PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: https://peerj.com/articles/13383
items: Psychometric properties of the general self-efficacy scale among Thais with type 2 diabetes: a multicenter study
items: Mental health problems among hotline callers during the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic
items: Associations between lower limb eccentric muscle capability and change of direction speed in basketball and tennis players
items: Aflatoxin B1 exposure disrupts organelle distribution in mouse oocytes
items: Land use/land cover changes in the central part of the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Nepal
items: Determining the optimal areas of effort in terms of force and force-velocity based on the functional state of the neuromuscular system in the training of elite female judokas
items: The superior response speed of table tennis players is associated with proactive inhibitory control
items: The variability of emotions, physical complaints, intention, and self-efficacy: an ecological momentary assessment study in older adults
items: Does the landscape functionality approach provide insight into rangeland conditions in the Tanqua Karoo region, South Africa?

https://peerj.com/articles/13383
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
title: Does who I am and what I feel determine what I see (or say)? A meta-analytic systematic review exploring the influence of real and perceived bodily state on spatial perception of the external environment
description: Background Bodily state is theorised to play a role in perceptual scaling of the environment, whereby low bodily capacity shifts visuospatial perception, with distances appearing farther and hills steeper, and the opposite seen for high bodily capacity. This may play a protective role, where perceptual scaling discourages engaging with the environment when capacity is low. Methodology Our protocol was pre-registered via Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/6zya5/) with all amendments to the protocol tracked. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the role of bodily state/capacity on spatial perception measures of the environment. Databases (Medline, PsychINFO, Scopus, Embase, and Emcare) and grey literature were searched systematically, inclusive to 26/8/21. All studies were assessed using a customised Risk of Bias form. Standard mean differences and 95% CIs were calculated via meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Results A total of 8,034 studies were identified from the systematic search. Of these, 68 experiments (3,195 participants) met eligibility and were included in the review. These were grouped into the following categories: fatigue; pain; age; embodiment; body size/body paty size; glucose levels; fitness; and interoception, and interoceptive accuracy. We found low level evidence (limited studies, high risk of bias) for the effect of bodily state on spatial perception. There was consistent evidence that both glucose manipulations and age influence spatial perception of distances and hills in a hypothesised direction (lower capacity associated with increased distance and hill steepness). Mixed evidence exists for the influence of external loads, embodiment, body/body-part size manipulations, pain, and interoceptive accuracy. Evidence for fitness and/or fatigue influencing spatial perception was conflicting; notably, methodological flaws with fitness and fatigue paradigms and heterogenous spatial perception measures may underlie n…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Erin MacIntyre
creator: Felicity A. Braithwaite
creator: Brendan Mouatt
creator: Dianne Wilson
creator: Tasha R. Stanton
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13383
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 MacIntyre et al.
abstract: Background Bodily state is theorised to play a role in perceptual scaling of the environment, whereby low bodily capacity shifts visuospatial perception, with distances appearing farther and hills steeper, and the opposite seen for high bodily capacity. This may play a protective role, where perceptual scaling discourages engaging with the environment when capacity is low. Methodology Our protocol was pre-registered via Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/6zya5/) with all amendments to the protocol tracked. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the role of bodily state/capacity on spatial perception measures of the environment. Databases (Medline, PsychINFO, Scopus, Embase, and Emcare) and grey literature were searched systematically, inclusive to 26/8/21. All studies were assessed using a customised Risk of Bias form. Standard mean differences and 95% CIs were calculated via meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Results A total of 8,034 studies were identified from the systematic search. Of these, 68 experiments (3,195 participants) met eligibility and were included in the review. These were grouped into the following categories: fatigue; pain; age; embodiment; body size/body paty size; glucose levels; fitness; and interoception, and interoceptive accuracy. We found low level evidence (limited studies, high risk of bias) for the effect of bodily state on spatial perception. There was consistent evidence that both glucose manipulations and age influence spatial perception of distances and hills in a hypothesised direction (lower capacity associated with increased distance and hill steepness). Mixed evidence exists for the influence of external loads, embodiment, body/body-part size manipulations, pain, and interoceptive accuracy. Evidence for fitness and/or fatigue influencing spatial perception was conflicting; notably, methodological flaws with fitness and fatigue paradigms and heterogenous spatial perception measures may underlie n…
bibliographic citation: MacIntyre et al. (2022) Does who I am and what I feel determine what I see (or say)? A meta-analytic systematic review exploring the influence of real and perceived bodily state on spatial perception of the external environment. PeerJ 10:e13383 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13383
date submitted: 2021-12-03
date accepted: 2022-04-14
issued: 2022-05-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: MacIntyre
  given name: Erin
author list: Agent
  family name: Braithwaite
  given name: Felicity A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Mouatt
  given name: Brendan
author list: Agent
  family name: Wilson
  given name: Dianne
author list: Agent
  family name: Stanton
  given name: Tasha R.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13383
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-23
copyright: © 2022 MacIntyre et al.
attribution name: MacIntyre et al.

Psychometric properties of the general self-efficacy scale among Thais with type 2 diabetes: a multicenter study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. In recent decades the prevalence of this disease has increased alarmingly in lower to middle income countries, where their resource-limited health care systems have struggled to meet this increased burden. Improving patient self-care by improving diabetes knowledge and diabetes management self-efficacy represents a feasible way of ameliorating the impact of T2D on the patient, and the health care system. Unfortunately, the relationships between self-efficacy, diabetes self-management, and thereafter, patient outcomes, are still far from well understood. Although a domain-specific measure of diabetes management self-efficacy, the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (DMSES), has been validated in the Thai T2D population, more general measures of self-efficacy, such as the General Self-Efficacy scale (GSE) have not been validated in this population. In this paper we translate and examine the psychometric properties of the GSE in Thais living with T2D. Methods In this nation-wide study we examined the psychometric properties of the GSE in 749 Thais diagnosed with T2D within the last five years, and evaluated its relationship with the DMSES along with other patient characteristics. Reliability of GSE was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and the construct validity was examined using confirmatory factor analysis, along with GSE’s convergence and discrimination from DMSES. Results The Thai version of the GSE was shown to have good psychometric properties in Thais living with T2D. Cronbach’s alpha was shown to be 0.87 (95% CI [0.86, 0.88]). We also demonstrated the structural validity of the GSE (Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.994, Cumulative Fit Index = 0.995, Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index = 0.998, Root Mean Square Error of Approximations = 0.025, 95% CI [0.06–0.039]), and that this instrument has a similar structure in Thais as in other populations. GSE was also shown to have some overla…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Cameron Hurst
creator: Nitchamon Rakkapao
creator: Eva Malacova
creator: Sirima Mongkolsomlit
creator: Pear Pongsachareonnont
creator: Ram Rangsin
creator: Yindee Promsiripaiboon
creator: Gunter Hartel
subject: Diabetes and Endocrinology
subject: Healthcare Services
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13398
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Hurst et al.
abstract: Background Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. In recent decades the prevalence of this disease has increased alarmingly in lower to middle income countries, where their resource-limited health care systems have struggled to meet this increased burden. Improving patient self-care by improving diabetes knowledge and diabetes management self-efficacy represents a feasible way of ameliorating the impact of T2D on the patient, and the health care system. Unfortunately, the relationships between self-efficacy, diabetes self-management, and thereafter, patient outcomes, are still far from well understood. Although a domain-specific measure of diabetes management self-efficacy, the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (DMSES), has been validated in the Thai T2D population, more general measures of self-efficacy, such as the General Self-Efficacy scale (GSE) have not been validated in this population. In this paper we translate and examine the psychometric properties of the GSE in Thais living with T2D. Methods In this nation-wide study we examined the psychometric properties of the GSE in 749 Thais diagnosed with T2D within the last five years, and evaluated its relationship with the DMSES along with other patient characteristics. Reliability of GSE was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and the construct validity was examined using confirmatory factor analysis, along with GSE’s convergence and discrimination from DMSES. Results The Thai version of the GSE was shown to have good psychometric properties in Thais living with T2D. Cronbach’s alpha was shown to be 0.87 (95% CI [0.86, 0.88]). We also demonstrated the structural validity of the GSE (Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.994, Cumulative Fit Index = 0.995, Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index = 0.998, Root Mean Square Error of Approximations = 0.025, 95% CI [0.06–0.039]), and that this instrument has a similar structure in Thais as in other populations. GSE was also shown to have some overla…
bibliographic citation: Hurst et al. (2022) Psychometric properties of the general self-efficacy scale among Thais with type 2 diabetes: a multicenter study. PeerJ 10:e13398 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13398
date submitted: 2021-10-29
date accepted: 2022-04-17
issued: 2022-05-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Hurst
  given name: Cameron
author list: Agent
  family name: Rakkapao
  given name: Nitchamon
author list: Agent
  family name: Malacova
  given name: Eva
author list: Agent
  family name: Mongkolsomlit
  given name: Sirima
author list: Agent
  family name: Pongsachareonnont
  given name: Pear
author list: Agent
  family name: Rangsin
  given name: Ram
author list: Agent
  family name: Promsiripaiboon
  given name: Yindee
author list: Agent
  family name: Hartel
  given name: Gunter
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13398
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-23
copyright: ©2022 Hurst et al.
attribution name: Hurst et al.

Mental health problems among hotline callers during the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The study aims to explore the mental health of the hotline callers during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Methods Callers (N = 10,490) from the Beijing Psychological Support Hotline from January 21st to June 30th in 2019 and 2020 were enrolled and divided into two groups (during (2020) and before (2019) COVID-19 pandemic). The severity of depressive symptoms, psychological distress, hopefulness, and suicidal ideation (SI) was assessed. Demographic characteristics and major concerns were also collected. Mann-Whitney U and chi-square test were used to compare the differences in mental health conditions and major concerns between two years and between different age groups. The multivariable logistic regression was used to explore whether mental health conditions were associated with pandemic and demographic factors. Results Results from multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that the change in suicidal ideation (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.21–1.92) was significantly different across age groups. Callers during the pandemic reported a higher level of hopefulness (OR = 1.13, 95% CI [1.03–1.24]), a lower level of depressive symptoms (OR = 0.81, 95% CI [0.74–0.89]) and psychological distress (OR = 0.89, 95% CI [0.81–0.98]), and were less likely to report SI (OR = 0.69, 95% CI [0.61–0.77]) compared with callers before the pandemic. Conclusions Compared with callers before the pandemic, hotline callers during the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic did not present significant mental health problems. Younger callers during the pandemic were more vulnerable for the presence of suicidal ideation. Hotline-based crisis interventions might provide specific psychological support to cope with troubles during the pandemic.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jing An
creator: Yi Yin
creator: Liting Zhao
creator: Yongsheng Tong
creator: Nancy H. Liu
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Public Health
subject: Mental Health
subject: COVID-19
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13419
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 An et al.
abstract: Background The study aims to explore the mental health of the hotline callers during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Methods Callers (N = 10,490) from the Beijing Psychological Support Hotline from January 21st to June 30th in 2019 and 2020 were enrolled and divided into two groups (during (2020) and before (2019) COVID-19 pandemic). The severity of depressive symptoms, psychological distress, hopefulness, and suicidal ideation (SI) was assessed. Demographic characteristics and major concerns were also collected. Mann-Whitney U and chi-square test were used to compare the differences in mental health conditions and major concerns between two years and between different age groups. The multivariable logistic regression was used to explore whether mental health conditions were associated with pandemic and demographic factors. Results Results from multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that the change in suicidal ideation (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.21–1.92) was significantly different across age groups. Callers during the pandemic reported a higher level of hopefulness (OR = 1.13, 95% CI [1.03–1.24]), a lower level of depressive symptoms (OR = 0.81, 95% CI [0.74–0.89]) and psychological distress (OR = 0.89, 95% CI [0.81–0.98]), and were less likely to report SI (OR = 0.69, 95% CI [0.61–0.77]) compared with callers before the pandemic. Conclusions Compared with callers before the pandemic, hotline callers during the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic did not present significant mental health problems. Younger callers during the pandemic were more vulnerable for the presence of suicidal ideation. Hotline-based crisis interventions might provide specific psychological support to cope with troubles during the pandemic.
bibliographic citation: An et al. (2022) Mental health problems among hotline callers during the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic. PeerJ 10:e13419 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13419
date submitted: 2022-01-03
date accepted: 2022-04-20
issued: 2022-05-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: An
  given name: Jing
author list: Agent
  family name: Yin
  given name: Yi
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Liting
author list: Agent
  family name: Tong
  given name: Yongsheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Nancy H.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13419
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-23
copyright: ©2022 An et al.
attribution name: An et al.

Associations between lower limb eccentric muscle capability and change of direction speed in basketball and tennis players
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The ability to perform a quick and rapid change of direction (CoD) is an important determinant of success in a variety of sports. Previous studies have already highlighted that eccentric strength is a dominant predictor of CoD. However, these studies evaluated eccentric strength through a limited number of outcome measures and used small sample sizes. Methods A total of 196 athletes participated in the study. The aim of our study was to investigate: (1) the correlation between eccentric outcome measures derived from different tests (Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE), countermovement jump (CMJ) and flywheel (FW) squats), (2) the association between eccentric outcome measures and CoD 90°, CoD 180°; and (3) proportion of explained variance in CoD performance. Results Very large associations (r = 0.783, p < 0.001) were observed between peak torque during NHE (NHEPT) and force impulse during the eccentric phase of CMJ (CMJFI). Small to moderate correlations were calculated between peak eccentric force in flywheel squats and peak eccentric force in CMJ (r = 0.220–035, p < 0002). All eccentric CMJ outcome measures and NHEPT were reported as moderate negative associations with both CoD tests. Eccentric measures explained 25.1% of the variance in CoD 90° (CMJPF, NHEPT, F0.125 –peak eccentric force during FW squats with 0.125 kg m2 load), while the same outcome measures explained 37.4% of the variance for CoD 180°. Conclusion Our results suggest that different measures of eccentric strength specifically contribute to CoD performance. Therefore, for successful CoD performance, different aspects of eccentric strength training should be considered in testing and training (maximal eccentric strength, eccentric-concentric actions with fast execution).
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Darjan Smajla
creator: Žiga Kozinc
creator: Nejc Šarabon
subject: Biomechanics
subject: Sports Injury
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13439
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Smajla et al.
abstract: Background The ability to perform a quick and rapid change of direction (CoD) is an important determinant of success in a variety of sports. Previous studies have already highlighted that eccentric strength is a dominant predictor of CoD. However, these studies evaluated eccentric strength through a limited number of outcome measures and used small sample sizes. Methods A total of 196 athletes participated in the study. The aim of our study was to investigate: (1) the correlation between eccentric outcome measures derived from different tests (Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE), countermovement jump (CMJ) and flywheel (FW) squats), (2) the association between eccentric outcome measures and CoD 90°, CoD 180°; and (3) proportion of explained variance in CoD performance. Results Very large associations (r = 0.783, p < 0.001) were observed between peak torque during NHE (NHEPT) and force impulse during the eccentric phase of CMJ (CMJFI). Small to moderate correlations were calculated between peak eccentric force in flywheel squats and peak eccentric force in CMJ (r = 0.220–035, p < 0002). All eccentric CMJ outcome measures and NHEPT were reported as moderate negative associations with both CoD tests. Eccentric measures explained 25.1% of the variance in CoD 90° (CMJPF, NHEPT, F0.125 –peak eccentric force during FW squats with 0.125 kg m2 load), while the same outcome measures explained 37.4% of the variance for CoD 180°. Conclusion Our results suggest that different measures of eccentric strength specifically contribute to CoD performance. Therefore, for successful CoD performance, different aspects of eccentric strength training should be considered in testing and training (maximal eccentric strength, eccentric-concentric actions with fast execution).
bibliographic citation: Smajla et al. (2022) Associations between lower limb eccentric muscle capability and change of direction speed in basketball and tennis players. PeerJ 10:e13439 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13439
date submitted: 2022-03-16
date accepted: 2022-04-23
issued: 2022-05-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Smajla
  given name: Darjan
author list: Agent
  family name: Kozinc
  given name: Žiga
author list: Agent
  family name: Šarabon
  given name: Nejc
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13439
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-23
copyright: ©2022 Smajla et al.
attribution name: Smajla et al.

Aflatoxin B1 exposure disrupts organelle distribution in mouse oocytes
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a secondary metabolite produced by the fungus Aspergillus, which is ubiquitous in moldy grain products. Aflatoxin B1 has been reported to possess hepatotoxicity, renal toxicity, and reproductive toxicity. Previous studies have shown that AFB1 is toxic to mammalian oocytes. However, the potential toxicity of AFB1 on the organelles of mouse oocytes is unknown. In this study, we found that exposure to AFB1 significantly reduced mouse oocyte development capacity. Further analysis showed that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) failed to accumulate around the spindle, and scattered in the cytoplasm under AFB1 exposure. Similar to the ER, the Golgi apparatus showed a uniform localization pattern following AFB1 treatment. In addition, we found that AFB1 exposure caused the condensation of lysosomes in the cytoplasm, presenting as a clustered or spindle peripheral-localization pattern, which indicated that protein modification, transport, and degradation were affected. Mitochondrial distribution was also altered by AFB1 treatment. In summary, our study showed that AFB1 exposure had toxic effects on the distribution of mouse oocyte organelles, which further led to a decline in oocyte quality.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yan-Zhe Zhang
creator: Qian-Han Zhao
creator: Hong-Wei Duan
creator: Yuan-Jing Zou
creator: Shao-Chen Sun
creator: Lin-Lin Hu
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Toxicology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13497
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Zhang et al.
abstract: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a secondary metabolite produced by the fungus Aspergillus, which is ubiquitous in moldy grain products. Aflatoxin B1 has been reported to possess hepatotoxicity, renal toxicity, and reproductive toxicity. Previous studies have shown that AFB1 is toxic to mammalian oocytes. However, the potential toxicity of AFB1 on the organelles of mouse oocytes is unknown. In this study, we found that exposure to AFB1 significantly reduced mouse oocyte development capacity. Further analysis showed that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) failed to accumulate around the spindle, and scattered in the cytoplasm under AFB1 exposure. Similar to the ER, the Golgi apparatus showed a uniform localization pattern following AFB1 treatment. In addition, we found that AFB1 exposure caused the condensation of lysosomes in the cytoplasm, presenting as a clustered or spindle peripheral-localization pattern, which indicated that protein modification, transport, and degradation were affected. Mitochondrial distribution was also altered by AFB1 treatment. In summary, our study showed that AFB1 exposure had toxic effects on the distribution of mouse oocyte organelles, which further led to a decline in oocyte quality.
bibliographic citation: Zhang et al. (2022) Aflatoxin B1 exposure disrupts organelle distribution in mouse oocytes. PeerJ 10:e13497 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13497
date submitted: 2022-03-17
date accepted: 2022-05-05
issued: 2022-05-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Yan-Zhe
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Qian-Han
author list: Agent
  family name: Duan
  given name: Hong-Wei
author list: Agent
  family name: Zou
  given name: Yuan-Jing
author list: Agent
  family name: Sun
  given name: Shao-Chen
author list: Agent
  family name: Hu
  given name: Lin-Lin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13497
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-23
copyright: © 2022 Zhang et al.
attribution name: Zhang et al.

Land use/land cover changes in the central part of the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Nepal
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Land use/land cover assessment and monitoring of the land cover dynamics are essential to know the ecological, physical and anthropogenic processes in the landscape. Previous studies have indicated changes in the landscape of mid-hills of Nepal in the past few decades. But there is a lack of study in the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape; hence, this study was carried out to fill in study gap that existed in the area. Methods This study evaluates land use/land cover dynamics between 2000 to 2020 in the central part of the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Nepal by using Landsat images. The Landsat images were classified into eight different classes using remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS). The accuracy assessment of classified images was evaluated by calculating actual accuracy, producer’s accuracy, user’s accuracy and kappa coefficient based on the ground-truthing points for 2020 and Google Earth and topographic maps for images of 2010 and 2000. Results The results of land use/land cover analysis of Landsat image 2020 showed that the study area was composed of grassland (1.73%), barren area (1.76%), riverine forest (1.93%), water body (1.97%), developed area (4.13%), Sal dominated forest (15.4%), cropland (28.13%) and mixed forest (44.95%). The results of land cover change between 2000 to 2020 indicated an overall increase in Sal dominated forest (7.6%), developed area (31.34%), mixed forest (37.46%) and decrease in riverine forest (11.29%), barren area (20.03%), croplands (29.87%) and grasslands (49.71%). The classification of the images of 2000, 2010 and 2020 had 81%, 81.6% and 84.77% overall accuracy, respectively. This finding can be used as a baseline information for the development of a proper management plan to protect wildlife habitats and forecasting possible future changes, if needed.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jagan Nath Adhikari
creator: Bishnu Prasad Bhattarai
creator: Maan Bahadur Rokaya
creator: Tej Bahadur Thapa
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Ecosystem Science
subject: Natural Resource Management
subject: Spatial and Geographic Information Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13435
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Adhikari et al.
abstract: Background Land use/land cover assessment and monitoring of the land cover dynamics are essential to know the ecological, physical and anthropogenic processes in the landscape. Previous studies have indicated changes in the landscape of mid-hills of Nepal in the past few decades. But there is a lack of study in the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape; hence, this study was carried out to fill in study gap that existed in the area. Methods This study evaluates land use/land cover dynamics between 2000 to 2020 in the central part of the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Nepal by using Landsat images. The Landsat images were classified into eight different classes using remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS). The accuracy assessment of classified images was evaluated by calculating actual accuracy, producer’s accuracy, user’s accuracy and kappa coefficient based on the ground-truthing points for 2020 and Google Earth and topographic maps for images of 2010 and 2000. Results The results of land use/land cover analysis of Landsat image 2020 showed that the study area was composed of grassland (1.73%), barren area (1.76%), riverine forest (1.93%), water body (1.97%), developed area (4.13%), Sal dominated forest (15.4%), cropland (28.13%) and mixed forest (44.95%). The results of land cover change between 2000 to 2020 indicated an overall increase in Sal dominated forest (7.6%), developed area (31.34%), mixed forest (37.46%) and decrease in riverine forest (11.29%), barren area (20.03%), croplands (29.87%) and grasslands (49.71%). The classification of the images of 2000, 2010 and 2020 had 81%, 81.6% and 84.77% overall accuracy, respectively. This finding can be used as a baseline information for the development of a proper management plan to protect wildlife habitats and forecasting possible future changes, if needed.
bibliographic citation: Adhikari et al. (2022) Land use/land cover changes in the central part of the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Nepal. PeerJ 10:e13435 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13435
date submitted: 2021-12-20
date accepted: 2022-04-22
issued: 2022-05-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Adhikari
  given name: Jagan Nath
author list: Agent
  family name: Bhattarai
  given name: Bishnu Prasad
author list: Agent
  family name: Rokaya
  given name: Maan Bahadur
author list: Agent
  family name: Thapa
  given name: Tej Bahadur
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13435
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-20
copyright: © 2022 Adhikari et al.
attribution name: Adhikari et al.

Determining the optimal areas of effort in terms of force and force-velocity based on the functional state of the neuromuscular system in the training of elite female judokas
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The evaluation of the functional state of the neuromuscular system (NMS) in elite female judokas according to the muscular activity indices is influenced by the force (F) and force-velocity (F-V) efforts. The implementation of the individual correction plan in the elite female judokas’ process of instruction and training must be based on the accurate determination of the force and force-velocity effort areas throughout the training and competitive periods. Methods The research involved 44 elite female judokas, divided in to two experimental groups (A, C) and two control groups (B, D). To diagnose the NMS, 21 elite female judokas were evaluated, belonging to different classification categories, divided into three groups: group I–category I (Cat. I), group II–candidates for Masters of Sports (CMS) and group III—Masters of Sports (MS).The evaluation of NMS was performed at the end of each two-week cycle, using 3 tests: Tmax—time to reach the maximum muscle contraction, (msec); Fy –examination of elasticity indices in different muscles, (Hz); J–explosive muscular strength, (kg/s). Measurements were made for six muscle groups and 9 indices of fitness tests: 5 force tests (F) and 4 force-velocity tests (F-V). The research was carried out during 24 cycles, each one lasting two weeks: 12 training cycles and 12 competitive ones. Each cycle lasted two weeks. During the research, the model plan of training for F and F-V was used, determining the optimal areas of F and F-V training efforts in the preparation and competitive periods. In the experimental groups (A and C), according to the data of judokas’ NMS functional state evaluation, the individual correction of the F and F-V efforts was performed every two weeks. As for the control groups (B, D), traditional methods of training were used. Results The NMS evaluation of the female judokas was made every two weeks and the level of correlation of Tmax, Fy and J indices was determined. The value of the Fy index at F ef…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Veaceslav Manolachi
creator: Vladimir Potop
creator: Victor Manolachi
creator: Irina Delipovici
creator: Cristian Ştefan Liuşnea
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Kinesiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13468
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Manolachi et al.
abstract: Background The evaluation of the functional state of the neuromuscular system (NMS) in elite female judokas according to the muscular activity indices is influenced by the force (F) and force-velocity (F-V) efforts. The implementation of the individual correction plan in the elite female judokas’ process of instruction and training must be based on the accurate determination of the force and force-velocity effort areas throughout the training and competitive periods. Methods The research involved 44 elite female judokas, divided in to two experimental groups (A, C) and two control groups (B, D). To diagnose the NMS, 21 elite female judokas were evaluated, belonging to different classification categories, divided into three groups: group I–category I (Cat. I), group II–candidates for Masters of Sports (CMS) and group III—Masters of Sports (MS).The evaluation of NMS was performed at the end of each two-week cycle, using 3 tests: Tmax—time to reach the maximum muscle contraction, (msec); Fy –examination of elasticity indices in different muscles, (Hz); J–explosive muscular strength, (kg/s). Measurements were made for six muscle groups and 9 indices of fitness tests: 5 force tests (F) and 4 force-velocity tests (F-V). The research was carried out during 24 cycles, each one lasting two weeks: 12 training cycles and 12 competitive ones. Each cycle lasted two weeks. During the research, the model plan of training for F and F-V was used, determining the optimal areas of F and F-V training efforts in the preparation and competitive periods. In the experimental groups (A and C), according to the data of judokas’ NMS functional state evaluation, the individual correction of the F and F-V efforts was performed every two weeks. As for the control groups (B, D), traditional methods of training were used. Results The NMS evaluation of the female judokas was made every two weeks and the level of correlation of Tmax, Fy and J indices was determined. The value of the Fy index at F ef…
bibliographic citation: Manolachi et al. (2022) Determining the optimal areas of effort in terms of force and force-velocity based on the functional state of the neuromuscular system in the training of elite female judokas. PeerJ 10:e13468 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13468
date submitted: 2022-02-28
date accepted: 2022-04-29
issued: 2022-05-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Manolachi
  given name: Veaceslav
author list: Agent
  family name: Potop
  given name: Vladimir
author list: Agent
  family name: Manolachi
  given name: Victor
author list: Agent
  family name: Delipovici
  given name: Irina
author list: Agent
  family name: Liuşnea
  given name: Cristian Ştefan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13468
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-20
copyright: ©2022 Manolachi et al.
attribution name: Manolachi et al.

The superior response speed of table tennis players is associated with proactive inhibitory control
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Objective To explore the mechanism behind the faster volitional reaction time (RT) of open skill sports athletes from the perspective of proactive inhibitory control, with the hypothesis that the superior response speed of athletes from open skill sports is related to their enhanced capacity for releasing inhibition. Methods Participants were divided into two groups, an experimental group of 27 table tennis players and a control group of 27 non-athletes. By manipulating cue–target onset asynchrony (CTOA) in a simple cue-target detection task, the timing of target presentation occurred in different phases of the disinhibition process. The time needed for disinhibition were compared between groups. Results For the experimental group, RT varied with CTOA at delays less than 200 ms; for CTOAs greater than 200 ms, RTs were not significantly different. For the control group, RT varied with CTOA for delays as long as 300 ms. Conclusions Table tennis players took less time (200 ms) than non-athletes (300 ms) to complete the disinhibition process, which might partly explain their rapid response speed measured in unpredictable contexts. Significance The study provided evidence for disinhibition speed as a new index to assess the capacity of proactive inhibitory control, and provided a new perspective to explore the superior RT of athletes from open skill sports. We also offered support for the fundamental cognitive benefits of table tennis training.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Mengyan Zhu
creator: Yanling Pi
creator: Jian Zhang
creator: Nan Gu
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
subject: Mental Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13493
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Zhu et al.
abstract: Objective To explore the mechanism behind the faster volitional reaction time (RT) of open skill sports athletes from the perspective of proactive inhibitory control, with the hypothesis that the superior response speed of athletes from open skill sports is related to their enhanced capacity for releasing inhibition. Methods Participants were divided into two groups, an experimental group of 27 table tennis players and a control group of 27 non-athletes. By manipulating cue–target onset asynchrony (CTOA) in a simple cue-target detection task, the timing of target presentation occurred in different phases of the disinhibition process. The time needed for disinhibition were compared between groups. Results For the experimental group, RT varied with CTOA at delays less than 200 ms; for CTOAs greater than 200 ms, RTs were not significantly different. For the control group, RT varied with CTOA for delays as long as 300 ms. Conclusions Table tennis players took less time (200 ms) than non-athletes (300 ms) to complete the disinhibition process, which might partly explain their rapid response speed measured in unpredictable contexts. Significance The study provided evidence for disinhibition speed as a new index to assess the capacity of proactive inhibitory control, and provided a new perspective to explore the superior RT of athletes from open skill sports. We also offered support for the fundamental cognitive benefits of table tennis training.
bibliographic citation: Zhu et al. (2022) The superior response speed of table tennis players is associated with proactive inhibitory control. PeerJ 10:e13493 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13493
date submitted: 2022-01-25
date accepted: 2022-05-04
issued: 2022-05-20
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Mengyan
author list: Agent
  family name: Pi
  given name: Yanling
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Jian
author list: Agent
  family name: Gu
  given name: Nan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13493
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-20
copyright: © 2022 Zhu et al.
attribution name: Zhu et al.

The variability of emotions, physical complaints, intention, and self-efficacy: an ecological momentary assessment study in older adults
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Many theoretical frameworks have been used in order to understand health behaviors such as physical activity, sufficient sleep, healthy eating habits, etc. In most research studies, determinants within these frameworks are assessed only once and thus are considered as stable over time, which leads to rather ‘static’ health behavior change interventions. However, in real-life, individual-level determinants probably vary over time (within days and from day to day), but currently, not much is known about these time-dependent fluctuations in determinants. In order to personalize health behavior change interventions in a more dynamic manner, such information is urgently needed. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the time-dependent variability of emotions, physical complaints, intention, and self-efficacy in older adults (65+) using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). Methods Observational data were collected in 64 healthy older adults (56.3% men; mean age 72.1 ± 5.6 years) using EMA. Participants answered questions regarding emotions (i.e., cheerfulness, relaxation, enthusiasm, satisfaction, insecurity, anxiousness, irritation, feeling down), physical complaints (i.e., fatigue, pain, dizziness, stiffness, shortness of breath), intention, and self-efficacy six times a day for seven consecutive days using a smartphone-based questionnaire. Generalized linear mixed models were used to assess the fluctuations of individual determinants within subjects and over days. Results A low variability is present for the negative emotions (i.e., insecurity, anxiousness, irritation, feeling down) and physical complaints of dizziness and shortness of breath. The majority of the variance for relaxation, satisfaction, insecurity, anxiousness, irritation, feeling down, fatigue, dizziness, intention, and self-efficacy is explained by the within subjects and within days variance (42.9% to 65.8%). Hence, these determinants mainly differed within the same subject an…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Iris Maes
creator: Lieze Mertens
creator: Louise Poppe
creator: Geert Crombez
creator: Tomas Vetrovsky
creator: Delfien Van Dyck
subject: Geriatrics
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Public Health
subject: Mental Health
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13234
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Maes et al.
abstract: Background Many theoretical frameworks have been used in order to understand health behaviors such as physical activity, sufficient sleep, healthy eating habits, etc. In most research studies, determinants within these frameworks are assessed only once and thus are considered as stable over time, which leads to rather ‘static’ health behavior change interventions. However, in real-life, individual-level determinants probably vary over time (within days and from day to day), but currently, not much is known about these time-dependent fluctuations in determinants. In order to personalize health behavior change interventions in a more dynamic manner, such information is urgently needed. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the time-dependent variability of emotions, physical complaints, intention, and self-efficacy in older adults (65+) using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). Methods Observational data were collected in 64 healthy older adults (56.3% men; mean age 72.1 ± 5.6 years) using EMA. Participants answered questions regarding emotions (i.e., cheerfulness, relaxation, enthusiasm, satisfaction, insecurity, anxiousness, irritation, feeling down), physical complaints (i.e., fatigue, pain, dizziness, stiffness, shortness of breath), intention, and self-efficacy six times a day for seven consecutive days using a smartphone-based questionnaire. Generalized linear mixed models were used to assess the fluctuations of individual determinants within subjects and over days. Results A low variability is present for the negative emotions (i.e., insecurity, anxiousness, irritation, feeling down) and physical complaints of dizziness and shortness of breath. The majority of the variance for relaxation, satisfaction, insecurity, anxiousness, irritation, feeling down, fatigue, dizziness, intention, and self-efficacy is explained by the within subjects and within days variance (42.9% to 65.8%). Hence, these determinants mainly differed within the same subject an…
bibliographic citation: Maes et al. (2022) The variability of emotions, physical complaints, intention, and self-efficacy: an ecological momentary assessment study in older adults. PeerJ 10:e13234 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13234
date submitted: 2021-09-14
date accepted: 2022-03-17
issued: 2022-05-19
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Maes
  given name: Iris
author list: Agent
  family name: Mertens
  given name: Lieze
author list: Agent
  family name: Poppe
  given name: Louise
author list: Agent
  family name: Crombez
  given name: Geert
author list: Agent
  family name: Vetrovsky
  given name: Tomas
author list: Agent
  family name: Van Dyck
  given name: Delfien
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13234
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-19
copyright: ©2022 Maes et al.
attribution name: Maes et al.

Does the landscape functionality approach provide insight into rangeland conditions in the Tanqua Karoo region, South Africa?
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The harsh environmental conditions coupled with a long history of overgrazing have altered the ecology of the arid Tanqua Karoo rangelands in South Africa, which necessitates rehabilitation. However, a suitable method for monitoring rangeland function over time is required for sustainable management. In this study, vegetation characteristics and landscape function indices were used to rate and compare rangeland conditions in 43 sites distributed among three vegetation types: Tanqua Karoo, Tanqua Wash Riviere, and Tanqua Escarpment Shrubland, which occupy different landscapes in the Tankwa Karoo National Park. The results showed low values of vegetation volume (mean of 10.1 m3 per 100 m−2) and low vegetated patches (mean of 29% patches vs 71% fetches). The overall landscape function indices (soil stability, water infiltration, and nutrient recycling) were low and amounted to 55%, 28%, and 17%, respectively. Amongst the various examined landscapes, the escarpment had the highest values of most of the measured landscape functionality parameters, and the open plains had the lowest values. This revealed high heterogeneity of soil properties and vegetation characteristics amongst the different vegetation types, mainly influenced by altitudinal gradients. The higher-lying landscapes on the escarpment are relatively more functional and more susceptible to improvement when compared to the lower-lying landscapes on the plains. The landscape functionality approach (LFA) approach demonstrated that some of the examined vegetation types had insignificant improvement in landscape functionality likely not to improve in the near term due to existing low patchiness, higher fetch space and low LFA indices coupled with the low annual rainfall of the region. The landscape functionality approach has provided a suitable benchmark for assessing and monitoring the diverse vegetation types in this arid part of the world.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Manam Saaed
creator: Shayne Jacobs
creator: Mmoto Leonard Masubelele
creator: Lesego Khomo
creator: Igshaan Samuels
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Ecosystem Science
subject: Soil Science
subject: Natural Resource Management
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.13305
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2022 Saaed et al.
abstract: The harsh environmental conditions coupled with a long history of overgrazing have altered the ecology of the arid Tanqua Karoo rangelands in South Africa, which necessitates rehabilitation. However, a suitable method for monitoring rangeland function over time is required for sustainable management. In this study, vegetation characteristics and landscape function indices were used to rate and compare rangeland conditions in 43 sites distributed among three vegetation types: Tanqua Karoo, Tanqua Wash Riviere, and Tanqua Escarpment Shrubland, which occupy different landscapes in the Tankwa Karoo National Park. The results showed low values of vegetation volume (mean of 10.1 m3 per 100 m−2) and low vegetated patches (mean of 29% patches vs 71% fetches). The overall landscape function indices (soil stability, water infiltration, and nutrient recycling) were low and amounted to 55%, 28%, and 17%, respectively. Amongst the various examined landscapes, the escarpment had the highest values of most of the measured landscape functionality parameters, and the open plains had the lowest values. This revealed high heterogeneity of soil properties and vegetation characteristics amongst the different vegetation types, mainly influenced by altitudinal gradients. The higher-lying landscapes on the escarpment are relatively more functional and more susceptible to improvement when compared to the lower-lying landscapes on the plains. The landscape functionality approach (LFA) approach demonstrated that some of the examined vegetation types had insignificant improvement in landscape functionality likely not to improve in the near term due to existing low patchiness, higher fetch space and low LFA indices coupled with the low annual rainfall of the region. The landscape functionality approach has provided a suitable benchmark for assessing and monitoring the diverse vegetation types in this arid part of the world.
bibliographic citation: Saaed et al. (2022) Does the landscape functionality approach provide insight into rangeland conditions in the Tanqua Karoo region, South Africa?. PeerJ 10:e13305 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13305
date submitted: 2021-10-05
date accepted: 2022-03-29
issued: 2022-05-19
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Saaed
  given name: Manam
author list: Agent
  family name: Jacobs
  given name: Shayne
author list: Agent
  family name: Masubelele
  given name: Mmoto Leonard
author list: Agent
  family name: Khomo
  given name: Lesego
author list: Agent
  family name: Samuels
  given name: Igshaan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.13305
volume: 10
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2022-05-19
copyright: © 2022 Saaed et al.
attribution name: Saaed et al.

PeerJ
type: Periodical
uri: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359