bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reply to Sinha, P.; Wade, A. Comment on “Nover et al. Leaching via Weak Spots in Photovoltaic Modules. Energies 2021, 14, 692”
Authors: Werner Juergen Heinz , Zapf-Gottwick Renate , Nover Jessica , Koch Michael
Published: May 2021

In their comment [...]
Analysis of Propellant Weight under Re-Entry Conditions for a Reusable Launch Vehicle Using Retropropulsion
Authors: Kim Yongchan , Lee Hyoung-Jin , Roh Tae-Seong
Published: May 2021

In this study, a minimum amount of required propellant was calculated by analyzing the sequence with various re-entry conditions. This study aims to obtain data related to variation in trajectory and required propellant weight according to various re-entry scenarios. The drag coefficient at various altitudes, velocities, and thrust was calculated through numerical simulations to raise the reliability of the results. The calculation results were compared to the optimal values extracted from the genetic algorithm. It was observed that the duration of the entry-burn phase is dominant to the total required propellant weight. As a general tendency, high entry-burn starting altitude, high ending Mach number, and low landing-burn starting thrust make the required propellant weight low. However, if the entry-burn ending condition is set to the Mach number, it is necessary to select an appropriate re-entry condition. Additionally, from comparisons with the optimized results, it was confirmed that accurate calculation of the drag coefficient is important to succeed a soft landing of RLV.
Study on Annular Pressure Buildup in Offshore Heavy Oil Thermal Recovery Wells Considering Dissolved Gas Contained in Annuli
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhang Hui , Li Jun , Chen Anming , Liu Jun , Sun Tengfei , Lin Cong
Published: May 2021

In the offshore industry, especially heavy oil thermal recovery wells, due to the great temperature difference between the low-temperature seawater and high-temperature heavy oil, it is easy to cause the temperature increase of annular fluid in the operation process which will result in the annular pressure buildup phenomenon (APB). The increase of annulus pressure may lead to the failure of the casing and wellbore integrity, which will seriously affect the normal production and lead to great economic loss. In order to study the formation of APB and provide a basis for the field operation design, a radial full-size physical experiment of APB was carried out in this work and an annular pressure prediction model in the presence of dissolved gas was proposed based on the experimental results. The verification and comparison analyses of the full-liquid model and the dissolved gas model were conducted with the experimental data. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis of the influence of the dissolved gas volume fraction and casing deformation on APB was carried out. The results show that the prediction results calculated by the dissolved gas model are in good agreement with the experimental data and the prediction accuracy is higher than that of the full-liquid model. When the annular dissolved gas volume fraction is less than 0.1%, the full-liquid model can be used to simplify and approximate calculations. Ignoring casing deformation will produce prediction error in each annulus, which means this simplification should be used with extreme caution. This work provides a valuable experimental reference for the study of APB, as well as a novel model for APB prediction in the field.
Spatial Effect Analysis of Total Factor Productivity and Forestry Economic Growth
Authors: Gao Dandan , Zhang Bin , Li Shunlong
Published: May 2021

This paper takes 31 provinces in China from 2009 to 2018 as the research object. The three-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) model was used to measure the total factor productivity of forestry, and the entropy method was used to measure the level of economic development and ecological construction. We used the global Moran index to explore the spatial correlation of forestry economic growth, and the local Moran index to explore the spatial agglomeration of forestry economic growth. On this basis, the spatial Durbin model was constructed to explore the spatial spillover effect between forestry total factor productivity and forestry economic growth. The conclusion is as follows: the total factor productivity of forestry in China is increasing continuously, and there are obvious spatial differences. Forestry economic growth has a significant spatial autocorrelation, and an overall upward trend. However, the spatial agglomeration effect was relatively weak and in the beginning stage of its formation. Total factor productivity of forestry has significant direct effect on the growth of forestry economy and forms an indirect spillover effect. Based on this, the countermeasures and suggestions to promote the benign and coordinated development of the forestry economy were put forward.
Taxonomy, Ecology and Distribution of Juniperus oxycedrus L. Group in the Mediterranean Basin Using Bioclimatic, Phytochemical and Morphometric Approaches, with Special Reference to the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Cano Ortiz Ana , Spampinato Giovanni , Piñar Fuentes José Carlos , Pinto Gomes Carlos José , Quinto-Canas Ricardo , Cano Eusebio
Published: May 2021

Several studies have been conducted in the past to clarify various aspects of species in the genus Juniperus L. One critical group is Juniperus oxycedrus L., especially from the taxonomical point of view. For this reason, we have studied the ecology, taxonomy and distribution of the taxa in the J. oxycedrus group. From an ecological and distribution standpoint, in this work we use the ombroedaphoxeric index (Ioex) to explain the presence of Juniperus populations in ombrotypes that are not optimum for these taxa. The controversy over the taxonomy of J. oxycedrus subsp. badia (H. Gay) Debeaux and J. oxycedrus subsp. lagunae (Pau ex C. Vicioso) Rivas Mart. is clarified, and it is accepted as a valid name, J. oxycedrus subsp. badia. The phytochemical differences in essential oils (EO) are addressed and their similarities analyzed; greater similarities are observed between oxycedrus and badia, and between navicularis Gand. and macrocarpa (Sm.) Ball. species. The phytochemical, molecular and distribution differences allow J. oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa (Sm.) Ball and J. navicularis Gand. to be maintained as species. The results obtained make it possible to establish the rank to which the taxa belong and allow clear discrimination between species in groups that are difficult to interpret. Ecological, bioclimatic, phytochemical and morphometric similarities allow us to subordinate the subsp. macrocarpa to the species J. navicularis.
Climate Change Governance in Forestry and Nature Conservation in Selected Forest Regions in Serbia: Stakeholders Classification and Collaboration
Authors: Stanišić Mirjana , Lovrić Marko , Nedeljković Jelena , Nonić Dragan , Pezdevšek Malovrh Špela
Published: May 2021

Climate change, with various economic, environmental and social consequences, is one of the greatest challenges faced by society. Climate change governance in forestry and nature conservation includes developing joint activities and collaboration among stakeholders that combine different interests, influences and competences at national, regional and local levels. This research aims to classify climate change stakeholders within the forestry and nature conservation sectors in Serbia. They are classified according to their interests and perceived influences. We analyze factors impacting the development of different areas for the collaboration by combining stakeholder analysis and social network analysis. A total of 103 representatives of civil society and public sector organizations in forestry and nature conservation at different governance levels with expertise in climate change participated in the survey. The results show that most civil sector organizations are distributed in the ‘subject’ quadrant with lower perceived influence and are not well interconnected. Seven different areas for the collaboration were identified, with disconnected stakeholders and limited representation and mostly peripheral position of civil society organizations (except in the case of the area for the collaboration through workshop and seminars knowledge exchange). The analyzed factors have different positive and negative effects on the development of the different areas for the collaboration, with the frequency of contacts standing out as a significant factor of collaboration at the level of the whole collaboration network. There is a strong indication of a centralized, top-down approach to climate change governance in forestry and nature conservation in Serbia. Multilevel and horizontal stakeholder governance is needed to achieve effective implementation of strategic climate-change policy commitments. The most important step to achieve such a structure is the empowerment of local-level organizations in climate change collaboration.
Recovery of Logged Tropical Montane Rainforests as Potential Habitats for Hainan Gibbon
Authors: Fan Kexin , Xu Yue , Liu Pengcheng , Zang Runguo
Published: May 2021

As the world’s rarest ape, the main threat facing Hainan gibbon (Nomascus hainanus) is habitat degradation and loss caused by human disturbances. The insufficient area and continuous human disturbance in most of the existing habitats can hardly maintain the future recovery and development of the gibbon population. A large area of secondary tropical montane rainforest in recovery was retained in Bawangling National Nature Reserve after disturbance. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the recovery of these secondary forests for the protection and restoration of Hainan gibbon habitat. To explore the recovery of secondary tropical rainforests after different disturbances, and whether they have the potential to serve as the future habitats for Hainan gibbon, we calculated four dynamic indexes (including recruitment rate, mortality/loss rate, relative growth rate and turnover rate) of abundance and basal area for the total community and for food plants of Hainan gibbon based on data from two censuses of secondary forests recovered nearly 45 years after different disturbances (clear-cutting and selective-logging) and old-growth forest of tropical montane rainforest. The results are as follows: (1) There were no significant differences in recruitment rates, mortality rates and turnover rates of abundance and basal area between recovered clear-cutting forests, selectively logged forests and old-growth forests. (2) Abundance, basal area and species of small (1 < DBH ≤ 10 cm) and medium (10 ≤ DBH < 30 cm) food plants in the two disturbed forests were higher, while those of large food plants (DBH ≥ 30 cm) in the two forests were lower than in old-growth forests. (3) For the common food species occurring in all three kinds of communities, the relative growth rate of most small trees in clear-cutting forest was higher than that of old-growth forest. Our research demonstrates that the lack of large food plants is the key limiting factor for the development of the secondary mountain rainforest as habitats for Hainan gibbon at present. However, it has great potential to transform into suitable habitats through targeted restoration and management due to the high recruitment rate and relative growth rate of the small- and medium-sized food plants.
Is It Possible to Forecast the Price of Bitcoin?
Authors: Chevallier Julien , Guégan Dominique , Goutte Stéphane
Published: May 2021

This paper focuses on forecasting the price of Bitcoin, motivated by its market growth and the recent interest of market participants and academics. We deploy six machine learning algorithms (e.g., Artificial Neural Network, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, k-Nearest Neighbours, AdaBoost, Ridge regression), without deciding a priori which one is the ‘best’ model. The main contribution is to use these data analytics techniques with great caution in the parameterization, instead of classical parametric modelings (AR), to disentangle the non-stationary behavior of the data. As soon as Bitcoin is also used for diversification in portfolios, we need to investigate its interactions with stocks, bonds, foreign exchange, and commodities. We identify that other cryptocurrencies convey enough information to explain the daily variation of Bitcoin’s spot and futures prices. Forecasting results point to the segmentation of Bitcoin concerning alternative assets. Finally, trading strategies are implemented.
The Yield Curve as a Leading Indicator: Accuracy and Timing of a Parsimonious Forecasting Model
Authors: Seip Knut Lehre , Zhang Dan
Published: May 2021

Previous studies have shown that the treasury yield curve, T, forecasts upcoming recessions when it obtains a negative value. In this paper, we try to improve the yield curve model while keeping its parsimony. First, we show that adding the federal funds rate, FF, to the model, GDP = f(T, FF), gives seven months vs. five months warning time, and it gives a higher prediction skill for the recessions in the out-of-sample test set. Second, we find that including the quadratic term of the yield curve and the federal funds rate improves the prediction of the 1990 recession, but not the other recessions in the period 1977 to 2019. Third, the T caused a pronounced false peak in GDP for the test set. Restricting the learning set to periods where T and FF were leading the GDP in the learning set did not improve the forecast. In general, recessions are predicted better than the general movement in the economy. A “horse race” between GDP = f(T, FF) and the Michigan consumer sentiment index suggests that the first beats the latter by being a leading index for the observed GDP for more months (50% vs. 6%) during the first test year.
Genetics of Body Fat Distribution: Comparative Analyses in Populations with European, Asian and African Ancestries
Authors: Sun Chang , Kovacs Peter , Guiu-Jurado Esther
Published: May 2021

Preferential fat accumulation in visceral vs. subcutaneous depots makes obese individuals more prone to metabolic complications. Body fat distribution (FD) is regulated by genetics. FD patterns vary across ethnic groups independent of obesity. Asians have more and Africans have less visceral fat compared with Europeans. Consequently, Asians tend to be more susceptible to type 2 diabetes even with lower BMIs when compared with Europeans. To date, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified more than 460 loci related to FD traits. However, the majority of these data were generated in European populations. In this review, we aimed to summarize recent advances in FD genetics with a focus on comparisons between European and non-European populations (Asians and Africans). We therefore not only compared FD-related susceptibility loci identified in three ethnicities but also discussed whether known genetic variants might explain the FD pattern heterogeneity across different ancestries. Moreover, we describe several novel candidate genes potentially regulating FD, including NID2, HECTD4 and GNAS, identified in studies with Asian populations. It is of note that in agreement with current knowledge, most of the proposed FD candidate genes found in Asians belong to the group of developmental genes.
De Novo Transcriptome Meta-Assembly of the Mixotrophic Freshwater Microalga Euglena gracilis
Authors: Cordoba Javier , Perez Emilie , Van Vlierberghe Mick , Bertrand Amandine R. , Lupo Valérian , Cardol Pierre , Baurain Denis
Published: May 2021

Euglena gracilis is a well-known photosynthetic microeukaryote considered as the product of a secondary endosymbiosis between a green alga and a phagotrophic unicellular belonging to the same eukaryotic phylum as the parasitic trypanosomatids. As its nuclear genome has proven difficult to sequence, reliable transcriptomes are important for functional studies. In this work, we assembled a new consensus transcriptome by combining sequencing reads from five independent studies. Based on a detailed comparison with two previously released transcriptomes, our consensus transcriptome appears to be the most complete so far. Remapping the reads on it allowed us to compare the expression of the transcripts across multiple culture conditions at once and to infer a functionally annotated network of co-expressed genes. Although the emergence of meaningful gene clusters indicates that some biological signal lies in gene expression levels, our analyses confirm that gene regulation in euglenozoans is not primarily controlled at the transcriptional level. Regarding the origin of E. gracilis, we observe a heavily mixed gene ancestry, as previously reported, and rule out sequence contamination as a possible explanation for these observations. Instead, they indicate that this complex alga has evolved through a convoluted process involving much more than two partners.
Preliminary Examination of an Appropriate Price Calculation Method and Medical Treatment Costs for Foreign Visitors in Japan
Authors: Takura Tomoyuki ,   Study Group: Research on Appropriate Medical Treatment Prices for Foreigners Visiting Japan
Published: May 2021

This study proposes a method for calculating the appropriate medical treatment price level for foreign visitors (FVs) in Japan. Hospital management costs and foreign prices were analyzed from a market principles perspective to determine the medical treatment price. The study involved two stages: a preliminary survey and an extended survey, supplemented by an international survey. Relatively frequent diseases were selected, and the costs incurred by hospitals for the treatment of FVs were analyzed though data from three hospitals, covering 24 outpatients and 4 inpatients. Payments made by three insurance companies for overseas medical institution services for Japanese tourists with pharyngitis were analyzed. This study shows that the appropriate medical treatment prices for FVs, considering profits, were 1.22–4.26 times higher compared with prices under Japan’s public health insurance plans. Furthermore, these prices were 1.31–4.26 times higher for outpatients with pharyngitis and external injury and 1.22–3.66 times higher for inpatients with appendicitis and femoral fractures. The price of pharyngitis treatment in 12 countries was USD 20.32–158.75 per patient for Japanese tourists, whereas FVs paid 60.24 dollars (1.13 times higher than Japan’s public healthcare price) in Japan. This study shows it was appropriate to set the ideal price level for FVs higher than that for Japanese patients.
Assessment of Patients’ Confidence Regarding a New Triage Concept in a Medical Retina Clinic during the First COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Bajka Anahita , Wiest Maximilian Robert Justus , Hamann Timothy , Toro Mario Damiano , Zweifel Sandrine Anne
Published: May 2021

Background: During the first COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, a new triage concept had to be implemented for patients with retinal diseases having a scheduled appointment at the medical retina clinic. In this study, we aimed to assess patients’ confidence in this triage concept and patients’ satisfaction regarding the received treatment during the outbreak. Methods: This retrospective study included all patients with a diagnosed retinal disease, triaged into three priority groups based on their condition’s urgency during lockdown. After restrictions were eased, a subset of previously triaged patients was interviewed to assess their confidence in the triage and their satisfaction regarding the received treatment during the pandemic. Results: In total, 743 patients were triaged during the lockdown. Over 80% received an urgent appointment (priority 1). Among all priority 1 patients, over 84% attended their appointment and 77% received an intravitreal injection (IVI), while 7% cancelled their appointment due to COVID-19. In post-lockdown interviews of 254 patients, 90% trusted the emergency regimen and received treatment. Conclusions: Our triage seemed to be useful in optimizing access to treatment for patients with retinal diseases. An excellent rating of patients’ confidence in the triage and satisfaction regarding the received treatment during the first COVID-19 outbreak could be achieved.
Risk Perception of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Implementation of Various Protective Measures by Dentists Across Various Countries
Authors: Marya Anand , Karobari Mohmed Isaqali , Selvaraj Siddharthan , Adil Abdul Habeeb , Assiry Ali A. , Rabaan Ali A. , Horn Rithvitou , Venugopal Adith , Messina Pietro , Scardina Giuseppe Alessandro
Published: May 2021

Objective: Healthcare workers in general are at a high risk of potential infections with COVID-19, especially those who work with aerosol generating procedures. Dentists fall in this category, as not only do they operate with aerosol generating procedures but also operate within a face-to-face contact area. Methods: A structured self-administered questionnaire was developed at Najran University and provided to the participants for data collection. The data collected included information on risk perception and incorporation of measures for protection against COVID-19 to gauge the attitude of dentists during this period. Also, clinical implementation of various protective measures was reviewed. Results: Of the n = 322 dentists that answered the questions, 50% were general dentists and 28.9% were dentists working at specialist clinics, while the remaining 21.1% of dentists were employed in academic institutions. Among the newer additions to the clinic, 36.3% of dentists answered that they had added atomizers to their practices, followed by 26.4% of dentists that had incorporated the use of UV lamps for sterilization. We found that 18.9% dentists were using HEPA filters in their clinics, while 9.9% of dentists were making use of fumigation devices to control the risk of infection. One-way ANOVA was also carried out to demonstrate that there was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.049) between groups of dentists utilizing HEPA filters, UV lamps, atomizers, and fumigation devices to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV2 across their workplaces. Conclusion: Dentists are aware of recently updated knowledge about the modes of transmission of COVID-19 and the recommended infection control measures in dental settings. A better understanding of the situation and methods to prevent it will ensure that the dental community is able to provide healthcare services to patients during the pandemic.
Cytogenetic, Serum Liver Enzymes and Liver Cell Pathology of the Hampala Barb Fish (Hampala macrolepidota) Affected by Toxic Elements in the Contaminated Nam Kok River near the Sepon Gold-Copper Mine, Lao PDR
Authors: Soulivongsa Latsamy , Tengjaroenkul Bundit , Patawang Isara , Neeratanaphan Lamyai
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to determine toxic element concentrations in aquatic environments, including water and sediment, and in the Hampala macrolepidota fish, and to evaluate chromosome abnormalities, serum liver enzyme changes and liver histopathological alterations in H. macrolepidota from the Nam Kok River near the Sepon gold-copper mine, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, as compared with a control area without mining activity. The results revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in As, Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se and Zn in water, in all of the studied potentially toxic elements in sediment, and in As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Se, and Zn in the fish between the study and control areas. A chromosome assessment demonstrated 6 types of chromosome abnormalities, among which centric gap had the highest total number of chromosome abnormalities. Percentage of chromosome abnormalities, percentage of cells with chromosome abnormalities and serum liver enzymes in H. macrolepidota were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the two studied areas and were higher in the contaminated fish than in the control fish. The observation of liver histopathological changes revealed cellular degeneration, such as nuclear damage, abnormal cytoplasmic mitochondria and the disintegration of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The results indicate that the contamination of potentially toxic elements in the Nam Kok River near the Sepon gold-copper mine area negatively affected chromosomes, serum liver enzymes and liver cell structures in H. macrolepidota.
Hospital-Based Healthcare Workers Victims of Workplace Violence in Italy: A Scoping Review
Authors: Civilotti Cristina , Berlanda Sabrina , Iozzino Laura
Published: May 2021

The aim of this scoping review is to synthesize the available evidence on the prevalence rates of healthcare workers being victims of violence perpetrated by patients and visitors in Italy. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and CINAHL were systematically searched from their inception to April 2021. Two authors independently assessed 1182 studies. All the scientific papers written in English or in Italian reporting primary quantitative and/or qualitative data on the prevalence of aggression or sexual harassment perpetrated by patients or visitors toward healthcare workers in Italy were included. Thirty-two papers were included in the review. The data extracted were summarized in a narrative synthesis organized in the following six thematic domains: (1). Methodology and study design; (2). Description of violent behavior; (3). Characteristics of health care staff involved in workplace violence (WPV); (4). Prevalence and form of WPV; (5). Context of WPV; and (6). Characteristics of violent patients and their relatives and/or visitors. The proportion of studies on WPV differed greatly across Italian regions, wards and professional roles of the healthcare workers. In general, the prevalence of WPV against healthcare workers in Italy is high, especially in psychiatric and emergency departments and among nurses and physicians, but further studies are needed in order to gather systematic evidence of this phenomenon. In Italy, and worldwide, there is an urgent need for governments, policy-makers and health institutions to prevent, monitor and manage WPV towards healthcare professionals.
Six Months Follow-Up of Patients with Invasive Mechanical Ventilation Due to COVID-19 Related ARDS
Authors: Daher Ayham , Cornelissen Christian , Hartmann Niels-Ulrik , Balfanz Paul , Müller Annegret , Bergs Ingmar , Aetou Maria , Marx Nikolaus , Marx Gernot , Simon Tim-Philipp , Müller-Wieland Dirk , Hartmann Bojan , Kersten Alexander , Müller Tobias , Dreher Michael
Published: May 2021

Although patients who recovered from acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may have prolonged disabilities, follow-up data of those who have survived COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is still very scarce. Therefore, COVID-19-ARDS survivors requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) were followed six months after discharge. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs), 6-min walk test (6MWT) and echocardiography were performed. Quality of life (QoL), depression and anxiety were assessed using validated questionnaires. Patients were compared based on respiratory mechanics and CT-phenotype during intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Eighteen patients were included (61 ± 7 years; ICU-stay: 34 ± 16 days; IMV: 30 ± 15 days). At follow-up (197 ± 15 days after discharge), PFTs did not reveal significant limitations (VC: 92 ± 16%; FEV1: 92 ± 20%; DLco/VA: 81 ± 16%). Cardiac systolic function was normal in all patients, but 50% of them had diastolic dysfunction. 6MWT was under the lower limit of normal in only two patients. Eight patients (44%) reported tiredness, six (33%) suffered from fatigue and one patient (6%) had depression and anxiety. Surprisingly, patients with worse respiratory mechanics during IMV reported fewer symptoms and less exertional dyspnea at follow-up. In conclusion, patients with COVID-19-ARDS have the possibility to fully recover regarding pulmonary function and exercise capacity, which seems to be independent of disease severity during ICU stay.
Psychological Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Influence of Personality Traits in the Italian Population
Authors: Rossi Chiara , Bonanomi Andrea , Oasi Osmano
Published: May 2021

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has had a strong psychological impact on the Italian population. Italy was heavily affected by the virus before other countries in Europe, experiencing the highest number of deaths. Unknown symptoms in the early stages of the pandemic and the absence of clear transmission links affected people’s wellbeing. Individual personality differences played a key role in perceived psychological wellbeing during the pandemic. The present exploratory study sought to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on psychological health and identify how psychological wellbeing is influenced by personality traits. A total of 2103 participants (64% female and 36% male) completed an online survey that included the Psychological General Wellbeing Index (PGWBI), the Italian Short Personality Inventory (ITAPI), and a general questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical regressions were performed using SPSS 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) (The findings showed poor psychological wellbeing in the Italian population. Young people reported the lowest scores. Vulnerability traits negatively influenced some PGWBI domains, such as the total score (β = −0.62), anxiety (β = −0.55), depression (β = −0.46), positivity and wellbeing (β = −0.51), vitality (β = −0.45), general health (β = −0.12), and self-control (β = −0.52). On the other hand, dynamism traits positively affected vitality (β = 0.12) and positivity and wellbeing (β = 0.14). In other words, personality factors related to vulnerability in particular created risk, whereas dynamism offered protection. The results highlight how COVID-19 helped to trigger anxious and depressive states. People feel helpless and vulnerable when facing new, unexpected conditions caused by the virus. These findings may assist mental healthcare professionals in safeguarding psychological wellbeing during emergencies such as the pandemic.
Gender Differences in Neuromuscular, Haematological and Urinary Responses during Padel Matches
Authors: Pradas Francisco , García-Giménez Alejandro , Toro-Román Víctor , Ochiana Nicolae , Castellar Carlos
Published: May 2021

Research on the acute physiological response to a padel match is limited. The present study aimed to: (a) evaluate neuromuscular, urinary, and hematological responses after simulated padel competition (SC) and (b) analyze possible gender differences. In this study, 28 high-level padel players participated (men = 13, age = 26.83 ± 6.57 years; women = 15, age = 30.07 ± 4.36 years). The following parameters were analyzed before and after SC: neuromuscular (hand grip strength, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and Abalakov jump (ABK)), hematological (red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit), and urinary (pH, specific gravity, microalbuminuria, and red blood cells). Significant gender differences were found in neuromuscular and hematological responses, with men obtaining higher values (p < 0.05). For the SC influence, changes were noted in ABK and microalbuminuria (p < 0.05). The percentages of change in hand grip strength, SJ (height and watts), CMJ (height), and ABK (height) were higher for men than women (p < 0.05). SC negatively influenced the neuromuscular parameters to a greater extent in women. Our results could be related to gender differences in game actions, the temporal structure, and anthropometric and physiological characteristics. Game dynamics and a different organic response between male and female padel playing were confirmed.
Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Preterm and Early Term Births: A Population-Based Register Study
Authors: Younes Salma , Samara Muthanna , Al-Jurf Rana , Nasrallah Gheyath , Al-Obaidly Sawsan , Salama Husam , Olukade Tawa , Hammuda Sara , Ismail Mohamed A. , Abdoh Ghassan , Abdulrouf Palli Valapila , Farrell Thomas , AlQubaisi Mai , Al Rifai Hilal , Al-Dewik Nader
Published: May 2021

Preterm birth (PTB) and early term birth (ETB) are associated with high risks of perinatal mortality and morbidity. While extreme to very PTBs have been extensively studied, studies on infants born at later stages of pregnancy, particularly late PTBs and ETBs, are lacking. In this study, we aimed to assess the incidence, risk factors, and feto-maternal outcomes of PTB and ETB births in Qatar. We examined 15,865 singleton live births using 12-month retrospective registry data from the PEARL-Peristat Study. PTB and ETB incidence rates were 8.8% and 33.7%, respectively. PTB and ETB in-hospital mortality rates were 16.9% and 0.2%, respectively. Advanced maternal age, pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM), assisted pregnancies, and preterm history independently predicted both PTB and ETB, whereas chromosomal and congenital abnormalities were found to be independent predictors of PTB but not ETB. All groups of PTB and ETB were significantly associated with low birth weight (LBW), large for gestational age (LGA) births, caesarean delivery, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)/or death of neonate in labor room (LR)/operation theatre (OT). On the other hand, all or some groups of PTB were significantly associated with small for gestational age (SGA) births, Apgar < 7 at 1 and 5 min and in-hospital mortality. The findings of this study may serve as a basis for taking better clinical decisions with accurate assessment of risk factors, complications, and predictions of PTB and ETB.
Effects of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation on the Muscle Function of Children with Congenital Heart Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Ferrer-Sargues Francisco José , Peiró-Molina Esteban , Cebrià i Iranzo Maria Àngels , Carrasco Moreno José Ignacio , Cano-Sánchez Ana , Vázquez-Arce María Isabel , Insa Albert Beatriz , Salvador-Coloma Pablo
Published: May 2021

Critical medical and surgical advances have led to a shift in the care and management of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). These patients present with muscle deconditioning, which negatively influences their response to exercise, functional capacities, and quality of life. This study evaluates the influence of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program (CPRP) on the function of peripheral musculature of children with CHD. A single-center prospective cohort study was designed. Fifteen CHD subjects, between 12 and 16 years of age, with reduced aerobic capacity on a cardiopulmonary exercise test, were included in a three-month, 24-session CPRP. Measurements of the subjects’ handgrip strength, biceps brachii and quadriceps femoris strength, and triceps surae fatigue process were collected at the beginning of the program, after completion, and six months after the end of the intervention. A substantial and statistically significant improvement was observed in the subjects’ handgrip strength (kg) (p < 0.001), biceps brachii and quadriceps femoris strength (N) (p < 0.001), as well as triceps surae fatigue process (repetitions) (p = 0.018), with a maintenance of the results six months after the intervention. These results suggest that a CPRP could potentially improve the peripheral muscle function of children with CHD. Additional research is needed to confirm and expand on this hypothesis.
Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Plasma of Smallmouth Bass from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Authors: Blazer Vicki S. , Gordon Stephanie E. , Walsh Heather L. , Smith Cheyenne R.
Published: May 2021

Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu is an economically important sportfish and within the Chesapeake Bay watershed has experienced a high prevalence of external lesions, infectious disease, mortality events, reproductive endocrine disruption and population declines. To date, no clear or consistent associations with contaminants measured in fish tissue or surface water have been found. Therefore, plasma samples from two sites in the Potomac River and two in the Susquehanna River drainage basins, differing in land-use characteristics, were utilized to determine if perfluoroalkyl substances were present. Four compounds, perfluorooctane sulphonic acid (PFOS), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), were detected in every fish. Two additional compounds, perfluorooctane sulphonamide (PFOSA) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), were less commonly detected at lower concentrations, depending on the site. Concentrations of PFOS (up to 574 ng/mL) were the highest detected and varied significantly among sites. No seasonal differences (spring versus fall) in plasma concentrations were observed. Concentrations of PFOS were not significantly different between the sexes. However, PFUnA and PFDoA concentrations were higher in males than females. Both agricultural and developed land-use appeared to be associated with exposure. Further research is needed to determine if these compounds could be affecting the health of smallmouth bass and identify sources.
Speed, Change of Direction Speed and Reactive Agility in Adolescent Soccer Players: Age Related Differences
Authors: Andrašić Slobodan , Gušić Marko , Stanković Mima , Mačak Draženka , Bradić Asim , Sporiš Goran , Trajković Nebojša
Published: May 2021

There are a plethora of studies investigating agility in soccer; however, studies have rarely presented the reaction time in differentiating age groups in adolescent soccer players. We investigated age differences in reactive agility, speed, and change of direction speed (CODs), in a group of highly trained adolescent soccer players. A total of 75 adolescent male soccer players (aged 14–19 years) were recruited. The players were grouped based on their age to under 15 (U15; n = 27), under 17 (U17; n = 25), and under 19 (U19; n = 23) players. Players were tested for 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m sprint, CODs speed test, Illinois test, and reactive agility test (total and reaction time). Only the reactive agility test with a live tester (RAT live) and RAT live reaction time (RAT live RT) distinguished U19 from both groups, U17 (RAT live, p < 0.01; RAT RT live, p < 0.01) and U15 (RAT live, p < 0.01; RAT RT live, p < 0.01). Groups did not have different times for 5 m sprint, RAT light and RAT RT light, F = 0.472, 2.691, 1.023, respectively, p > 0.05. Moreover, a significantly slower average performance of sprint 20, CODs left and right, and Illinois was also observed in U15 as compared to U17 and U19 (p < 0.05). We can conclude that results in agility tests that include live testers can be a significant factor that differentiates between adolescent soccer players considering their age.
Remediation of Cd-Contaminated Soil by Modified Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron: Role of Plant Root Exudates and Inner Mechanisms
Authors: Huang Danlian , Yang Yunhe , Deng Rui , Gong Xiaomin , Zhou Wei , Chen Sha , Li Bo , Wang Guangfu
Published: May 2021

In this study, the role of exogenous root exudates and microorganisms was investigated in the application of modified nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) for the remediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil. In this experiment, citric acid (CA) was used to simulate root exudates, which were then added to water and soil to simulate the pore water and rhizosphere environment. In detail, the experiment in water demonstrated that low concentration of CA facilitated Cd removal by nZVI, while the high concentration achieved the opposite. Among them, CA can promote the adsorption of Cd not only by direct complexation with heavy metal ions, but also by indirect effect to promote the production of iron hydroxyl oxides which has excellent heavy metal adsorption properties. Additionally, the H+ dissociated from CA posed a great influence on Cd removal. The situation in soil was similar to that in water, where low concentrations of CA contributed to the immobilization of Cd by nZVI, while high concentrations promoted the desorption of Cd and the generation of CA–Cd complexes which facilitated the uptake of Cd by plants. As the reaction progressed, the soil pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC) increased, while organic matter (OM) decreased. Meanwhile, the soil microbial community structure and diversity were investigated by high-throughput sequencing after incubation with CA and nZVI. It was found that a high concentration of CA was not conducive to the growth of microorganisms, while CMC had the effect of alleviating the biological toxicity of nZVI.
Real-Time Environment Monitoring Using a Lightweight Image Super-Resolution Network
Authors: Yu Qiang , Liu Feiqiang , Xiao Long , Liu Zitao , Yang Xiaomin
Published: May 2021

Deep-learning (DL)-based methods are of growing importance in the field of single image super-resolution (SISR). The practical application of these DL-based models is a remaining problem due to the requirement of heavy computation and huge storage resources. The powerful feature maps of hidden layers in convolutional neural networks (CNN) help the model learn useful information. However, there exists redundancy among feature maps, which can be further exploited. To address these issues, this paper proposes a lightweight efficient feature generating network (EFGN) for SISR by constructing the efficient feature generating block (EFGB). Specifically, the EFGB can conduct plain operations on the original features to produce more feature maps with parameters slightly increasing. With the help of these extra feature maps, the network can extract more useful information from low resolution (LR) images to reconstruct the desired high resolution (HR) images. Experiments conducted on the benchmark datasets demonstrate that the proposed EFGN can outperform other deep-learning based methods in most cases and possess relatively lower model complexity. Additionally, the running time measurement indicates the feasibility of real-time monitoring.
Implications of Argentine Tango for Health Promotion, Physical Well-Being as Well as Emotional, Personal and Social Life on a Group of Women Who Dance
Authors: Witkoś Joanna , Hartman-Petrycka Magdalena
Published: May 2021

Background: The aim of the research was to determine the effect that dance has on the promotion of health, physical well-being, as well as the emotional, personal and social life of women who dance. In addition, the impact of the physical activity of long, often all-night dancing events on women’s health was investigated. This included possible disturbances in their monthly cycle and circadian rhythm, taking into account symptoms of biological rhythm disturbances. Methods: The study involved 214 women: tango group: 109, sedentary group: 105. The Mann–Whitney U and chi2 tests were used to compare the groups, as well as multiple ordinal regression to analyse individual predictors of missed menstrual periods. Results: The tango vs. sedentary groups did not differ in the duration of menstrual bleeding, the degree of pain during menstruation, the regularity of menstruation, the number of regular monthly cycles per year, and amenorrhea. Intermenstrual spotting was more common in dancers (tango 12.8% vs. sedentary 4.8%; p = 0.038). The frequency of missed periods was not increased by any of the assessed aspects. In 59.6% of female dancers, milongas caused disturbances in circadian rhythms, including extreme fatigue and drowsiness (36.7%), 66.0% of the dancers mentioned only positive aspects of Argentine Tango’s impact on their personal life. Conclusions: tango plays a positive and multifaceted role in the lives of dancers and fulfils the need for social contact. The physical effort put into this form of physical activity does not significantly affect the menstrual cycle, and thus the reproductive functions, and can be recommended as an attractive and safe form of physical recreation for women.
Gender Differences in Diabetic Kidney Disease: Focus on Hormonal, Genetic and Clinical Factors
Authors: Giandalia Annalisa , Giuffrida Alfio Edoardo , Gembillo Guido , Cucinotta Domenico , Squadrito Giovanni , Santoro Domenico , Russo Giuseppina T.
Published: May 2021

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most serious complications of both type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Current guidelines recommend a personalized approach in order to reduce the burden of DM and its complications. Recognizing sex and gender- differences in medicine is considered one of the first steps toward personalized medicine, but the gender issue in DM has been scarcely explored so far. Gender differences have been reported in the incidence and the prevalence of DKD, in its phenotypes and clinical manifestations, as well as in several risk factors, with a different impact in the two genders. Hormonal factors, especially estrogen loss, play a significant role in explaining these differences. Additionally, the impact of sex chromosomes as well as the influence of gene–sex interactions with several susceptibility genes for DKD have been investigated. In spite of the increasing evidence that sex and gender should be included in the evaluation of DKD, several open issues remain uncovered, including the potentially different effects of newly recommended drugs, such as SGLT2i and GLP1Ras. This narrative review explored current evidence on sex/gender differences in DKD, taking into account hormonal, genetic and clinical factors.
Dissecting Molecular Genetic Mechanisms of 1q21.1 CNV in Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Authors: Yoon Joy , Mao Yingwei
Published: May 2021

Pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) contribute to the etiology of neurodevelopmental/neuropsychiatric disorders (NDs). Increased CNV burden has been found to be critically involved in NDs compared with controls in clinical studies. The 1q21.1 CNVs, rare and large chromosomal microduplications and microdeletions, are detected in many patients with NDs. Phenotypes of duplication and deletion appear at the two ends of the spectrum. Microdeletions are predominant in individuals with schizophrenia (SCZ) and microcephaly, whereas microduplications are predominant in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and macrocephaly. However, its complexity hinders the discovery of molecular pathways and phenotypic networks. In this review, we summarize the recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) that have identified candidate genes positively correlated with 1q21.1 CNVs, which are likely to contribute to abnormal phenotypes in carriers. We discuss the clinical data implicated in the 1q21.1 genetic structure that is strongly associated with neurodevelopmental dysfunctions like cognitive impairment and reduced synaptic plasticity. We further present variations reported in the phenotypic severity, genomic penetrance and inheritance.
Role of Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases (RPTPs) in Insulin Signaling and Secretion
Authors: Sevillano Julio , Sánchez-Alonso María Gracia , Pizarro-Delgado Javier , Ramos-Álvarez María del Pilar
Published: May 2021

Changes in lifestyle in developed countries have triggered the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the latest years. Consequently, these metabolic diseases associated to insulin resistance, and the morbidity associated with them, accounts for enormous costs for the health systems. The best way to face this problem is to identify potential therapeutic targets and/or early biomarkers to help in the treatment and in the early detection. In the insulin receptor signaling cascade, the activities of protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases are coordinated, thus, protein tyrosine kinases amplify the insulin signaling response, whereas phosphatases are required for the regulation of the rate and duration of that response. The focus of this review is to summarize the impact of transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (RPTPs) in the insulin signaling cascade and secretion, and their implication in metabolic diseases such as obesity and T2DM.