bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emission of Terpenoid Compounds from Rice Plants
Authors: Tani Akira , Sakami Takuya , Yoshida Mariko , Yonemura Seiichiro , Ono Keisuke
Published: March 2023

The global cultivation area of rice is equivalent to 4% of the world’s forest area and may be an important sink and source of trace gases. To produce a precise terpenoid emission inventory, it is essential to obtain reliable data of terpenoid emission from rice plants. In the present study, terpenoid emissions from various rice species were measured using flow-through chamber and tower flux measurement methods. In the flow-through chamber measurement, linalool was emitted from the above-ground parts of the three rice cultivars “Koshihikari”, “Nipponbare” and “IR72”. The emission rates gradually decreased (<0.1 µg gDW−1 h−1) within two days during the measurement periods. As the touching stimulus might have enhanced linalool emission, a non-contact measurement method, i.e., the tower flux measurement method, was applied to a “Koshihikari” paddy. Linalool was not detected, but α-pinene was detected in the atmosphere above the rice paddy. The α-pinene flux (mean ± 95% confidence interval) was 0.006 ± 0.004 nmol m−2 s−1 on a land-area basis. The flux was 1/200 of the previously reported monoterpene emission rate of the rice plants measured in a commercial chamber, but was not largely different from three other reports. We provide terpenoid flux data above a rice paddy for the first time, which is more reliable because the tower flux measurement method can avoid stimuli to rice leaves and stems. Although the obtained terpenoid emission rate is very low, the obtained values can contribute to the establishment of a precise BVOC inventory in Asia.
Seasonal Patterns and Species Variability in the Leaf Traits of Dominant Plants in the Tropical Rainforests of Hainan Island, China
Authors: Xu Ruijing , Qiu Quan , Nong Junqing , Fan Shaohui , Liu Guanglu
Published: March 2023

The leaf traits measured in multiple species are known to vary between seasons, but there is a knowledge gap relating to the seasonal variability and environmental adaptation of plants in tropical rainforests. To investigate the dynamics of the functional traits of dominant species in tropical rainforests and the differences in their adaptation strategies to seasonal drought, the results of this study can provide a scientific basis for tropical rainforest conservation resource protection. Six dominant species, including three trees (Hopea reticulata, Vatica mangachapoi, and Diospyros chunii) and three vine plants (Ancistrocladus tectorius, Phanera khasiana, and Uvaria sanyaensis), in tropical lowland rainforest in the Ganzaling Nature Reserve of Hainan province were selected as study objectives. The key leaf traits were studied using the paraffin section method, leaf epidermis segregation method, and Li-6400 portable photosynthesis system in June, September, December, 2019, and March, 2020. Results showed that significant differences in photosynthetic physiology and morphological and structural parameters among species, as well as seasonal variability, were observed in leaf photosynthetic physiology, but not in leaf morphological or structural parameters. A phenotypic plasticity index (PPI) analysis revealed more variability in leaf photosynthetic physiology (Average PPI = 0.37) than in leaf anatomical structure and morphology (Average PPI = 0.26), suggesting that they adapt to seasonal changes primarily by regulating photosynthetic physiological parameters rather than leaf morphology or anatomical structure. The dominant trees were found to have higher water use efficiency, leaf dry-matter content, and smaller leaf areas compared to vine plants. This indicates that the dominant tree species depend on high water use efficiency and leaf morphological characteristics to adapt to seasonal changes. The majority of leaf anatomical structure parameters associated with drought tolerance were higher in the three dominant vine species, indicating that the dominant vine species adapted to drought stress primarily by altering the leaf anatomical structure This study provides information on how tropical rainforest plants adapt to seasonal drought as well as supporting the protection of tropical rainforest ecosystems.
Spatial Downscaling of Forest Above-Ground Biomass Distribution Patterns Based on Landsat 8 OLI Images and a Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression Algorithm
Authors: Wang Nan , Sun Min , Ye Junhong , Wang Jingyi , Liu Qinqin , Li Mingshi
Published: March 2023

Forest above-ground biomass (AGB) is an excellent indicator for the health status and carbon sink potential of forest ecosystems, as well as the effectiveness of sustainable forest management practices. However, due to the strong heterogeneity of forest structures, acquiring high-accuracy and high-resolution AGB distributions over wide regions is often prohibitively expensive. To fill the resulting gap, this paper uses part of Lishui city, Zhejiang province as the study area, based on 168 forest sample observations, and proposes a novel integrated framework that combines a multi-scale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) with the co-kriging algorithm to refine the spatial downscaling of AGB. Specifically, optimal predictor variable sets identified by random forest importance ranking, multiple stepwise regression, and Pearson VIF methods were first assessed based on their total explanatory power (R square), followed by reconfirmation of the optimal predictor variable set based on the non-stationarity impact of each variable’s action scale (bandwidth) on the output pattern of AGB downscaling. The AGB downscaling statistical algorithms included MGWR, GWR, random forest (RF), and the ordinary least square (OLS), and their downscaling performances were quantitatively compared to determine the best downscaling method. Ultimately, the downscaled AGB pattern was produced using the best method, which was further refined by considering the spatial autocorrelation in AGB samples by implementing a co-kriging interpolation analysis of the predicted AGB downscaling residuals. The results indicated that the variable set selected by random forest importance ranking had the strongest explanatory power, with a validation R square of 0.58. This was further confirmed by the MGWR analysis which showed that the set of variables produced a more spatially smooth downscaled AGB pattern. Among the set of optimal variables, elevation and aspect affected AGB at local scales, representing a strong spatial heterogeneity. Some textural features and spectral features showed a smooth action scale relative to AGB, showing insignificant spatial scale processes. In the study area with complex terrain, using aspect as a covariant, the co-kriging (CK) model achieved a higher simulation accuracy for the MGWR-predicted AGB residuals than the ordinary kriging model. Overall, the proposed MGWR-CK model, with a final validation R square value of 0.62, effectively improved the spatial distribution characteristics and textural details of AGB mapping without the additional costs of procuring finer satellite images and GIS-based features. This will contribute to the accurate assessment of carbon sinks and carbon stock changes in subtropical forest ecosystems globally.
Improving Sustainable Forest Management of Pinus halepensis Mill. Mid-Aged Stands in a Context of Rural Abandonment, Climate Change, and Wildfires
Authors: Rojas-Briales Eduardo , Oliver-Villanueva Jose-Vicente , Lerma-Arce Victoria , Fuente David , Lorenzo-Sáez Edgar
Published: March 2023

Pinus halepensis Mill. covers most lowland forests on limestone soils and semiarid to sub-humid climates in the Mediterranean basin. It is considered a key species in climate change due to its pioneer nature, versatility, and flexibility. Moreover, its industrial potential is an additional incentive to promote forest management to increase its quality and productivity while contributing to other environmental and social objectives. However, there is a considerable gap in science-based knowledge on the effects of different silvicultural treatments on Pinus halepensis stands. Thus, this research compares the impact of four different treatments (light thinnings, strong thinnings, transformation to uneven-aged, and diameter-driven uneven-aged) on even-aged mid-rotation stands of Pinus halepensis in terms of growth, vulnerability, and resilience to extreme weather events, regeneration, and shrub cover. The effects of four treatments are evaluated in 12 research plots of 0.49 ha each (three per treatment) and contrasted with the other three non-managed control plots. Light and strong thinning treatments show better growth—at least in the short term—and stock results than those reported in the reference yield tables. Transformation to uneven-aged treatment shows advantages in maintaining periodic growth, regeneration, and stability. In addition, it offers an alternative for steep slope stands, smallholders, and extended narrow-aged estates to speed up the desirable balanced age class distribution. Diameter-driven uneven-aged treatment implies greater vulnerability to extreme weather events during the first years and considerable stock reduction while offering faster and taller tree regeneration. A dual regeneration pattern of Ulex parviflorus Pourr is observed in addition to post-fire regeneration in the case of sudden and well-distributed tree cover reduction around 40% of the canopy due to the transformation into the uneven-aged stand. An observation period longer than a decade of the research plots will confirm these first conclusions.
Utilizing Random Forest with iForest-Based Outlier Detection and SMOTE to Detect Movement and Direction of RFID Tags
Authors: Alfian Ganjar , Syafrudin Muhammad , Fitriyani Norma Latif , Alam Sahirul , Pratomo Dinar Nugroho , Subekti Lukman , Octava Muhammad Qois Huzyan , Yulianingsih Ninis Dyah , Atmaji Fransiskus Tatas Dwi , Benes Filip
Published: March 2023

In recent years, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has been utilized to monitor product movements within a supply chain in real time. By utilizing RFID technology, the products can be tracked automatically in real-time. However, the RFID cannot detect the movement and direction of the tag. This study investigates the performance of machine learning (ML) algorithms to detect the movement and direction of passive RFID tags. The dataset utilized in this study was created by considering a variety of conceivable tag motions and directions that may occur in actual warehouse settings, such as going inside and out of the gate, moving close to the gate, turning around, and static tags. The statistical features are derived from the received signal strength (RSS) and the timestamp of tags. Our proposed model combined Isolation Forest (iForest) outlier detection, Synthetic Minority Over Sampling Technique (SMOTE) and Random Forest (RF) has shown the highest accuracy up to 94.251% as compared to other ML models in detecting the movement and direction of RFID tags. In addition, we demonstrated the proposed classification model could be applied to a web-based monitoring system, so that tagged products that move in or out through a gate can be correctly identified. This study is expected to improve the RFID gate on detecting the status of products (being received or delivered) automatically.
Composition of Powdered Freeze-Dried Orange Juice Co-Product as Related to Glucose Absorption In Vitro
Authors: Camacho María del Mar , Martínez-Lahuerta Juan José , Ustero Isabel , García-Martínez Eva , Martínez-Navarrete Nuria
Published: March 2023

The reuse of food by-products is crucial for the well-being of the planet. Considering the high content of nutrients and other bioactive compounds in many of them, investigating their suitability for use as human food ingredients is an interesting challenge. In this study, in addition to the proximate composition, phenol content and antioxidant activity (AOA = 3.2 mmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/100 g, db) of orange juice powder by-product (CoP), different in vitro properties related to carbohydrate metabolism have been characterised. Specifically, the glycaemic index (GI), the glycaemic load (GL), the glucose dialysis retardation index (GDRI = 13.6%), the glucose adsorption capacity (GAC = 22.5 mM) and the inhibition capacity of α-amylase (α-A = 46.9%) and α-glucosidase (α-G = 93.3%) of powdered orange juice waste have been determined and related to fibre and phenolics composition. Taking advantage of the high fibre content of the by-product (36.67%), its GL was calculated for a CoP dose that allows labelling the food to which it is added as a source of fibre. The low GI value (24.4%) and the low GL (0.918 g available carbohydrates per serving) allowed us to conclude that the product studied could be an interesting opportunity for the food industry to offer it as a healthy food ingredient to be included in the diet, especially for those suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus. Of the total phenolic compounds (TP = 509 mg equivalent of gallic acid (GAE)/100 g, db), 68% were found in free fraction (FP), and their contribution to the total AOA was 40.6%, while this was 54.9% for the 32% of phenols bound to plant tissues (BP).
Tisochrysis lutea as a Substrate for Lactic Acid Fermentation: Biochemical Composition, Digestibility, and Functional Properties
Authors: Pagnini Caterina , Sampietro Giacomo , Santini Gaia , Biondi Natascia , Rodolfi Liliana
Published: March 2023

Microalgae, because of their high nutritional value and bioactive molecule content, are interesting candidates for functional foods, including fermented foods, in which the beneficial effects of probiotic bacteria combine with those of biomolecules lying in microalgal biomass. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of Tisochrysis lutea F&M-M36 as a substrate for Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 and to verify fermentation effects on functionality. Bacterium selection among three lactobacilli was based on growth and resistance to in vitro digestion. Microalgal raw biomass and its digested residue were fermented in two matrixes, water and diluted organic medium, and analysed for biochemical composition and antioxidant activity along with their unfermented counterparts. Bacterial survivability to digestion and raw biomass digestibility after fermentation were also evaluated. Fucoxanthin was strongly reduced (>90%) in post-digestion residue, suggesting high bioavailability. Raw biomass in diluted organic medium gave the highest bacterial growth (8.5 logCFU mL−1) and organic acid production (5 mg L−1), while bacterial survivability to digestion (<3%) did not improve. After fermentation, the antioxidant activity of lipophilic extracts increased (>90%). Fermentation appears an interesting process to obtain T. lutea-based functional foods, although further investigations are needed to optimize bacterial growth and fully evaluate its effects on functionality and organoleptic features.
Protective Effect of Hawthorn Fruit Extract against High Fructose-Induced Oxidative Stress and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Pancreatic β-Cells
Authors: Lien Hsiu-Man , Lin Hsin-Tang , Huang Shiau-Huei , Chen Yìng-Ru , Huang Chao-Lu , Chen Chia-Chang , Chyau Charng-Cherng
Published: March 2023

Hyperglycemia has deleterious effects on pancreatic β-cells, causing dysfunction and insulin resistance that lead to diabetes mellitus (DM). The possible causes of injury can be caused by glucose- or fructose-induced oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) fruit has been widely used as a hypolipidemic agent in traditional herbal medicine. The study aimed to investigate whether high fructose-induced pancreatic β-cell dysfunction could be reversed through amelioration of ER stress by the treatment of polyphenol-enriched extract (PEHE) from hawthorn fruit. The extract was partitioned using ethyl acetate as a solvent from crude water extract (WE) of hawthorn fruits, followed by column fractionation. The results showed that the contents of total polyphenols, flavonoids and triterpenoids in PEHE could be enhanced by 2.2-, 7.7- and 1.1-fold, respectively, in comparison to the original obtained WE from hawthorn fruit. In ER stress studies, a sharp increase in the inhibitory activity on the gene expression levels of GRP79, ATF6, IRE1α and CHOP involved in ER stress was evident when dosages of PEHE at 50–100 μg/mL were used against high-fructose (150 mM)-treated cells. HPLC–MS/MS analysis showed that polyphenols and flavonoids collectively accounted for 87.03% of the total content of PEHE.
Taste Preference-Related Genetic Polymorphisms Modify Alcohol Consumption Behavior of the Hungarian General and Roma Populations
Authors: Kurshed Ali Abbas Mohammad , Vincze Ferenc , Pikó Péter , Kósa Zsigmond , Sándor János , Ádány Róza , Diószegi Judit
Published: March 2023

Harmful alcohol consumption has been considered a major public health issue globally, with the amounts of alcohol drunk being highest in the WHO European Region including Hungary. Alcohol consumption behaviors are complex human traits influenced by environmental factors and numerous genes. Beyond alcohol metabolization and neurotransmitter gene polymorphisms, taste preference-related genetic variants may also mediate alcohol consumption behaviors. Applying the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) we aimed to elucidate the underlying genetic determinants of alcohol consumption patterns considering taste preference gene polymorphisms (TAS1R3 rs307355, TAS2R38 rs713598, TAS2R19 rs10772420 and CA6 rs2274333) in the Hungarian general (HG) and Roma (HR) populations. Alcohol consumption assessment was available for 410 HG and 387 HR individuals with 405 HG and 364 HR DNA samples being obtained for genotyping. No significant associations were found between TAS1R3 rs307355, TAS2R19 rs10772420, and CA6 rs2274333 polymorphisms and alcohol consumption phenotypes. Significant associations were identified between TAS2R38 rs713598 and the number of standard drinks consumed in the HG sample (genotype GG negatively correlated with the number of standard drinks; coef: −0.136, p = 0.028) and the prevalence of having six or more drinks among Roma (a negative correlation was identified in the recessive model; genotype GG, coef: −0.170, p = 0.049), although, none of these findings passed the Bonferroni-corrected probability criterion (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, our findings may suggest that alcohol consumption is partially driven by genetically determined taste preferences in our study populations. Further studies are required to strengthen the findings and to understand the drivers of alcohol consumption behavior in more depth.
Long-Term Glucose Forecasting for Open-Source Automated Insulin Delivery Systems: A Machine Learning Study with Real-World Variability Analysis
Authors: Zafar Ahtsham , Lewis Dana M. , Shahid Arsalan
Published: March 2023

Glucose forecasting serves as a backbone for several healthcare applications, including real-time insulin dosing in people with diabetes and physical activity optimization. This paper presents a study on the use of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) methods for predicting glucose variability (GV) in individuals with open-source automated insulin delivery systems (AID). A three-stage experimental framework is employed in this work to systematically implement and evaluate ML/DL methods on a large-scale diabetes dataset collected from individuals with open-source AID. The first stage involves data collection, the second stage involves data preparation and exploratory analysis, and the third stage involves developing, fine-tuning, and evaluating ML/DL models. The performance and resource costs of the models are evaluated alongside relative and proportional errors for 17 GV metrics. Evaluation of fine-tuned ML/DL models shows considerable accuracy in glucose forecasting and variability analysis up to 48 h in advance. The average MAE ranges from 2.50 mg/dL for long short-term memory models (LSTM) to 4.94 mg/dL for autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models, and the RMSE ranges from 3.7 mg/dL for LSTM to 7.67 mg/dL for ARIMA. Model execution time is proportional to the amount of data used for training, with long short-term memory models having the lowest execution time but the highest memory consumption compared to other models. This work successfully incorporates the use of appropriate programming frameworks, concurrency-enhancing tools, and resource and storage cost estimators to encourage the sustainable use of ML/DL in real-world AID systems.
How Advanced Practice Nurses Can Be Better Managed in Hospitals: A Multi-Case Study
Authors: Wan Jia , Xia Haiou
Published: March 2023

The labor markets for care professionals are a perennial topic of discussion. Advanced practice nurses (APN), as an advanced role in nursing, arose to solve the shortage of primary health care professionals. Prior research has advanced several areas of exploration for APNs’ training or employing methods in Chinese hospitals. However, this leaves a key imperative unexplored: the management strategy of APNs in hospitals. The present study seeks to explore the management strategy of APNs in Chinese hospitals. The resource orchestration theory served as the guide as the multi-case study method investigated 18 case hospitals, gathered information from a variety of case data sources, and summarized the management strategies for hospitals’ advanced practice nurses. Four types of APN management strategies—expert customized type, hierarchical linkage type, multidisciplinary benefit type, and professional penetration type—have been identified through resource orchestration. Hospitals can utilize the APN management strategy model as a guide to manage APNs in accordance with the unique characteristics of APN resources.
Reliability and Validity of the Defeat Scale among Internal Migrant Workers in China: Decadence and Low Sense of Achievement
Authors: Liu Shangbin , Chen Yingjie , Chen Yaqi , Hu Tian , Wang Zixin , Wang Rongxi , Hu Fan , Xu Chen , Yu Xiaoyue , Liu Yujie , Chen Hui , Xia Danni , Zou Huachun , Zhang Kechun , Cao Bolin , Shang Meili , Wang Ying
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Internal migrant workers have a great chance to experience defeat due to their low social status and economic situation. It has been reported that defeat might play a prospective role in predicting depression and anxiety; however, defeat is rarely explored among internal migrant workers due to the lack of appropriate measurement scales. The defeat scale (DS) can measure the feeling of defeat, social hierarchy reduction, and loss in social struggle. But its reliability and validity among internal migrant workers have not been reported. This study aimed to verify the content validity and structural validity of the DS among internal migrant workers in China and to explore its correlations with anxiety and depression. Methods: 1805 internal migrant workers (IMWs) were recruited by stratified multistage sampling from 16 factories in Shenzhen, China. The content validity index (CVI) was used to assess content validity. Cronbach’s coefficient alpha of each factor and the total scale were calculated to assess the reliability of DS. The scree test was used to determine the number of factors. Convergent validity and discriminant validity were estimated by calculating the average variance extracted and composite reliability. Logistic regression was performed to explore the effects of DS scores on anxiety and depression. Results: Mean score of DS among IMWs was 18.42 ± 9.40. There were 606 (33.6%) IMWs who were considered to have depression symptoms, and 524 (29.0%) IMWs were considered to have anxiety symptoms. A two-factor model was obtained and fitted well (CFI = 0.956, GFI = 0.932, IFI = 0.956, RMSEA = 0.068, SRMR = 0.052). Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient for the DS was 0.92. Logistic regression showed that DS scores were positively associated with anxiety and depression among IMWs. Conclusions: DS performed well among IMWs on content validity and structural validity, and it was suitable as a measurement instrument to assess defeat among this population. Defeat was positively associated with anxiety and depression and might play an important role in the mental health of IMWs.
Relationship between Sports Practice, Physical and Mental Health and Anxiety–Depressive Symptomatology in the Spanish Prison Population
Authors: Penado Abilleira María , Ríos-de-Deus María-Paula , Tomé-Lourido David , Rodicio-García María-Luisa , Mosquera-González María-José , López-López Daniel , Gómez-Salgado Juan
Published: March 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate, in a group of Galician inmates, if there were variations in the levels of physical and mental health and anxiety–depressive symptomatology, depending on the sports’ practice performed. The relationship between these constructs was also investigated. The sample was composed of 509 people deprived of liberty in prisons in the Autonomous Community of Galicia, Spain. A quantitative methodology was used, with the questionnaire as an information collection instrument, Student’s t-tests, Pearson’s correlation analysis and a stepwise regression analysis were carried out. The results indicated that those who performed physical activity during their stay in prison had higher levels of physical and mental health, as well as lower indicators of anxiety–depressive symptoms. People who did not practice sports showed a decrease in their perceived health levels when compared to those perceived in their pre-prison stage. A negative association was shown between perceived health levels and anxiety–depressive symptomatology. Perceived physical health, alone, explained 35% of the variance in perceived mental health. These results add to knowledge about the relationships between perceived health, anxiety–depressive symptoms and sports practice in the group of people deprived of liberty, highlighting the importance of promoting physical activity in penitentiary institutions.
Intensive Rehabilitation Program in Older Adults with Stroke: Therapy Content and Feasibility—Preliminary Results from the BRAIN-CONNECTS Study
Authors: Morgado-Pérez Andrea , Coll-Molinos Maria , Valero Ruben , Llobet Miriam , Rueda Nohora , Martínez Andrea , Nieto Sonia , Ramírez-Fuentes Cindry , Sánchez-Rodríguez Dolores , Marco Ester , Puig Josep , Duarte Esther
Published: March 2023

The main objective was to assess the feasibility of an intensive rehabilitation program (IRP) for stroke patients; and secondly, to detect eventual age-related differences in content, duration, tolerability, and safety in a prospective observational cohort of patients diagnosed with subacute stroke, admitted to inpatient rehabilitation (BRAIN-CONNECTS project). Activities during physical, occupational and speech therapy, and time dedicated to each one were recorded. Forty-five subjects (63.0 years, 77.8% men) were included. The mean time of therapy was 173.8 (SD 31.5) minutes per day. The only age-related differences when comparing patients ≥65 and <65 years were a shorter time allocated for occupational therapy (−7.5 min (95% CI −12.5 to −2.6), p = 0.004) and a greater need of speech therapy (90% vs. 44%) in the older adults. Gait training, movement patterns of upper limbs, and lingual praxis were the most commonly performed activities. Regarding tolerability and safety, there were no losses to follow-up, and the attendance ratio was above 95%. No adverse events occurred during any session in all patients. Conclusion: IRP is a feasible intervention in patients with subacute stroke, regardless of age, and there are no relevant differences on content or duration of therapy.
Effects of Microfiltered Seawater Intake and Variable Resistance Training on Strength, Bone Health, Body Composition, and Quality of Life in Older Women: A 32-Week Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Juesas Alvaro , Gargallo Pedro , Gene-Morales Javier , Babiloni-López Carlos , Saez-Berlanga Angel , Jiménez-Martínez Pablo , Casaña Jose , Benitez-Martinez Josep C. , Ramirez-Campillo Rodrigo , Chulvi-Medrano Ivan , Colado Juan C.
Published: March 2023

The aim was to explore the effects of a 32-week resistance training (RT) intervention with elastic bands with or without microfiltered seawater (SW) supplementation on isokinetic strength, bone mineral density (BMD), body composition, and subjective quality of life in postmenopausal women. Ninety-three untrained women (age: 70.00 ± 6.26 years; body mass index: 22.05 ± 3.20 kg/m2; body fat: 37.77 ± 6.38%; 6.66 ± 1.01 s up-and-go test) voluntarily participated in this randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial. Participants were allocated into four groups (RT+SW, RT+PLA, CON+SW, and CON+PLA). The RT intervention (twice weekly) consisted of different exercises for the whole body performed at submaximal intensities with elastic bands. Both control groups were not involved in any exercise program. A two-way mixed analysis of variance of repeated measures revealed significant improvements in almost all the variables in both intervention groups (p < 0.05). However, significant differences with controls were encountered in isokinetic strength, body fat percentage, and bodily pain. Although the group with SW supplementation obtained greater effect sizes, non-significant differences between both RT groups were observed. In conclusion, the determinant factor of the adaptations seems to be RT rather than SW.
Global Distribution of Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Impact Factors
Authors: Tong Yixin , Jiang Honglin , Xu Ning , Wang Zhengzhong , Xiong Ying , Yin Jiangfan , Huang Junhui , Chen Yue , Jiang Qingwu , Zhou Yibiao
Published: March 2023

Culex tritaeniorhynchus is the primary vector of Japanese encephalitis (JE) and has a wide global distribution. However, the current and future geographic distribution maps of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in global are still incomplete. Our study aims to predict the potential distribution of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in current and future conditions to provide a guideline for the formation and implementation of vector control strategies all over the world. We collected and screened the information on the occurrence of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus by searching the literature and online databases and used ten algorithms to investigate its global distribution and impact factors. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus had been detected in 41 countries from 5 continents. The final ensemble model (TSS = 0.864 and AUC = 0.982) indicated that human footprint was the most important factor for the occurrence of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. The tropics and subtropics, including southeastern Asia, Central Africa, southeastern North America and eastern South America, showed high habitat suitability for Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus is predicted to have a wider distribution in all the continents, especially in Western Europe and South America in the future under two extreme emission scenarios (SSP5-8.5 and SSP1-2.6). Targeted strategies for the control and prevention of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus should be further strengthened.
The Relationship between Competitive Class Climate and Cyberloafing among Chinese Adolescents: A Curvilinear Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Peng Shun , Huang Xiuhan , Xu Lei , Cai Shuangshuang , Chen Jiwen , Dong Hua
Published: March 2023

Since COVID-19 was officially listed as a pandemic, online schooling has become a more pervasive form of learning, and cyberloafing has become a widespread behavior, even among adolescents. However, less research has explored the influencing mechanism of adolescents’ cyberloafing. Based on relevant studies and the real lives of adolescents, this study aimed to examine the association between a competitive class climate and cyberloafing among adolescents, its underlying mechanism, the mediating role of perceived stress and the moderating role of self-esteem. A total of 686 adolescents were recruited to complete a set of questionnaires assessing cyberloafing, perceived stress, self-esteem, and perceived competitive class climate. The results showed that a competitive class climate was positively associated with perceived stress, and the U-shaped relationship between perceived stress and cyberloafing was significant. Perceived stress mediated the relationship between a competitive class climate and cyberloafing. Meanwhile, self-esteem moderated the U-shaped relationship between perceived stress and cyberloafing and the linear relationship between a competitive class climate and perceived stress. The results of this study indicate that the influence of a competitive class climate on individual learning behavior may be nonlinear, and proper competition can contribute to reducing individual cyberloafing.
Inherited Epigenetic Hallmarks of Childhood Obesity Derived from Prenatal Exposure to Obesogens
Authors: Núñez-Sánchez María Á. , Jiménez-Méndez Almudena , Suárez-Cortés María , Martínez-Sánchez María A. , Sánchez-Solís Manuel , Blanco-Carnero José E. , Ruiz-Alcaraz Antonio J. , Ramos-Molina Bruno
Published: March 2023

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in developed countries and is becoming a major cause for concern in the developing world. The causes of childhood obesity are complex and multifactorial, involving the interaction between individual genetics and environmental and developmental factors. Among the environmental factors, there is a growing interest in understanding the possible relationship between the so-called environmental obesogens and the development of obesity in children. Exposure to these obesogens such as phthalates, bisphenol A, or parabens, has been identified as a promoter of obesity through different mechanisms such as the alteration of adipocyte development from mesenchymal progenitors, the interference with hormone receptors, and induced inflammation. However, less attention has been paid to the inheritance of epigenetic modifications due to maternal exposure to these compounds during pregnancy. Thus, the aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of epigenetic modifications due to maternal exposure to those obesogens during pregnancy as well as their potential implication on long-term obesity development in the offspring and transgenerational inheritance of epiphenotypes.
Urban Exotic Pollution: The Harmful Environmental Footprint for Health and Historical Architecture
Authors: Postolachi Cristina , Cocean Alexandru , Garofalide Silvia , Munteanu Bogdanel Silvestru , Cocean Georgiana , Cimpoesu Nicanor , Pelin Vasile , Cocean Iuliana , Gurlui Silviu
Published: March 2023

The study in this paper was carried out as a result of the observation of pollution phenomena and foaming effects associated with anthropogenic activities, including street cleaning activity. The processes of dust binding used in order to reduce PM10 and PM 2.5 pollution has been proven to be inefficient, and even contributing to pollution with particulate matter. Our results suggest that the use of dust binders must be integrated in a technique that includes methods of removing agglomerated particle structures resulting from the process of coagulation or flocculation. These are the conclusions of the investigations carried out by spectroscopic methods (FTIR, SEM-EDX) on samples collected from the streets of Iasi on 10 March 2021, and on samples collected from the surface of the Precinct Wall of the historical monument Golia—Iasi Monastery Ensemble (Romania). On the later samples, coloristic analysis was also performed. The alert for investigation was given by the foaming waters that were leaking on the streets. The phenomenon was observed after the streets had been washed by specialized vehicles. Analyses revealed compounds used as dust binders and coagulant type (aluminum sulfate, sodium aluminate and their derivatives, plus anti-skid chemicals such as calcium chlorine and magnesium chlorine), as well as organic compounds included in aggregate type structures, and they showed contamination of the Golia Precinct Wall. The results show that the dust binders or coagulants used as such, or embedded in various products intended for the cleaning process of streets or other outdoor public places, must be subject to regulation. Otherwise, there is a risk of adding more pollutants during an operation with the opposite purpose. The migration of these pollutants on the studied building offers an image on how both our health and all constructions and equipment exposed in the open air are affected.
Preliminary Support for the Use of Motivational Interviewing to Improve Parent/Adult Caregiver Behavior for Obesity and Cancer Prevention
Authors: Braun Ashlea , Portner James , Xu Menglin , Weaver Lindy , Pratt Keeley , Darragh Amy , Spees Colleen K.
Published: March 2023

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a promising behavioral intervention for improving parent and adult caregiver (PAC) health behavior for obesity and cancer prevention. This study explored the preliminary effects of MI from a registered dietitian (RDMI) within an obesity prevention intervention to promote PAC behavior change and positive proxy effects on children and the home environment. N = 36 PAC/child dyads from low-resource communities were enrolled in a randomized trial testing a 10-week obesity prevention intervention. Intervention dyads were offered RDMI sessions. Data were collected at baseline and post-intervention (PAC diet quality (Healthy Eating Index (HEI)), child skin carotenoids, home environment, and PAC ambivalence regarding improving diet). Results show that for every RDMI dose, PAC HEI scores increased (0.571 points, p = 0.530), child skin carotenoid scores improved (1.315%, p = 0.592), and the home food environment improved (3.559%, p = 0.026). There was a significant positive relationship between RDMI dose and change in ambivalence (ρ = 0.533, p = 0.007). Higher baseline ambivalence was associated with greater dose (ρ = −0.287, p = 0.173). Thus, RDMI for PACs may improve diets among PACs who are otherwise ambivalent, with potential effects on the diets of their children and the home food environment. Such intervention strategies have the potential for greater effect, strengthening behavioral interventions targeting obesity and cancer.
Influences of Spatial Accessibility and Service Capacity on the Utilization of Elderly-Care Facilities: A Case Study of the Main Urban Area of Chongqing
Authors: Ma Jinhui , Huang Haijing , Liu Daibin
Published: March 2023

With the unprecedented growth of the elderly population in China, elderly-care facilities (ECFs) are in a fast expansion process. However, limited attention has been paid to the imbalance at the actual utilization level of ECFs. This research aims to reveal the spatial inequity of ECFs and to quantitatively examine the effect of accessibility and institutional service capacity on utilization. Taking Chongqing, China, as the study area, we measured the spatial accessibility of different travel modes by the Gaussian Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (G2SFCA) method and investigated distribution differences in spatial accessibility, service capacity, and utilization of ECFs by the Dagum Gini Coefficient and its decomposition. Then, the impact of spatial accessibility and service capacity on the utilization of regional ECFs was quantified by multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR). The study findings can be summarized as follows. (1) Walking accessibility has the most significant impact on the utilization of ECFs and shows geographic heterogeneity. Developing a pedestrian-oriented network of pathways is essential to enhance the utilization of ECFs. (2) Accessibility by driving and bus-riding does not correlate with regional ECFs utilization, and relevant studies cannot rely on them alone for assessing the equity of ECFs. (3) In the utilization of ECFs, since the inter-regional difference is more significant than the intra-regional difference, efforts to reduce the overall imbalance should be oriented toward inter-regional variation. The study’s findings will assist national policymakers in developing EFCs to enhance health indicators and quality of life for older adults by prioritizing financing for shortage areas, coordinating ECFs services, and optimizing road systems.
The Role of Contextual Factors in Shaping Urban Older Adults’ Intention of Institutional Care in China: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Li Yuekang , Zhang Jinbao , Luo Hao , Pei Xiaomei , Wu Tao , Jing Jun
Published: March 2023

Background: This mixed-methods study explores older people’s intention of institutional care and its contributing contextual factors, and the meaning given to their intention by older adults in the transitioning Chinese society. Methods: Guided by the extended Anderson model and frameworks of the ecological theory of aging, survey data collected from 1937 Chinese older adults were used. Transcripts from six focus group interviews were analyzed to incorporate the voices of the participants. Results: Community environment and services, health services, financial services, and regional service organizations were related to the institutional care intention of older people. The qualitative analysis showed that the reported conflicting feelings about institutional care was driven by the lack of supporting resources and age-friendly environment. The findings of this study suggested that the reported intention of Chinese older adults for institutional care may not be an ideal choice but a compromise or, in some cases, a forced choice. Conclusions: Rather than treating the stated institutional intention as a simple expression of older Chinese people’s likes or desires, the intention of institutional care should be understood within a framework that fully considers the influence of psycho-social factors and contextual organizations.
Preoperative HbA1c and Blood Glucose Measurements in Diabetes Mellitus before Oral Surgery and Implantology Treatments
Authors: Végh Dániel , Bencze Bulcsú , Banyai Dorottya , Vegh Adam , Rózsa Noémi , Nagy Dobó Csaba , Biczo Zita , Kammerhofer Gabor , Ujpal Marta , Díaz Agurto Leonardo , Pedrinaci Ignacio , Peña Cardelles Juan Francisco , Magrin Gabriel Leonardo , Padhye Ninad Milind , Mente Laura , Payer Michael , Hermann Peter
Published: March 2023

Diabetes mellitus has become a worldwide epidemic and is frequently accompanied by a number of complications proportional to the duration of hyperglycemia. The aim of this narrative review is to assess the most up-to-date guidelines on DM provided by both diabetes and dental associations. Furthermore, to gather evidence on the uni/bidirectional relationships of elevated HbA1c levels on dental surgery, implantology, bone augmentation, and periodontology and to demonstrate the importance of measuring HbA1c levels before invasive dental treatments. HbA1c and blood glucose measurements are a minimally invasive method for preventing complications in diabetes mellitus. The authors conducted a literature review to determine which oral conditions are affected by diabetes mellitus. MEDLINE served as a source with the use of a specific search key. Regarding oral complications of diabetes, prevention is the most vital factor. With this publication, we hope to assist physicians and dentists to make prompt diagnoses and to help in recognizing various oral manifestations of diabetes and follow the existing guidelines.
A Design for Safety (DFS) Framework for Automated Inspection Risks in Metro Stations by Integrating a Knowledge Base and Building Information Modeling
Authors: Liu Ping , Shang Yongtao , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2023

Safety issues have always been of great concern to the metro construction industry. Numerous studies have shown that safety issues are closely related to the design phase. Many safety problems can be solved or improved by developing the design. This study proposes a structured identification method for safety risks based on the metro design specifications, journal literature, and expert experience. A safety knowledge base (KB) for the design was established to realize safety knowledge sharing and reusing. The KB has been developed into Building Information Modeling (BIM) software as an inspection plug-in to achieve automated analysis and retrieval of safety risks. The designers are provided with a visualization of risk components to locate and improve the pre-control measures of the design. Subsequently, the process of design for safety (DFS) database creation was demonstrated with a metro station project, and the feasibility of applying the KB to safety checking in BIM was verified. In response to the inspection results, safety risks in the construction phases can be eliminated or avoided by standardizing and improving the design.
High Glucose Promotes Inflammation and Weakens Placental Defenses against E. coli and S. agalactiae Infection: Protective Role of Insulin and Metformin
Authors: Jiménez-Escutia Rodrigo , Vargas-Alcantar Donovan , Flores-Espinosa Pilar , Helguera-Repetto Addy Cecilia , Villavicencio-Carrisoza Oscar , Mancilla-Herrera Ismael , Irles Claudine , Torres-Ramos Yessica Dorin , Valdespino-Vazquez María Yolotzin , Velázquez-Sánchez Pilar , Zamora-Escudero Rodrigo , Islas-López Marcela , Carranco-Salinas Caridad , Díaz Lorenza , Zaga-Clavellina Verónica , Olmos-Ortiz Andrea
Published: March 2023

Placentas from gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients undergo significant metabolic and immunologic adaptations due to hyperglycemia, which results in an exacerbated synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and an increased risk for infections. Insulin or metformin are clinically indicated for the treatment of GDM; however, there is limited information about the immunomodulatory activity of these drugs in the human placenta, especially in the context of maternal infections. Our objective was to study the role of insulin and metformin in the placental inflammatory response and innate defense against common etiopathological agents of pregnancy bacterial infections, such as E. coli and S. agalactiae, in a hyperglycemic environment. Term placental explants were cultivated with glucose (10 and 50 mM), insulin (50–500 nM) or metformin (125–500 µM) for 48 h, and then they were challenged with live bacteria (1 × 105 CFU/mL). We evaluated the inflammatory cytokine secretion, beta defensins production, bacterial count and bacterial tissue invasiveness after 4–8 h of infection. Our results showed that a GDM-associated hyperglycemic environment induced an inflammatory response and a decreased beta defensins synthesis unable to restrain bacterial infection. Notably, both insulin and metformin exerted anti-inflammatory effects under hyperglycemic infectious and non-infectious scenarios. Moreover, both drugs fortified placental barrier defenses, resulting in reduced E. coli counts, as well as decreased S. agalactiae and E. coli invasiveness of placental villous trees. Remarkably, the double challenge of high glucose and infection provoked a pathogen-specific attenuated placental inflammatory response in the hyperglycemic condition, mainly denoted by reduced TNF-α and IL-6 secretion after S. agalactiae infection and by IL-1β after E. coli infection. Altogether, these results suggest that metabolically uncontrolled GDM mothers develop diverse immune placental alterations, which may help to explain their increased vulnerability to bacterial pathogens.
Fabry Disease and Central Nervous System Involvement: From Big to Small, from Brain to Synapse
Authors: Cortés-Saladelafont Elisenda , Fernández-Martín Julián , Ortolano Saida
Published: March 2023

Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) secondary to mutations in the GLA gene that causes dysfunctional activity of lysosomal hydrolase α-galactosidase A and results in the accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3). The endothelial accumulation of these substrates results in injury to multiple organs, mainly the kidney, heart, brain and peripheral nervous system. The literature on FD and central nervous system involvement is scarce when focusing on alterations beyond cerebrovascular disease and is nearly absent in regard to synaptic dysfunction. In spite of that, reports have provided evidence for the CNS’ clinical implications in FD, including Parkinson’s disease, neuropsychiatric disorders and executive dysfunction. We aim to review these topics based on the current available scientific literature.