bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Randall-Type Monoclonal Immunoglobulin Deposition Disease: New Insights into the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Cohen Camille , Joly Florent , Sibille Audrey , Javaugue Vincent , Desport Estelle , Goujon Jean-Michel , Touchard Guy , Fermand Jean-Paul , Sirac Christophe , Bridoux Frank
Published: March 2021

Randall-type monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease (MIDD) is a rare disease that belongs to the spectrum of monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS). Renal involvement is prominent in MIDD, but extra-renal manifestations can be present and may affect global prognosis. Recent data highlighted the central role of molecular characteristics of nephrotoxic monoclonal immunoglobulins in the pathophysiology of MIDD, and the importance of serum free light chain monitoring in the diagnosis and follow-up disease. Clone-targeted therapy is required to improve the overall and renal survival, and the achievement of a rapid and deep hematological response is the goal of therapy. This review will focus on the recent progress in the pathogenesis and management of this rare disease.
Does Postsecondary Education Attainment Matter in Community Service Engagement? Evidence from Across 18 OECD Countries
Authors: Gong Hee Jung , Hong Jung Eun
Published: March 2021

This study is concerned with the central issues of community service engagement (CSE) in 21st century democratic societies around the world. To examine the factors influencing postsecondary education attainment’s relationship to CSE, this study utilized data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries using ordinary least square (OLS) and two-level hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) methods, including various factors for each country’s individual and country levels. The results show that attainment in postsecondary education at the individual level and investment and enrollments in tertiary education both have an influence on increasing CSE in 18 OECD countries. The present study is expected to contribute to an understanding of the relationship between postsecondary education and CSE across the world.
Comprehensive School and Vocational Training in Spain. A Longitudinal Approach from the Transition from Lower to Upper Secondary Education
Authors: Merino Rafael , Valls Ona , Sánchez-Gelabert Albert
Published: March 2021

Fitting vocational training into the Spanish education system has been challenging and problematic because two objectives are trying to be fulfilled; the first to supply skills for the productive system and the second to be an alternative option for the young people who do not follow the academic track. Moreover, the political vicissitudes of recent decades have added to the difficulties involved in balancing these requirements. In Spain, both the economic agents and the education system itself with its academic inertia have relegated vocational training to a subordinate position, able to attract mainly young people with lower academic achievement and largely rejected by families with a higher educational level. The assumption was that the introduction of a comprehensive secondary education in the 1990s would provide parity between the academic and the vocational tracks. However, the comprehensive nature of this system was not fully applied, with students in many schools separated by ability levels, and in fact having little impact on the social bias of the students choosing vocational training. The empirical contribution of this study is based on a survey carried out among 2056 students from Barcelona in their last year of compulsory secondary education in 2013–14 and who continued in full-time education, be it baccalaureate or vocational training. The main result shows that comprehensive education improves school success and decreases the vocational orientation of students from low social backgrounds.
The Ad Hoc Back-End of the BIRALET Radar to Measure Slant-Range and Doppler Shift of Resident Space Objects
Authors: Schirru Luca , Pisanu Tonino , Podda Angelo
Published: March 2021

Space debris is a term for all human-made objects orbiting the Earth or reentering the atmosphere. The population of space debris is continuously growing and it represents a potential issue for active satellites and spacecraft. New collisions and fragmentation could exponentially increase the amount of debris and so the level of risk represented by these objects. The principal technique used for the debris monitoring, in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) between 200 km and 2000 km of altitude, is based on radar systems. The BIRALET system represents one of the main Italian radars involved in resident space objects observations. It is a bi-static radar, which operates in the P-band at 410–415 MHz, that uses the Sardinia Radio Telescope as receiver. In this paper, a detailed description of the new ad hoc back-end developed for the BIRALET radar, with the aim to perform slant-range and Doppler shift measurements, is presented. The new system was successfully tested in several validation measurement campaigns, the results of which are reported and discussed.
A Tamper-Resistant Algorithm Using Blockchain for the Digital Tachograph
Authors: Kim Yongbae , Back Juyong , Kim Jongweon
Published: March 2021

A tachograph in a vehicle records the vehicle operating conditions, such as speed, distance, brake operation conditions, acceleration, GPS information, etc., in intervals of one second. For accidents, the tachograph records information, such as the acceleration and direction of a vehicle traveling in intervals of 1/100 s for 10 s before and after the accident occurs as collision data. A vehicle equipped with a tachograph is obliged to upload operation data to administrative organizations periodically via other auxiliary storage devices like a USB attached external memory or online wireless communication. If there is a problem with the recorded contents, data may be at risk of being tampered with during the uploading process. This research proposed tamper-resistant technology based on blockchain for data in online and offline environments. The suggested algorithm proposed a new data recording mechanism that operates in low-level hardware of digital tachographs for tamper-resistance in light blockchains and on/offline situations. The average encoding time of the proposed light blockchain was 1.85 ms/Mb, while the average decoding time was 1.65 ms/Mb. With the outliers in statistical tests removed, the estimated average encoding and decoding time was 1.32 ms/Mb and 1.29 ms/Mb, respectively, and the tamper verification test detected all the tampered data.
Advances in Circular Bioeconomy Technologies: From Agricultural Wastewater to Value-Added Resources
Authors: Mehta Nidhi , Shah Kinjal J , Lin Yu-I , Sun Yongjun , Pan Shu-Yuan
Published: March 2021

This review systematically outlines the recent advances in the application of circular bioeconomy technologies for converting agricultural wastewater to value-added resources. The properties and applications of the value-added products from agricultural wastewater are first summarized. Various types of agricultural wastewater, such as piggery wastewater and digestate from anaerobic digestion, are focused on. Next, different types of circular technologies for recovery of humic substances (e.g., humin, humic acids and fulvic acids) and nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) from agricultural wastewater are reviewed and discussed. Advanced technologies, such as chemical precipitation, membrane separation and electrokinetic separation, are evaluated. The environmental benefits of the circular technologies compared to conventional wastewater treatment processes are also addressed. Lastly, the perspectives and prospects of the circular technologies for agricultural wastewater are provided.
Investigation of Feller-Buncher Performance Using Weibull Distribution
Authors: Bilici Ebru
Published: March 2021

With the advancement of technology in forestry, the utilization of advanced machines in forest operations has been increasing in the last decades. Due to their high operating costs, it is crucial to select the right machinery, which is mostly done by using productivity analysis. In this study, a productivity estimation model was developed in order to determine the timber volume cut per unit time for a feller-buncher. The Weibull distribution method was used to develop the productivity model. In the study, the model of the theoretical (estimated) volume distributions obtained with the Weibull probability density function was generated. It was found that the c value was 1.96 and the b value was 0.58 (i.e., b is the scale parameter, and c is the shape parameter). The model indicated that the frequency of the volume data had moved away from 0 as the shape parameter of the Weibull distribution increased. Thus, it was revealed that the shape parameter gives preliminary information about the distribution of the volume frequency. The consistency of the measured timber volume with the estimated timber volume strongly indicated that this approach can be effectively used by decision makers as a key tool to predict the productivity of a feller-buncher used in harvesting operations.
Functional Properties of Rye Prolamin (Secalin) and Their Improvement by Protein Lipophilization through Capric Acid Covalent Binding
Authors: Qazanfarzadeh Zeinab , Kadivar Mahdi , Shekarchizadeh Hajar , Porta Raffaele
Published: March 2021

Secalin (SCL), the prolamin fraction of rye protein, was chemically lipophilized using acylation reaction by treatment with different amounts of capric acid chloride (0, 2, 4, and 6 mmol/g) to enhance its functional properties. It was shown that SCL lipophilization increased the surface hydrophobicity and the hydrophobic interactions, leading to a reduction in protein solubility and water absorption capacity and to a greater oil absorption. In addition, SCL both emulsifying capacity and stability were improved when the protein was treated with low amount of capric acid chloride. Finally, the foaming capacity of SCL markedly increased after its treatment with increasing concentrations of the acylating agent, even though the foam of the modified protein was found to be more stable at the lower level of protein acylation. Technological application of lipophilized SCL as a protein additive in food preparations is suggested.
Active Packaging-Releasing System with Foeniculum vulgare Essential Oil for the Quality Preservation of Ready-to-Cook (RTC) Globe Artichoke Slices
Authors: Rizzo Valeria , Lombardo Sara , Pandino Gaetano , Barbagallo Riccardo N. , Mazzaglia Agata , Restuccia Cristina , Mauromicale Giovanni , Muratore Giuseppe
Published: March 2021

Two globe artichoke genotypes, “Spinoso sardo” and “Opera F1”, have been processed as ready-to-cook (RTC) slices and refrigerated at 4 °C for 12 days (i) to evaluate the suitability to be processed as RTC slices; (ii) to evaluate the effect of a Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (EO) emitter, within an active package system, to delay quality decay, thus extending shelf life; (iii) to estimate the impact of EO emitter on the sensory profile of the RTC slices after cooking. Results revealed that both globe artichoke genotypes possess a good attitude to be processed as RTC product. “Opera F1” showed the best performances for color parameters, texture and chemical indexes, while “Spinoso sardo” showed lower mass loss (ML) over the storage time. The addition of EO emitter slowed down the consumption of O2, better preserved texture when compared to the control and more effectively control polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and antioxidants’ retention during the cold storage. Microbial counts in control globe artichoke RTC slices were significantly higher than those packed with EO emitter, confirming the inhibiting role played by EO of F. vulgare. In addition, the EO emitter did not influence negatively the sensory profile of RTC globe artichoke slices after microwave cooking.
Mothers’ Perceptions and Attitudes towards Children’s Vegetable Consumption—A Qualitative, Cross-cultural Study of Chilean, Chinese and American Mothers Living in Northern California
Authors: Estay Karinna , Kurzer Amalie , Guinard Jean-Xavier
Published: March 2021

This exploratory research focused on the cultural variables involved in children’s vegetable consumption, through the analysis of mothers’ perceptions, attitudes, and feeding practices regarding their children’s intake, using qualitative consumer research methods. Twelve focus groups of mothers with children between 2–12 years old (Euro-Americans n = 20, Chinese n = 19, and Chilean n = 19) were conducted. All participants lived in Northern California, had higher education, and incomes that did not limit their vegetable purchase. Intercultural differences in vegetable preferences and consumption habits were found. Mothers across all groups agreed on the importance of children’s vegetable consumption, the influence that mothers have over their children’s vegetable intake, and how challenging it is to get children to eat a variety of vegetables. The ethnic groups differed regarding how they perceived the level of mothers’ responsibility over children’s vegetable intake, the way that mothers defined the amount of vegetables that children should eat, the constraints that mothers had on increasing their children’s vegetable intake and mothers’ recommendations to encourage vegetable consumption. Our study suggests that under similar socio-economic and parental education levels, culture-specific strategies should be considered to foster healthy dietary habits in children.
On the Seasonality of the Snow Optical Behaviour at Ny Ålesund (Svalbard Islands, Norway)
Authors: Salzano Roberto , Lanconelli Christian , Esposito Giulio , Giusto Marco , Montagnoli Mauro , Salvatori Rosamaria
Published: March 2021

Polar areas are the most sensitive targets of climate change. From this perspective, the continuous monitoring of the cryosphere represents a critical need, which, now, we can only partially supply with specific satellite missions. The integration between remote-sensed multi-spectral images and field data is crucial to validate retrieval algorithms and climatological models. The optical behavior of snow, at different wavelengths, provides significant information about the microphysical characteristics of the surface in addition to the spatial distribution of snow/ice covers. This work presents the unmanned apparatus installed at Ny Ålesund (Svalbard) that provides continuous spectral surface albedo. A narrow band device was compared to a full-range system, to remotely sensed data during the 2015 spring/summer period at the Amundsen-Nobile Climate Change Tower. The system was integrated with a camera aimed to acquire sky and ground images. The results confirmed the possibility of making continuous observations of the snow surface and highlighted the opportunity to monitor the spectral variations of snowed surfaces during the melting period.
The Rock Garden of the Institute of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Jan Kochanowski University—A New Geo-Site in Kielce, Central Poland
Authors: Górska-Zabielska Maria
Published: March 2021

The Rock Garden, established in 2019, is a geological showcase of both the Institute of Geography and Environmental Sciences of Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce and the entire Kielce region in central Poland. The collection includes specimens of about 50 rocks: those whose outcrops are located in the Holy Cross Mountains region and those brought here from Scandinavia by the ice sheet around 180 to 130 thousand years ago. The Rock Garden is of scientific importance and plays a didactic, conservational, educational, cultural, aesthetic, recreational, and geotouristic role. This article highlights its importance in the development of urban geotourism.
Enshrining Gender in Monuments to Settler Whiteness: South Africa’s Voortrekker Monument and the United States’ This Is the Place Monument
Authors: Prescott Cynthia , Rees Nathan , Weaver-Hightower Rebecca
Published: March 2021

This essay examines two monuments: the Voortrekker Monument in South Africa and the American This is the Place Monument in Utah. Similar in terms of construction and historical purpose, both employ gender as an important tool to legitimize the settler society each commemorates. Each was part of a similar project of cultural recuperation in the 1930s−1940s that chose as their object of commemoration the overland migration in covered wagons of a group of white settlers that felt oppressed by other white settlers, and therefore sought a new homeland. In a precarious cultural moment, descendants of these two white settler societies—the Dutch Voortrekkers of South Africa and Euro-American Mormons (Latter-day Saints or LDS) of Utah—undertook massive commemoration projects to memorialize their ancestors’ 1830s−1840s migrations into the interior, holding Afrikaners and Mormons up as the most worthy settler groups among each nation’s white population. This essay will argue that a close reading of these monuments reveals how each white settler group employed gendered depictions that were inflected by class and race in their claims to be the true heart of their respective settler societies, despite perceiving themselves as oppressed minorities.
The Effect of Nordic Walking Training with Poles with an Integrated Resistance Shock Absorber on the Body Balance of Women over the Age of 60
Authors: Marciniak Katarzyna , Maciaszek Janusz , Cyma-Wejchenig Magdalena , Szeklicki Robert , Stemplewski Rafał
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the balance of healthy, elderly women as a result of Nordic walking training using of two types of poles: classic poles, and poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber. Thirty-four women completed the experiment (Age = 66.8 ± 4.1 years). They were randomly assigned into the experimental group—training with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber—EG (n = 17), and the control active group—training with classic poles—CG (n = 17). Body balance was measured with Romberg sharpened test and using the AccuGait ™ force platform before and after an intervention lasting for 8 weeks (2 training sessions × 75 min per week). In ANOVA analysis, the Romberg sharpened test showed a statistically significant effect of “time” (F = 18.62, p < 0.001, ɳ2 = 0.37). No interaction effect or clear “time” effect was observed in the ANOVA analysis for the results of posturographic tests (p > 0.05). The lack of pre-post differences in posturographic tests indicates that further research is necessary, where, e.g., there are extended intervention times and more difficult examination tasks are performed. In the case of the Romberg test, both groups improved their results, which may indicate an improvement in perception and processing of sensory information, regardless of the type of training applied.
Adaptive Management Lessons for Serianthes nelsonii Conservation
Authors: Marler Thomas , Musser Cameron , Cascasan April , Cruz Gil , Deloso Benjamin
Published: March 2021

The literature covering the biology, ecology, horticulture, and conservation of the critically endangered tree Serianthes nelsonii Merr. was reviewed. The roots, stems, and leaves of this charismatic legume tree revealed highly plastic traits and responded positively to horticultural manipulations to improve the quality of container-grown transplants. Pre-sowing seed treatments of seed coat scarification and 1 h of imbibition generated 85% to 90% germination at a temperature optimum of 26 °C. Adventitious root formation on air layers and successful unions on approach grafts were 100%. Seedling and sapling growth was maximum under 25% to 50% sunlight transmission, limited irrigation to ensure adequate root zone aeration, repetitive stem tip pruning to increase root:shoot quotient, and thigmic stress to retain an orthotropic orientation of stems. In situ regeneration on Guam was substantial but recruitment from seedling to sapling was nil. High quality leaf litter chemistry enabled rapid decomposition, and soils beneath the tree exhibited unique chemical traits that increased ecosystem health by creating spatial heterogeneity. The greatest unanswered questions focus on plant mortality. Research is needed to determine the reasons for the mortality of in situ seedlings, mortality within transplantation projects on Guam, and the mortality of 60% of the mature in situ tree population during the 26-year implementation of the national recovery plan. Horticultural researchers are ideally positioned to answer these urgent questions.
An Automatic Approach Designed for Inference of the Underlying Cause-of-Death of Citizens
Authors: Ge Hui , Gao Keyan , Li Shaoqiong , Wang Wei , Chen Qiang , Lin Xialv , Huan Ziyi , Su Xuemei , Yang Xu
Published: March 2021

It is very important to have a comprehensive understanding of the health status of a country’s population, which helps to develop corresponding public health policies. Correct inference of the underlying cause-of-death for citizens is essential to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the health status of a country’s population. Traditionally, this relies mainly on manual methods based on medical staff’s experiences, which require a lot of resources and is not very efficient. In this work, we present our efforts to construct an automatic method to perform inferences of the underlying causes-of-death for citizens. A sink algorithm is introduced, which could perform automatic inference of the underlying cause-of-death for citizens. The results show that our sink algorithm could generate a reasonable output and outperforms other stat-of-the-art algorithms. We believe it would be very useful to greatly enhance the efficiency of correct inferences of the underlying causes-of-death for citizens.
Facing the Coronavirus Pandemic: An Integrated Continuing Education Program in Taiwan
Authors: Chiu Ting-Fang , Chu Dachen , Huang Sheng-Jean , Chang Mengju , Liu Yining , Lee Jason Jiunshiou
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to identify knowledge gaps regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and develop an integrated educational program for healthcare workers. First, we designed and validated ten multiple-choice questions to identify knowledge gaps among healthcare workers. Within one month of the online test and curriculum offering, 5533 staff had completed the test, with a completion rate of 84.97%. There were 2618 healthcare workers who answered the pre-test 100% correctly. Those who did not answer the pre-test 100% correctly took multiple tests after learning through the online teaching materials. Eventually, 5214 staff passed the test (pre-test or post-test with 100% correct answers). The result showed that all staff had a low correct rate for personal protective equipment (PPE) use recommendations. The Infection Control Center conducted training sessions for hospital staff on how to wear protective clothing. Information on the selection and use of PPE for infection prevention was provided, and participants were allowed time to practice and familiarize themselves with the correct way to wear PPE. Moreover, the Department of Education and Research continued updating the online learning materials based on the most important updated peer-reviewed published articles. The attending teaching physicians helped to search, translate, and take notes on articles in the local language (traditional Chinese) for other colleagues to read easily. We expect to increase learning opportunities for healthcare workers, even during uncertain times such as the current coronavirus pandemic through (1) the hospital-wide course announcements, (2) the continuous placement of test questions and learning files on the digital learning platform, (3) the placement of journal highlights in cloud folders, and (4) the use of the digital learning platform on mobile phones accessible outside the hospital.
Classifying Alcohol Control Policies with Respect to Expected Changes in Consumption and Alcohol-Attributable Harm: The Example of Lithuania, 2000–2019
Authors: Rehm Jürgen , Štelemėkas Mindaugas , Ferreira-Borges Carina , Jiang Huan , Lange Shannon , Neufeld Maria , Room Robin , Casswell Sally , Tran Alexander , Manthey Jakob
Published: March 2021

Due to the high levels of alcohol use, alcohol-attributable mortality and burden of disease, and detrimental drinking patterns, Lithuania implemented a series of alcohol control policies within a relatively short period of time, between 2008 and 2019. Based on their expected impact on alcohol consumption and alcohol-attributable harm, as well as their target population, these policies have been classified using a set of objective criteria and expert opinion. The classification criteria included: positive vs. negative outcomes, mainly immediate vs. delayed outcomes, and general population vs. specific group outcomes. The judgement of the alcohol policy experts converged on the objective criteria, and, as a result, two tiers of intervention were identified: Tier 1—highly effective general population interventions with an anticipated immediate impact; Tier 2—other interventions aimed at the general population. In addition, interventions directed at specific populations were identified. This adaptable methodological approach to alcohol control policy classification is intended to provide guidance and support for the evaluation of alcohol policies elsewhere, to lay the foundation for the critical assessment of the policies to improve health and increase life expectancy, and to reduce crime and violence.
Soil Contamination Assessments from Drilling Fluids and Produced Water Using Combined Field and Laboratory Investigations: A Case Study of Arkansas, USA
Authors: Swigart Joshua , Heo Joonghyeok , Wolf Duane
Published: March 2021

Rotary drilling for oil and natural gas uses drilling fluid for lubrication of the bit, to seal off unstable shale layers, and floating out rock cuttings. Drilling fluid is a water–clay chemical mixture. Produced water is a water–sand chemical mixture. Land farming is a common disposal technique of drilling fluid and produced water. In the land farming process, amendments of fluid are repeatedly applied to the soil surface. Plant growth and soil chemical properties may be altered by additions of drilling fluid, because of alkalinity, salinity, trace elements, and petroleum residue contained in waste. The objective of this study was to determine the change in soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total nitrogen and carbon, and extractable nutrient levels following the land application of drilling fluid and produced water. The study was a comparison of three plots with similar soil properties and conditions. The three study plots had various levels of drilling fluid and produced water applications. The data show a major difference from field-to-field for EC, Na, and Cl levels. The EC and salt levels increased with additional applications of drilling fluid and produced water. The percent total nitrogen values and plant available P levels were very low in all fields. High EC and salt values, coupled with low N and P levels, would be detrimental to plant growth and development. To successfully vegetate this land-farm site, application of N and P fertilizer would be required. This study help to give a better understanding of practical ways to land-farm drilling fluid and produced water in a fashion that both minimizes environmental issues and is economically feasible in Arkansas. Thus, this research will provide important information for soil contamination management and contributes on understanding of the responses of soil properties to drilling fluid and produced water in the future.
Cybervictimization and Adolescent Internet Addiction: A Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Xin Mucheng , Chen Pei , Liang Qiao , Yu Chengfu , Zhen Shuangju , Zhang Wei
Published: March 2021

Previous research indicates that cybervictimization can lead to adolescent Internet addiction; however, there is a gap in the knowledge about the mediating and moderating variables facilitating this relationship. This study examines the role of rejection sensitivity as a mediator in this relationship and the role of parent–adolescent communication as a moderator for this mediation effect among Chinese adolescents. Participants were 1006 adolescents (M = 13.16 years, SD = 0.67), who completed the questionnaires anonymously. The questionnaires assessed the four variables of interest. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling were used for data analysis. The results show that the positive association between cybervictimization and adolescent Internet addiction is mediated by rejection sensitivity. Moreover, this indirect effect is stronger for adolescents with low parent–adolescent communication than for those with high parent–adolescent communication.
The Effect of Exposure to Noise during Military Service on the Subsequent Progression of Hearing Loss
Authors: Moore Brian C. J.
Published: March 2021

This paper reviews and re-analyses data from published studies on the effects of noise exposure on the progression of hearing loss once noise exposure has ceased, focusing particularly on noise exposure during military service. The data are consistent with the idea that such exposure accelerates the progression of hearing loss at frequencies where the hearing loss is absent or mild at the end of military service (hearing threshold levels (HTLs) up to approximately 50 dB HL), but has no effect on or slows the progression of hearing loss at frequencies where the hearing loss exceeds approximately 50 dB. Acceleration appears to occur over a wide frequency range, including 1 kHz. However, each of the studies reviewed has limitations. There is a need for further longitudinal studies of changes in HTLs over a wide range of frequencies and including individuals with a range of HTLs and ages at the end of military service. Longitudinal studies are also needed to establish whether the progression of hearing loss following the end of exposure to high-level sounds depends on the type of noise exposure (steady broadband factory noises versus impulsive sounds).
Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Adherence to Individual Home- or Gym-Based Exercise Training among Women with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
Authors: Pinelli Erika , Barone Giuseppe , Marini Sofia , Benvenuti Francesco , Murphy Marie H. , Julin Mikko , Kemmler Wolfgang , Von Stengel Simon , Di Paolo Stefano , Dallolio Laura , Maietta Latessa Pasqualino , Zinno Raffaele , Bragonzoni Laura
Published: March 2021

Adherence is important for an exercise program’s efficacy. This study aims at investigating whether the COVID-19 lockdown had different consequences on the adherence to an exercise program specifically designed for women with postmenopausal osteoporosis when administered as individual home training (IHT) or gym group training (GGT). At the start of the lockdown, which imposed the temporary closure of any gym activities, GGT participants were invited to continue to exercise at home. IHT participants continued to exercise at home as usual. Adherence was recorded via logs and measured as the percentage of exercise sessions actually performed out of the total number of scheduled sessions in three 1-month periods: one before (PRE) and two after (M1 and M2) the beginning of lockdown. Before lockdown, IHT (66.8% ± 26.6) and GGT (76.3% ± 26.6) adherence were similar. During lockdown, IHT participation increased (M1: 81.5% ± 31.0; M2: 88.0% ± 28.3), while that of GGT showed no statistical differences (M1: 79.4% ± 34.2; M2: 80.6% ± 36.4). Exercise protocols based on supervised gym practice must consider the possibility of disruptive events, which could cause a sudden interruption of gym activity and include educational initiatives to instruct participants to exercise effectively and safely without a trainer’s direct supervision.
Impact of Extreme Weather on Healthcare Utilization by People with HIV in Metropolitan Miami
Authors: Samano Daniel , Saha Shubhayu , Kot Taylor Corbin , Potter JoNell E. , Duthely Lunthita M.
Published: March 2021

Extreme weather events (EWE) are expected to increase as climate change intensifies, leaving coastal regions exposed to higher risks. South Florida has the highest HIV infection rate in the United States, and disruptions in clinic utilization due to extreme weather conditions could affect adherence to treatment and increase community transmission. The objective of this study was to identify the association between EWE and HIV-clinic attendance rates at a large academic medical system serving the Miami-Dade communities. The following methods were utilized: (1) Extreme heat index (EHI) and extreme precipitation (EP) were identified using daily observations from 1990–2019 that were collected at the Miami International Airport weather station located 3.6 miles from the studied HIV clinics. Data on hurricanes, coastal storms and flooding were collected from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Storms Database (NOAA) for Miami-Dade County. (2) An all-HIV clinic registry identified scheduled daily visits during the study period (hurricane seasons from 2017–2019). (3) Daily weather data were linked to the all-HIV clinic registry, where patients’ ‘no-show’ status was the variable of interest. (4) A time-stratified, case crossover model was used to estimate the relative risk of no-show on days with a high heat index, precipitation, and/or an extreme natural event. A total of 26,444 scheduled visits were analyzed during the 383-day study period. A steady increase in the relative risk of ‘no-show’ was observed in successive categories, with a 14% increase observed on days when the heat index was extreme compared to days with a relatively low EHI, 13% on days with EP compared to days with no EP, and 10% higher on days with a reported extreme weather event compared to days without such incident. This study represents a novel approach to improving local understanding of the impacts of EWE on the HIV-population’s utilization of healthcare, particularly when the frequency and intensity of EWE is expected to increase and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. More studies are needed to understand the impact of EWE on routine outpatient settings.
Differentiating Endurance-and Speed-Adapted Types of Elite and World Class Milers According to Biomechanical, Pacing and Perceptual Responses during a Sprint Interval Session
Authors: Casado Arturo , Renfree Andrew , Jaenes-Sánchez José Carlos , Cuadrado-Peñafiel Víctor , Jiménez-Reyes Pedro
Published: March 2021

The aim was to compare pacing, biomechanical and perceptual responses between elite speed-and endurance-adapted milers during a sprint interval training session (SIT). Twenty elite and world-class middle-distance runners (male: n = 16, female: n = 4; 24.95 ± 5.18 years; 60.89 ± 7 kg) were classified as either speed- or endurance-adapted milers according to their recent performances at 800 m or longer races than 1500 m (10 subjects per group). Participants performed 10 repetitions of 100 m sprints with 2 min of active recovery between each, and performance, perceptual and biomechanical responses were collected. The difference between accumulated times of the last and the first five repetitions was higher in speed-adapted milers (ES = 1.07) displaying a more positive pacing strategy. A higher coefficient of variation (CV%) was displayed across the session by speed-adapted milers in average repetition time, contact time, and affective valence (ES ≥ 1.15). Speed-adapted milers experienced lower rates of valence after the 4th repetition excepting at the 8th repetition (ES ≥ 0.99). Speed-adapted milers may need to display a more positive pacing profile than endurance-adapted milers and, therefore, would experience lower levels of affective valence and a more rapid increase of ground contact time during a SIT.
The Relationship between Social Anxiety, Smartphone Use, Dispositional Trust, and Problematic Smartphone Use: A Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Annoni Anna Maria , Petrocchi Serena , Camerini Anne-Linda , Marciano Laura
Published: March 2021

Background: The pervasiveness of smartphones has raised concerns about an increase in the prevalence of problematic smartphone use (PSU), which depends on a set of psychological and behavioral risk factors. Previous research has yielded mixed results on factors predicting PSU, including social anxiety and trust. In particular, the role of trust remained largely unexplored. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between social anxiety and PSU, via the mediating role of time spent on the phone, and to explore the moderating role of dispositional trust toward others, by using a moderated mediation model with PSU as the outcome. Methods: A total of 240 young adults (Mage = 23.33, SD = 3.90, 50% male) answered an online questionnaire, which included the 12-item Social Anxiety Scale, a question on the daily duration of smartphone use, a single-item measure of dispositional trust, and the 10-item Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version. Gender and occupational status were included as covariates. Results: Social anxiety was significantly and positively related to PSU; however, smartphone use did not mediate this relationship. Although the relationship between smartphone use and PSU was significant and positive, the link between social anxiety and smartphone use was not. Dispositional trust moderated and strengthened the direct relationships between social anxiety and PSU as well as smartphone use and PSU. Conclusions. Heavy smartphone users as well as socially anxious individuals, with the tendency of trusting others, are more at risk of PSU, which can be explained by their preference and search for online connections.
3D Change Detection Using Adaptive Thresholds Based on Local Point Cloud Density
Authors: Liu Dan , Li Dajun , Wang Meizhen , Wang Zhiming
Published: March 2021

In recent years, because of highly developed LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technologies, there has been increasing demand for 3D change detection in urban monitoring, urban model updating, and disaster assessment. In order to improve the effectiveness of 3D change detection based on point clouds, an approach for 3D change detection using point-based comparison is presented in this paper. To avoid density variation in point clouds, adaptive thresholds are calculated through the k-neighboring average distance and the local point cloud density. A series of experiments for quantitative evaluation is performed. In the experiments, the influencing factors including threshold, registration error, and neighboring number of 3D change detection are discussed and analyzed. The results of the experiments demonstrate that the approach using adaptive thresholds based on local point cloud density are effective and suitable.
First Multi-Target Application of Exclusion Net in Nectarine Orchards: Effectiveness against Pests and Impact on Beneficial Arthropods, Postharvest Rots and Fruit Quality
Authors: Candian Valentina , Pansa Marco Giuseppe , Santoro Karin , Spadaro Davide , Briano Rossella , Peano Cristiana , Tavella Luciana , Tedeschi Rosemarie
Published: March 2021

Over the past few years, there has been an increasing interest in the development of alternative pest control strategies to reduce environmental impact. In this contest, exclusion nets have been evaluated as a sustainable alternative to pesticides. In this study, the use of a photoselective exclusion net was investigated in semi-field conditions as a potential strategy to protect nectarine orchards from different pests (i.e., fruit moths, Halyomorpha halys and Drosophila suzukii) in NW Italy. The presence and abundance of pest populations inside and outside the net, as well as the damage they caused on fruits, were evaluated. Moreover, any possible effects of the net on beneficial arthropods, postharvest rots and fruit quality and nutraceutical parameters were considered. The exclusion net significantly reduced pest populations. At harvest, fruit damage caused by Grapholita molesta and H. halys in netted plots was reduced up to 90% and to 78%, respectively, compared with insecticide-treated plots. The exclusion net allowed the production of healthier fruits with a strong reduction of insecticide treatments (up to seven less) and of their related costs without any negative impact on postharvest rots, neither fruit quality nor nutraceutical properties.
Toxicity of Terahertz-Based Functional Mineral Water (Plant-Derived) to Immature Stages of Mosquito Vectors
Authors: Kuo Tai-Chih , Lin Chien-Chung , Tsai Ching-Chu , Chen Shiang-Jiuun , Hung Tso-Min , Hsieh Che-Chu , Lu Ja-Yu , Huang Rong-Nan
Published: March 2021

Functional mineral water and related products are popular in some Asian countries as health drinks and, recently, have been employed in agricultural crop production as well as pest control. This study aimed to investigate the survival of mosquito vectors exposed to plant-derived functional mineral water produced by terahertz technology. The terahertz-based functional mineral water used in the current study not only decreased the hatching of Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) larvae but also showed concentration-dependent toxicity to the 3rd instar larvae and pupae of the three mosquito species tested. Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Cx. quinquefasciatus pupae were more susceptible to terahertz-based functional mineral water than the larval stage, as indicated by their lower LC50. Lower concentrations (<100 ppm) of terahertz-based functional mineral water were not lethal to the pupae; however, these low concentrations still resulted in a reduced adult emergence. Although terahertz-based functional mineral water did not significantly affect Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) hatching, it could potentially be used for vector control at the larvae and pupae stages. The larvicidal and pupicidal activity of diluted terahertz-based functional mineral water gradually diminished after 24 h, indicating that it is a biodegradable and eco-friendly bioinsecticide. However, as the terahertz-based functional mineral water is also toxic to larvivorous predatory-copepods, it should not be utilized in aquatic environments where predatory-based mosquito control programs are employed.
Impact of Heart Failure on In-Hospital Outcomes after Surgical Femoral Neck Fracture Treatment
Authors: Marco-Martínez Javier , Bernal-Sobrino José Luis , Fernández-Pérez Cristina , Elola-Somoza Francisco Javier , Azaña-Gómez Javier , García-Klepizg José Luis , Andrès Emmanuel , Zapatero-Gaviria Antonio , Barba-Martin Raquel , Marco-Martinez Fernando , Canora-Lebrato Jesus , Lorenzo-Villalba Noel , Méndez-Bailón Manuel
Published: March 2021

Background: Femoral neck fracture (FNF) is a common condition with a rising incidence, partly due to aging of the population. It is recommended that FNF should be treated at the earliest opportunity, during daytime hours, including weekends. However, early surgery shortens the available time for preoperative medical examination. Cardiac evaluation is critical for good surgical outcomes as most of these patients are older and frail with other comorbid conditions, such as heart failure. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of heart failure on in-hospital outcomes after surgical femoral neck fracture treatment. Methods: We performed a retrospective study using the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database, 2007–2015. We included patients older than 64 years treated for reduction and internal fixation of FNF. Demographic characteristics of patients, as well as administrative variables, related to patient’s diseases and procedures performed during the episode were evaluated. Results: A total of 234,159 episodes with FNF reduction and internal fixation were identified from Spanish National Health System hospitals during the study period; 986 (0.42%) episodes were excluded, resulting in a final study population of 233,173 episodes. Mean age was 83.7 (±7) years and 179,949 (77.2%) were women (p < 0.001). In the sample, 13,417 (5.8%) episodes had a main or secondary diagnosis of heart failure (HF) (p < 0.001). HF patients had a mean age of 86.1 (±6.3) years, significantly older than the rest (p < 0.001). All the major complications studied showed a higher incidence in patients with HF (p < 0.001). Unadjusted in-hospital mortality was 4.1%, which was significantly higher in patients with HF (18.2%) compared to those without HF (3.3%) (p < 0.001). The average length of stay (LOS) was 11.9 (±9.1) and was also significantly higher in the group with HF (16.5 ± 13.1 vs. 11.6 ± 8.7; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with HF undergoing FNF surgery have longer length of stay and higher rates of both major complications and mortality than those without HF. Although their average length of stay has decreased in the last few years, their mortality rate has remained unchanged.
Obesity and Overweight Are Associated with Minimal Extrathyroidal Extension, Multifocality and Bilaterality of Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Kaliszewski Krzysztof , Diakowska Dorota , Rzeszutko Marta , Rudnicki Jerzy
Published: March 2021

Epidemiological studies have shown a strong association between high body mass index (BMI) and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). We assessed the clinical and histopathological features of PTC in patients with a higher BMI and compared them to analogous parameters in PTC patients with a normal BMI. We retrospectively analyzed 5021 medical records of patients admitted and surgically treated for thyroid tumors in one center between 2008 and 2018. Finally, we extracted data from 523 adult patients with PTC and stratified patients into two groups according to BMI: Group 1 with BMI < 25 kg/m2 and Group 2 with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Data stratification was performed to estimate the association of overweight and obesity with clinical and histopathological features of PTC in both univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses. Overall, compared to patients with a normal BMI, overweight and obese patients had a greater risk of minimal extrathyroidal extension (minimal ETE), multifocality and bilaterality of PTC (p < 0.001 for all). Analysis did not show that BMI was significantly associated with the more advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (p = 0.894). Obesity and overweight were significantly associated with higher aggressiveness of PTC. When considering various management options for PTC patients, these findings regarding overweight and obesity should be taken into consideration during the decision-making process.