass mathematical content. In future research, it could be examined why students expressed such attitudes about the presented situations. Additionally, it would be significant to explore why students do not consider themselves successful in applying VMC, despite claiming to understand the term. The analysis could extend to the content presented in textbooks or instructional materials students use–how visualized the content is or whether students are required to visualize it themselves. It would also be worthwhile to investigate the extent to which teachers encourage students to visualize specific tasks or do so on their behalf. Given the fluctuation in results (we observe affirmative answers–partially or completely) observed across grades–initial decrease, subsequent increase, followed by another decrease–it might be explored whether this is related to the curriculum taught in each grade (such as content, volume, number of class hours, etc.). Regarding images leading to incorrect conclusions, it would be interesting to investigate the types of images students have in mind, how frequently they encounter such situations, where they use these images, who creates them, and similar aspects. These are just some questions for future research.

Multiphysics Analysis of PLOFC and DLOFC Accidents in the HTGR-TR

High-temperature, gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) are promising advanced reactor designs. Leveraging passive safety features, higher core outlet temperatures, previous commercial operational experience, and potential coupling with nonelectrical systems, HTGRs present many advantages over traditional light water reactors and other advanced reactor designs. The High-Temperature, Gas-Cooled Test Reactor (HTGR-TR) is a point design developed by Idaho National Laboratory as a response to the need for the expansion of U.S. test reactor capabilities. The HTGR-TR was designed to serve as a test reactor for Generation-IV small modular prismatic block HTGRs and to provide irradiation data, two crucial contributions to the development of advanced reactors. As in any reactor design, it is necessary to understand the behavior of the reactor during accident scenarios to determine the overall safety of the design. Pressurized loss of forced cooling (PLOFC) and depressurized loss of forced cooling (DLOFC) are two accidents that can occur in HTGRs and that present challenges to decay heat removal. In order to understand the behavior of the fuel during these accidents, the resulting mechanical behavior and fission product migration in the fuel are evaluated. Using the HTGR-TR design, which utilizes tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel, a multiphysics analysis during the PLOFC and DLOFC transients was performed. This study utilizes neutronics, thermal hydraulics, and fuel performance modeling to analyze the behavior of TRISO particles during steady-state operation and the described transients. This analysis aims to characterize the hoop stress and strain during the transients, as well as predict fission product migration and radiological release. Due to the startup conditions of the HTGR-TR, the silicon carbide (SiC) layer for both of the transients and steady-state conditions are initially in compression for both the hoop stress and strain. The DLOFC transient at the beginning of cycle was the most challenging overall to the fuel, having the closest to tensile behavior and the closest to tensile strain. Because the integrity of the SiC layer was not challenged during any of the transients, the release of 90Sr and 137Cs was found to be negligible. The PLOFC transient at the end of cycle resulted in the largest 110mAg release and subsequent radioactivity increase. However, the increase in radioactivity was minor when compared to typical operating conditions due to the relatively large diffusivity of 110mAg though SiC at normal operating temperatures. Highlights include Neutronics and thermal-hydraulic modeling generating steady-state and transient conditions for use in fuel performance analysis.2. Detailed BISON analysis demonstrating the excellent performance of TRISO fuel during PLOFC and DLOFC transients.3. Fuel behavior showing negligible fission product release.

Incidence of Skin Melanoma in the Precarpathian Region. Overview of Trends of the Last Decade and Demonstration of Clinical Cases

Introduction. Melanoma is a malignant tumour that develops from melanocytes and in most cases affects the skin. Although melanomas are usually highly pigmented, they can also be amelanotic. In the structure of mortality from skin cancers, melanoma takes the leading place with a rate of 90%.
 Even small tumours can metastasise. Under such conditions, early diagnosis is of paramount importance, as its main task is to detect and eliminate the primary lesion before it becomes deeply invasive.
 However, naked eye examination is limited to a sensitivity of about 75%, and is more effective when the tumour size is more than 5 mm. Among the additional examination methods, dermoscopy has become widespread. The technique has been introduced into the world dermatological practice for a long time and is actively used in Ukraine, demonstrating high efficiency at a relatively low cost of equipment.
 Materials and methods. Statistical data on 901 cases of newly diagnosed skin melanoma in the Ivano-Frankivsk region were obtained from the bulletins of the National Cancer Registry of Ukraine for the period 2012-2022.
 Results and discussion. There has been a gradual decline in the number of undetermined melanoma cases according to the TNM classification. The indicator has changed by more than 50 percentage points, with the lowest values at the turn of 2017-2018, and a subsequent increase of 10 percentage points until 2022.
 The number of reported cases of skin melanoma where the primary tumour distribution corresponds to the TI-TII category has increased, with a peak value of 92.7% as of 2017. However, in the period 2019-2022, the trend changed dramatically. Since 2019, cases of skin melanoma diagnosed in the state of spread, which corresponds to category TIII, have prevailed – 51.1%, while cases of TI-TII accounted for 32.2%
 The global COVID pandemic that began in 2019 led to negative trends, contributed to the isolation of patients, and complicated their access to specialists. russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 exacerbated this impact, which was reflected in the indicators of 2019-2022.
 The clinical cases from our practice in 2018 and 2021 were presented in the article.
 Conclusions. Melanoma is a malignant tumour with a high metastatic potential, with a better prognosis for recovery if diagnosed early. The increase in the number of registered cases of skin melanoma with primary tumour distribution in category TI-TII in 2013-2017 may indicate the effectiveness of measures aimed at promoting self-examination and timely treatment of patients for specialised care. The global COVID-19 pandemic and the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine led to an increase in the proportion of melanomas diagnosed at the stage when the prevalence of the primary tumour corresponds to category TIII. It is necessary to resume measures that have had a positive impact on the health of residents of the Precarpathian region.

Abstract B069: Bone marrow-derived adipocytes promote ovarian cancer progression and metastasis

Abstract B069: Bone marrow-derived adipocytes promote ovarian cancer progression and metastasis

Do calcium channel blockers applied to cardiomyocytes cause increased channel expression resulting in reduced efficacy?

In the initial hours following the application of the calcium channel blocker (CCB) nifedipine to microtissues consisting of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs), we observe notable variations in the drug’s efficacy. Here, we investigate the possibility that these temporal changes in CCB effects are associated with adaptations in the expression of calcium ion channels in cardiomyocyte membranes. To explore this, we employ a recently developed mathematical model that delineates the regulation of calcium ion channel expression by intracellular calcium concentrations. According to the model, a decline in intracellular calcium levels below a certain target level triggers an upregulation of calcium ion channels. Such an upregulation, if instigated by a CCB, would then counteract the drug’s inhibitory effect on calcium currents. We assess this hypothesis using time-dependent measurements of hiPSC-CMs dynamics and by refining an existing mathematical model of myocyte action potentials incorporating the dynamic nature of the number of calcium ion channels. The revised model forecasts that the CCB-induced reduction in intracellular calcium concentrations leads to a subsequent increase in calcium ion channel expression, thereby attenuating the drug’s overall efficacy. The data and fit models suggest that dynamic changes in cardiac cells in the presence of CCBs may be explainable by induced changes in protein expression, and that this may lead to challenges in understanding calcium based drug effects on the heart unless timings of applications are carefully considered.

Structural Modulation of Chitosan/Polyacrylic Acid‐based Hydrogels for Optimized Controlled Drug Release Performance

AbstractA pH‐sensitive semi‐interpenetrating network hydrogel was synthesised by free radical polymerization using a one‐pot method using chitosan (CS) and alanine (AA) as the raw materials, and then the hydrogel was immersed in a solution of the model drug aspirin (Asa) for loading, and subsequently used for drug sustained‐release testing. The effects of the ratio of CS and AA on the internal structure of hydrogels were investigated, and the mechanism of CS/PAA semi‐interpenetrating network hydrogels upon drug slow release was explored. The results showed that increasing the composite ratio of PAA resulted in a subsequent increase in the drug loading capacity of CS/PAA hydrogels and the cumulative release of drugs. When the concentration of the drug‐loading solution was 200 mg/L, the drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of CS/PAA‐1 were 16.23±0.57 (%) and 72.16±3.84 (%), respectively (p < 0.05). The hydrogels showed significant pH‐responsive release properties and pH cycling reversibility, with 25.69±1.27 (%) and 77.21±2.68 (%) cumulative drug release over 24 h in the release media of pH 1.2 (simulating gastric fluid) and 7.4 (simulating intestinal fluid), respectively (p < 0.05), and the pH‐responsive reversible release of Asa was maintained in alternating cycles in the release media with pH 1.2 and 7.4.

Improved response spectrum analysis procedure for an adaptive variable friction pendulum isolated structure considering frictional dependency

The effectiveness of the conventional friction pendulum isolator (FPI) is limited in complex geographical environments and unpredictable earthquake events due to its complex frictional properties and the requirement for a unified setup target. With a view to addressing the aforementioned issues, in conjunction with an adaptive variable friction pendulum isolator (AVFPI), a simple and practical mechanical model is proposed. After applying the mechanical model with a friction-dependent influence model, an improved response spectrum analysis procedure (IRS) is proposed for variable friction pendulum isolation systems. Notably, the proposed procedure allows for the consideration of the effects of variations in velocity, temperature, and pressure on the friction characteristics without the necessity for nonlinear response history analysis (NRHA). The procedure commences with obtaining a numerical model of friction dependency through friction material examinations, then proceeds to verifying the reliability of both the friction dependency and mechanical model through prototype tests of AVFPIs. The following study presents a proposed correction method that depends on random vibration theory to establish a functional relationship between the pseudo-velocity spectrum and the velocity spectrum. Additionally, an association is established between the peak velocity and the generation of frictional heat. Finally, the procedure is evaluated based on the results of an NRHA that takes friction dependence into account through a numerically variable friction pendulum isolation system. The results of the study indicate that the IRS provides a more accurate and secure assessment of the isolator displacement at various temperatures than the response spectrum method, which does not account for the influence of frictional dependency. The failure to consider the influence of friction dependency in high-temperature environments produces an underestimation of isolator slip displacement and a subsequent increase in failure rates. The Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) friction materials that are currently in widespread use exhibit a strong correlation with friction dependence and, as a consequence, cause relatively large displacements at temperatures that are both low and high. The results of this study present an opportunity to expand how response spectrum analysis techniques can be applied to friction pendulum isolation systems.

Longitudinal effects of disaster-related experiences on problem drinking among Fukushima nuclear plant workers.

In the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster of March 11, 2011, plant workers were exposed to various traumatic events and reported a subsequent increase in alcohol use. To determine the relationship between disaster-related experiences and problem drinking, we conducted a three-year follow-up study. Problem drinking among the nuclear plant workers was assessed annually from 2012-2014 using a modified version of the CAGE questionnaire that asked about current, rather than lifetime, drinking. A total of 1378 workers provided at least one CAGE response, and 2875 observations were used in the present analysis. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between disaster-related experiences and problem drinking over time. The prevalence of problem drinking (CAGE score ≥2) increased over time. At the baseline assessment in 2012, a year after the disaster, plant workers who had experienced life-threatening danger and discrimination had significantly more symptoms of problem drinking, which persisted over the following 2 years. Although at baseline, plant workers who had experienced major property loss or the death of a colleague showed no significant differences in problem drinking symptoms from those without such experiences, over the next 2 years their problem drinking increased significantly. Individuals who experienced life-threatening danger and discrimination during the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster reported an increase in problem drinking. Although major property loss and the death of a colleague did not elevate problem drinking prevalence at baseline, it did so over the next 2 years. Different adverse effects of a natural disaster appear to differentially increase drinking behavior over time.

The Cardioprotective Role of Nitrate-Rich Vegetables.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an inorganic radical produced by both the non-enzymatic nitrate (NO3-)-nitrite (NO2-)-NO pathway and enzymatic reactions catalyzed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Also, as nitrate and nitrite from dietary and other endogenous sources can be reduced back to nitric oxide in vivo, the endogenous NO level can be increased through the consumption of nitrate-rich vegetables. Ingestion of dietary NO3- has beneficial effects which have been attributed to a subsequent increase in NO: a signaling molecule that may regulate various systems, including the cardiovascular system. A diet rich in NO3- from green leafy and root vegetables has cardioprotective effects, with beetroot products being particularly good sources of NO3-. For example, various studies have demonstrated a significant increase in nitrite levels (regarded as markers of NO) in plasma after the intake of beetroot juice. The present review describes the current literature concerning the role of nitrate-rich vegetables (especially beetroot products) in the prophylaxis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This review is based on studies identified in electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Knowledge, Sci Finder, Web of Science, and SCOPUS.

Urban population density and energy conservation: Empirical evidence from 276 cities in China

Reducing urban energy consumption is a crucial step towards achieving sustainable urban development. Urban energy plays a fundamental role in urban development, and while previous studies have examined the relationship between population size and energy conservation, the impact of increasing population density on per capita energy consumption (PCEC) remains unclear. To achieve urban energy conservation in China, it is vital to comprehend this significant relationship. This study constructs a spatial regression model to examine the relationship between population density and PCEC using 9 years of balanced panel data from 276 cities to fill a gap in the literature. The results of spatial autocorrelation indicate a significant negative relationship and heterogeneity between population density and PCEC. The results of spatial regression show that for every 1% increase in population density, there is a subsequent increase in PCEC of 0.074%. Our findings suggest that lower PCEC correlation is associated with higher urban population density. This study can be a reference for policymakers seeking new energy conservation strategies for urban development.

Optimal Enzyme-Assisted Extraction of Phenolics from Leaves of Pongamia pinnata via Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Networking.

This research work seeks to evaluate the impact of selected enzyme complexes on the optimised release of phenolics from leaves of Pongamia pinnata. After preliminary solvent extraction, the P. pinnata leaf extract was subjected to enzymatic treatment, using enzyme cocktails such as kemzyme dry-plus, natuzyme, and zympex-014. It was noticed that zympex-014 had a greater extract yield (28.0%) than kemzyme dry-plus (17.0%) and natuzyme (18.0%). Based on the better outcomes, zympex-014-based extract values were subsequently applied to several RSM parameters. The selected model is suggested to be significant by the F value (12.50) and R2 value (0.9669). The applicability of the ANN model was shown by how closely the projected values from the ANN were to the experimental values. In terms of total phenolic contents (18.61 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid contents (12.56 mg CE/g), and DPPH test (IC50) (6.5 g/mL), antioxidant activities also shown significant findings. SEM analysis also revealed that the cell walls were damaged during enzymatic hydrolysis, as opposed to non-hydrolysed material. Using GC-MS, five potent phenolic compounds were identified in P. pinnata extract. According to the findings of this study, the recovery of phenolic bioactives and subsequent increase in the antioxidant capacity of P. pinnata leaf extract were both positively impacted by the optimisation approaches suggested, including the use of zympex-014.

Quantitative MRI Evaluation of Ferritin Overexpression in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Cancer cells frequently present elevated intracellular iron levels, which are thought to facilitate an enhanced proliferative capacity. Targeting iron metabolism within cancer cells presents an avenue to enhance therapeutic responses, necessitating the use of non-invasive models to modulate iron manipulation to predict responses. Moreover, the ubiquitous nature of iron necessitates the development of unique, non-invasive markers of metabolic disruptions to develop more personalized approaches and enhance the clinical utility of these approaches. Ferritin, an iron storage enzyme that is often upregulated as a response to iron accumulation, plays a central role in iron metabolism and has been frequently associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in cancer. Herein, we demonstrate the successful utility, validation, and functionality of a doxycycline-inducible ferritin heavy chain (FtH) overexpression model in H1299T non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Treatment with doxycycline increased the protein expression of FtH with a corresponding decrease in labile iron in vitro and in vivo, as determined by calcein-AM staining and EPR, respectively. Moreover, a subsequent increase in TfR expression was observed. Furthermore, T2* MR mapping effectively detected FtH expression in our in vivo model. These results demonstrate that T2* relaxation times can be used to monitor changes in FtH expression in tumors with bidirectional correlations depending on the model system. Overall, this study describes the development of an FtH overexpression NSCLC model and its correlation with T2* mapping for potential use in patients to interrogate iron metabolic alterations and predict clinical outcomes.

Antiretroviral Therapy Coverage, Entrepreneurship, and Development in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Improvements in the health capital of citizens are central to the development of countries. By exploiting steep decreases in antiretroviral drug prices and the subsequent increases in antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage, we test whether the resulting improvements in the health of the population are associated with the prevalence of entrepreneurial activity and whether entrepreneurial activity strengthens the relationship between ART coverage and a country’s development. Drawing on a sample of 87 low- and middle-income countries (2006–2019), we find that a 1% increase in ART coverage is associated with a 1.5% increase in the number of newly registered limited liability firms; however, there is no significant relationship with (male or female) self-employment. Higher ART coverage is particularly associated with development—as proxied by gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and the Human Development Index—in countries with low levels of new business formation and high proportions of self-employment.

Longitudinal Lower Airway Microbial Signatures of Acute Cellular Rejection in Lung Transplantation.

Rationale: Acute cellular rejection (ACR) after lung transplant is a leading risk factor for chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Prior studies have demonstrated dynamic microbial changes occurring within the allograft and gut that influence local adaptive and innate immune responses. However, the lung microbiome's overall impact on ACR risk remains poorly understood. Objectives: To evaluate whether temporal changes in microbial signatures were associated with the development of ACR. Methods: We performed cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses (joint modeling of longitudinal and time-to-event data and trajectory comparisons) of 16S rRNA gene sequencing results derived from lung transplant recipient lower airway samples collected at multiple time points. Measurements and Main Results: Among 103 lung transplant recipients, 25 (24.3%) developed ACR. In comparing samples acquired 1 month after transplant, subjects who never developed ACR demonstrated lower airway enrichment with several oral commensals (e.g., Prevotella and Veillonella spp.) than those with current or future (beyond 1 mo) ACR. However, a subgroup analysis of those who developed ACR beyond 1 month revealed delayed enrichment with oral commensals occurring at the time of ACR diagnosis compared with baseline, when enrichment with more traditionally pathogenic taxa was present. In longitudinal models, dynamic changes in α-diversity (characterized by an initial decrease and a subsequent increase) and in the taxonomic trajectories of numerous oral commensals were more commonly observed in subjects with ACR. Conclusions: Dynamic changes in the lower airway microbiota are associated with the development of ACR, supporting its potential role as a useful biomarker or in ACR pathogenesis.

Eclogite dehydration and melt‐induced embrittlement at high‐pressure conditions

AbstractWe document the complex interaction between metamorphic reactions and deformation behaviour at high‐pressure conditions by combining (micro‐) structural, petrographical and geochemical data from an eclogite body. The well‐equilibrated eclogite fabric is crosscut by mineral veins. Precipitated veins host the eclogitic high‐pressure assemblage with variation in modal composition, indicating that fracturing occurred at eclogite facies conditions. Deflection of the eclogite fabric adjacent to the veins implies ductile reactivation of the veins as flanking structures and strain localization under continuous aseismic shearing. In consequence, the reactivated veins are characterized by undulatory extinction and subgrain formation in quartz indicating crystal plasticity. We show that prograde post‐eclogitization metamorphism resulted in progressive dehydration and melting of the eclogite. Subsequent increase in pore‐pressure‐induced rock failure. The mesoscopic to microscopic characteristics of eclogite‐facies veins indicate a cyclic behaviour of fracturing, vein formation and crystal‐plasticity which demonstrates the strong interaction of chemical and mechanical processes operating at depth.

COVID and the crisis: the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of elite athletes and their thoughts about career ending

ABSTRACT Research question This study investigates the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 on the subjective well-being of elite athletes in Germany and their thoughts about ending their careers. Research methods Using survey data from athletes who are supported by the German Sports Aid Foundation (n = 1652), the study first calculates the negative income shock experienced by elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic and then estimates the effects on the athletes’ subjective well-being, in the form of life satisfaction. Additionally, the study estimates the potential influence of an income shock on career ending thoughts. Results and Findings Regression results reveal that athletes, who experienced a negative income shock in 2020 reported on average lower life satisfaction overall. Life satisfaction was lower, the larger the shock and the lower the income of the athlete. Furthermore, athletes, who had a negative income shock in 2020, were more likely to ponder ending their careers in 2020. Implications The paper stresses the need for better financial funding for athletes. It also adds to the literature on career endings of athletes by suggesting that financial hardship could be a determinant for athletes to end their careers. The potential subsequent increase in dropout rates not only represents inefficiency but also signifies a loss of talent.

ESHRE guideline: number of embryos to transfer during IVF/ICSI†.

ESHRE guideline: number of embryos to transfer during IVF/ICSI†.

Effects of multi-strain pretreatment on thermochemical properties and component structure of paulownia

This study aims to delve into the impact of long-term multi-strain pretreatment on the thermochemical characteristics of paulownia. The nine-month experimental analysis reveals that the fourth month marks a crucial turning point in the pretreatment process. From Stage I (0–4 months) to Stage II (4–9 months), the pyrolysis temperature range continuously narrows, reducing a maximum of 31.47%. The char yield initially increased by 10.25% and then decreased by 6.95%. Calorific value showed a slow initial decline of 3.98–4.08%, followed by a subsequent increase of 7.66%. The ignition point continued to rise by 5.61%− 5.78%. The compositional experimental results indicate that in the first stage, strain primarily depolymerize the high-polymer lignin, resulting in a decrease in calorific value. The increase in the relative content of syringyl lignin (S) contributes to the rise in char yield. In Stage II, the S units are converted into guaiacyl lignin (G), which has a lower char yield, while the exposed hemicellulose and cellulose undergo severe erosion. The relative content of lignin and enzymatic products with stubborn structures increases, leading to an increase in calorific value. However, the higher breaking temperature of bonds in these structures results in a continuous increase in the ignition point. This study clearly establishes that after nine months of pretreatment, the paulownia exhibits characteristics of rapid pyrolysis, high calorific value and ignition point, which provides a reliable basis for uncovering the potential reuses of paulownia.