bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel smartphone app to change risk behaviors of women after gestational diabetes: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Potzel Anne L. , Gar Christina , Banning Friederike , Sacco Vanessa , Fritsche Andreas , Fritsche Louise , Müssig Karsten , Dauben Laura , Seissler Jochen , Lechner Andreas
Published: April 2022

Aims

Women after gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are a risk group for cardiometabolic diseases but are hard to reach by conventional lifestyle programs. Therefore, we tested whether a novel, smartphone-delivered intervention,TRIANGLE, is accepted by women after GDM and alters cardiometabolic risk behaviors and outcomes.TRIANGLEtargets gradual habit change of mind and emotion, physical activity, nutrition, and sleep.

Methods

We conducted a 6-month multicenter, randomized-controlled trial ofTRIANGLEversus standard care with 66 women 3–18 months after GDM in Germany. The primary outcome was the proportion of women achieving ≥3 out of 5 Diabetes Prevention Program goals, i.e. physical activity ≥150 min/week (moderate to high intensity), fiber intake ≥15 g/1,000 kcal, fat intake <30% of total energy intake, saturated fat intake <10% of total energy intake, and weight reduction ≥5% if BMI ≥23 kg/m2or weight maintenance if BMI <23 kg/m2. Intervention participants also rated theTRIANGLEapp in the Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS).

Results

In the predefined, modified intention-to-treat analysis including 64 women, 6 out of 27 women in the intervention group [22%(10–40)] and 3 out of 27 women in the control group [11%(3–27)] reached the primary outcome (p = 0.47). In the predefined per-protocol intervention subgroup, the proportion was 4 out of 14 women [29%(11–55); p = 0.20 vs. control].TRIANGLEapp users were active on 42% of days and rated the app’s quality and perceived impact with 4.3±0.8 out of 5 uMARS points.

Conclusions

This first trial did not show the efficacy of theTRIANGLEintervention. However, the app was well accepted and considered helpful by most users. Therefore, this trial supports further development and testing ofTRIANGLEand other app interventions for women after GDM. Additionally, it identifies necessary adaptations in trial design to better accommodate non-intensive lifestyle interventions for this target group.

Trial registration

Trial registration at drks.de (DRKS00012996).
Changes in social environment due to the state of emergency and Go To campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: An ecological study
Authors: Kanamori Rie , Kawakami Yuta , Nojiri Shuko , Miyazawa Satoshi , Kuroki Manabu , Nishizaki Yuji
Published: April 2022

Background

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Japan, the state of emergency, as a public health measure to control the spread of COVID-19, and the Go To campaign, which included the Go To Travel and Go To Eat campaigns and was purposed to stimulate economic activities, were implemented. This study investigated the impact of these government policies on COVID-19 spread.

Methods

This ecological study included all 47 prefectures in Japan as samples between February 3 and December 27, 2020. We used COVID-19 cases and mobility as variables. Additionally, places where social contacts could accrue, defined as restaurants, companies, transportation, and tourist spots; mean temperature and humidity; the number of inhabitants in their twenties to fifties; and the number of COVID-19 cases in the previous period, which were factors or covariates in the graphical modeling analysis, were divided into five periods according to the timing of the implementation of the state of emergency and Go To campaign.

Results

Graphical changes occurred throughout all five periods of COVID-19. During the state of emergency (period 2), a correlation between COVID-19 cases and those before the state of emergency (period 1) was observed, although this correlation was not significant in the period after the state of emergency was lifted (period 3). During the implementation of Go To Travel and the Go To Eat campaigns (period 5), the number of places where social contacts could accrue was correlated with COVID-19 cases, with complex associations and mobility.

Conclusions

This study confirms that the state of emergency affected the control of COVID-19 spread and that the Go To campaign led to increased COVID-19 cases due to increased mobility by changing behavior in the social environment where social contacts potentially accrue.
Prevalence and predictive factors of nocturia in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: A retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Chung Yeon Hak , Kim Jae Rim , Choi Su Jung , Joo Eun Yeon
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Many patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) have nocturia. However, the predictive index of nocturia in patients with OSAS is currently not well known. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of nocturia in patients with OSAS and determine the factors that could predict nocturia in these patients.

Methods

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we enrolled 1,264 untreated patients with OSAS (Apnea-Hypopnea Index, AHI ≥5/h on polysomnography [PSG]) from January 2017 to January 2020. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Participants were divided by sex and then subdivided into nocturia and non-nocturia groups according to the following question, “Do you go to the bathroom two times or more during your sleep?” Participants’ characteristics and underlying disease were investigated, and all information, including PSG data, was compared between the two groups using the t-test or chi-square test.

Results

Overall, 35.2% (337/958) of male participants with OSAS and 59.8% (183/306) of female participants with OSAS had nocturia. The nocturia group was older; scored higher on the BDI-II, PSQI, and ISI; and had more underlying disease in both sexes. There was no difference in the AHI between the two groups among both sexes, but the hypoxia-related PSG parameters and sleep quality parameters, such as higher 90% oxygen desaturation index (90% ODI), lesser N3 sleep, and higher wakefulness after sleep onset, were worse among male participants with OSAS in the nocturia group than in the non-nocturia group. In multivariate logistic analysis, 90% ODI was an independent risk factor associated with nocturia in male participants with OSAS.

Conclusions

Considerable number of patients with OSAS had nocturia and poor sleep quality. Nocturia should be evaluated in male OSAS patients with severe hypoxia observed during sleep.
Frontal plane biomechanics during single-leg squat and hip strength in patients with isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis compared to matched controls: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Carvalho Cristiano , Serrão Fábio Viadanna , Pisani Giulia Keppe , Martinez Adalberto Felipe , Serrão Paula Regina Mendes da Silva
Published: April 2022

The patellofemoral compartment of the knee is the most frequently affected by osteoarthritis. However, there is a lack of biomechanics studies on patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA). This study’s purpose was to compare the frontal plane biomechanics of the trunk and lower limb during the single-leg squat and isometric hip abductor torque in individuals with isolated PFOA and controls. Frontal plane kinematics during the single-leg squat were evaluated using a three-dimensional (3-D) motion analysis system. Isometric hip abductor torque was determined using a handheld dynamometer. Twenty individuals participated in the study (10 with PFOA and 10 controls). No significant differences between groups were found regarding age (mean ± SD, PFOA group = 51.8 ± 6.9 versus control group = 47.8 ± 5.5; mean difference = 4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.9 to 9.9, p = 0.20) or body mass index (PFOA group = 27.6 ± 2.2 versus control group = 25.5 ± 2.5; mean difference = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.1 to 4.3, p = 0.06). Compared to control, the PFOA group presented greater hip adduction in the descending and ascending phases of the single-leg squat at 45° (mean difference [95% CI] = 6.44° [0.39–12.48°], p = 0.04; mean difference [95% CI] = 5.33° [0.24–10.42°], p = 0.045, respectively) and 60° (mean difference [95% CI] = 8.44° [2.15–14.73°], p = 0.01; mean difference [95% CI] = 7.58° [2.1–13.06°], p = 0.009, respectively) of knee flexion. No significant differences between groups were found for the frontal plane kinematics of the trunk, pelvis or knee (p > 0.05). The PFOA group exhibited lower isometric hip abductor torque (mean difference [95% CI] = -0.34 Nm/kg [-0.67 to -0.01 Nm/kg], p = 0.04). The individuals with PFOA presented greater hip adduction than the control group, which could increase lateral patellofemoral joint stress at 45° and 60° of knee flexion in the descending and ascending phases of the single-leg squat. These individuals also exhibited hip abductor weakness in comparison to healthy controls.
A personalized and dynamic risk estimation model: The new paradigm in Barrett’s esophagus surveillance
Authors: Roumans Carlijn A. M. , Spaander Manon C. W. , Lansdorp-Vogelaar Iris , Biermann Katharina , Bruno Marco J. , Steyerberg Ewout W. , Rizopoulos Dimitris ,   on behalf of the ProBar study group
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The current surveillance strategy in Barrett’s esophagus (BE) uses only histological findings of the last endoscopy to assess neoplastic progression risk. As predictor values vary across endoscopies, single measurements may not be an accurate reflection. Our aim was to explore the value of using longitudinal evolutions (i.e. successive measurements) of histological findings (low-grade dysplasia (LGD)) and immunohistochemical biomarkers (p53 and SOX2) by investigating the association with Barrett’s progression.

Methods

In this proof-of-principle study of a longitudinal dynamic risk estimation model with a multicenter cohort design, 631 BE patients from 15 Dutch hospitals who were under surveillance were included. Longitudinal dynamic values of LGD, p53, and SOX2 were included in a multivariate joint model to estimate the risk of high-grade dysplasia (HGD)/esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC).

Results

Longitudinal evolutions of aberrant expression of p53 (HR 1.26, p<0.01) and SOX2 (HR 1.43, p<0.01) were associated with an increased HGD/EAC risk. We also found weak evidence of an association with the longitudinal evolution of the presence of LGD (HR 1.02, p = 0.12). The performance of the model was good (AUC 0.80–0.88). Using this model, for each future BE patient the probability of aberrant expression of biomarkers based on multiple longitudinal observations can be estimated. This probability is translated in progression risk, expressed as HR.

Conclusions

This study provides solid ground to further explore a paradigm shift from currently recommended fixed intervals towards personalized surveillance, in which tailored risk estimations and corresponding surveillance intervals can be updated at every FU endoscopy for individual BE patients.
Detection of blaKPC and blaNDM carbapenemase genes among Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Dominance of blaNDM
Authors: Awoke Tewachew , Teka Brhanu , Aseffa Abraham , Sebre Shemse , Seman Aminu , Yeshitela Biruk , Abebe Tamrat , Mihret Adane
Published: April 2022

Background

Infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae have been difficult to control because of the worldwide emergence of carbapenem-resistant isolates mainly due to carbapenemase production. Information regarding carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae is still scarce in Ethiopia. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the prevalence of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae and to assess the occurrence of blaNDM and blaKPC carbapenemase genes.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2018 to February 2019 at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 132 non-duplicate K. pneumoniae isolates were studied. Phenotypic confirmation of carbapenemase production was done by modified Carbapenem Inactivation Method (mCIM). Multiplex PCR was performed for the detection of carbapenemase-encoding genes blaKPC, and blaNDM.

Results

Out of the total 132 K. pneumoniae isolates, 39 (29.6%) were non-susceptible to one or more carbapenems. The prevalence of carbapenemase-producing isolates from the total was 28 (21.2%) with mCIM of which the most dominant gene was blaNDM 26 (92.9%) and one isolate carried blaKPC concomitantly. Carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae isolates were 100% non-susceptible to half of the antimicrobials used in the study, including meropenem and ertapenem. Previous use of carbapenems was associated with carbapenemase production (P = 0.004).

Conclusions

The prevalence of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae isolates was worrying in the study area. To our knowledge, the study described the emergence of blaNDM and blaKPC gene carrying K. pneumoniae in Ethiopia for the first time. Further large-scale molecular-based studies, including other carbapenemase genes and sequencing of K. pneumoniae, are warranted to have a clear awareness about the presence of antimicrobial resistance high-risk clones in Ethiopia.
That Tune Really Holds the Game Together: Thematic Families in Final Fantasy IX
Authors: Atkinson Sean
Published: April 2022

One of the characteristics of Nobuo Uematsu’s music is the cohesiveness of his game soundtracks, where he will often reuse the same or similar material throughout the game. As Karen Collins (2008) points out, this repetition helps players become more immersed in the world of the game, yet Uematsu seems to take advantage of this repetition to enhance the game’s narrative. This chapter explores that idea through the examination of thematic families in the music of Final Fantasy IX. Thematic families consist of musical cues that share a common theme, though often present that theme in different ways. The thematic changes within families are viewed through the lens of topic theory, in which adaptations to a topic create tropes that are inherently meaningful (Almén 2008, Hatten 2014) and contribute to the surrounding narrative (Atkinson 2018, Neumeyer 2015). This chapter focuses on two of the numerous thematic families (mainly “Vivi’s Theme” and “Melodies of Life”) in the soundtrack, illustrating how Uematsu’s musical narrative interacts with and augments the game’s plot.
Local clothing: What is that? How an environmental policy concept is understood
Authors: Klepp Ingun Grimstad , Haugrønning Vilde , Laitala Kirsi
Published: April 2022

The textile industry is characterized by global mass production and has an immense impact on the environment. One garment can travel around the world through an extensive value chain before reaching its final consumption destination. The consumer receives little information about how the item was produced due to a lack of policy regulation. In this article, we explore understandings of ‘local clothing’ and how the concept could be an alternative to the current clothing industry. The analysis is based on fifteen interviews with eighteen informants from Western Norway as part of the research project KRUS about Norwegian wool. Five ways of understanding local clothing were identified from the interviews: production, place-specific garments, local clothing habits, home-based production and local circulation. We lack a language with which to describe local clothing that covers local forms of production as an alternative to current clothing production. As such, the article highlights an important obstacle to reorganization: local clothing needs a vocabulary among the public, in politics and in the public sector in general, with which to describe the diverse production processes behind clothing and textiles and their material properties.
Colombian Creole Horse: Frequency of oral and motor stereotypies
Authors: Mejía Jhonny Alberto Buitrago , Jaramillo Jairo Alejandro Navarro , Corrales Natalia Uribe
Published: April 2022

Background and Aim: The current stable housing of Colombian Creole Horses severely restricts the animals' locomotion and natural behaviors. In addition, their feed consists of a combination of high-energy concentrates with considerably little forage which potentially leads to locomotor or oral stereotypies. This study aimed to report the frequency of locomotor and oral stereotypies in Colombian Creole Horses in Girardota (Antioquia, Colombia) and associated risk factors.

Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 2019 to 2020, in which 102 stabled horses aged 28 months and older participated. A questionnaire was developed to collect information on the horses' daily barn routines. The horses were observed twice a day for 2 h for 3 consecutive days to record information related to stereotypy behaviors. The Fisher's exact test and the Mann–Whitney U test were utilized for data analyses. Associations were considered statistically significant at p<0.05.

Results: Among the horses evaluated, 32.35% presented at least one stereotyped behavior. The most common was crib-biting (i.e., cribbing), with 17.65% exhibiting this behavior. Age, weight, gender, type of feeding, visual contact between horses, and natural lighting were all associated with oral stereotypies. Crib-biting was most common in young horses (U=1.36, p≤0.05), wind-sucking was more common in lighter weight animals (U=1.45, p=0.01), and lip-smacking was more common in stallions (χ2=9.10, p≤0.01). It is noteworthy that their feeding diet included bran, molasses, and gopher. Horses that did not have visual contact with other horses and those that did not have natural lighting were associated with pica (χ2=9.52, p≤0.02; χ2=3.72, p≤0.05; and χ2=3.72, p≤0.05, respectively). Of locomotor stereotypies, kicking the wall was significant in young animals (U=1.54, p=0.03) and walking in circles in lactating mares (χ2=13.20, p≤0.02).

Conclusion: Housing conditions in this study were found to have several risk factors affecting horses that exhibit stereotypic behaviors, and all these factors resulted in a higher frequency of stereotypies. Establishing risk factors for the presentation of abnormal behaviors allows for the implementation of better management practices in the production systems of the Creole Colombian Horse and will help improve their overall welfare.
Building business strategies through entrepreneurship competence and product innovation to improve performance
Authors: Hariyanti Hariyanti , Nuryati Nuryati
Published: April 2022

The purpose of the study was to determine and empirically test the relationship between entrepreneurial competence and product innovation on performance through business strategies for PKK women, Banjarsari District, Surakarta City, Central Java, Indonesia. The sample consists of 100 PKK women who have a business or side business of batik patchwork, taken using a purposive random sampling technique. The data were analyzed concerning the Validity and Reliability test, Linearity, t-test, F-test, Coefﬁcient of Determination, Path analysis and Correlation. The results of the test partially that product innovation and entrepreneurial competence and business strategy have a positive and signiﬁcant effect on performance. Entrepreneurial competence and product innovation have a positive and signiﬁcant effect on business strategy partly. The variables of entrepreneurial competence, product innovation and business strategy were able to contribute to improving performance by 78.22%, and the rest is explained by other variables such as entrepreneurial orientations, environment, competitive advantage and others. From the path analysis, it was found that business strategy could better mediate the effect of entrepreneurial competence and product innovation on performance. To improve performance through business strategies it is more effective if by increasing product innovation, after that entrepreneurial competence.
Kemampuan dan kepemimpinan transformasional dalam mempengaruhi kinerja karyawan melalui komitmen organisasional dan motivasi
Authors: Kirono Indro , Sukaris Sukaris , Dzulquarnain Abi Hanif , Indriya Himawan Abdurrahman Faris , Akhiruddin Anita
Published: April 2022

This study aims to determine the relationship between employee ability and leadership through commitment and motivation towards the employees’ performance at PT. X that are engaged in logistics. The results showed that the model placing organizational com- mitment as a construct proved to be better than the one measuring organizational com- mitment as a multi-construct affective commitment, continuous commitment, and nor- mative commitment. It also showed that between commitment dimensions are highly correlated with each other and therefore it leads to residues correlate with each other’s. Based on the path coefﬁcient test on the modiﬁcation model, namely placing commitment as a construct, it indicated as follows: Transformational leadership has a signiﬁcant positive inﬂuence on organizational commitment. Transformational leadership has a signiﬁcant effect on employee work motivation, organizational commitment proved to have a signiﬁcant positive effect on employee work motivation, work motivation proved to have a signiﬁcant positive effect on employee performance. The employees’ ability proved to have a signiﬁcant positive effect on employee performance. The research implication of this study is a form of human resources development in the company, especially in terms of performance by manipulating its internal leadership and commitment. In the future this can be one way to develop its internal HR.
Peran locus of control pada pengujian model perencanaan dana pensiun karyawan sektor swasta di Surabaya
Authors: Ismawati Ismawati , Iramani Rr.
Published: April 2022

This study investigates the factors affecting retirement planning by examining therelationship between ﬁnancial literacy, locus of control, materialism, future orientation,and saving orientation. It used a questionnaire on 128 private sector employees inSurabaya and the data were analyzed using PLS. It was found that locus of control, future orientation, and saving orientation have an effect on retirement planning. Another one shows ﬁnancial literacy has an insigniﬁcant positive effect on retirement planning and external locus of control mediating the effect of ﬁnancial literacy on pension planningbehavior. Materialism has no effect on retirement planning. Future orientation has a positive effect on retirement planning and saving orientation is able to mediate the effect of future orientation on retirement planning. It can be implied that—if an individual has a better future orientation and saving orientation—the better the retirement plan he has;an individual who has high ﬁnancial literacy must be accompanied by good self-controlin order to be able to plan his retirement wisely. It can be used for a useful reference for organizations to develop retirement planning in the context of a developed city such as Surabaya.
Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemicals, and Pharmacological Aspects of Sentul (Sandoricum koetjape)
Authors: Wijaya Made Dharmesti
Published: April 2022

Sentul (Sandoricum koetjape) is a tropical plant that has been used as traditional medicine in some Asian countries for decades. Research on phytochemicals and pharmacological activities of this plant extracts has been conducted and shows promising medicinal properties. This review aims to integrate knowledge about S. koetjape focusing on three main aspects namely ethnomedicinal, phytochemicals, and pharmacological, in order to encourage further research on this plant for future drug development. Traditionally, all plant parts of S. koetjape have been used for treating various health problems and diseases such as diarrhea, fever, colic, and leucorrhoea. More than 30 chemicals have been identified from S. koetjape, which the most important compounds are ring-A secotriterpene, oleane-type triterpene, secomultiflorane-type triterpene, hydroxymultiflorane triterpene, and limonoids. In vitro studies showed pharmacological potential of the extracts and phytochemicals constituents of S. koetjape including antibacterial, antifungal, antitumoral, anticancer, insecticide, and antioxidant.
International Security and Islamic Studies
Authors: Bueno Alberto , Akman M. Kubilay
Published: April 2022

Security is an essential social and political institution for International Relations and the cornerstone of International Security Studies. In this sense, the role of religion is increasingly relevant, recognised as a key factor in global politics. With regard to Islam, its examination has been marked by the phenomena of terrorism or other revolutionary political processes and their direct impact on security. However, a careful observation of its fundamental sources uncovers ideas related to security and its connection with administration, military strategies, justice or ethics. This knowledge has been almost neglected by International Security Studies vis-à-vis Islamic Studies. This article researches this unexamined issue from this interdisciplinary perspective, applying a Grounded Theory analysis of Quran and Sunnah. Its main findings show how security and peace are complementary concepts, in addition to the possibility of building an Islamic approach within International Security Studies based on other essential elements in the Islamic tradition.
El apoyo real. Relaciones político-militares entre dos ciudades realistas: Santa Marta y la Habana durante 1810-1815
Authors: Elías Caro Jorge Enrique
Published: April 2022

En este trabajo se hará un análisis de las relaciones político-militares que se suscitaron durante el proceso independentista entre Santa Marta en el Caribe Neogranadino y la Habana en Cuba. Así mismo, se explicarán ciertas particularidades de las guerras navales, fluviales y terrestres que sostuvieron estas ciudades realistas con otras que defendían la causa emancipadora, durante el periodo comprendido entre 1810-1815.
¿Comerciantes o especuladores de metal? Las elites mercantiles de Cartagena de Indias a principios y finales del periodo Colonial
Authors: Marchena Fernández Juan
Published: April 2022

El presente artículo es un esfuerzo por orientar el debate en torno al rol desempeñado por las élites mercantiles cartageneras durante gran parte del período colonial. Para ello es necesaria una revisión de lo que tradicionalmente se ha llamado “sector comercial” en el modelo de economía cartagenera y su intercambio con otros puertos del monopolio. Así mismo, resulta de sumo interés esta investigación puesto que se intenta consolidar la discusión sobre las formas especulativas en las cuales actuaron las élites mercantiles con respecto a la circulación de los metales y su estratégica situación geográfica que les permitió incidir sobre este tráfico oneroso.
Health Literacy-Related Knowledge and Experience among Nurses Practicing in Medical-Surgical Wards
Authors: Al-Fayyadh Sadeq , Al-Jubouri Mohammed Baqer , AL-Hadrawi Hayder , Jaafar Sabah Abdullah , Hussein Shaymaa Mohammed
Published: April 2022

Background: Medical-surgical nurses are responsible of providing competent care to clients with a wide-array of acute and chronic health problems. This challenging task requires arming nurses with advanced competencies of health literacy to effectively educate their clients. However, evidence about medical-surgical nurse’s health literacy-related knowledge and experience is limited.  Purposes: This study aimed to determine the level of the health literacy-related knowledge and experience among medical-surgical nurses.Design: A descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted among a total sample of 177 nurses who were practicing in medical-surgical wards in teaching hospitals in Iraq. A convenience sampling method was used to select the participants. Data were collected using the Health Literacy Knowledge and Experiences Survey-2 (HLKES-2). Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used for data analysis.Results: The majority of nurses (92.3%) had a low level of knowledge regarding health literacy and more than half of the participants (58.7%) had an acceptable level of experience.Conclusion: Nurses’ information about health literacy needs to be updated via continuous education to enhance their knowledge and practice regarding this aspect.
Analysis of Peruvian seaweed exports during the period 1995–2020 using trade data
Authors: Avila-Peltroche José , Villena-Sarmiento Gunter
Published: April 2022

Peru is the second largest seaweed producer in the Americas. Nevertheless, the actual extent and trends of exports of various seaweeds are not known. This study is the first to summarize and analyze the official seaweed export statistics for Peru, which cover 1995–2020. Total exports showed a considerable increase from 2008, reaching their highest historical volume in 2019 (33,948 metric tons dry weight plus 3 metric tons of fresh/frozen weight). China dominated the market by importing 90% of the total Peruvian production of seaweeds. A low percentage of the exports (3%) corresponded to red seaweeds (mainly Chondracanthus chamissoi for industrial use). Export volumes of C. chamissoi have been decreasing since 2015, however prices have continued to increase. Brown seaweeds accounted for 97% of the exports. These were dominated by Lessonia berteroana until 2007 and then by Macrocystis pyrifera. The latter showed the highest overall growth rate (47%). Wet biomass estimations showed a gap between the data reflecting what is officially harvested versus what is actually exported. This “unreported biomass” might reflect the government’s lack of control of seaweed harvesting. Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic showed a negative impact on exports with M. pyrifera being the most affected species.
Artificial intelligence at the time of COVID-19: who does the lion’s share?
Authors: Negrini Davide , Danese Elisa , Henry Brandon M. , Lippi Giuseppe , Montagnana Martina
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies, especially machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), have been considerably fostered during the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Several models and algorithms have been developed and applied for both identifying COVID-19 cases and for assessing and predicting the risk of developing unfavourable outcomes. Our aim was to summarize how AI is being currently applied to COVID-19.

Methods

We conducted a PubMed search using as query MeSH major terms “Artificial Intelligence” AND “COVID-19”, searching for articles published until December 31, 2021, which explored the possible role of AI in COVID-19. The dataset origin (internal dataset or public datasets available online) and data used for training and testing the proposed ML/DL model(s) were retrieved.

Results

Our analysis finally identified 292 articles in PubMed. These studies displayed large heterogeneity in terms of imaging test, laboratory parameters and clinical-demographic data included. Most models were based on imaging data, in particular CT scans or chest X-rays images. C-Reactive protein, leukocyte count, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, lymphocytes and platelets counts were found to be the laboratory biomarkers most frequently included in COVID-19 related AI models.

Conclusions

The lion’s share of AI applied to COVID-19 seems to be played by diagnostic imaging. However, AI in laboratory medicine is also gaining momentum, especially with digital tools characterized by low cost and widespread applicability.
The role of identification and self-referencing in narrative persuasion
Authors: de Graaf Anneke
Published: April 2022

Previous studies have shown that identification and self-referencing can both function as mechanisms of narrative persuasion. However, it is not yet clear whether they are compatible and can work together in bringing about persuasive effects of narratives, or not. Therefore, this study examines both identification and self-referencing and studies their relation and effects. A 2x2 between-subjects experiment was conducted among 185 student participants, with the factors ‘perspective’ (1st vs. 3rd person) to influence identification and ‘similarity’ (young student protagonist vs. older working protagonist) to influence self-referencing. Results showed that identification mediated indirect effects of perspective on story-consistent belief and self-referencing mediated indirect effects of similarity on story-consistent belief. Moreover, identification and self-referencing serially mediated indirect effects on story-consistent belief. These results indicate that identification and self-referencing are compatible processes which can work together as mechanisms of narrative persuasion.
Which magnetic fields support a zero mode?
Authors: Frank Rupert L. , Loss Michael
Published: April 2022

This paper presents some results concerning the size of magnetic fields that support zero modes for the three-dimensional Dirac equation and related problems for spinor equations. It is a well-known fact that for the Schrödinger equation in three dimensions to have a negative energy bound state, the

3
/
2

{3/2}

norm of the potential has to be greater than the Sobolev constant. We prove an analogous result for the existence of zero modes, namely that the

3
/
2

{3/2}

norm of the magnetic field has to greater than twice the Sobolev constant. The novel point here is that the spinorial nature of the wave function is crucial. It leads to an improved diamagnetic inequality from which the bound is derived. While the results are probably not sharp, other equations are analyzed where the results are indeed optimal.
Image analysis-based quantification of the visual attributes of fish, with emphasis on color and visual texture
Authors: Gümüş Bahar , Gümüş Erkan , Odabaṣı-Kırlı Aslı , Balaban Murat O.
Published: April 2022

Images of Red Sea goatfish Parupeneus forsskali were taken in a light box to perform color and visual texture analyses. The average L* and b* values did not change significantly during storage of 7 days, but the a* values decreased (P < 0.05). The change of visual texture parameters energy and entropy (calculated based on histograms, and based on co-occurrence matrices [COM]), box counting-based fractal results, and texture change index (TCI) values are presented. The appearance of fish became “smoother” over time. The entropy values calculated by histograms decreased with storage (P < 0.05), and the maximum range was 0.395. That for COM-based entropies was 71.96. TCI also decreased with storage (P < 0.05) with a maximum range of 10.67. However, energy values increased during storage. The maximum range of the energy values calculated by histograms over time for any color channel was 0.0036. That for COM-based energies was 5.7. There was no observable change in fractal dimension. These image analysis-based parameters were compared with sensory analysis. A trained sensory panel evaluated the visual texture of a sub-set of images. The R2 values for equation fit between sensory score and texture features were, in increasing order: COM based energy (0.185), COM-based entropy (0.313), histogram-based energy (0.375), histogram-based entropy (0.386), TCI values (0.575). Since TCI correlated better with sensory values, it is recommended to be used in this type of visual texture evaluation.
Elastic trend filtering
Authors: Jeong Juyoung , Jung Yoon Mo , Yun Sangwoon
Published: April 2022

Trend filtering aims to estimate underlying trends in time series data, which is necessary to investigate data in a variety of disciplines. We propose a new method calledelastic trend filtering. The proposed method combinesℓ2andℓ1norm penalties to exploit the benefits and strengths of Hodrick–Prescott andℓ1trend filterings. We apply the alternating direction method of multipliers for its efficient computation and numerical experiments show the soundness and efficiency of the proposed method. We further apply the proposed method to graph cases for potential applications and suggest a trend filtering for its variance estimate.
Improving the capacity of local food network through local food hubs’ development
Authors: Perdana Tomy , Chaerani Diah , Hermiatin Fernianda Rahayu , Achmad Audi Luqmanul Hakim , Fridayana Ananda
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic and humanitarian challenges such as war and conflict, climate changes, and economic crises bring unexpected humanitarian challenges, such as food insecurity. Especially for developing countries, this is a double crisis, food poverty and COVID-19 pandemic. This situation needs an alternative food network (AFN), which can improve the local food sources to fulfill the food demand. The local food hubs’ (LFHs) development as an AFN that considers local producers and customers could serve as an alternative strategy to reduce the uncertainty of food availability. However, the challenge in developing LFH in developing countries is the problem of logistics efficiency. Therefore, this study discusses the development of food logistics efficiency by determining the optimum location of LFH and the fulfillment of food supply for each optimum location of LFH in rural areas. Robust optimization is applied to the Multi-Objective Many-to-Many Location-Routing Problem (MOMMLRP) model to handle the uncertain demand and production capacity. This study focused on West Java Province, Indonesia, as areas that represent developing countries. Based on our result, eight sub-districts have been determined as an optimum location to develop LFHs. This study also elaborates on the food network in the worst situation that needs regional food hubs’ (RFHs) support. The RFH support can be used when the LFH faces an unexpected problem that cannot fulfill their demand.
Spectroscopic investigation of the different complexation and extraction properties of diastereomeric diglycolamide ligands
Authors: Weßling Patrik , Trumm Michael , Sittel Thomas , Geist Andreas , Panak Petra J.
Published: April 2022

(2R,2′S)-2,2′-oxybis-(N,N-didecylpropanamide) (cis-mTDDGA) and (2R,2′R)-2,2′-oxybis-(N,N-didecylpropanamide) (trans-mTDDGA) were studied using time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS), vibronic side-band spectroscopy (VSBS) and density functional theory calculations (DFT) to find reasons for their different extraction properties. Stability constants of the respective Cm(III) and Eu(III) complexes show cis-mTDDGA to be the superior ligand which is in agreement with results from extraction experiments. cis-mTDDGA extracts Cm(III) and Eu(III) as 1:3 complexes. In case of trans-mTDDGA, 1:2 complexes of the form [M(trans-mTDDGA)2(η1-NO3)(H2O)2]2+ (M = Cm, Eu) are extracted additionally to the 1:3 complexes. VSBS and DFT confirm the presence of inner-sphere nitrate in the 1:2 complex.
The “intentional function” in still and moving photographic images
Authors: Betancourt Michael
Published: April 2022

What is the role of intention in the identification of encoding that arises for images and other non-lexical objects of semiosis? This proposal of the “intentional function” resolves the syntagmatic problems posed by visual imagery: it identifies the viewer’s treatment of what they encounter as
if it is encoded based on formal non-signifying cues visible in the image and learned through past experience. This decision about the organization and structure of the work becomes apparent from the consideration of a photographic “selfie” made by a monkey in the rainforest.
Studying values about childhood using networked photography on Instagram
Authors: Benevento Ayşenur
Published: April 2022

This study examines adults’ postings of photos of children on social media and offers a unique methodological approach to studying visual data. A major innovation of this study is first, to enact the concept and method of narrative inquiry to the digital photographs. Having applied this method, the study also offers findings about the diverse values that emerge across two specific digital parenting cultures organized via Instagram hashtags of #fashionkids and #letthekids. Values analysis of 500 photographs (250 photos from each hashtag culture) indicated that these hashtags constitute cultures defined by distinct values of ideal childhoods. While #fashionkids photos emphasized children’s attendance to the photo making activity with stress to their possessions, #letthekids photos expressed mixed values of freedom and domestic happenings with a strong emphasis on unawareness of the photographing and togetherness. While the qualities of childhood images collected in the same period hint at meaningful patterns, the way those qualities interact with each other in distinct cultures suggest that there is not one ideal image that could represent childhood in the best possible way and the photographers’ values very much influence the visual sense-making of what’s being portrayed in children’s photographs.
Photopolymer composite magnetic actuators for cell-based biosensors
Authors: Özsoylu Dua , Karatellik Beyza , Schöning Michael J. , Wagner Torsten
Published: April 2022

Nowadays, biosensors play a significant role in numerous areas and become part of our daily life. Here, electrochemical cell-based biosensors either use cells as a biorecognition element or they can monitor physiologically relevant information of cells. One of the greatest challenges for commercialization of cell-based biosensors comes from their main component, the cells, which are complex “living” systems and very vulnerable to environmental changes. Recently, to address this issue, a novel method, the cryopreservation of cell monolayers in a ready-to-use set-up, has been introduced. To further improve this method, herein we develop photopolymer-based magnetic composites (cell carriers) by photolithographically patterning different photopolymer resins (flexible resin and SU-8 photoresist) mixed with superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. These magnetic composites were designed for cryopreservation of cells grown on them in a ready-to-use concept: it allows the on-demand transfer of the actuators to the culture environment with integrated cell-based biosensor and positioning them close to the sensor surface or taking them away for the next cell population on another actuator by an external magnetic field. The key performance characteristics of the developed magnetic composites such as being able to control their location, mobility and orientation have been demonstrated in cell culture medium.
Quantum thermodynamics of hydrogen in nano-structured materials—H2 in carbon nanotubes
Authors: Chatzidimitriou-Dreismann Aris
Published: April 2022

Modern quantum theory of correlations predicts, and reveals, new counter-intuitive dynamical effects of hydrogen in nano-structured materials, being of considerable importance for basic research as well as for technological applications. To support this claim, here the focus is on H2 molecules in carbon nanotubes and other nanocavities, as experimentally investigated with the well established technique of incoherent inelastic neutron scattering (INS). In particular, the experimentally determined momentum and energy transfers from an H2 molecule in a carbon (C-) nanotube resulting in roto-translational motion along the nanotube axis, appear to (1) either violate the standard conservations laws, or (2) attribute the translating H2 molecule a highly reduced inertia, as quantified by the effective mass M
eff ≈ 0.64 a.m.u. (atomic mass units), instead of 2 a.m.u. for an isolated molecule. This counter-intuitive INS-observation has no conventional interpretation, but it can be qualitatively interpreted “from first principles” in the frame of modern theories of quantumness of correlations and Quantum Thermodynamics (QTD). This analysis also provides a surprising new physical insight: The nano-structured cavities do represent quantum systems which contribute to the quantum dynamics of the hydrogen translational dynamics, and thus to the hydrogen transport in the studied materials. This insight may also have far-reaching consequences for technological applications and material sciences (e.g. fuel cells, H storage materials, etc.), since it concerns the choice and design of “optimized” materials adsorbing or carrying hydrogen.
Fine-Grained Sediment Characterization and Process Monitoring Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
Authors: Zhao B. , Santamarina J. C.
Published: April 2022

The intrinsic magnetic moment of hydrogen nuclei allows them to interact with externally imposed magnetic fields; then, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can be used to probe the pore space of wet soils using the water molecules in pores. Surface relaxivity at pore walls combines with molecular diffusion to produce a relaxation rate that is inversely proportional to the pore size in saturated specimens or the mean distance to a pore wall in unsaturated soils. We used NMR to nondestructively characterize pore size distribution, monitor changes in pore space during sedimentation, and track the evolution of water conditions during drying and infiltration. Results show that the evolution of relaxation time distribution reflects pore size contraction, water film thickness reduction, and pore water redistribution. In all cases, the mean relaxation time and water content exhibit a unique relationship for both saturated and unsaturated soils; we propose a parallel plate model to interpret this relationship that only depends on surface relaxivity and specific surface area. Finally, we impose a magnetic field gradient to obtain spatially resolved relaxation spectra; this technique shows the evolution of moisture profile with depth and changes in moisture transport mechanisms during 1D drying. The carefully designed experiments demonstrate the potential of NMR spectroscopy as an effective tool to monitor water conditions and characterize the pore space in fine-grained sediments.
Deísmo y Dequeísmo: una nueva propuesta sintáctica de análisis
Authors: Ruiz Alonso Cristina
Published: April 2022

El objetivo de este artículo es doble: en primer lugar, se realiza un repaso bibliográfico de manera generalizada del planteamiento empírico del dequeísmo y del deísmo con el objetivo de presentarlos y explicarlos. Ambos fenómenos coinciden en la inserción de la preposición de, aparentemente expletiva. Mientras que el primero ha recibido bastante atención en la bibliografía (Gómez Torrego 1999; Demonte y Fernández-Soriano 2005 entre muchos otros), el segundo cuenta con menos trabajos; no obstante, ninguno de los dos fenómenos ha sido explicado de manera satisfactoria teniendo en cuenta las facetas dialectales en las que se atestiguan. El segundo objetivo es presentar una propuesta de análisis que intente unificar ambos fenómenos: la de sería una manifestación del posible carácter nominal que poseen las oraciones subordinadas sustantivas. Para apoyar nuestra investigación, estos dos fenómenos se vincularán brevemente con otros formados por el artículo el, ya que también podrían presentar marca nominal de una manera más clara.
Algúns fenómenos de variación na morfosintaxe do galego da comarca do Ribeiro
Authors: Eduardo Louredo Rodríguez
Published: April 2022

Neste traballo son estudados algúns trazos da morfoloxía non verbal e da sintaxe rexistradas nunha comarca rural do interior de Galicia (O Ribeiro, provincia de Ourense). Os datos para este estudo foron obtidos mediante entrevistas con cuestionario a trinta individuos de dez localidades diferentes. Estes datos foron complementados coa transcrición das entrevistas semidirixidas realizadas aos mesmos individuos. Con este traballo pretendo amosar como as variantes das variables estudadas están suxeitas a procesos de variación e cambio lingüístico, observable nos usos lingüísticos de tres grupos de idade diferentes. A aparición das diferentes variantes son debidas tanto a factores internos (analoxía ou simplificación do sistema), como a factores externos (contacto con outras variedades lingüísticas); a expansión dalgunhas delas é atribuíble ao contacto co castelán ou con outras variedades galegas próximas.