bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of Emotion-focused training for emotion couching delivered as mobile app on self-compassion and self-criticism
Authors: Halamová Júlia , Mihaľo Jakub , Bakoš Lukáš
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Being self-compassionate is considered a beneficial emotion regulation strategy. Therefore, the acquisition of emotional skills can raise self-compassion levels and consequently reduce self-criticism.

Methods

Hence, the goal of the current study was to develop a mobile app based on the empirically proven group version of Emotion-Focused Training for Emotional Coaching (EFT-EC) and test its effectiveness in reducing self-criticism and raising self-compassion and self-protection. The sample consisted of 85 participants, of whom 22.4% were men and 77.6% were women. The mean age was 32.53 (SD = 14.51), ranging from 18 to 74 years. The participants filled out the following scales immediately before and after using the fourteen-day mobile app: The Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS), The Sussex-Oxford Compassion for the Self Scale (SOCS-S), and The Short-form Version of The Scale for interpersonal behaviour (s-SIB).

Results

Use of the 14-day EFT-EC mobile app significantly improved self-compassion and self-reassurance and significantly reduced self-criticism compared to pre- and post-measurements.

Discussion

The results are promising as self-criticism is a transdiagnostic phenomenon observed in various kinds of psychopathology and reducing it may prevent the emergence of psychopathologies. Moreover, the mobile app intervention can easily be accessed by a wide range of users, without requiring the services of a mental health professional, and thereby reduces the potential risk of shame or stigmatization.
Timeliness of online COVID-19 reports from official sources
Authors: Espinosa Laura , Altunina Olesia , Salathé Marcel
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Making epidemiological indicators for COVID-19 publicly available through websites and social media can support public health experts in the near-real-time monitoring of the situation worldwide, and in the establishment of rapid response and public health measures to reduce the consequences of the pandemic. Little is known, however, about the timeliness of such sources. Here, we assess the timeliness of official public COVID-19 sources for the WHO regions of Europe and Africa.

Methods

We monitored official websites and social media accounts for updates and calculated the time difference between daily updates on COVID-19 cases. We covered a time period of 52 days and a geographic range of 62 countries, 28 from the WHO African region and 34 from the WHO European region.

Results

The most prevalent categories were social media updates only (no website reporting) in the WHO African region (32.7% of the 1,092 entries), and updates in both social media and websites in the WHO European region (51.9% of the 884 entries for EU/EEA countries, and 73.3% of the 884 entries for non-EU/EEA countries), showing an overall clear tendency in using social media as an official source to report on COVID-19 indicators. We further show that the time difference for each source group and geographical region were statistically significant in all WHO regions, indicating a tendency to focus on one of the two sources instead of using both as complementary sources.

Discussion

Public health communication via social media platforms has numerous benefits, but it is worthwhile to do it in combination with other, more traditional means of communication, such as websites or offline communication.
Understanding older adults' intention to use patient-accessible electronic health records: Based on the affordance lens
Authors: Wang Xindi , Zhao Yuxiang Chris
Published: January 2023

Background

Given the aging population and the rapid development of the digital society, concerns about promoting older adults' health skills are increasing. Patient-accessible electronic health records (PAEHRs) are implemented globally for aging health safeguards. The demand for using health-related information communication technologies (ICTs) among older adults and the factors that promote their usage intention of PAEHRs need to be studied.

Methods

Drawing upon affordance theory, we constructed a research model that integrates four affordance types, aggregation, interactivity, collaboration, and communication, to identify the effects of affordances and attachment to platforms and doctors that contribute to older adults' usage intention on PAEHRs. Online survey data from 498 older adults (above 60 years) were collected and analyzed using partial least square-structural equation modeling.

Results

Our findings demonstrated how PAEHR's affordances facilitate older adults' attachment to platforms and doctors. We found that aggregation (γ = 0.417, P < 0.001) and interactivity (γ = 0.397, P < 0.001) can positively influence older adults' attachment to the PAEHR platform, and collaboration (γ = 0.407, P < 0.001) affordance can positively influence older adults' attachment to doctors on the PAEHR platform. Furthermore, seniors' attachment to the platform (γ = 0.598, P < 0.001) and attachment to the doctor (γ = 0.156, P < 0.01) can both positively influence their usage intention, and attachment to the platform had a positive relationship with attachment to doctors (γ = 0.230, P < 0.001) on the PAEHR.

Conclusion

This study enriched the understanding of elders' attachment to doctors on PAEHRs and contributed to the literature on health-related ICT usage targets of older adults. Our findings also shed light on inspiring operators of health-related ICTs to formulate appropriate strategies for aging-friendly design to guide older adults to adopt health-related ICTs in their everyday health information practices.
Knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection and proper use of rapid diagnostic self-test among Shanghai residents in China
Authors: Gu Ren-Ping , Zhu Ai-Yong
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To assess and evaluate the knowledge of Shanghai, China, residents on the use of SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection and rapid diagnostic self-test.

Methods

A cross-sectional electronic survey using a self-administered questionnaire was sent via the online platform, Sojump, to general individuals. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the variables associated with knowledge of self-test.

Results

A total of 283 participants were recruited between July 1, 2022 and July 20, 2022 through an online survey. The mean score of knowledge on the tests was 14.33 ± 2.85 (out of 21). The questions concerning the depth of swab insertion and minimum number of swab rotations in the nostril, necessity of bilateral sampling, necessity of rotating and squeezing the swab for 10 times in the extraction buffer tube, and waiting time for the results showed the highest rate of incorrect responses. In the multiple regression analysis model, sex, social status, and source of information were associated with the knowledge on the self-test kits.

Conclusion

Immediate health education programs should be made available and the kits could be improved appropriately to ensure adequate knowledge. The use of technology should be fully leveraged to achieve accurate self-diagnosis and correct interpretation of the results.
Regional Health Disparities in Hypertension-Related Hospitalization of Hypertensive Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Lee Woo-Ri , Koo Jun Hyuk , Jeong Ji Yun , Kim Min Su , Yoo Ki-Bong
Published: January 2023

Objective: This study aims to explore regional health disparities in hypertension-related hospitalizations and confirm this difference according to the states of continuity of care (COC).

Methods: We used the National Health Insurance Service National Sample Cohort data from 2002 to 2019. The dependent variable, hypertension-related hospitalization, included hospitalization for hypertensive diseases (I10–I13, I15), ischemic heart disease (I20–I25), and cerebrovascular disease (I60–I69). Nested case-control matching was performed according to age, sex, and income level. We compared hypertension-related hospitalization fractions in urban and rural areas by classifying them according to the state of COC and analyzed them using conditional logistic regression suitable for matched data.

Results: The odds of hypertension-related hospitalization of hypertensive patients were higher in the rural areas than in the urban areas; however, as the COC increased, the difference decreased. There was no change in the results according to the COC observation period.

Conclusion: To reduce regional health disparities, both the promotion of COC and the improvement of the quality of primary care must be achieved.
The Thoracic Inlet Heart Size, a New Approach to Radiographic Cardiac Measurement
Authors: Marbella Fernández David , García Verónica , Santana Alexis José , Montoya-Alonso José Alberto
Published: January 2023

In 1995, the Vertebral Heart Size (VHS) method for measuring the cardiac silhouette on thoracic radiographs was published, becoming a quantifiable and objective reference way of assessing the heart size. Since then, many studies have showed that VHS is influenced by breed variations, vertebral malformations, reference points selection, and short and long axes dimensions conversion into vertebral units. The Thoracic Inlet Heart Size (TIHS) normalizes heart size to body size using the thoracic inlet length. The lengths of the long and short axes of the heart of 144 clinically normal dogs were measured on right lateral thoracic radiographs. The sum of both measures was indexed to the thoracic inlet length. For comparison, dogs of the most represented breeds in our hospital were selected to measure their heart size using the TIHS protocol. The mean TIHS value for the population studied was 2.86 ± 0.27, and 90% of dogs had a TIHS value of less than 3.25. There was no difference in TIHS between male and female, and between small and large dogs (p-value < 0.01). There was no difference in the TIHS value between Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, and Labrador retriever breeds, and between each of those three breeds and the general population. The TIHS is a simple, straightforward and accurate way to measure heart size.
Protection of Mitochondrial Potential and Activity by Oxyprenylated Phenylpropanoids
Authors: Epifano Francesco , Genovese Salvatore , Palumbo Lucia , Collevecchio Chiara , Fiorito Serena
Published: January 2023

A series of five naturally occurring oxyprenylated phenylpropanoids, namely, the coumarins auraptene (7-geranyloxycoumarin) 1 and 7-isopentenyloxycoumarin 2, and the coumaric acid and ferulic acid derivatives, 4’-isopentenyloxycoumaric acid 3, boropinic acid 4, and 4’-geranyloxyferulic acid 5 were tested for their effects on mitochondrial functionality using the organophosphate pesticides glyphosate and chlorpyrifos, and resveratrol, as the reference. While not showing an appreciable in vitro antioxidant activity, and virtually no or a little effect on the viability of non-cancer cell lines BEAS-2B and SHSY-5Y, all phytochemicals exhibited a marked protective effect on mitochondrial potential and activity, with values that were comparable to resveratrol. Auraptene 1 and 7-isopentenyloxycoumarin 2 were seen to be the most effective secondary metabolite to this concern, in particular in being able to completely abolish the decrease of mitochondrial potential induced by increasing concentration of both glyphosate and chlorpyrifos. All the compounds tested also exhibited a protective effect on mitochondrial activity. The potency displayed will shed more light on the molecular basis of the beneficial effects of auraptene, 7-isopentenyloxycoumarin, and structurally related oxyprenylated phenylpropanoids reported to date in the literature.
Evaluation of Color Stability of Composite Resin Used to Characterize Acrylic Teeth—An In Vitro Study
Authors: Ahamed Saadath Afzaa S. , Raheel Syed Ahmed , Ajmal Mohammed B. , Kaur Manpreet , Alqahtani Nasser M. , Tasleem Robina , Bahamdan Ghadah Khaled , Hegde Mayur , Bhavikatti Shaeesta Khaleelahmed
Published: January 2023

The durability and patient acceptability of prosthesis can be gauged by the capacity of visible light curing lab composite resins to maintain color stability through time and use. Consequently, this study’s goal was to assess the color stability of three layering materials, incisal, dentin, and gingiva of SR Nexco lab composite, with exposure to coffee, Coca-Cola, and turmeric solution using a spectrophotometer. A total of 60 specimens (10 × 2 mm) of SR Nexco paste were prepared and were divided into three groups based on the layering material used. Five specimens of each group were immersed in staining solutions, namely, coffee, cola, and turmeric solution. Each group’s last five specimens were submerged in distilled water (control). The incubator that housed the samples was set to 37 °C. The CIE L*a*b* method was used to quantify the color differences (E) of specimens using a spectrophotometer at baseline and after two weeks of immersion. Using ANOVA testing, the average color change for each specimen was examined. Tukey tests were used for post hoc comparisons. The calculated mean color difference (ΔE) for incisal ranges from 3.73 (distilled water) to 28.70 (turmeric). The mean color difference (ΔE) for dentin ranges from 2.66 (distilled water) to 41.19 (turmeric). The mean color difference (ΔE) for gingiva ranges from 1.72 (distilled water) to 23.88 (turmeric). The results are statistically significant. The maximum color difference is noted for dentin specimens, and turmeric stains all three layering materials to a maximum. The color stability of SR Nexco paste layering materials is significantly affected by the discoloring agents used. The comparison of color change between the three layering materials of SR Nexco paste (dentin, incisal, and gingiva) is statistically not significant. Turmeric solution exhibits more discoloration followed by cola and coffee solution.
Estimates of Internal Forces in Torsionally Braced Steel I-Girder Bridges Using Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Lee Jeonghwa , Ryu Seongbin , Chung Woochul , Kim Seungjun , Kang Young Jong
Published: January 2023

The bracing components in steel I-girder bridge systems are essential structural components for the bridges to restrain their rotation due to lateral torsional buckling (LTB). Current design specifications require bracing components to be installed to prevent I-girder sections from unexpectedly twisting due to instability. To estimate the bracing internal forces acting on the bracing elements, we can use approximate design equations that provide considerably conservative design values. Otherwise, it is necessary to conduct a thorough finite element analysis considering initial imperfections to obtain accurate bracing internal forces in the steel I-girder bracing systems. This study aims to provide estimation models based on deep neural network (DNN) algorithms to more accurately estimate the internal forces acting on the bracing element compared with the current design methodology when LTB occurs. This is conducted by constructing structural response data based on the geometrically nonlinear analysis with imperfections to provide accurate bracing internal forces, namely bracing moments (Mbr) and bracing forces (Fbr). To propose prediction models, 16 input and three output variables were selected for training the structural response data. Furthermore, a parametric study on the hyperparameters used in DNN models was analyzed for the number of hidden layers, neurons, and epochs. Based on statistical performance indices (i.e., RMSE, MSE, MAE, and R2), the estimated values using DNN models were evaluated to determine the best prediction models. Finally, DNN models that more accurately estimate internal forces (Mbr, Fbr) in bracing elements, and that provide the best prediction results depending on hyperparameters (numbers of hidden layers, neurons, and epochs), are proposed.
The Cut-Off Frequency of High-Pass Filtering of Strong-Motion Records Based on Transfer Learning
Authors: Liu Bo , Zhou Baofeng , Kong Jingchang , Wang Xiaomin , Liu Chunhui
Published: January 2023

A high-pass cut-off frequency in filtering is critical to processing strong-motion records. The various processing procedures available nowadays are based on their own needs and are not universal. Regardless of the methods, a visual inspection of the filtered acceleration integration to displacement is required to determine if the selected filter passband is appropriate. A better method is to use a traversal search combined with visual inspection to determine the cut-off frequency, which is the traditional method. However, this method is inefficient and unsuitable for processing massive strong-motion records. In this study, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were used to replace visual inspection to achieve the automatic judgment of the reasonableness of the filtered displacement time series. This paper chose the pre-trained deep neural network (DNN) models VGG19, ResNet50, InceptionV3, and InceptionResNetV2 for transfer learning, which are only trained in the fully connected layer or in all network layers. The effect of adding probability constraints on the results when predicting categories was analyzed as well. The results obtained through the VGG19 model, in which all network layers are trained and probability constraints are added to the prediction, have the lowest errors compared to the other models. The coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) are 0.82, 0.038, 0.026, and 2.99%, respectively.
Understanding the Salmonella Inactivation Mechanisms of 365, 395 and 455 nm Light Pulses Emitted from Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Prasad Amritha , Gänzle Michael , Roopesh M. S.
Published: January 2023

Salmonella is a foodborne pathogen responsible for several outbreaks in low-water activity (aw) foods. Treatment using light pulses emitted from light-emitting diodes (LED) is an emerging decontamination method to inactivate foodborne pathogens. The objective of this study was to understand the antibacterial mechanisms of light pulses with 365, 395 and 455 nm wavelengths against Salmonella Typhimurium in low-aw conditions. The 365 nm light pulses showed better inactivation efficacy against low-aw S. Typhimurium than the 395 nm light pulses. For instance, the 365 nm LED treatment with an ~217 J/cm2 dose produced a reduction of 2.94 log (CFU/g) in S. Typhimurium cell counts, as compared with a reduction of 1.08 log (CFU/g) produced by the 395 nm LED treatment with the same dose. We observed a significant generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in S. Typhimurium cells after treatments with the 365, 395 and 455 nm light pulses at low-aw conditions. The LED treatments also showed a significant membrane lipid oxidation of S. Typhimurium cells after treatments with 365, 395 and 455 nm light pulses. Overall, a major role of ROS generation was observed in the inactivation efficacy of the 365, 395 and 455 nm light pulses against S. typhimurium at low-aw conditions.
Semi-Analytical Solution for the Vertical Vibration of a Single Pile Embedded in a Frozen Poroelastic Half-Space
Authors: Chen Chen , Wang Zongqing , Wu Wenbing , Wen Minjie , Yao Wenjuan
Published: January 2023

The theory of vertical pile vibration is the essential basis for pile integrity determination and dynamic analysis. The pile vibration characteristics are inevitably affected when the surrounding soil is frozen due to the low environmental temperature. Therefore, the investigation of pile vibration considering the surrounding soil as a saturated frozen porous medium is of great importance. In this paper, an analytical model for vertical pile vibration was established by employing the theory of composite saturated porous media, that is, by simplifying the upper frozen soil layer as a homogeneous isotropic saturated frozen porous medium and the foundation soil beneath the pile as an elastic half-space subjected to the motion of a rigid disk. By employing the integral transform and variable separation method, analytical solutions for the proposed model were derived under the three-dimensional axisymmetric condition. The analytical model and its solutions were verified by comparing them with the existing solutions for an end-bearing pile embedded in a homogeneously frozen soil layer as well as for a saturated half-space. A parametric study was conducted by utilizing the proposed solutions, and the results indicated that the pile bottom stiffness, the freezing temperature, the shear modulus of the unfrozen soil, etc., had a significant influence on the dynamic responses of the vertical pile vibration in both the frequency and the time domains.
Collaborative Trajectories Optimization for Tram and Connected Vehicles at Signalized Intersection
Authors: Lv Weixi , Dang Jianwu , Zhang Zhenhai , Min Yongzhi , Zuo Jing
Published: January 2023

In order to alleviate the conflict at intersections in a networked environment between trams in a semi-exclusive right-of-way mode and social vehicles, the running characteristics of these trams and vehicles and their coupling characteristics with the intersection signal are analyzed. The positive and negative effects of the special priority signal on the intersection are considered, and a guidance optimization model that combines urban rails and roads is constructed. With the aim of creating an unplanned delay adjustment scenario for trams, an online collaborative optimization algorithm is proposed, which takes the energy consumption, passenger travel time and comfort of both trams and connected vehicles as optimization objectives in order to realize integrated adjustment of the running trajectories and signal timing, and the population is evolved by using an adaptive elitist genetic algorithm. The study is based on the actual traffic information and timing scheme of an intersection on the T1 line of the Sanya Tram. By comparing with conventional trajectories, the optimized trajectories reduce the total transit time by about 17.1%, the total energy consumption by about 34.7% and the passenger discomfort degree by about 27.8%. The contradiction of the right-of-way distribution at the intersection is alleviated, effectively safeguarding the interests of different users and enterprises. The experimental results show that the model has excellent applicability for different proportions of passenger numbers.
Topographical Optimization of a Battery Module Case That Equips an Electric Vehicle
Authors: Szabo Ioan , Scurtu Liviu I. , Raboca Horia , Mariasiu Florin
Published: January 2023

The exponential development and successful application of systems-related technologies that can put electric vehicles on a level playing field in direct competition with vehicles powered by internal combustion engines mean that the foreseeable future of the automobile (at least) will be dominated by vehicles that have electric current stored in batteries as a source of energy. The problem at the European level related to the dependence on battery suppliers from Asia directly correlates with the need to use batteries as energy storage media for energy from renewable sources (photovoltaic and wind), and leads to the need for research into the possibilities for their reuse, remanufacturing or recycling (at the end of their life or purpose of use), and reintroduction, either fully or partially, back into the economy. This article presents possibilities for increasing the protection of the integrity of the cells that form a battery in the event of an impact/road accident, by the numerical analysis of a topographically optimized battery module case. The proposed solution/method is innovative and offers a cell protection efficiency of between 16.6–60% (19.7% to 40.7% if the mean values for all three impact velocities are considered). The efficiency of a cell’s protection decreases with the increase in impact velocity and provides the premise for a greater part of the saved cells to be reintegrated into other energy storage systems (photovoltaic and/or wind), avoiding future problems relating to environmental pollution.
Distinct Neural Resource Involvements but Similar Hemispheric Lateralization Patterns in Pre-Attentive Processing of Speaker’s Identity and Linguistic Information
Authors: Yin Shuqi , Xie Lang , Ma Yunxiao , Yu Keke , Wang Ruiming
Published: January 2023

The speaker’s identity (who the speaker is) and linguistic information (what the speaker is saying) are essential to daily communication. However, it is unclear whether and how listeners process the two types of information differently in speech perception. The present study adopted a passive oddball paradigm to compare the identity and linguistic information processing concerning neural resource involvements and hemispheric lateralization patterns. We used two female native Mandarin speakers’ real and pseudo-Mandarin words to differentiate the identity from linguistic (phonological and lexical) information. The results showed that, in real words, the phonological-lexical variation elicited larger MMN amplitudes than the identity variation. In contrast, there were no significant MMN amplitude differences between the identity and phonological variation in pseudo words. Regardless of real or pseudo words, the identity and linguistic variation did not elicit MMN amplitudes differences between the left and right hemispheres. Taken together, findings from the present study indicated that the identity information recruited similar neural resources to the phonological information but different neural resources from the lexical information. However, the identity and linguistic information processing did not show a particular hemispheric lateralization pattern at an early pre-attentive speech perception stage. The findings revealed similarities and differences between linguistic and non-linguistic information processing, contributing to a better understanding of speech perception and spoken word recognition.
An Assessment of the Present Trends in Temperature and Precipitation Extremes in Kazakhstan
Authors: Salnikov Vitaliy , Talanov Yevgeniy , Polyakova Svetlana , Assylbekova Aizhan , Kauazov Azamat , Bultekov Nurken , Musralinova Gulnur , Kissebayev Daulet , Beldeubayev Yerkebulan
Published: January 2023

The article presents the results of a study on the assessment of modern space–time trends of extreme values of air temperature and precipitation in 42 meteorological stations throughout Kazakhstan for the period from 1971 to 2020. Spatial and temporal analysis of the distribution of specialized climatic indices was recommended by the WMO climatology commission and an assessment of their trends was carried out. Spatial heterogeneity was revealed in terms of the degree of manifestation of changes and trends. Temperature indices are shown to confirm the overall warming trend. The division of the territory of Kazakhstan by the degree of manifestation of climate change into the southwestern and northeastern half was revealed. Extreme trends are most pronounced in the southwestern half, where a significant trend has been identified both for an increase in extremely high daytime and extremely low night temperatures. The calculated trends in temperature indices are generally significant, but the significance is mainly not ubiquitous; the trends are significant only in certain parts of Kazakhstan. WSDI and CSDI trends were found to confirm a widespread increase in the overall duration of heat waves and a reduction in the overall duration of cold waves. No significant extreme effects were found in the sediments. It is confirmed that Kazakhstan has weak, statistically insignificant, positive and negative trends in the maximum duration of the non-traveling period. Precipitation index trends, unlike temperature ones, are statistically insignificant in most of the country.
Developments and Performance of Artificial Intelligence Models Designed for Application in Endodontics: A Systematic Review
Authors: Khanagar Sanjeev B. , Alfadley Abdulmohsen , Alfouzan Khalid , Awawdeh Mohammed , Alaqla Ali , Jamleh Ahmed
Published: January 2023

Technological advancements in health sciences have led to enormous developments in artificial intelligence (AI) models designed for application in health sectors. This article aimed at reporting on the application and performances of AI models that have been designed for application in endodontics. Renowned online databases, primarily PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane and secondarily Google Scholar and the Saudi Digital Library, were accessed for articles relevant to the research question that were published from 1 January 2000 to 30 November 2022. In the last 5 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of articles reporting on AI models applied for endodontics. AI models have been developed for determining working length, vertical root fractures, root canal failures, root morphology, and thrust force and torque in canal preparation; detecting pulpal diseases; detecting and diagnosing periapical lesions; predicting postoperative pain, curative effect after treatment, and case difficulty; and segmenting pulp cavities. Most of the included studies (n = 21) were developed using convolutional neural networks. Among the included studies. datasets that were used were mostly cone-beam computed tomography images, followed by periapical radiographs and panoramic radiographs. Thirty-seven original research articles that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were critically assessed in accordance with QUADAS-2 guidelines, which revealed a low risk of bias in the patient selection domain in most of the studies (risk of bias: 90%; applicability: 70%). The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. These models can be used as supplementary tools in clinical practice in order to expedite the clinical decision-making process and enhance the treatment modality and clinical operation.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Improves Executive Functioning through Modulation of Social Cognitive Networks in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Preliminary Results
Authors: Sacco Leonardo , Ceroni Martino , Pacifico Deborah , Zerboni Giorgia , Rossi Stefania , Galati Salvatore , Caverzasio Serena , Kaelin-Lang Alain , Riccitelli Gianna C.
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) often present impairment in executive functions (EFs). This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on EFs in patients with MCI. (2) Methods: A prospective trial was conducted on 11 patients with MCI. Participants underwent 25 min of 20 Hz rTMS for ten days on the right temporo-parietal junction (RTPJ) and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC). Before (T0) and after rTMS treatment (T1), global cognitive profile and EFs were investigated using the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), trial making test (TMT) A and B, and frontal assessment battery (FAB). Depression symptoms were assessed using the geriatric depression scale (GDS). Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon signed-rank test. (3) Results: After treatment, patients showed a significant improvement in the MoCA EFs subtask (T0 vs. T1, p = 0.015) and TMT-B (T0 vs. T1, p = 0.028). Five MCI patients with EF impairment showed full recovery of these deficits. No significant changes in the GDS were observed. (4) Conclusions: rTMS stimulation over the TPJ and MPFC induced significant short-term improvements in EFs in MCI patients. These findings suggest that the TPJ and MPFC may be involved in the attention-executive skills to redirect attention toward behaviorally relevant stimuli.
Morphological Analysis of the Mandibular Lingula and Its Relation to Antilingula Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in the Saudi Population
Authors: Madiraju Guna Shekhar , Mohan Rohini
Published: January 2023

Adequate knowledge of the anatomy of the medial aspect of the mandibular ramus is essential in order to prevent inferior alveolar nerve anesthetic failure and nerve injuries associated with mandibular ramal surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to assess the morphology of the lingula and analyze the correlation of presence probability between the lingula and antilingula using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Three-dimensional images reconstructed from mandibular CBCT images of 125 Saudi individuals (250 sides), aged 16–36 years, were retrospectively evaluated for distribution in the shape of the lingulae. Additionally, the presence probability of the lingula and antilingula was assessed with respect to gender and the mandible (unilateral and bilateral), and correlation between the variables was analyzed. A nodular shape of the lingula was most commonly found (37.6%) followed by a triangular shape (30%). No significant differences were observed between the genders with regard to the presence of the lingula (p = 0.108) and antilingula (p = 0.530). Gender was non-significantly correlated with the presence of the lingula and antilingula, whilst the presence of lingula showed a significant but weak correlation with that of the antilingula (rs = 0.221; p = 0.000). The present study provides information regarding morphological variations of the mandibular lingula in the Saudi population. The presence of the lingula was unassociated with that of the antilingula and hence consideration of the antilingula as the absolute landmark for mandibular ramus surgical procedures seems insufficient.
Implementation and Critical Factors of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in Warehouse Management: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Malang Chommaphat , Charoenkwan Phasit , Wudhikarn Ratapol
Published: January 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have proven to be a key solution for nearly automated or smart warehouse operations, enabling receiving, picking, storage, and shipping processes to be timely and more efficient. However, there is a relative scarcity of review studies specifically on UAV-based warehouse management. Research knowledge and insights on UAV applications in this field are also limited and could not sufficiently or practically support decision-making on commercial utilization. To leverage the potential applications and current situation of UAVs, this study provides a systematic literature review (SLR) on UAV adoption in warehouse management. SLR approach was critically conducted to identify, select, assess, and summarize findings, mainly on the two descriptive research questions; what are the past applications of UAV, and what are critical factors affecting UAV adoption in warehouse management? Five key critical factors and 13 sub-factors could be observed. The results revealed that hardware (e.g., payloads, battery power, and sensors) and software factors (e.g., scheduling, path planning, localization, and navigation algorithms) are the most influential factors impacting drone adoption in warehouse management. The managerial implications of our research findings that guide decision-makers or practitioners to effectively employ UAV-based warehouse management in good practice are also discussed.
Crisis Management, School Leadership in Disruptive Times and the Recovery of Schools in the Post COVID-19 Era: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Chatzipanagiotou Paraskevi , Katsarou Eirene
Published: January 2023

Contemporary school leadership has always been considered to be one of the most pivotal factors conducive to school effectiveness as well as a driver of change and strategic innovation involving the development of a strong vision, attendant goals and a relevant plan for implementation, monitoring and review. However, the disruption in the provision of educational services caused by the recent COVID-19 pandemic global outbreak revealed deficits in school leadership theory that were largely associated with the adoption of proper crisis management skills by the vast majority of schools’ principals to readily adapt to a new reality and effectively confront upcoming challenges, at both instructional and organizational levels. Interestingly, although crisis management as a notion has been substantially elaborated on a theoretical level and successfully applied in different types of crises, it still has not gained a sustained focus within the field of educational leadership, as evidenced by the notable scarcity of related empirical research. This study addresses this gap in the research via a systematic review of scientific papers, published within the 2019–2022 timespan and compiled under the PRISMA framework, reporting on the challenges faced, the crisis management strategies employed and the personality traits that were most commonly associated with effective crisis leadership throughout the turbulent COVID-19 era.
A Teaching Model of Cultural and Creative Design Based on the Philosophy of the Book of Changes
Authors: Fang Wen-Ting , Sun Jian-Hua , Tong Pei-Hao , Kang Yen-Yu
Published: January 2023

In essence, cultural and creative design features humanity and culture. The process of how to transform culture into creativity is an essential subject of design education, which, in turn, calls for a new design teaching system. In regard to combining traditional Chinese thinking with modern design experience, the question of how to apply traditional Chinese thinking to design concepts, methods, and education is systematically explored in this research. Firstly, the question of how to transform the philosophy of “Tao, Vessel, Change and Comprehensiveness” in the Book of Changes into “design thinking” in order to establish the learning process of creative design with added value—as well as to set up the teaching model of cultural and creative design under “Tao, Vessel, Change and Comprehensiveness”—is discussed. After this, two cases of the Aboriginal Harvest Festival’s cultural creativity “Dancing Together” candlestick and the animation, cultural, and creative design of the “Wind Lion God” are used in order to examine the effectiveness of the specific design and to verify the feasibility of this teaching model in the development and application of cultural and creative products. The results demonstrate the feasibility of this teaching model, which provides a new systematic approach for the purposes of teaching and practice in the field of cultural and creative design.
A Wavelength-Dependent Visible Light Communication Channel Model for Underground Environments and Its Performance Using a Color-Shift Keying Modulation Scheme
Authors: Becerra Raimundo , Azurdia-Meza Cesar , Palacios Játiva Pablo , Soto Ismael , Sandoval Jorge , Ijaz Muhammad , Carrera Diego
Published: January 2023

Reliable wireless communications are crucial for ensuring workers’ safety in underground tunnels and mines. Visible light communications (VLC) have been proposed as auxiliary systems for short-range wireless communications in underground environments due to their seamless availability, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and illumination capabilities. Although multiple VLC channel models have been proposed for underground mines (UM) so far, none of these models have considered the wavelength dependence of the underground mining VLC channel (UM-VLC). In this paper, we propose a single-input, single-output (SISO), wavelength-dependent UM-VLC channel model considering the wavelength dependence of the light source, reflections, light scattering, and the attenuation due to dust and the photodetector. Since wavelength dependence allows us to model VLC systems more accurately with color-based modulation, such as color-shift keying (CSK), we also propose a wavelength-dependent CSK-based UM-VLC channel model. We define a simulation scenario in an underground mine roadway and calculate the received power, channel impulse response (CIR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), root mean square (RMS) delay, and bit error rate (BER). For comparison, we also calculate these parameters for a monochromatic state-of-the-art UM-VLC channel and use it as a reference channel. We find that the inclusion of wavelength-dependency in CSK-based UM-VLC systems plays a significant role in their performance, introducing color distortion that the color calibration algorithm defined in the IEEE 802.15.7 VLC standard finds harder to revert than the linear color distortion induced by monochromatic CSK channels.
The Nexus between Economic Growth, Energy Consumption, Agricultural Output, and CO2 in Africa: Evidence from Frequency Domain Estimates
Authors: Lawal Adedoyin Isola
Published: January 2023

This study examined the nexus between economic growth, energy consumption, and the environment with the moderating role of agricultural value addition and forest in Africa based on data sourced from 1980 to 2019. We employed both the time domain and frequency domain panel Granger causality estimation techniques to compare results across the different horizons. Extant literature suggests the inability of time domain estimation techniques to account for causality at different frequencies. The study also accounts for the nexus among our variables both at the single-country and multi-country levels. The results at the single-country level are at best mixed. The results of the panel Granger causality at the frequencies domain suggest that a bi-directional relationship exists between energy consumption and economic growth, and that energy consumption Granger causes carbon emissions in Africa. The results align with the feedback hypothesis on the one hand but contradict the conservation hypothesis on the other hand. The study has some policy implications.
Protein Nanofibrils from Fava Bean and Its Major Storage Proteins: Formation and Ability to Generate and Stabilise Foams
Authors: Herneke Anja , Lendel Christofer , Karkehabadi Saeid , Lu Jing , Langton Maud
Published: January 2023

Protein nanofibrils (PNFs) have potential for use in food applications as texture inducers. This study investigated the formation of PNFs from protein extracted from whole fava bean and from its two major storage proteins, globulin fractions 11S and 7S. PNFs were formed by heating (85 °C) the proteins under acidic conditions (pH 2) for 24 h. Thioflavin T fluorescence and atomic force microscopy techniques were used to investigate PNF formation. The foaming properties (capacity, stability, and half-life) were explored for non-fibrillated and fibrillated protein from fava bean, 11S, and 7S to investigate the texturing ability of PNFs at concentrations of 1 and 10 mg/mL and pH 7. The results showed that all three heat-incubated proteins (fava bean, 11S, and 7S) formed straight semi-flexible PNFs. Some differences in the capacity to form PNFs were observed between the two globulin fractions, with the smaller 7S protein being superior to 11S. The fibrillated protein from fava bean, 11S, and 7S generated more voluminous and more stable foams at 10 mg/mL than the corresponding non-fibrillated protein. However, this ability for fibrillated proteins to improve the foam properties seemed to be concentration-dependent, as at 1 mg/mL, the foams were less stable than those made from the non-fibrillated protein.
Small Contaminations on Broiler Carcasses Are More a Quality Matter than a Food Safety Issue
Authors: Libera Kacper , Lipman Len , Berends Boyd R.
Published: January 2023

Depending on the interpretation of the European Union (EU) regulations, even marginally visibly contaminated poultry carcasses could be rejected for human consumption due to food safety concerns. However, it is not clear if small contaminations actually increase the already present bacterial load of carcasses to such an extent that the risk for the consumers is seriously elevated. Therefore, the additional contribution to the total microbial load on carcasses by a small but still visible contamination with feces, grains from the crop, and drops of bile and grease from the slaughter line was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. The bacterial counts (total aerobic plate count, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter spp.) were obtained from the literature and used as input for the Monte Carlo model with 50,000 iterations for each simulation. The Monte Carlo simulation revealed that the presence of minute spots of feces, bile, crop content, and slaughter line grease do not lead to a substantial increase of the already existing biological hazards present on the carcasses and should thus be considered a matter of quality rather than food safety.
Deciphering Diets and Lifestyles of Prehistoric Humans through Paleoparasitology: A Review
Authors: Wiscovitch-Russo Rosana A. , Santiago-Rodriguez Tasha M. , Toranzos Gary A.
Published: January 2023

Parasites have affected and coevolved with humans and animals throughout history. Evidence of ancient parasitic infections, particularly, reside in archeological remains originating from different sources dating to various periods of times. The study of ancient parasites preserved in archaeological remains is known as paleoparasitology, and it initially intended to interpret migration, evolution, and dispersion patterns of ancient parasites, along with their hosts. Recently, paleoparasitology has been used to better understand dietary habits and lifestyles of ancient human societies. Paleoparasitology is increasingly being recognized as an interdisciplinary field within paleopathology that integrates areas such as palynology, archaeobotany, and zooarchaeology. Paleoparasitology also incorporates techniques such as microscopy, immunoassays, PCR, targeted sequencing, and more recently, high-throughput sequencing or shotgun metagenomics to understand ancient parasitic infections and thus interpret migration and evolution patterns, as well as dietary habits and lifestyles. The present review covers the original theories developed in the field of paleoparasitology, as well as the biology of some parasites identified in pre-Columbian cultures. Conclusions, as well as assumptions made during the discovery of the parasites in ancient samples, and how their identification may aid in better understanding part of human history, ancient diet, and lifestyles are discussed.
The Role of Physiotherapists in Smoking Cessation Management: A Scoping Review
Authors: Darabseh Mohammad Z. , Aburub Aseel , Fayed Eman E.
Published: January 2023

Physiotherapy (PT) is a profession that includes education and close contact for long periods of time with patients for treatment sessions. Globally, smoking is prevalent and is expected to increase in the next decades; thus, smoking cessation (SC) is an important management strategy to mitigate further escalation. Little is known about PT practice in SC, and therefore, this study aimed to systematically review and discuss the published literature about the role of physiotherapists in smoking cessation management, opinions, and prevalence of SC counselling in physiotherapy practice; and to explore barriers towards smoking cessation counselling within physiotherapy practice. A systematic search was conducted through EBSCO, and articles were included if they assessed the role of PTs in SC management. The databases were searched for studies published between 1 January 1970 to 1 April 2022. Articles were excluded if they did not include PTs, if they did not include assessment of SC management/counselling, if they were not cross-sectional studies, if they were not written in the English language, or if they were conference abstracts. Seven studies were included in the review. The search identified no studies that have investigated the role of PTs in vaping cessation. It was found that PTs are not addressing SC counselling and management enough in their practice. In addition, the search revealed that lack of training, time, and knowledge are the most common barriers against including SC counselling in physiotherapy practice and rehabilitation programs. Exploring possibilities of including SC counselling according to the clinical guidelines is encouraged. Additionally, establishing solutions to overcome barriers against SC counselling as part of physiotherapy practice is essential.