bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of current smoking, regular drinking, and physical inactivity on health care-seeking behavior in China
Authors: Li Changle , Sun Jing
Published: January 2022

Background

People with lifestyle behaviors, such as current smoking, regular drinking, and physical inactivity, may experience a lack of or delayed health care, leading to severe sickness and higher health care expenditures in the future. Hence, the current study aims to ascertain the effects of current smoking, regular drinking, and physical inactivity on health care-seeking behavior among adults who report physical discomfort in China.

Methods

The data used in this study were obtained from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). The final sample consisted of 44,362 individuals who participated in all five waves of data collection. Logistic regression models were used for the analysis.

Results

The results of fixed effects logistic regression showed that among those who reported physical discomfort, adults who currently smoked cigarettes were 0.65 times less likely to seek health care than those who formerly smoked. Compared to nondrinkers, adults who regularly drank alcohol had a decreased likelihood of seeking health care. Adults who never engaged in physical exercise had 24% lower odds of seeking health care than those who engaged in physical exercise.

Conclusions

Current smoking, regular drinking, and physical inactivity decreased the probability of seeking health care among adults who reported physical discomfort. Therefore, screening and brief advice programs should be delivered by primary-level care and should pay more attention to individuals who engage in lifestyle behaviors such as current smoking, regular drinking, and physical inactivity, thus avoiding missed opportunities to treat chronic conditions and detect new diseases early.
Identification and validation of the high expression of pseudogene TCAM1P in cervical cancer via integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Zhu Yuanhang , Ren Chenchen , Yang Li , Zhang Zhenan , Gong Meiyuan , Chen Kebing
Published: January 2022

Background

HPV as the main cause of cervical cancer has long been revealed, but the detailed mechanism has not yet been elucidated. The role of testis/cancer antigen in cervical cancer has been revealed. However, there are no reports about the statement of testis/cancer-specific non-coding RNA. In this study, we first proposed TCAM1P as a testis/cancer-specific pseudogene, and used a series of experimental data to verify its relationship with HPV, and analyzed its diagnosis value of high-grade cervical lesions and the mechanism of their high expression in cervical cancer. This provides a new direction for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.

Methods

The specific expression of pseudogenes in each tissue was calculated by “TAU” formula. ROC curve was used to judge the diagnosed value of TCAM1P for high-grade lesions. The proliferation ability of cells was measured by CCK8. The expression of TCAM1P, HPV E6/E7 were detected by qRT-PCR. The binding for RBPs on TCAM1P was predicted by starbase v2.0 database, then RIP assay was used to verify. Besides, Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed with “clusterprofiler” R package.

Results

TCAM1P was specifically high-expressed in normal testicular tissue and cervical cancer. Interesting, with the severity of cervical lesions increased, the expression of TCAM1P increased, and TCAM1P could effectively diagnose high-grade cervical lesions. Besides, the expression of TCAM1P was HPV dependent, with highest expression in HPV-positive cervical cancer tissues. Furthermore, RIP assay showed that EIF4A3 regulated the expression of TCAM1P through binding with it. CCK8 assay showed that TCAM1P promoted the proliferation and the Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG Pathway enrichment analysis same suggested that TCAM1P is involved in multiple ways in cell proliferation including Cell cycle, DNA replication and etc.

Conclusions

In this study, we firstly proposed that TCAM1P is cancer/testis pseudogene and is regulated by HPV E6/E7 and EIF4A3. TCAM1P promotes the proliferation of cervical cancer cells and acts as promoter in cervical cancer. Otherwise, TCAM1P promote proliferation through regulating cell cycle and DNA replication, but more evidence needs to be provided to reveal the mechanism by which TCAM1P plays a role in cervical cancer.
A longitudinal study of exposure to fine particulate matter during pregnancy, small-for-gestational age births, and birthweight percentile for gestational age in a statewide birth cohort
Authors: Bravo Mercedes A. , Miranda Marie Lynn
Published: January 2022

Background

Previous studies observed associations between prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (≤ 2.5 μm; PM2.5) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth and lower birthweight percentile for gestational age. Few, if any, studies examine prenatal air pollution exposure and these pregnancy outcomes in neonates born to the same women. Here, we assess whether prenatal exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth or birthweight percentile for gestational age in a longitudinal setting.

Methods

Detailed birth record data were used to identify women who had singleton live births at least twice in North Carolina during 2002–2006 (n = 53,414 women, n = 109,929 births). Prenatal PM2.5 exposures were calculated using daily concentration estimates obtained from the US EPA Fused Air Quality Surface using Downscaling data archive. Associations between PM2.5 exposure and birthweight percentile and odds of SGA birth were calculated using linear and generalized mixed models, comparing successive pregnancies to the same woman. Odds ratios and associations were also estimated in models that did not account for siblings born to the same mother.

Results

Among NHW women, pregnancy-long PM2.5 exposure was associated with SGA (OR: 1.11 [1.06, 1.18]) and lower birthweight percentile (− 0.46 [− 0.74, − 0.17]). Trimester-specific PM2.5 was also associated with SGA and lower birthweight percentile. Among NHB women, statistically significant within-woman associations between PM2.5, SGA, and birthweight percentile were not observed. However, in models that did not account for births to the same mother, statistically significant associations were observed between some PM2.5 exposure windows and higher odds of SGA and lower birthweight percentile among NHB women.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that a woman is at greater risk of delivering an SGA or low birthweight percentile neonate when she has been exposed to higher PM2.5 levels. The within-woman comparison implemented here better controls for factors that may differ between women and potentially confound the relationship between PM2.5 exposure and pregnancy outcomes.

This adds to the evidence that PM2.5 exposure may be causally related to SGA and birthweight percentile, even at concentrations close to or below National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Sarcomas of the extremities and the pelvis: comparing local recurrence after incisional and after core-needle biopsy
Authors: Klein Alexander , Birkenmaier Christof , Fromm Julian , Knösel Thomas , Di Gioia Dorit , Dürr Hans Roland
Published: January 2022

Background

The degree of contamination of healthy tissue with tumor cells during a biopsy in bone or soft tissue sarcomas is clearly dependant on the type of biopsy. Some studies have confirmed a clinically relevant contamination of the biopsy tract after incisional biopsies, as opposed to core-needle biopsies. The aim of our prospective study was to evaluate the risk of local recurrence depending on the biopsy type in extremity and pelvis sarcomas.

Methods

We included 162 patients with a minimum follow-up of 6 months after wide resection of extremity sarcomas. All diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were performed at a single, dedicated sarcoma center. The excision of the biopsy tract after an incisional biopsy was performed as a standard with all tumor resections. All patients received their follow-up after the conclusion of therapy at our center by means of regional MRI studies and, at a minimum, CT of the thorax to rule out pulmonary metastatic disease. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the influence of the biopsy type and of several other clinical factors on the rate of local recurrence and on the time of local recurrence-free survival.

Results

One hundred sixty-two patients with bone or soft tissue tumors of the extremities and the pelvis underwent either an incisional or a core-needle biopsy of their tumor, with 70 sarcomas (43.2%) being located in the bone. 84.6% of all biopsies were performed as core-needle biopsies. The median follow-up time was 55.6 months, and 22 patients (13.6%) developed a local recurrence after a median time of 22.4 months. There were no significant differences between incisional and core-needle biopsy regarding the risk of local recurrence in our subgroup analysis with differentiation by kind of tissue, grading of the sarcoma, and perioperative multimodal therapy.

Conclusions

In a large and homogenous cohort of extremity and pelvic sarcomas, we did not find significant differences between the groups of incisional and core-needle biopsy regarding the risk of local recurrence. The excision of the biopsy tract after incisional biopsy in the context of the definitive tumor resection seems to be the decisive factor for this result.
A cross-sectional study of mental health-, posttraumatic stress symptoms and post exposure changes in Norwegian ambulance personnel
Authors: Reid Bjørn Ole , Næss-Pleym Lars Eide , Bakkelund Karin Elvenes , Dale Jostein , Uleberg Oddvar , Nordstrand Andreas Espetvedt
Published: January 2022

Background

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been shown to be elevated among first responders (Emergency Medical Services, fire service, police force) compared to the general population. Examining the prevalence of mental health issues in a work force with an elevated occupational risk is fundamental towards ensuring their wellbeing and implementing safeguard measures. The goal of this study is therefore to report the prevalence of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic development, and PTSD in Norwegian ambulance personnel.

Methods

This study is a cross-sectional, anonymous, web-based survey (Questback®), performed among operative personnel employed in the Emergency Medical Services in the Regional Health Trust of Central Norway between 18. February and 9. April 2021. The study was sent to 1052 eligible participants. Questions reported demographic data, a traumatic events exposure index, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (Depression), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, Posttraumatic symptom scale (PTSD) and Posttraumatic change scale.

Results

The response rate in this study was 45.5% (n = 479/1052). The mean age of respondents was 37.1 years (std. 11.1) and 52.8% (n = 253) were male. Of the respondents, 80.6% (n = 386) were married or had a partner, and 91.6% (n = 439) reported having access to a peer support programme, with 34.9% (n = 167) reporting that they had utilized peer support. In this study, 5% (n = 24) showed a prevalence of manifest posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, while 8.6% (n = 41) reported moderate to severe depression and 2.9% (n = 14) presented moderate to severe symptoms of general anxiety. Of the respondents, 77.2% (n = 370) reported personal growth because of their work experiences.

Conclusions

This study indicates that Norwegian ambulance personnel report a prevalence of posttraumatic stress symptoms and depression, which is slightly higher for men, and lower for the female proportion in this study, when compared to an adult Norwegian population. The vast majority of respondents reported personal growth because of their work experience, and both the degree of peer support and having a partner seem to influence levels of posttraumatic stress and -development.
HDAC8 suppresses the epithelial phenotype and promotes EMT in chemotherapy-treated basal-like breast cancer
Authors: Pantelaiou-Prokaki Garyfallia , Mieczkowska Iga , Schmidt Geske E. , Fritzsche Sonja , Prokakis Evangelos , Gallwas Julia , Wegwitz Florian
Published: January 2022

Background

Basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) is one of the most aggressive malignant diseases in women with an increased metastatic behavior and poor prognosis compared to other molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Resistance to chemotherapy is the main cause of treatment failure in BLBC. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies counteracting the gain of aggressiveness underlying therapy resistance are urgently needed. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been established as one central process stimulating cancer cell migratory capacity but also acquisition of chemotherapy-resistant properties. In this study, we aimed to uncover epigenetic factors involved in the EMT-transcriptional program occurring in BLBC cells surviving conventional chemotherapy.

Results

Using whole transcriptome data from a murine mammary carcinoma cell line (pG-2), we identified upregulation of Hdac4, 7 and 8 in tumor cells surviving conventional chemotherapy. Subsequent analyses of human BLBC patient datasets and cell lines established HDAC8 as the most promising factor sustaining tumor cell viability. ChIP-sequencing data analysis identified a pronounced loss of H3K27ac at regulatory regions of master transcription factors (TFs) of epithelial phenotype like Gata3, Elf5, Rora and Grhl2 upon chemotherapy. Interestingly, impairment of HDAC8 activity reverted epithelial-TFs levels. Furthermore, loss of HDAC8 activity sensitized tumor cells to chemotherapeutic treatments, even at low doses.

Conclusion

The current study reveals a previously unknown transcriptional repressive function of HDAC8 exerted on a panel of transcription factors involved in the maintenance of epithelial cell phenotype, thereby supporting BLBC cell survival to conventional chemotherapy. Our data establish HDAC8 as an attractive therapeutically targetable epigenetic factor to increase the efficiency of chemotherapeutics.

Graphical abstract
Sex differences in sucrose reinforcement in Long-Evans rats
Authors: Grimm Jeffrey W. , North Katherine , Hopkins Madeleine , Jiganti Kyle , McCoy Alex , Šulc Josef , MacDougall Derek , Sauter Frances
Published: January 2022

Background

There are sex differences in addiction behaviors. To develop a pre-clinical animal model to investigate this, the present study examined sex differences in sucrose taking and seeking using Long-Evans rats.

Methods

Five experiments were conducted using separate groups of subjects. The first two examined sucrose or saccharin preference in two-bottle home cage choice tests. Experiment three assessed sucrose intake in a binge model with sucrose available in home cage bottles. Experiments four and five utilized operant-based procedures. In experiment four rats responded for sucrose on fixed and progressive ratio (FR, PR) schedules of reinforcement over a range of concentrations of sucrose. A final component of experiment four was measuring seeking in the absence of sucrose challenged with the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390. Experiment five assessed responding for water on FR and PR schedules of reinforcement.

Results

When accounting for body weight, female rats consumed more sucrose than water; but there was no sex difference in saccharin preference over a range of saccharin concentrations. When accounting for body weight, females consumed more sucrose than males in the binge model, and only females increased binge intake over 14 days of the study. Females responded at higher rates for sucrose under both FR and PR schedules of reinforcement. Females responded at higher rates in extinction (seeking); SCH23390 reduced sucrose seeking of both females and males. Females responded at higher rates for water on FR and PR schedules than males, although rates of responding were low and decreased over sessions.

Conclusions

Across bottle-choice, binge intake, and operant procedures, female Long-Evans rats consumed more sucrose and responded at higher rates for sucrose. Although females also responded more for water, the vigor of responding did not explain the consistent sex difference in sucrose taking and seeking. The sex difference in sucrose taking was also not explained by sweet preference, as there was no sex difference in saccharin preference. These data provide a pre-clinical model to further evaluate sex differences in addiction behaviors and manipulations designed to reduce them.
Prioritizing health information for national health reporting - a Delphi study of the Joint Action on Health Information (InfAct)
Authors: Fehr Angela , Seeling Stefanie , Hornbacher Anselm , Thißen Martin , Bogaert Petronille , Delnord Marie , Lyons Ronan A. , Tijhuis Mariken J. , Achterberg Peter , Ziese Thomas
Published: January 2022

Background

Health information (HI) strategies exist in several EU Member States, however, they mainly focus on technical issues and improving governance rather than on content-related priority setting. There is also little research available about national prioritization processes underlying HI development for policy support in the EU. The aim of this study was to broaden the knowledge base on HI prioritization strategies and to encourage expert exchange towards good practice models. A specific focus was put on HI produced for national health reporting, this being a crucial tool for policy advice.

Methods

We conducted a literature search to identify published and grey literature on national HI prioritization. This was followed by a two-round Policy Delphi study, where we explored which processes and methods exist in EU Member States and associated countries for the prioritization of HI collection. In the first round, information about these processes was gathered in semi-structured questions; in the second round, participants were asked to rank the identified approaches for desirability and feasibility. The survey was conducted online; participants were recruited from the membership of the Joint Action on Health Information (InfAct – Information for Action).

Results

119 experts were contacted, representing 40 InfAct partner institutions in 28 EU Member States and associated countries. Of these, 28 experts responded fully or partially to the first round, and six to the second round. In the first round, more than half of the respondents reported the existence of structured HI prioritization processes in their countries. To prioritize HI, a clear preference was given in the second round for a formal, horizontal process which includes different experts and stakeholders. National public health institutes were named desirable key stakeholders in this process, and also desirable and feasible coordinators for stakeholder coordination.

Conclusion

Health information prioritization methods and procedures reflect the heterogeneity of national public health systems in European countries. Mapping, sharing and ranking prioritization methods and procedures for “good practices” provides a meaningful basis for expert knowledge exchange on HI development. We recommend to make this process part of a future sustainable EU health information system and to use the information gathered in this project to initiate the development of a guidance “Good Practice HI Prioritization” among EU Member States and associated countries.
Assessing the social acceptance of key technologies for the German energy transition
Authors: Baur Dorothee , Emmerich Philip , Baumann Manuel Johann , Weil Marcel
Published: January 2022

Background

The widespread use of sustainable energy technologies is a key element in the transformation of the energy system from fossil-based to zero-carbon. In line with this, technology acceptance is of great importance as resistance from the public can slow down or hinder the construction of energy technology projects. The current study assesses the social acceptance of three energy technologies relevant for the German energy transition: stationary battery storage, biofuel production plants and hydrogen fuel station.

Methods

An online survey was conducted to examine the public’s general and local acceptance of energy technologies. Explored factors included general and local acceptance, public concerns, trust in relevant stakeholders and attitudes towards financial support.

Results

The results indicate that general acceptance for all technologies is slightly higher than local acceptance. In addition, we discuss which public concerns exist with regard to the respective technologies and how they are more strongly associated with local than general acceptance. Further, we show that trust in stakeholders and attitudes towards financial support is relatively high across the technologies discussed.

Conclusions

Taken together, the study provides evidence for the existence of a “general–local” gap, despite measuring general and local acceptance at the same level of specificity using a public sample. In addition, the collected data can provide stakeholders with an overview of worries that might need to be addressed when planning to implement a certain energy project.
Dentistry during COVID-19: patients' knowledge and satisfaction toward health protocols COVID-19 during dental treatment
Authors: Parvaie Parvin , Osmani Freshteh
Published: January 2022

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as an infectious disease primarily spreading through droplet infection in dental treatment. Patient satisfaction is an indicator of healthcare quality service. Quality of healthcare service and patient satisfaction has been affected by the COVID‑19 pandemic. This study aims to assess the knowledge and satisfaction toward health protocols COVID-19 during dental treatment among dental patients.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 270 dental patients using a self‑designed questionnaire consisting of knowledge and satisfaction about health protocols COVID-19 during dental treatment through a random sampling technique. Data were imported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to identify the factors associated with their knowledge and satisfaction. Apvalue < 0.05 was considered statistical significance.

Results

Totally, 270 dental patients with mean age of 37.6 ± 6.7 years participated in the study. The mean knowledge score was 36.7 ± 3.5, as considerable number of participants were unaware about the risk associated with dental treatment as well as restrictions imposed on dental procedures. About 18% of participants experienced one or other form of dental complaints during the lockdown period. The overall level of patient satisfaction was 44.6%.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that, public knowledge is to be improved about risk of virus transmission that can be related with dental treatment and also people should be encouraged to use virtual facilities, such as teledentistry, so that no dental emergencies is left untreated during the pandemic time. In addition, the level of satisfaction was in a medium level for dental patients in the study area. Specifically, we deduced from the results that social/physical distancing measures are one of the mechanisms to decrease the fear of exposure to the COVID-19.
Changes in soil conditions before and after earthquakes at a repetitive soil liquefaction site in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Yu-Tai
Published: January 2022

Beishih Village of Hsinhua Township in southern Taiwan is a unique location for studying soil liquefaction. Soil liquefaction has been observed at the same site after earthquakes in 1946, 2010, and 2016, each of which had a Richter magnitude greater than six. This recurrence provides an opportunity for analyzing soil condition variations resulting from soil liquefaction. Seismic data sets have been collected in 2011, 2014, 2016, and 2017. We have used seismic refraction tomography and the multichannel analysis of surface waves to estimate P- and S-wave velocities. In S-wave velocity profiles, low shear velocity zones have been located beneath sand volcanoes shortly after two earthquakes and have disappeared four years after a 2010 earthquake. However, the P-wave velocity has been less sensitive to soil condition changes, possibly because groundwater obscures the effect of soil liquefaction on velocity profiles. In addition, we use seismic wave velocities to determine the importance of soil properties such as Poisson’s ratio, shear modulus, and porosity to identify the cause of the low shear velocity zone. Notably, although porosity decreases after soil grain rearrangement, sand and clay mixing increases the Poisson’s ratio, reducing the shear modulus of the soil. In addition, a soil layer between 2 and 7 m and a deeper layer below 10 m that resulted in sand volcanoes have been liquefied. We also consider how the evaluation of soil liquefaction potential can be affected by long-term variations in soil conditions and changes resulting from liquefaction. The factor of safety is used to evaluate the liquefaction potential of the site. The results reveal that the assessment conducted long after the earthquake underestimated risk because the soil developed shear strength after the earthquake.
Authorship Equity and Gender Representation in Global Oncology Publications
Authors: Hornstein Paula , Tuyishime Hubert , Mutebi Miriam , Lasebikan Nwamaka , Rubagumya Fidel , Fadelu Temidayo
Published: January 2022

PURPOSE

Authorship gender disparities persist across academic disciplines, including oncology. However, little is known about global variation in authorship gender distribution.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study describes the distribution of author gender as determined from the first name across variables such as authorship position (first, middle, and last), country region, and country income level. The 608 articles with 5,302 authors included in this analysis were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology Global Oncology, from its inception in October 2015 through March 2020. Primary outcome measure was author gender on the basis of first name probabilities assessed by genderize.io. World Bank classification was used to categorize the country region and income level. Odds ratios were used to describe associations between female last authorship and representation in other authorship positions.

RESULTS

Although female authors were in the minority across all authorship positions, they were more under-represented in the last author position with 190 (32.1%) female, compared with 252 (41.4%) female first authors and 1,564 (38.1%) female middle authors. Female authors were most under-represented among authors from low-income countries, where they made up 21.6% of first authors and 9.1% of last authors. Of all the regions, sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia had the lowest percentage of female authors. Compared with articles with male last authors, those with female last authors had odds ratios (95% CI) of 2.2 (1.6 to 3.2) of having female first authors and 1.4 (0.9 to 2.1) of having 50% or more female middle authors.

CONCLUSION

There are wide regional variations in author gender distribution in global oncology. Female authors remain markedly under-represented, especially in lower-income countries, sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia. Future interventions should be tailored to mitigate these disparities.
Indication-Specific Generic Uptake of Imatinib Demonstrates the Impact of Skinny Labeling
Authors: Walsh Bryan S. , Kesselheim Aaron S. , Sarpatwari Ameet , Rome Benjamin N.
Published: January 2022

PURPOSE

Generic competition can be delayed if brand-name manufacturers obtain additional patents on supplemental uses. The US Food and Drug Administration allows generic drug manufacturers to market versions with skinny labels that exclude patent-protected indications. This study assessed whether use of generic versions of imatinib varied between indications included and excluded from the skinny labels.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we identified adult patients covered by commercial insurance or Medicare Advantage plans who initiated imatinib from February 2016 (first generic availability) to September 2020. Generic versions were introduced with skinny labels that included indications covering treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) but excluded treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) because of remaining patent protections. Logistic regression was used to determine whether use of generic versus brand-name imatinib differed between patients with a diagnosis of CML or GIST, adjusting for demographics, insurance type, prior use of brand-name drugs, and calendar month.

RESULTS

Among 2,000 initiators, 934 (47%) had CML and 686 (34%) had GIST. Within 3 years after generics entered the market, more than 90% of initiators in both groups used generic imatinib. Initiation of generic imatinib was slightly lower among patients with GIST than among patients with CML (85% v 88%; adjusted odds ratio 0.56; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.80; P ≤ .001).

CONCLUSION

Generic versions of imatinib were dispensed frequently for indications both included (CML) and excluded (GIST) from the skinny labeling, although patients with GIST were slightly less likely to receive a generic version. The skinny labeling pathway allowed generics to enter the market before patent protection for treating patients with GIST expired, facilitating lower drug prices.
Synthesis of C3-Symmetric Macrocyclic Triimines from Monomers Having Boc-protected Amine and Formyl Group
Authors: Moriya Yu , Yamanaka Masahiro , Mori Keiji
Published: January 2022

A concise access to C3-symmetric macrocyclic triimines was developed. When biphenyls having a formyl group on one phenyl group and an NHBoc group on the other phenyl group were treated with an excess amount of concentrated HCl in 1,4-dioxane, the detachment of the Boc group followed by a trimerization reaction via imine formation proceeded smoothly to afford C3-symmetric imine-linked macrocycles in good chemical yields.
Mental illness due to homelessness: a qualitative case study in Melaka, Malaysia
Authors: Mohd Rom Noor Ashikin , Yaakob Mohamad Lusfi , Md. Hassan Nurbani , Ramli Hani Suhaila
Published: January 2022

Background: Extreme poverty can result in people barely surviving with poor living standards to the extent of living on the streets, often in fear. With limited access to healthcare services and a clean environment, they are more vulnerable to life adversities. Highly stressful living conditions like these can cause mental illnesses such as depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, psychological distress, and others.

Purpose: This research aimed to investigate factors that led to the development of mental illness among homeless people under extreme poverty.

Design/methodology/approach: This was a qualitative case study that involved a face-to-face interview with a key informant at the Pertubuhan Kebajikan Villa Harapan Melaka (Villa Harapan). Villa Harapan is a licensed caretaker centre established by the Department of Welfare, Melaka that provides shelter to homeless people with mental illness.

Findings: Homeless people suffered from mental disturbances due to loss of jobs, lack of income, broken families, separation from their children, and other vulnerabilities. They are not getting appropriate care and attention for their problem and sickness. Non-supportive family, extreme poverty, and chronic stress were the main factors that led to mental illness among Villa Harapan residents.

Research limitations: The study focused on the mental illness of dispossessed people who were brought to Villa Harapan by the Welfare Department.

Originality/value: This was an empirical case study on mental illness among homeless people at a care centre known as Villa Harapan.
Foundation in Law students’ reading awareness of the case law genre
Authors: Abdullah Suhaila , Kaur Bhar Sareen
Published: January 2022

Background: A text of different genre might pose a different problem to students and different genre requires different approach in understanding and comprehending it. Developing the expertise in reading legal texts at an early stage of learning will be very beneficial to the students of law.  This study examines the level of pre-university/foundation in law students’ awareness for the case law genre, and the aim of this study is to investigate the extent of awareness of the case law genre among the foundation in law students. 

Methods: Five students who were pursuing their study in the foundation/pre-university level were selected as the subjects in this study.  Qualitative data were obtained through the think-aloud procedure and questionnaire which was administered after the think-aloud procedure. The transcription of each student’s verbal reports was scrutinised for evidence of genre awareness while the answers given in the questionnaire were used to support the findings of the study.  Genre analysis of 4-Move structure was used to identify the students’ level of awareness.

Results: The findings indicate that the students were aware of the case law genre. However, they displayed a mixed-level of awareness.

Conclusion: It is hoped that this study can provide some insights into the reading behaviour of law students especially when reading case law. Knowing and understanding the case law structure is integral for law students, and analysing students understanding of reading case law can help both the students and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) educators.
Effect of whitening toothpaste on surface roughness and microhardness of human teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jamwal Navodita , Rao Ashwini , Shenoy Ramya , Pai Mithun , KS Aparna , BR Avinash
Published: January 2022

Background: Whitening toothpastes exert a whitening effect on teeth through higher surface cleaning effectiveness resulting from the abrasive properties of the paste or specific chemical components. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conceptualized to examine the relationship between whitening toothpastes and surface roughness as well as microhardness of human teeth and to clarify the evidence base available around this relationship by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies in this topic area, looking at in vitro randomized control trials.

Methods: Criteria for including studies in the review were done based on population, intervention, comparison, outcomes and study and studies were identified from electronic databases. Covidence® was used for data screening and data extraction. The CONSORT tool was used for checking relevant content and methodology used in each of the papers reviewed. Systematic review was done followed by meta-analysis, using Review Manager.

Results: A total of 125 articles were obtained on key word search. After duplicate removal and title screening, 17 articles were eligible for full text review. Finally, 7 studies were included for systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on 4 studies. The forest plot for surface roughness showed that that the meta-analytic effect was statistically significant with surface roughness value being higher in the intervention group. The forest plot for microhardness showed that the meta-analytic effect was statistically significant with the microhardness value being lesser in the intervention group.

Conclusions: Although whitening toothpastes typically can lighten tooth color by about one or two shades, there is some evidence to show that these toothpastes also affect the mineral content of teeth by increasing surface roughness and reducing microhardness. More evidence and further research are needed to identify the type of whitening agent which will whiten the tooth effectively while maintaining the integrity of the tooth structure.
Dynamic participation in local energy communities with peer-to-peer trading
Authors: Perger Theresia , Auer Hans
Published: January 2022

Background: Energy communities and local electricity markets (e.g., as peer-to-peer trading) are on the rise due to increasingly decentralized electricity generation and favorable adjustment of the legal framework in many European countries. 

Methods: This work applies a bi-level optimization model for dynamic participation in peer-to-peer electricity trading to determine the optimal parameters of new participants who want to join an energy community, based on the preferences of the members of the original community (e.g., environmental, economic, or mixed preference). The upper-level problem chooses optimal parameters by minimizing an objective function that includes the prosumers' cost-saving and emission-saving preferences, while the lower level problem maximizes community welfare by optimally allocating locally generated photovoltaic (PV) electricity between members according to their willingness-to-pay. The bi-level problem is solved by transforming the lower level problem by its corresponding Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions.

Results: The results demonstrate that environment-oriented prosumers opt for a new prosumer with high PV capacities installed and low electricity demand, whereas profit-oriented prosumers prefer a new member with high demand but no PV system capacity, presenting a new source of income. Sensitivity analyses indicate that new prosumers' willingness-to-pay has an important influence when the community must decide between two new members.

Conclusions: The added value of this work is that the proposed method can be seen as a basis for a selection process between a large number of potential new community members. Most important future work will include optimization of energy communities over the horizon several years.
Des nouvelles figures de l’altérité à une mythopoïèse pour un monde-sans-nous
Authors: Moreau Denis
Published: January 2022

Contrairement au fantastique antérieur, le fantastique lovecraftien fournit de nombreux exemples d’objectivation d’une chose impensable, dont la factualité matérielle apparaît aisément comme un acmé fictionnel assurant la puissance expressive d’un fantastique en perpétuelle recherche de nouvelles figures de l’altérité et de la monstruosité. Un texte comme « La Maison maudite » semble, dans cette perspective, particulièrement intéressant, dans la mesure où ce récit met en évidence une volonté clairement affichée de renouveler le récit d’horreur, en jouant notamment avec ses formules stétéotypées de l’esthétique gothique et, ce faisant, en proposant un traitement inédit de thèmes fantastiques traditionnels. La monstruosité devient donc ici un fait linguistique, dans le sens où elle dépasse les pouvoirs descriptifs du langage. Mais cette monstruosité dépasse aussi et surtout les limites de la pensée humaine. La démarche transformationnelle du fantastique lovecraftien trouve ainsi sa pleine expression dans l’élaboration d’une mythopoïèse s’articulant autour d’entités gigantesques et non anthropomorphes, et pouvant s’apparenter à la création d’un mythe de séparation, révélateur d’une totale non-adéquation entre l’humain et le monde, ainsi que d’une menace monstrueuse et d’une confrontation sans appel à la pensée d’un « monde-sans-nous » (pour reprendre la terminologie d’Eugene Thacker).
Proces twórczy według polskich artystów działających po II wojnie światowej
Authors: Bigaj-Zwonek Beata
Published: January 2022

Proces twórczy, jego elementy i właściwości są przedmiotem badań różnych dyscyplin, jak również są opisywane przez samych artystów. Przyjrzenie się ich słowom o procesie twórczym może poszerzyć wiedzę o tworzeniu w przestrzeni sztuki oraz wskazać na podobieństwa i różnice między naturalną zdolnością twórczą a tą związaną z twórczością artystyczną. W artykule zbadano wypowiedzi różnych uznanych artystów wizualnych działających w powojennej Polsce. Przeprowadzone badania ujawniły różne postawy artystyczne, których wspólną cechą było odwoływanie się do pamięci i spuścizny powojennej. Relacje tych artystów przybliżają zamierzone i intuicyjne elementy twórczości, wskazują na cele działań twórczych oraz emocjonalne korzyści i obciążenia. W niniejszym opracowaniu przedstawiono również argumenty przemawiające za możliwymi powiązaniami analizowanych wypowiedzi z wynikami badań z zakresu psychologii twórczości, estetyki i teorii sztuki.
Ernst Jünger entre la Primera y Segunda Guerra Mundial
Authors: Durán Guerra Luis
Published: January 2022

Este trabajo trata sobre la evolución ideológica de Ernst Jünger entre la Primera y la Segunda Guerra Mundial: desde el realismo heroico de Tempestades de acero al “exilio interior” de un esteta en guerra en sus Diarios de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Se considera la relación con el dolor motivada por la supremacía de la técnica como la causa que habría llevado a Jünger a modificar su visión de la guerra bajo el régimen nacionalsocialista. En ambos casos, la experiencia de la guerra le ha servido a su autor para crear las figuras esenciales de su pensamiento filosófico: el Soldado Desconocido, el Trabajador y el Emboscado.
Isabel María Pérez Cruz y Emilio Martí Pérez, El periplo americano de Antonio (1937-1949), etapa determinante para el desarrollo de un artista integral
Authors: Cruzado Rodríguez Ángeles
Published: January 2022

La etapa americana de Antonio Ruiz Soler (1937-1949), Antonio, constituye el momento de eclosión de su creatividad y permanente evolución en un entorno caracterizado por la diversidad artística y la capacidad de absorción de diferentes corrientes y tendencias. Durante doce años, Antonio realiza su actividad en el corazón de Nueva York, en Hollywood y en Chicago, y ello propiciará tanto relaciones artísticas como la inmersión en el ambiente musical, coréutico —y más tarde cinematográfico— en el que la «Gran Manzana» aglutina figuras autóctonas americanas, así como artistas llegados a través de la emigración e incluso el exilio. Esta amalgama marcará a toda una generación, abriendo la absorción e integración de elementos cuyo asentamiento y posterior desarrollo tendrá lugar de vuelta a tierras españolas. En esta etapa se ha podido constatar la configuración de un repertorio coréutico cuya consolidación llegará con la creación y mantenimiento de su propia compañía de danza (1953-1978).
Weighted Scoring Rules and Convex Risk Measures
Authors: Smith Zachary J. , Bickel J. Eric
Published: January 2022

In Weighted Scoring Rules and Convex Risk Measures, Dr. Zachary J. Smith and Prof. J. Eric Bickel (both at the University of Texas at Austin) present a general connection between weighted proper scoring rules and investment decisions involving the minimization of a convex risk measure. Weighted scoring rules are quantitative tools for evaluating the accuracy of probabilistic forecasts relative to a baseline distribution.

In their paper, the authors demonstrate that the relationship between convex risk measures and weighted scoring rules relates closely with previous economic characterizations of weighted scores based on expected utility maximization. As illustrative examples, the authors study two families of weighted scoring rules based on phi-divergences (generalizations of the Weighted Power and Weighted Pseudospherical Scoring rules) along with their corresponding risk measures. The paper will be of particular interest to the decision analysis and mathematical finance communities as well as those interested in the elicitation and evaluation of subjective probabilistic forecasts.
TREINAMENTO AMBIENTAL E COMPETÊNCIAS INDIVIDUAIS PARA SUSTENTABILIDADE AMBIENTAL: um estudo em três empresas químicas brasileiras
Authors: Silva Marco Antonio Batista da , Costa Priscila Rezende da , Kniess Cláudia Terezinha
Published: January 2022

O objetivo geral deste trabalho é analisar como a sistematização do processo de treinamento ambiental pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento de competências individuais associadas à dimensão ambiental da sustentabilidade em grandes empresas do setor químico brasileiro. Tal estudo justifica-se pela necessidade de se preencher gaps teóricos e metodológicos sobre o papel do processo de treinamento ambiental, visando à dimensão ambiental da sustentabilidade no contexto das empresas do setor químico brasileiro. O tema foi tratado utilizando- se abordagem de pesquisa qualitative com estudo de caso múltiplo baseada em triangulação de fontes de evidências. Os resultados apontam para a confirmação de que a sistematização do processo de treinamento ambiental pode potencializar o desenvolvimento de competências individuais, essenciais à sustentabilidade das empresas do setor químico brasileiro, considerando-se que o processo de treinamento ambiental é voltado para estimular e desenvolver as competências individuais alinhadas à estratégia organizacional, a partir dos gaps de competência identificados.
Data accuracy in capture fisheries production at Cilacap Ocean Fishing Port
Authors: Lubis Ernani , Pane Anwar Bey , Paramita Putri Nirwana
Published: January 2022

Accurate capture fishery production data at the fishing ports is crucial, especially for planning the development of capture fisheries and fishing ports. This research aims to analyze the mechanism and accuracy in collecting capture fishery data at the fishing port, especially Cilacap Ocean Fishing Port (OFP). The data collection mechanism of capture fishery production is analyzed through a qualitative descriptive method, while the accuracy of the data was analyzed with a comparative quantitative descriptive method. The results showed three steps in the data collection mechanism at Cilacap OFP: data collection, data recapitulation, and data reporting. The values of deviation and accuracy level of the data on capture fishery were 3,4%-62,1% and 37,9%-96,6%, respectively. This result concluded that the data recorded by the enumerator were more accurate than those in the logbook classified as inaccurate.Keywords:CilacapDataFishAccurateFishing Port
Population structure of Lingula (Bruguière, 1791) in Alue Naga waters, Banda Aceh City, Indonesia
Authors: Octavina Chitra , Ulfah Maria , Agustina Sri , Haridhi Haekal Azief , Yudistira Ade
Published: January 2022

Lingula sp. is one of the genera of the Brachiopoda phylum that lives in the intertidal zone or areas that are affected by tides. The purpose of this study was to determine the population structure of Lingula sp. through the approach of population structure, density, distribution patterns, length and weight relationship and with physical and chemical parameters in the waters of Alue Naga, Syiah Kuala District, Banda Aceh City. The method used in this research is a purposive random sampling method. The results show that the growth pattern of Lingula sp. is classified as negative allometric at three research sites in Alue Naga waters, based on the value of b 3. The density of Lingula sp. was the highest at site 1 with a total of 17.7 ind/m2. While the density of Lingula sp. was the lowest at site 3 with a total of 9.7 ind/m2. The distribution of Lingula sp. at the three sites were uniform, with morisita index (Id) values of 0.352, 0.257, and 0.208 for sites 1, 2, and 3 respectively. In addition, the environmental factors of the three research sites in Alue Naga waters are within the normal limits of life for Lingula sp.Keywords: Alue NagaLingula sp. Population structure
Analysis of research methodology on the content of heavy metals in sediments on the Indonesian coastal
Authors: Azis Sayed Abdul , Irham Muhammad , Sugianto Sugianto , Setiawan Ichsan , Adnan Amri
Published: January 2022

Heavy metal pollution is one of the problems that often occurs in Indonesian coastal waters. Comparative methods of looking at heavy metal content in coastal sediments include a way to show similarities and differences between one or more articles by using certain criteria. Different comparison methods to see the heavy metal content in sediments include the AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer) method, AAN (Netron Activation Analysis), Regression, and USEPA methods. Based on the comparison of 2 methods, namely: AAS and AAN methods, the most efficient in analyzing heavy metals in sediments in coastal areas is the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) method compared to the Neutron Activation Analysis (AAS) method.Keywords:CoastalSedimentHeavy MetalSpectrophotometer