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Listening to music manipulates attention to be more externally focused, which has the potential to improve muscular efficiency. This study aimed to determine the effect of listening to music on muscle activation during an isometric exercise task, and compare this effect to those of other attentional focus conditions. Apparently healthy subjects (n = ​35; 16 men/19 women) completed an isometric elbow flexion task for 1 ​min in three randomized and counterbalanced conditions: internal focus (INT), external focus with a simple distraction task (EXT), or listening to music (MUS). Muscle activation of the biceps and triceps brachii and heart rate (HR) were recorded throughout the exercise tasks. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), affective valence, and motivation were measured at the end of each trial. There was no difference in muscle activation measures among the three conditions. HR during MUS was lower than EXT at 15 ​s ([89.4 ​± ​11.8] beats/min vs. [93.1 ​± ​12.9] beats/min; p ​= ​0.018) and 30 ​s ([90.6 ​± ​12.4] beats/min vs. [94.2 ​± ​12.5] beats/min; p ​= ​0.026), and lower than INT at 60 ​s ([93.3 ​± ​13.3] beats/min vs. [96.7 ​± ​12.0] beats/min; p ​= ​0.016). Overall RPE was higher for INT (13.4 ​± ​2.2) than for MUS ([12.6 ​± ​2.0]; p ​= ​0.020) and EXT ([11.94 ​± ​2.22]; p ​

The human placenta is a multifunctional, disc-shaped temporary fetal organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, connecting the mother and the fetus. The availability of large-scale datasets on the gene expression of placental cell types and scholarly articles documenting adverse pregnancy outcomes from maternal infection warrants the use of computational resources to aid in knowledge generation from disparate data sources. Using maternal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection as a case study in microbial infection, we constructed integrated datasets and implemented visual analytics resources to facilitate robust investigations of placental gene expression data in the dimensions of flow, curation, and analytics. The visual analytics resources and associated datasets can support a greater understanding of SARS-CoV-2-induced changes to the human placental expression levels of 18,882 protein-coding genes and at least 1233 human gene groups/families. We focus this report on the human aquaporin gene family that encodes small integral membrane proteins initially studied for their roles in water transport across cell membranes. Aquaporin-9 (AQP9) was the only aquaporin downregulated in term placental villi from SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers. Previous studies have found that (1) oxygen signaling modulates placental development; (2) oxygen tension could modulate AQP9 expression in the human placenta; and (3) SARS-CoV-2 can disrupt the formation of oxygen-carrying red blood cells in the placenta. Thus, future research could be performed on microbial infection-induced changes to (1) the placental hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells; and (2) placental expression of human aquaporin genes, especially AQP9.

Summary: Sudden losses or shocks to food production can impact food security as well as local industries and livelihoods. To build more resilient food systems, understanding the trends and drivers of shocks is crucial. We analyzed shocks in 195 fisheries and aquaculture production time series in Australia, using established methods. We detected 39 shocks over three decades, but only one shock was associated with aquaculture. Historic overfishing was the dominant driver of shocks, yet management change was implicated in over half of all shocks, largely in response to stock declines. Shock numbers peaked in the late 1990s to early 2000s and then declined—a trend that aligns with a period of major fisheries reform. Our study suggests that proactive and responsive fisheries management, alongside a diverse aquaculture sector, could act as a local stabilizing force for seafood production and potentially reduce the ever-growing threat of climate change. Science for society: Maintaining food systems that are resilient to shock events is a priority for many nations. Understanding the trends and drivers of food shocks or sudden losses in production can help nations understand vulnerabilities in the system and build resilience. However, research on food shocks is largely focused on cereal crops, and there is a need to examine different food systems. We examined trends and drivers to shocks in Australian seafood production. Our study found that wild-capture fisheries were more vulnerable to shocks compared with the younger, but rapidly expanding, aquaculture sector. However, our results also show that shocks declined over time and were absent in recent years, a trend that was likely influenced by major fisheries reform 20 years ago and a responsive fisheries management regime. Our findings highlight the benefits that can be achieved by acting on and learning from past shock events to build food system resilience at a local level.

Growing demand for high-value seafood is fuelling provenance fraud, which threatens the sustainability of wild fisheries while posing biosecurity and human health risks. Here, we investigated carbon (δ 13C) and oxygen (δ 18O) isotopes in abalone shells (Haliotis sp.) to determine the production method and geographical provenance. Using X-ray diffraction and isotope ratio mass spectrometry, we found that shell mineralogy did not influence isotope values. Isotope values between wild and farmed sectors were statistically different, with 64% of individuals correctly classified as farmed or wild. Subsequently, we successfully distinguished the provenance of abalone collected from farms (with 83% of individuals correctly classified), as well as wild-caught abalone collected from four state jurisdictions (with 88% correctly classified). Carbon isotopes were strongly correlated to longitude, with both isotopes correlated to latitude. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of isotopic fingerprints in gastropod shells to track the provenance of commercially valuable species.

Perfectionism is believed to be a common trait among endurance athletes given the substantial time, energy, and planning required to perform successfully. When perfection is not perceived to be possible, self-protective behavior, often referred to as self-handicapping, may be observed. Thus, the purpose of this study was i) to measure perfectionism in distance runners, and ii) to determine whether there is a relationship between the type of perfectionism reported and self-handicapping tendencies. Participants (N = 158) completed a demographic and running history questionnaire, the 15-item Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (Hewitt et al., 2008), and the 14-item Self-Handicapping Scale (Rhodewalt, 1990). Moderate levels of self-oriented (SOP), other-oriented (OOP), and socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) were observed, which is in line with previous studies (Jowett et al., 2018). Significant positive correlations were found between OOP (r = .183) and SPP (r = .345) and self-handicapping tendencies. Furthermore, age and SPP emerged as significant predictors for self-handicapping tendencies. These results may be explained through the self-esteem protection provided by self-handicapping (Hill et al., 2011). High perceived expectations from others could result in excuse-making in order to justify potential failures. These findings provide initiating evidence for research regarding the psychology of recreational distance runners. Keywords: self-handicapping; distance running; endurance athlete; perfectionism; self-esteem, Perfectionism is believed to be a common trait among endurance athletes, yet it is unclear whether this is an accurate characterization or a misguided stereotype. Perfectionism is broadly defined as [...]

Abstract Background Surf lifesavers and lifeguards have provided essential education, preventative, and rescue services to the Australian community for over 110 years. In this first responder role, surf lifesavers and lifeguards are inadvertently exposed to high risk and trauma related experiences, which may negatively impact mental well-being. To date however, there has been limited research into the mental health of surf lifesavers and lifeguards, and no studies at all on the mental health of adolescent surf lifesavers. The preliminary study aimed to measure the exposure of potentially traumatic events (PTEs), post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), self-efficacy, social support, and attitudes towards mental health problems in Surf Life Saving (SLS) members. Methods An anonymous, online survey was developed (adolescent and adult versions) and created to measure the domain of mental health in surf lifesavers and lifeguards. Pearson’s correlations investigated relationships between PTEs, PTSS, self-efficacy, social support, attitudes towards mental health problems, age, years as a SLS member, and years patrolling. Spearman’s Rank was used for violations of normality. Results A total of 57 surf lifesavers/lifeguards aged 13–59 years were included in the final analysis. There was a significant positive relationship between exposure to direct trauma and PTSS, which in turn, were associated with greater negative attitudes towards mental health problems towards the mental health of others, and lower levels of self-efficacy. Male and female adults with PTSS reported lower social support, whereas for adolescent males, a positive relationship between direct trauma and PTSS was observed. Conclusion This research is the first to explore the mental health of Australian surf lifesavers and lifeguards. The results highlight the potential risks to mental health and well-being associated with this first responder role. More research to protect the vulnerability of this population is warranted.

Abstract Background The impacts of multicomponent school water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) interventions on children’s health are unclear. We conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial to test the effects of a school WaSH intervention on children’s malnutrition, dehydration, health literacy (HL), and handwashing (HW) in Metro Manila, Philippines. Methods The trial lasted from June 2017 to March 2018 and included children, in grades 5, 6, 7, and 10, from 15 schools. At baseline 756 children were enrolled. Seventy-eight children in two clusters were purposively assigned to the control group (CG); 13 clusters were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups: low-intensity health education (LIHE; two schools, n = 116 children), medium-intensity health education (MIHE; seven schools, n = 356 children), and high-intensity health education (HIHE; four schools, n = 206 children). The intervention consisted of health education (HE), WaSH policy workshops, provision of hygiene supplies, and WaSH facilities repairs. Outcomes were: height-for-age and body mass index-for-age Z scores (HAZ, BAZ); stunting, undernutrition, overnutrition, dehydration prevalence; HL and HW scores. We used anthropometry to measure children’s physical growth, urine test strips to measure dehydration, questionnaires to measure HL, and observation to measure HW practice. The same measurements were used during baseline and endline. We used multilevel mixed-effects logistic and linear regression models to assess intervention effects. Results None of the interventions reduced undernutrition prevalence or improved HAZ, BAZ, or overall HL scores. Low-intensity HE reduced stunting (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.95; 95% CI 0.93 to 0.96), while low- (aOR 0.57; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.96) and high-intensity HE (aOR 0.63; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.93) reduced overnutrition. Medium- (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] 0.02; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.04) and high-intensity HE (aIRR 0.01; 95% CI 0.00 to 0.16) reduced severe dehydration. Medium- (aOR 3.18; 95% CI 1.34 to 7.55) and high-intensity HE (aOR 3.89; 95% CI 3.74 to 4.05) increased observed HW after using the toilet/urinal. Conclusion Increasing the intensity of HE reduced prevalence of stunting, overnutrition, and severe dehydration and increased prevalence of observed HW. Data may be relevant for school WaSH interventions in the Global South. Interventions may have been more effective if adherence was higher, exposure to interventions longer, parents/caregivers were more involved, or household WaSH was addressed. Trial registration number DRKS00021623.

IntroductionLittle is known how inflammatory processes quantitatively affect chondrocyte morphology and how single cell morphometric data could be used as a biological fingerprint of phenotype.MethodsWe investigated whether trainable high-throughput quantitative single cell morphology profiling combined with population-based gene expression analysis can be used to identify biological fingerprints that are discriminatory of control vs. inflammatory phenotypes. The shape of a large number of chondrocytes isolated from bovine healthy and human osteoarthritic (OA) cartilages was quantified under control and inflammatory (IL-1β) conditions using a trainable image analysis technique measuring a panel of cell shape descriptors (area, length, width, circularity, aspect ratio, roundness, solidity). The expression profiles of phenotypically relevant markers were quantified by ddPCR. Statistical analysis, multivariate data exploration, and projection-based modelling were used for identifying specific morphological fingerprints indicative of phenotype.ResultsCell morphology was sensitive to both cell density and IL-1β. In both cell types, all shape descriptors correlated with expression of extracellular matrix (ECM)- and inflammatory-regulating genes. A hierarchical clustered image map revealed that individual samples sometimes responded differently in control or IL-1β conditions than the overall population. Despite these variances, discriminative projection-based modeling revealed distinct morphological fingerprints that discriminated between control and inflammatory chondrocyte phenotypes: the most essential morphological characteristics attributable to non-treated control cells was a higher cell aspect ratio in healthy bovine chondrocytes and roundness in OA human chondrocytes. In contrast, a higher circularity and width in healthy bovine chondrocytes and length and area in OA human chondrocytes indicated an inflammatory (IL-1β) phenotype. When comparing the two species/health conditions, bovine healthy and human OA chondrocytes exhibited comparable IL-1β-induced morphologies in roundness, a widely recognized marker of chondrocyte phenotype, and aspect ratio.DiscussionOverall, cell morphology can be used as a biological fingerprint for describing chondrocyte phenotype. Quantitative single cell morphometry in conjunction with advanced methods for multivariate data analysis allows identifying morphological fingerprints that can discriminate between control and inflammatory chondrocyte phenotypes. This approach could be used to assess how culture conditions, inflammatory mediators, and therapeutic modulators regulate cell phenotype and function.

Surfing and bodyboarding (SAB) are popular activities, but not without risk. Limited SAB mortality and exposure risk explorations exist, so this cross-sectional study explores epidemiology and risk factors for SAB deaths (1 July, 2004-30 June,2020) in Australia: including decedent and incident profiles, causes of death, differences between fatalities during SAB and other coastal activities; and the impact of exposure on SAB mortality risk. Fatality data were sourced from the National Coronial Information System, incident and media reports. Tide-state data, population data and participation data were sourced from relevant authorities. Analyses included chi-square testing and simple logistic regression with odds ratios. There were 155 SAB deaths (80.6% surfing; 96.1% male; 36.8% aged 55+years; 0.04/100,000 residents; 0.63/100,000 surfers). Drowning was the most common cause of death (58.1%; n = 90), but higher in bodyboarding, with bodyboarders 4.62 times more likely to drown than surfers (95%CI: 1.66-12.82; p = 0.003). Almost half (44.5%; n = 69; χ22 = 9.802; p = 0.007) were with friends/family, and the largest proportion occurred during a rising tide (41.3%; n = 64; χ23 = 180.627; p

Most drowning deaths on Australian beaches occur in locations not patrolled by lifeguards. At patrolled locations, where lifeguards supervise flagged areas in which beachgoers are encouraged to swim between, the incidence of drowning is reduced. To date, risk prevention practices on coasts focus on patrolled beaches, deploying warning signs at unpatrolled locations with the aim of raising public awareness of risk. What remains unexplored is the potential for learning and behaviour change that can transfer from patrolled to unpatrolled beaches through beachgoer's experiences and interactions with lifeguards. The aim of this preliminary study is to explore the risk perceptions of beachgoers at a patrolled beach to establish if and how their experiences of beach risk and interactions with lifeguards affect their behaviours. Data was collected in Gerroa, Australia by engaging 49 beachgoers using a mixed survey-interview methodology. Results show that beachgoers are aware that they should ‘swim between the flags’, but many did not know the basis for the positioning of safety flags. A key finding is that beachgoer's express a clear desire for a skills-based model of community engagement that enables learning with lifeguards. This demonstrates a reflective public that desires skill-development, which may transfer from patrolled to unpatrolled beaches to affect broader risk reduction on the Australian coast. Learning how to avoid site-specific rip hazards with lifeguards at the beach presents a promising, and previously unexplored model for beach drowning risk prevention that has the potential to affect behaviour at unpatrolled beaches, providing an empirically-supported alternative to prevailing deficit-based awareness raising methods.

Identifying the provenance of marine animals yields fundamental data on a species’ ecology and life history and enables the geolocation of individuals for food forensic applications. However, many provenance methods are resource-intensive and developed on a species-specific basis. Here we discuss how natural chemical markers with predictable spatial patterns and common expression among species could be used as provenancing tools that are universally applicable to many species. To demonstrate the universal marker concept, we focus on stable oxygen isotopes bound within calcium carbonate biominerals. In doing so, we compiled a global database of oxygen isotope values to illustrate universal latitudinal patterns across key marine taxa. We then discuss how this concept could be integrated within a spatial modelling framework and applied to tackle the environmental challenge of seafood provenance. By developing universal markers we have the opportunity to trace a greater range of species to support their conservation and management.

This study compared the effects of an increasing-intensity (UP) and a decreasing-intensity (DOWN) resistance training protocol on affective responses across six training sessions. Novice participants (Mage 43.5 ± 13.7 years) were randomly assigned to UP (n = 18) or DOWN (n = 17) resistance training groups. Linear mixed-effects models showed that the evolution of affective valence within each training session was significantly moderated by the group (b = −0.45, p ≤.001), with participants in the UP group reporting a decline in pleasure during each session (b = −0.82) and the DOWN group reporting an improvement (b = 0.97; ps <.001). Remembered pleasure was significantly higher in the DOWN group compared to the UP group (b = 0.57, p =.004). These findings indicate that a pattern of decreasing intensity throughout a resistance exercise session can elicit more positive affective responses and retrospective affective evaluations of resistance training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite lignin’s global abundance and its use in biomedical studies, our understanding of how lignin regulates disease through modulation of cell morphology and associated phenotype of human cells is unknown. We combined an automated high-throughput image cell segmentation technique for quantitatively measuring a panel of cell shape descriptors, droplet digital Polymerase Chain Reaction for absolute quantification of gene expression and multivariate data analyses to determine whether lignin could therapeutically modulate the cell morphology and phenotype of inflamed, degenerating diseased human cells (osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes) towards a healthier cell morphology and phenotype. Lignin dose-dependently modified all aspects of cell morphology and ameliorated the diseased shape of OA chondrocytes by inducing a less fibroblastic healthier cell shape, which correlated with the downregulation of collagen 1A2 (COL1A2, a major fibrosis-inducing gene), upregulation of collagen 2A1 (COL2A1, a healthy extracellular matrix-inducing gene) and downregulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6, a chronic inflammatory cytokine). This is the first study to show that lignin can therapeutically target cell morphology and change a diseased cells’ function towards a healthier cell shape and phenotype. This opens up novel opportunities for exploiting lignin in modulation of disease, tissue degeneration, fibrosis, inflammation and regenerative medical implants for therapeutically targeting cell function and outcome.

Abstract Background COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced opportunities for physical activity (PA) and encouraged more sedentary lifestyles. A concomitant of sedentariness is compromised mental health. We investigated the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on PA, sedentary behavior, and mental health across four Western nations (USA, UK, France, and Australia). Methods An online survey was administered in the second quarter of 2020 (N = 2541). We measured planned and unplanned dimensions of PA using the Brunel Lifestyle Physical Activity Questionnaire and mental health using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Steps per day were recorded only from participants who used an electronic device for this purpose, and sedentary behavior was reported in hours per day (sitting and screen time). Results In the USA and Australia samples, there was a significant decline in planned PA from pre- to during lockdown. Among young adults, Australians exhibited the lowest planned PA scores, while in middle-aged groups, the UK recorded the highest. Young adults exhibited the largest reduction in unplanned PA. Across nations, there was a reduction of ~ 2000 steps per day. Large increases in sedentary behavior emerged during lockdown, which were most acute in young adults. Lockdown was associated with a decline in mental health that was more pronounced in women. Conclusions The findings illustrate the deleterious effects of lockdown on PA, sedentary behavior, and mental health across four Western nations. Australian young and lower middle-aged adults appeared to fare particularly badly in terms of planned PA. The reduction in steps per day is equivalent to the non-expenditure of ~ 100 kcal. Declines in mental health show how harmful lockdowns can be for women in particular.

Photothermal materials and adsorbents are the main components of solar-driven seawater desalination. This being so, the objective of the research was to determine the effectiveness of a photothermal membrane made of biochar from pruning residues for the reduction of seawater salinity. For the salinity reduction treatment, a stainless steel continuous cell evaporation system including photothermal membranes with 150 g of pruning biochar was constructed, and the physicochemical parameters of the seawater were measured both before and after the treatment. The desalination process was carried out for 6 h per day (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) for 3 consecutive days. The results showed a reduction in the values of sulfates, phosphates, turbidity, total solids, dissolved solids and chlorides, with a salinity reduction efficiency of 91.08 %, with a radiation of 0.98 kW/m² and a relative humidity of 49 %. Finally, it was concluded that the evaporation system using pruning biocarbon membranes improved the values of the physicochemical parameters of seawater and could be used as an alternative solution to water scarcity in rural coastal populations.