bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reaching Law Based Sliding Mode Control of Sampled Time Systems
Authors: Leśniewski Piotr , Bartoszewicz Andrzej
Published: March 2021

In this paper, discrete time reaching law-based sliding mode control of continuous time systems is considered. In sliding mode control methods, usually the assumption of bounded absolute values of disturbances is used. However in many cases, the rate of change of the disturbance is also bounded. In the presented approach, this knowledge is used to improve the control precision and reduce the undesirable chattering. Another advantage of the proposed method is that the disturbance does not have to satisfy the matching conditions. In the paper two new reaching laws are analyzed, one of them ensures the switching quasi-sliding motion and the other the non-switching motion. For both of them, the robustness is assessed by calculating the quasi-sliding mode band width, as well as the greatest possible state error values. Specifically, the state errors are not considered only at the sampling instants, as is usual for discrete time systems, but the bounds on the continuous values “between” the sampling instants are also derived. Then, the proposed approaches are compared and analyzed with respect to energy expenditure of the control signal.
Experimental Study of the Use of Tracing Particles for Interface Tracking in Primary Cementing in an Eccentric Hele–Shaw Cell
Authors: Taheri Amir , Ytrehus Jan David , Lund Bjørnar , Torsæter Malin
Published: March 2021

We present the results of the displacement flows of different Newtonian and Herschel–Bulkley non-Newtonian fluids in a new-developed eccentric Hele–Shaw cell with dynamic similarly to real field wellbore annulus during primary cementing. The possibility of tracking the interface between the fluids using particles with intermediate or neutral buoyancy is studied. The behaviors and movements of particles with different sizes and densities against the primary vertical flow and strong secondary azimuthal flow in the eccentric Hele–Shaw cell are investigated. The effects of fluid rheology and pumping flow rate on the efficiency of displacement and tracing particles are examined. Moreover, the behavior of pressure gradients in the cell is described and analyzed. Successful results of tracing the interface using particles give us this opportunity to carry out a primary cementing with high quality for the cases that the risk of leakage is high, e.g., primary cementing in wells penetrating a CO2 storage reservoir.
Thermogravimetric Study of the Kinetics of the Reaction C + CO2 under Pore-Diffusion Control
Authors: Donskoy Igor , Kozlov Aleksandr
Published: March 2021

This study presents experimental studies of charcoal gasification with CO2 at different heating rates (1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 K min−1). The kinetics of the reaction C + CO2 under pore-diffusion control is studied. We propose a new method for the proper determination of activation energy during the processing of thermogravimetric curves of porous carbon gasification under conditions of pore-diffusion resistance. The results of the inverse kinetic problem solution are compared with different hypotheses about the regime of the investigated heterogeneous reaction process (kinetic, diffusion, pore-diffusion). The change of reaction regimes from kinetic to diffusion is detected during charcoal gasification at different heating rates. At heating rates of 5–20 K min−1, the values of activation energy of carbon gasification reaction in the carbon dioxide atmosphere, obtained by the proposed method, closely match the data found in the previous studies. The use of diffusion models in the processing of thermogravimetric curves determines the conditions under which conventional kinetic models fail to provide adequate information about the temperature dependence of the heterogeneous reaction rate.
Analysis of Heat Flux Distribution during Brush Seal Rubbing Using CFD with Porous Media Approach
Authors: Hildebrandt Manuel , Schwitzke Corina , Bauer Hans-Jörg
Published: March 2021

This paper discusses the question of heat flux distribution between bristle package and rotor during a rubbing event. A three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (3D CFD) model of the brush seal test rig installed at the Institute of Thermal Turbomachinery (ITS) was created. The bristle package is modelled as a porous medium with local non-thermal equilibrium. The model is used to numerically recalculate experimentally conducted rub tests on the ITS test rig. The experimentally determined total frictional power loss serves as an input parameter to the numerical calculation. By means of statistical evaluation methods, the ma in influences on the heat flux distribution and the maximum temperature in the frictional contact are determined. The heat conductivity of the rotor material, the heat transfer coefficients at the bristles and the rubbing surface were identified as the dominant factors.
Carbon Nanotube Films for Energy Applications
Authors: Rdest Monika , Janas Dawid
Published: March 2021

This perspective article describes the application opportunities of carbon nanotube (CNT) films for the energy sector. Up to date progress in this regard is illustrated with representative examples of a wide range of energy management and transformation studies employing CNT ensembles. Firstly, this paper features an overview of how such macroscopic networks from nanocarbon can be produced. Then, the capabilities for their application in specific energy-related scenarios are described. Among the highlighted cases are conductive coatings, charge storage devices, thermal interface materials, and actuators. The selected examples demonstrate how electrical, thermal, radiant, and mechanical energy can be converted from one form to another using such formulations based on CNTs. The article is concluded with a future outlook, which anticipates the next steps which the research community will take to bring these concepts closer to implementation.
Multi-Electrode Architecture Modeling and Optimization for Homogeneous Electroporation of Large Volumes of Tissue
Authors: López-Alonso Borja , Sarnago Héctor , Burdío José , Briz Pablo , Lucía Oscar
Published: March 2021

Electroporation is a phenomenon that consists of increasing the permeability of the cell membrane by means of high-intensity electric field application. Nowadays, its clinical application to cancer treatment is one of the most relevant branches within the many areas of electroporation. In this area, it is essential to apply homogeneous treatments to achieve complete removal of tumors and avoid relapse. It is necessary to apply an optimized transmembrane potential at each point of the tissue by means of a homogenous electric field application and appropriated electric field orientation. Nevertheless, biological tissues are composed of wide variety, heterogeneous and anisotropic structures and, consequently, predicting the applied electric field distribution is complex. Consequently, by applying the parallel-needle electrodes and single-output generators, homogeneous and predictable treatments are difficult to obtain, often requiring several repositioning/application processes that may leave untreated areas. This paper proposes the use of multi-electrode structure to apply a wide range of electric field vectors to enhance the homogeneity of the treatment. To achieve this aim, a new multi-electrode parallel-plate configuration is proposed to improve the treatment in combination with a multiple-output generator. One method for optimizing the electric field pattern application is studied, and simulation and experimental results are presented and discussed, proving the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Genetic Investigation of Four Beluga Sturgeon (Huso huso, L.) Broodstocks for its Reintroduction in the Po River Basin
Authors: Antognazza Caterina M. , Vanetti Isabella , De Santis Vanessa , Bellani Adriano , Di Francesco Monica , Puzzi Cesare M. , Casoni Andrea G. , Zaccara Serena
Published: March 2021

The reintroduction of the extinct beluga sturgeon (Huso huso L.), an anadromous species with economic and traditional relevance, is a priority in next conservation strategies in Northern Italy. The EU-LIFE NATURA project aims to reintroduce the beluga sturgeon in the Po River basin through a captive breeding program. Critical requirements for the success of the program are river connectivity and knowledge of genetic diversity of the selected broodstocks to ensure self-sustainability of reintroduced populations. Here, the four broodstocks used for the reintroduction of beluga sturgeon have been genetically screened, genotyping 13 loci and sequencing mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene and the entire mitochondrial DNA control region (D-Loop). The four broodstocks showed a medium-high level of nuclear genetic variability and the presence of two sub-populations, evidencing a total level of inbreeding coefficients able to sustain the good potential as future breeders. Mitochondrial analyses showed a genetic variability comparable to wild populations, further strengthening the positive potential of the investigated broodstock. Therefore, this study, showed how the degree of genetic diversity found within the four broodstocks used for H. huso reintroduction in the Po River basin could be suitable to ensure the success of the program, avoiding the inbreeding depression associated with founder effect and captive breeding.
Recent Advances in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Forest Remote Sensing—A Systematic Review. Part II: Research Applications
Authors: Dainelli Riccardo , Toscano Piero , Di Gennaro Salvatore Filippo , Matese Alessandro
Published: March 2021

Forest sustainable management aims to maintain the income of woody goods for companies, together with preserving non-productive functions as a benefit for the community. Due to the progress in platforms and sensors and the opening of the dedicated market, unmanned aerial vehicle–remote sensing (UAV–RS) is improving its key role in the forestry sector as a tool for sustainable management. The use of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) in precision forestry has exponentially increased in recent years, as demonstrated by more than 600 references published from 2018 until mid-2020 that were found in the Web of Science database by searching for “UAV” + “forest”. This result is even more surprising when compared with similar research for “UAV” + “agriculture”, from which emerge about 470 references. This shows how UAV–RS research forestry is gaining increasing popularity. In Part II of this review, analyzing the main findings of the reviewed papers (227), numerous strengths emerge concerning research technical issues. UAV–RS is fully applicated for obtaining accurate information from practical parameters (height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and biomass). Research effectiveness and soundness demonstrate that UAV–RS is now ready to be applied in a real management context. Some critical issues and barriers in transferring research products are also evident, namely, (1) hyperspectral sensors are poorly used, and their novel applications should be based on the capability of acquiring tree spectral signature especially for pest and diseases detection, (2) automatic processes for image analysis are poorly flexible or based on proprietary software at the expense of flexible and open-source tools that can foster researcher activities and support technology transfer among all forestry stakeholders, and (3) a clear lack exist in sensors and platforms interoperability for large-scale applications and for enabling data interoperability.
Changes in Soil Chemistry and Foliar Metabolism of Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara) and Himalayan Spruce (Picea smithiana) along an Elevational Gradient at Kufri, HP, India: The Potential Roles of Regional Pollution and Localized Grazing
Authors: Minocha Rakesh , Contosta Alexandra R. , Lawrence Gregory B. , Kohli Ravinder K. , Minocha Subhash C. , Long Stephanie
Published: March 2021

We investigated changes in soil chemistry and foliar metabolism of Himalayan cedar [Cedrus deodara (Roxb. Ex Lamb.) G.Don] and Himalayan spruce [Picea smithiana (Wall.) Boiss] trees along a steep elevational gradient in the lower Himalayan Mountains at Kufri, Himachal Pradesh (HP), India. The foliar and soil samples were collected from four locations along a 300 m elevational gradient at ridge, high-, mid-, and low-elevation sites within the forested Shimla Water Catchment Wildlife Sanctuary that provides water for the city of Shimla, HP,. Observations at the time of sampling revealed that the high-elevation site was being heavily grazed. Soils collected at the four sites showed differences in soil chemistry along the gradient. Surface soils (top 10 cm) at the high-elevation site had the highest concentrations of carbon, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, organic matter, and effective cation exchange capacity, possibly caused by grazing. Mineral soils were slightly acidic at all sites except the mid-elevation site, which was extremely acidic in the upper mineral soil. Similar to surface soil chemistry, foliar metabolism was also comparatively unique for high elevation. In Himalayan cedar foliage, higher concentrations of soluble proteins, polyamines, amino acids, and potassium were observed at the high-elevation site as compared to the ridge, mid and low elevations. No major differences were observed in the metabolic profiles of cedar between the ridge and low elevation ranges. Spruce foliage was sampled only from the ridge and low elevations and its metabolic profiles suggested healthier conditions at the low elevation. The results of the study demonstrate the impact of the interplay between local and regional drivers of forest health on cedar and spruce trees in a forested catchment that acts as a water source for downstream communities.
Application of Innovative Silvicultural Treatments in Pine Forests
Authors: De Meo Isabella , Becagli Claudia , Cantiani Paolo
Published: March 2021

Pine forests—as natural stands and artificial plantations—are one of the most extended and common forest types in the world [...]
Assessing Whey Protein Sources, Dispersion Preparation Method and Enrichment of Thermomechanically Stabilized Whey Protein Pectin Complexes for Technical Scale Production
Authors: Filla Jessica M. , Stadler Maybritt , Heck Anisa , Hinrichs Jörg
Published: March 2021

Whey protein pectin complexes can be applied to replace fat in food products, e.g., pudding and yogurt, contributing to creaminess while adding a source of protein and fiber. Production of these complexes is usually conducted on the laboratory scale in small batches. Recently, a process using a scraped-surface heat exchanger (SSHE) has been employed; however, dispersion preparation time, feasibility of using different whey protein sources and enrichment of the complexes for subsequent drying have not been assessed. Preparing whey protein pectin dispersions by solid mixing of pectin and whey protein powders resulted in larger complexes than powders dispersed separately and subsequently mixed after a hydration time. Dispersions without hydration of the mixed dispersions before thermomechanical treatment had the largest particle sizes. The targeted particle size of d90,3 < 10 µm, an important predictor for creaminess, was obtained for five of the six tested whey protein sources. Dispersions of complexes prepared using whey protein powders had larger particles, with less particle volume in the submicron range, than those prepared using whey protein concentrates. Efficiency of complex enrichment via acid-induced aggregation and subsequent centrifugation was assessed by yield and purity of protein in the pellet and pectin in the supernatant.
Spatial Fingerprinting: Horizontal Fusion of Multi-Dimensional Bio-Tracers as Solution to Global Food Provenance Problems
Authors: Cazelles Kevin , Zemlak Tyler Stephen , Gutgesell Marie , Myles-Gonzalez Emelia , Hanner Robert , Shear McCann Kevin
Published: March 2021

Building the capacity of efficiently determining the provenance of food products represents a crucial step towards the sustainability of the global food system. Despite species specific empirical examples of multi-tracer approaches to provenance, the precise benefit and efficacy of multi-tracers remains poorly understood. Here we show why, and when, data fusion of bio-tracers is an extremely powerful technique for geographical provenance discrimination. Specifically, we show using extensive simulations how, and under what conditions, geographical relationships between bio-tracers (e.g., spatial covariance) can act like a spatial fingerprint, in many naturally occurring applications likely allowing rapid identification with limited data. To highlight the theory, we outline several statistic methodologies, including artificial intelligence, and apply these methodologies as a proof of concept to a limited data set of 90 individuals of highly mobile Sockeye salmon that originate from 3 different areas. Using 17 measured bio-tracers, we demonstrate that increasing combined bio-tracers results in stronger discriminatory power. We argue such applications likely even work for such highly mobile and critical fisheries as tuna.
Plant Carotenoids as Pigment Sources in Laying Hen Diets: Effect on Yolk Color, Carotenoid Content, Oxidative Stability and Sensory Properties of Eggs
Authors: Kljak Kristina , Carović-Stanko Klaudija , Kos Ivica , Janječić Zlatko , Kiš Goran , Duvnjak Marija , Safner Toni , Bedeković Dalibor
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a supplementation diet for hens consisting of dried basil herb and flowers of calendula and dandelion for color, carotenoid content, iron-induced oxidative stability, and sensory properties of egg yolk compared with commercial pigment (control) and marigold flower. The plant parts were supplemented in diets at two levels: 1% and 3%. In response to dietary content, yolks from all diets differed in carotenoid profile (p < 0.001). The 3% supplementation level resulted in a similar total carotenoid content as the control (21.25 vs. 21.79 μg/g), but by 3-fold lower compared to the 3% marigold (66.95 μg/g). The tested plants did not achieve yolk color fan values as the control (13.47) or 3% marigold (11.47), and among them, calendula had the highest values (9.73). Despite the low carotenoid content in diets supplemented with basil herb, iron-induced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was low as for marigold (on average 106.83 vs. 92.68 ng/g after 250 min). The treatments differed in sensory color scores for fresh and hard-boiled yolks and flavor while other sensory properties were similar. In conclusion, the supplementation of plants in a hen diet may result in yolks containing carotenoids and other compounds showing a high antioxidant effect.
Dissection of the Genetic Association between Anorexia Nervosa and Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder at the Network and Cellular Levels
Authors: Song Weichen , Wang Weidi , Yu Shunying , Lin Guan Ning
Published: March 2021

Anorexia nervosa (AN) and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) exhibit a high co-morbidity rate, similar symptoms, and a shared genetic basis. However, an understanding of the specific underlying mechanisms of these commonalities is currently limited. Here, we collected Genome-Wide Association Analysis results for AN and OCD, and obtained genes hit by the top SNPs as the risk genes. We then carried out an integrative coexpression network analysis to explore the convergence and divergence of AN and OCD risk genes. At first, we observed that the AN risk genes were enriched in coexpression modules that involved extracellular matrix functions and highly are expressed in the postnatal brain, limbic system, and non-neuronal cell types, while the OCD risk genes were enriched in modules of synapse function, the prenatal brain, cortex layers, and neurons. Next, by comparing the expressions from the eating disorder and OCD postmortem patient brain tissues, we observed both disorders have similar prefrontal cortex expression alterations influencing the synapse transmission, suggesting that the two diseases could have similar functional pathways. We found that the AN and OCD risk genes had distinct functional and spatiotemporal enrichment patterns but carried similar expression alterations as a disease mechanism, which may be one of the key reasons they had similar but not identical clinical phenotypes.
Newcastle Disease Virus Induced Pathologies Severely Affect the Exocrine and Endocrine Functions of the Pancreas in Chickens
Authors: Rehman Zaib Ur , Ren Shanhui , Butt Salman Latif , Manzoor Zahid , Iqbal Javid , Anwar Muhammad Naveed , Sun Yingjie , Qiu Xusheng , Tan Lei , Liao Ying , Song Cuiping , Liu Weiwei , Meng Chunchun , Ding Chan
Published: March 2021

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) causes a highly contagious and devastating disease in poultry. ND causes heavy economic losses to the global poultry industry by decreasing the growth rate, decrease in egg production high morbidity and mortality. Although significant advances have been made in the vaccine development, outbreaks are reported in vaccinated birds. In this study, we report the damage caused by NDV infection in the pancreatic tissues of vaccinated and specific-pathogen-free chickens. The histopathological examination of the pancreas showed severe damage in the form of partial depletion of zymogen granules, acinar cell vacuolization, necrosis, apoptosis, congestion in the large and small vessels, sloughing of epithelial cells of the pancreatic duct, and mild perivascular edema. Increased plasma levels of corticosterone and somatostatin were observed in NDV-infected chicken at three- and five- days post infection (DPI). A slight decrease in the plasma concentrations of insulin was noticed at 5 DPI. Significant changes were not observed in the plasma levels of glucagon. Furthermore, NDV infection decreased the activity and mRNA expression of amylase, lipase, and trypsin from the pancreas. Taken together, our findings highlight that NDV induces extensive tissue damage in the pancreas, decreases the activity and expression of pancreatic enzymes, and increases plasma corticosterone and somatostatin. These findings provide new insights that a defective pancreas may be one of the reasons for decreased growth performance after NDV infection in chickens.
Causal Associations between Serum Urea and Cancer: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Sun Yandi , Li Jingjia , Qu Zihao , Yang Ze , Jia Xueyao , Lin Yindan , He Qian , Zhang Lihong , Luo Yan
Published: March 2021

Urea is largely derived from the urea cycle reactions through hepatic detoxification of free ammonia and cleared by urination, and the serum urea level is a crucial medical indicator for measuring the kidney function in patients with nephropathy; however, investigative revelations pointing to the serum urea level as a risk factor for cancer are very scarce, and relevant studies are restricted by potential biases. We aimed to explore the causal relationships of the serum urea level with cancer development by focusing on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) using the Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. Summary estimates were collected from the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method based on six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The selected SNPs related to the serum urea were obtained from a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 13,312 European participants. The summary statistics of RCC were also available from public databases (IARC, n = 5219 cases, n = 8011 controls). Sensitivity analyses included the weighted median and MR-Egger methods. Serum urea was inversely associated with RCC in females (effect = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.24 to 3.01; p = 0.004) but exhibited null association with RCC in males, breast cancer (BRCA) in both genders and prostate cancer (PCa) in males. Similar conclusions were also drawn from the weighted median and MR-Egger. These findings reveal an intriguing link between serum urea and cancer risks for the very first time. Without ambiguity, the serum urea is causatively related to RCC specifically in females, although the mechanism(s) by which urea is involved in RCC development remains to be experimentally/clinically investigated. Our studies may well provide novel insights for RCC diagnosis, intervention and/or therapy.
Ribosomal RNA Transcription Regulation in Breast Cancer
Authors: Harold Cecelia M. , Buhagiar Amber F. , Cheng Yan , Baserga Susan J.
Published: March 2021

Ribosome biogenesis is a complex process that is responsible for the formation of ribosomes and ultimately global protein synthesis. The first step in this process is the synthesis of the ribosomal RNA in the nucleolus, transcribed by RNA Polymerase I. Historically, abnormal nucleolar structure is indicative of poor cancer prognoses. In recent years, it has been shown that ribosome biogenesis, and rDNA transcription in particular, is dysregulated in cancer cells. Coupled with advancements in screening technology that allowed for the discovery of novel drugs targeting RNA Polymerase I, this transcriptional machinery is an increasingly viable target for cancer therapies. In this review, we discuss ribosome biogenesis in breast cancer and the different cellular pathways involved. Moreover, we discuss current therapeutics that have been found to affect rDNA transcription and more novel drugs that target rDNA transcription machinery as a promising avenue for breast cancer treatment.
Associations between Coparenting Relationships and Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Negative Bonding to Infant
Authors: Takeishi Yoko , Nakamura Yasuka , Yoshida Mikako , Kawajiri Maiko , Atogami Fumi , Yoshizawa Toyoko
Published: March 2021

Maternal mental illnesses during early postpartum may be caused by lack of the coparenting relationship parents share and cooperate regarding child-rearing. This study clarifies the association of the coparenting relationship and negative mental health of mothers at one and three months after childbirth. This study conducted a secondary analysis of data from an intervention study wherein 24 mothers rearing their first child with a cohabitant (husband/partner) participated. Maternal mental health was evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to determine postpartum depressive symptoms and the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale to assess negative bonding. Mothers’ average age was 31.5 ± 4.2 years old. All mothers were not working during the research period. The prevalence of postpartum depression and bonding disorder were approximately 13% and 21%, respectively. A better coparenting relationship was associated with lower postpartum depressive symptoms at both one month (β = −0.617, p = 0.002) and three months (β = −0.709, p < 0.01) postpartum. In contrast, no association was found between a coparenting relationship and negative bonding. The results indicate that the coparenting relationship may possibly prevent maternal depression during the early postpartum period.
The ED/TEG Indicator for the Identification of Endocrine Disrupting or Toxic Effects on Endocrine Glands of Crop Protection Products Used in Organic and Conventional Agriculture in France
Authors: Paul Adèle , Spinosi Johan , El Yamani Mounia , Maitre Anne , Charbotel Barbara
Published: March 2021

Studying the human health impacts of pesticides and their endocrine disruptor (ED) effects is a public health concern. The aim of this study is to identify phytopharmaceutical active substances (PAS) that are an ED or are toxic on endocrine glands (TEG), and to propose an ED/TEG effect indicator. Five international official databases were analyzed to identify the occurrence of health outcomes for 458 PAS. Health outcomes targeting seven endocrine systems were selected. For each substance, the level of evidence of the collected information and the number of outcomes were used to affect a level of concern about ED/TEG effects. Among the substances studied, 10% had a global ED/TEG effect classified as ‘high concern’, 55% as ‘medium concern’, 9% as ‘low concern’, and 26% as ‘unknown’. Ten of the high ED/TEG concern substances and 170 medium or low concern substances were licensed in 2018 in France. The outcomes were mainly on the reproductive organs, thyroid, and adrenal glands. Eight of the 41 biocontrol products studied were classified: 5 were ‘high’ or ‘medium concern’ and 3 had ‘unknown effect’. Although the proposed ED/TEG indicator is not an official classification, it can be used as an epidemiological tool for classifying the occupational and environmental risks of substances in retrospective population studies and be useful for occupational health physicians.
A Rapid Review of COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization in the U.S.: Alignment between Federal Guidance and State Practice
Authors: Jain Vageesh , Schwarz Lara , Lorgelly Paula
Published: March 2021

Background: Population groups to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations in the U.S. have been determined at the Federal level, but there is variation in how States have implemented guidance. This review examines how the position of population groups in vaccine priority lists varies between Federal guidance and State practice. Methods: An online search of State vaccination prioritization plans was conducted. Data were extracted on each population group included and their relative position. A standardized ranking method was applied to provide a directional measure of variability in prioritization between State and Federal guidance, for each population group. Results: Healthcare workers and those in long-term care facilities were largely prioritized in line with Federal guidance. Aside from early education staff, essential workers were often excluded at State level. Almost all States included the 65–74 year age group and most assigned them to a higher position than recommended in Federal guidance. Those with underlying medical conditions were similarly highly prioritized, although there was more variability across States. Some socially vulnerable groups (not included in Federal guidance) were highly prioritized by many States. Conclusions: The prioritization of groups for COVID-19 vaccination has been highly variable despite clear Federal guidance. Future guidance must be relevant to local needs, values, and constraints, to minimize any unwarranted heterogeneity in vaccine access across populations.
The Acute Effect of Foam Rolling and Vibration Foam Rolling on Drop Jump Performance
Authors: Tsai Wei-Chi , Chen Zong-Rong
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effect of foam rolling and vibration foam rolling on drop jump performance. The optimal time interval between warm-up using foam rolling or vibration foam rolling and drop jump performance was identified. This study included 16 male NCAA Division I college volleyball athletes. Three interventions were performed in a randomized order: the foam rolling exercise (FRE), vibration foam rolling exercise (VFRE), and static rest (control). The drop jump was performed before interventions, as well as 2 and 5 min after interventions. The FRE exhibited higher values for drop jump height (DJH) (p = 0.001; η2 = 0.382; statistical power = 0.964) and mean power generation at the hip joint (p = 0.006; η2 = 0.277; statistical power = 0.857) at 2 min compared with before intervention but not at 5 min (p > 0.05). However, the VFRE showed no significant changes in DJH (p > 0.05), and found that hippower was decreased at 5 min (p = 0.027; η2 = 0.214; statistical power = 0.680). The FRE completed in 2 min before rapid single action competition (sprint, long jump, triple jump, etc.) could increase sports performance.
Medical Knowledge, Religious Beliefs, and Free Will: Attitudes and Opinions of Various Undergraduate Female Respondents Regarding Oral Contraception. A Questionnaire-Based Study
Authors: Ősz Bianca-Eugenia , Ștefănescu Ruxandra , Tero-Vescan Amelia , Sălcudean Andreea , Boca Cristina-Diana , Jîtcă George , Vari Camil-Eugen
Published: March 2021

The decision to use oral contraception varies and is based on several considerations: Personal reasons, the evaluation of the benefit/ risk ratio, and religious beliefs. In this research, a questionnaire was distributed to 422 female students from the George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureş, Romania (UMPhST Târgu Mureș, Romania), aged between 19 and 24 years old. The first endpoint of the study was to evaluate the use of hormonal contraception by the sexually active female population. The second endpoint was to assess the degree of awareness of the benefit/risk ratio of oral contraceptive use. The third endpoint was to evaluate the influence of religious beliefs regarding the decision to use this type of pharmaceutical product. Our results show that only a small percentage of students chose to use oral contraceptive pills (OCP). Fortunately, most of the respondents were well-informed and used a particular contraceptive drug based on a healthcare professional’s recommendation. Another aspect that emphasizes the choice of contraceptive method is the religious affiliation, which could influence the decision to use OCP. For the students with medical knowledge, the advice of a healthcare professional seems to be quite important, because they are aware of the risks of improper use of OCP. Although religious doctrines affect the decision to use oral contraception, this is not always taken into account, as the use of OCP is a personal decision.
Flexibility and Bed Margins of the Community of Madrid’s Hospitals during the First Wave of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
Authors: Sánchez-Úbeda Eugenio F. , Sánchez-Martín Pedro , Torrego-Ellacuría Macarena , Rey-Mejías Ángel Del , Morales-Contreras Manuel F. , Puerta José-Luis
Published: March 2021

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had global effects; cases have been counted in the tens of millions, and there have been over two million deaths throughout the world. Health systems have been stressed in trying to provide a response to the increasing demand for hospital beds during the different waves. This paper analyzes the dynamic response of the hospitals of the Community of Madrid (CoM) during the first wave of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in the period between 18 March and 31 May 2020. The aim was to model the response of the CoM’s health system in terms of the number of available beds. Methods: A research design based on a case study of the CoM was developed. To model this response, we use two concepts: “bed margin” (available beds minus occupied beds, expressed as a percentage) and “flexibility” (which describes the ability to adapt to the growing demand for beds). The Linear Hinges Model allowed a robust estimation of the key performance indicators for capturing the flexibility of the available beds in hospitals. Three new flexibility indicators were defined: the Average Ramp Rate Until the Peak (ARRUP), the Ramp Duration Until the Peak (RDUP), and the Ramp Growth Until the Peak (RGUP). Results: The public and private hospitals of the CoM were able to increase the number of available beds from 18,692 on 18 March 2020 to 23,623 on 2 April 2020. At the peak of the wave, the number of available beds increased by 160 in 48 h, with an occupancy of 90.3%. Within that fifteen-day period, the number of COVID-19 inpatients increased by 200% in non-intensive care unit (non-ICU) wards and by 155% in intensive care unit (ICU) wards. The estimated ARRUP for non-ICU beds in the CoM hospital network during the first pandemic wave was 305.56 beds/day, the RDUP was 15 days, and the RGUP was 4598 beds. For the ICU beds, the ARRUP was 36.73 beds/day, the RDUP was 20 days, and the RGUP was 735 beds. This paper includes a further analysis of the response estimated for each hospital. Conclusions: This research provides insights not only for academia, but also for hospital management and practitioners. The results show that not all of the hospitals dealt with the sudden increase in bed demand in the same way, nor did they provide the same flexibility in order to increase their bed capabilities. The bed margin and the proposed indicators of flexibility summarize the dynamic response and can be included as part of a hospital’s management dashboard for monitoring its behavior during pandemic waves or other health crises as a complement to other, more steady-state indicators.
Pathways Improving Compliance with Preventive Behaviors during the Remission Period of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wang Jingjing , Rao Nanyue , Han Buxin
Published: March 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a significant threat to people’s lives. Compliance with preventive behaviors, recommended by public health authorities, is essential for infection control. In the remission stage, one year after the initial COVID-19 outbreak in China, we advanced a moderated parallel mediation model of the link between risk perception and compliance with preventive behaviors as well as a serial mediation model of the link between optimism and compliance with preventive behaviors, explaining the roles of various psychosocial factors in these associations. In January 2021, 200 participants under 50 years of age, located in 80 Chinese cities, participated in an online survey assessing risk perception, compliance with preventive behaviors, fear, anxiety, political trust, government dependency, and dispositional optimism. The results showed that the effect of risk perception on compliance with preventive behaviors was mediated by political trust and fear, and was moderated by government dependency. Anxiety and fear serially mediated the effect of optimism on compliance with preventive behaviors. Our study provided implications for future research to reduce negative emotions, strengthen confidence in the government, and sustain moderate government dependency accompanied by individual self-efficacy.
The Impact of COVID-19 on High School Student-Athlete Experiences with Physical Activity, Mental Health, and Social Connection
Authors: Shepherd Heather A. , Evans Taffin , Gupta Srijal , McDonough Meghan H. , Doyle-Baker Patricia , Belton Kathy L. , Karmali Shazya , Pawer Samantha , Hadly Gabrielle , Pike Ian , Adams Stephanie A. , Babul Shelina , Yeates Keith Owen , Kopala-Sibley Daniel C. , Schneider Kathryn J. , Cowle Stephanie , Fuselli Pamela , Emery Carolyn A. , Black Amanda M.
Published: March 2021

COVID-19 restrictions led to reduced levels of physical activity, increased screen usage, and declines in mental health in youth; however, in-depth understandings of the experiences of high school student-athletes have yet to be explored. To describe the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic on student-athletes’ physical activity, social connection, and mental health, 20 high school student-athletes living in Calgary, Alberta participated in semi-structured interviews, designed using phenomenography. Participants reported variations in physical activity, social connections, and mental health which were influenced by stay-at-home restrictions and weather. Access to resources, changes to routines, online classes, and social support all influenced engagement in physical activity. School and sports provided opportunities for in-person social connections, impacted by the onset of the pandemic. Participants reported their mental health was influenced by social connections, online classes, and physical activity. Findings from this study will inform the development of resources for high school student-athletes amidst COVID-19.
Reliability, Validity, and Gender Invariance of the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale: An Emerging Evidence for a More Concise Research Tool
Authors: Koehn Stefan , Amirabdollahian Farzad
Published: March 2021

The Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS) research instrument has been extensively used to investigate the perceived benefits and barriers of exercise in a range of settings. In order to examine theoretical contentions and translate the findings, it is imperative to implement measurement tools that operationalize the constructs in an accurate and reliable way. The original validation of the EBBS proposed a nine-factor structure for the research tool, examined the EBBS factor structure, and suggested that various factors are important for the testing of the perception of exercise benefits and barriers, whereas a few items and factors may not be vital. The current study conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using hierarchical testing in 565 participants from the northwest region of the United Kingdom, the results of which provided evidence for a four-factor structure of the benefits measure, with the Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.943, Tucker–Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.933, and root means square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.051, namely life enhancement, physical performance, psychological outlook, and social interaction, as well as a two-factor structure of the barrier measures, with the CFI = 0.953, TLI = 0.931, and RMSEA = 0.063, including exercise milieu and time expenditure. Our findings showed that for a six-factor correlated model, the CFI = 0.930, TLI = 0.919, and RMSEA = 0.046. The multi-group CFA provided support for gender invariance. The results indicated that after three decades of the original validation of the EBBS, many of the core factors and items are still relevant for the assessment of higher-order factors; however, the 26-item concise tool proposed in the current study displays a better parsimony in comparison with the original 43-item questionnaire. Overall, the current study provides support for a reliable, cross-culturally valid EBBS within the UK adult population, however, it proposes a shorter and more concise version compared with the original tool, and gives direction for future research to focus on the content validity for assessing the perception of the barriers to physical activity.
The Role of Heme Oxygenase-1 Promoter Polymorphisms in Perinatal Disease
Authors: Nakasone Ruka , Ashina Mariko , Abe Shinya , Tanimura Kenji , Van Rostenberghe Hans , Fujioka Kazumichi
Published: March 2021

Heme oxygenase (HO) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the heme catabolic pathway, which degrades heme into equimolar amounts of carbon monoxide, free iron, and biliverdin. Its inducible isoform, HO-1, has multiple protective functions, including immune modulation and pregnancy maintenance, showing dynamic alteration during perinatal periods. As its contribution to the development of perinatal complications is speculated, two functional polymorphisms of the HMOX1 gene, (GT)n repeat polymorphism (rs3074372) and A(-413)T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs2071746), were studied for their association with perinatal diseases. We systematically reviewed published evidence on HMOX1 polymorphisms in perinatal diseases and clarified their possible significant contribution to neonatal jaundice development, presumably due to their direct effect of inducing HO enzymatic activity in the bilirubin-producing pathway. However, the role of these polymorphisms seems limited for other perinatal complications such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We speculate that this is because the antioxidant or anti-inflammatory effect is not directly mediated by HO but by its byproducts, resulting in a milder effect. For better understanding, subtyping each morbidity by the level of exposure to causative environmental factors, simultaneous analysis of both polymorphisms, and the unified definition of short and long alleles in (GT)n repeats based on transcriptional capacity should be further investigated.
Nurses’ Occupational Stress and Presenteeism: The Mediating Role of Public Service Motivation and the Moderating Role of Health
Authors: Jiang Hairui , Jia Huanhuan , Zhang Jingru , Li Yingying , Song Fangying , Yu Xihe
Published: March 2021

Presenteeism not only poses an economic cost to organizations but also generates reduced work efficiency and quality. The purpose of this study was to examine the connections between occupational stress, public service motivation (PSM), health, and presenteeism. A total of 981 nurses from 109 public hospitals in Jilin Province in China were enrolled in our study. Model 5 in the PROCESS micro was employed in order to verify the mediating effect of PSM and the moderating effect of nurses’ health on the relationship between occupational stress and presenteeism, and simple slope analysis was used to further determine the moderating effect. Both challenge stress and hindrance stress had a positive impact on presenteeism among nurses. PSM is a mediating variable between occupational stress and presenteeism. Health moderates the path between challenge stress and presenteeism, with the association being significant for nurses with low levels of health. Future policy making should focus on preventing presenteeism by reducing excessive stress, enhancing PSM, and improving nurse health and wellness.
From Livable Communities to Livable Metropolis: Challenges for Urban Mobility in Lisbon Metropolitan Area (Portugal)
Authors: Louro Ana , Marques da Costa Nuno , Marques da Costa Eduarda
Published: March 2021

Urban mobility plays an important role in addressing urban livability. The complexification and dispersion of travel due to the improvement of transport and the multiplication of our daily living places underline the relevance of multilevel territorial planning, recognizing that the knowledge of local differences is essential for more effective urban policies. This paper aims (1) to comprehend conceptually how urban mobility contributes to the urban livability from the local to metropolitan level and (2) to assess the previous relation toward a livable metropolis based on the readily available statistics for the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Hence, a triangulation between conceptual, political/operative, and quantitative/monitoring approaches is required. The methodology follows four steps: (1) literature review focusing on the quantification of urban mobility within the urban livability approach; (2) data collection from the Portuguese statistics system; (3) data analysis and results, using principal component analysis (PCA) followed by cluster analysis (CA); (4) discussion and conclusions. In Portugal, although it is implicit, consistency is evident between the premises of recent urban mobility policies and respective planning instruments, such as the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMP), and the premises of urban livability as an urban movement. Focusing on the national statistics system, the available indicators that meet our quality criteria are scarce and represent a reduced number of domains. Even so, they allow identifying intra-metropolitan differences in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA) that could support multilevel planning instruments. The results identified five principal components related to commuting at the local and intermunicipal level, including car use as well as social and environmental externalities, and they reorganized the 18 LMA municipalities into eight groups, clearly isolating Lisbon, the capital, from the others. The identification of sensitive territories and respective problems based on urban livability principles is fundamental for an effective urban planning from livable communities to livable metropolis.