bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Partition by exhaustification: comments on Dayal 1996
Authors: Fox Danny
Published: January 2021

In this paper I argue for a new constraint on questions, namely that a questiondenotation (a set of propositions) must map to a partition of a Stalnakerian Context-Set bypoint-wise exhaustification (point-wise application of the function Exh). The presuppositionthat Dayal attributes to an Answer operator follows from this constraint, if we assume a fairlystandard definition of Exh (Krifka, 1995). But the constraint is more restrictive therebyderiving the sensitivity of higher order quantification to negative islands (Spector, 2008).Moreover, when combined with recent proposals about the nature of Exh – designedprimarily to account for the conjunctive interpretation of disjunction (e.g. Bar-Lev and Fox,2017) – Dayal’s presupposition follows only in certain environments. This observationallows for an account of the “mention-some” interpretation of questions that makes specificdistributional predictions.Keywords: exhaustivity, Free Choice, maximality, higher-order quantification, mentionsome,negative-islands, partition, scalar implicatures, uniqueness.
comparison of "fei" and "aber"
Authors: Hinterwimmer Stefan , Ebert Cornelia
Published: January 2021

This paper compares the modal particle fei (Schlieben-Lange, 1979; Thoma, 2009)with the modal particle/sentence adverb aber (not to be confused with the conjunction aber,‘but’). Intuitively, both items express some form of contrast and correction. We will show thatboth are special among discourse particles in the following sense: They make a contributionthat is interpreted at a level distinct from the level where at-issue content (Potts, 2005) isinterpreted, as is standard for modal particles (see Gutzmann, 2015 and the references therein).But more interestingly, they exclusively relate to propositions that have not entered theCommon Ground via being the at-issue content of an assertion made by the addressee.Keywords: discourse particles, assertions, at-issue content, presuppositions, conventionalimplicatures, conversational implicatures.
Coreference and disjoint reference in the semantics of narrative dance
Authors: Patel-Grosz Pritty , Grosz Patrick Georg , Kelkar Tejaswinee , Refsum Jensenius Alexander
Published: January 2021

This paper presents an exploratory production study of Bharatanatyam, a figurative(narrative) dance. We investigate the encoding of coreference vs. disjoint reference in thisdance and argue that a formal semantics of narrative dance can be modeled in line withAbusch’s (2013, 2014, 2015) semantics of visual narrative (drawing also on Schlenker’s,2017a, approach to music semantics). A main finding of our investigation is that larger-levelgroup-boundaries (Charnavel, 2016) can be seen as triggers for discontinuity inferences(possibly involving the dynamic shift from one salient entity to another).Keywords: co-reference, disjoint reference, dance semantics, iconic semantics, picturesemantics.
"good" as a predicate of worlds
Authors: Sode Frank
Published: January 2021

The paper proposes a new semantics for good-predications involving finite if -andthat-clauses. The proposal combines a standard semantics for conditionals with a standardsemantics for the positive form of gradable adjectives and a minimal semantics for modal good.The predicted truth-conditions and conditions of use solve the mood puzzle presented in thefirst part of the paper. The remainder of the paper defends the classical notion of comparativegoodness in terms of a comparison between possible worlds against Lassiter (2017)’s challenge.Keywords: gradable adjectives, subjunctive conditionals, preference predicates, factivity.
"Enough", "too", and causal dependence
Authors: Zhang Linmin
Published: January 2021

Enough-/too-constructions (E/T constructions) have an implicative reading: e.g.,Mary was clever enough to leave early yesterday entails Mary left early yesterday. I arguethat this implicative reading is not due to the lexical semantics proper of enough/too, but dueto its bi-clausal structure (e.g., the above-mentioned example is analyzed as Mary left earlyyesterday because she was clever enough). I analyze enough and too simply as degree modifiersthat involve a comparison: enough means reaching the lower bound of an interval, whiletoo means exceeding the upper bound of an interval. Then inspired by Schulz (2011), Bagliniand Francez (2015), and Nadathur (2016), I relate the semantics of E/T constructions to causaldependence: due to some sufficiency/excess, the infinitival complement clause in E/T constructionsis episodically or generically (depending on its aspect being perfective or imperfective)true/false. I also argue that this infinitive has its tense and aspect marked on the main predicateof sentences, resulting in the seeming correlation between aspect and implication in languagesthat overtly make a distinction between perfective and imperfective aspects (e.g., French).Keywords: enough, too, comparatives, causal dependence, necessary (but not necessarily sufficient)causes, sufficient (but not necessarily necessary) causes, infinitives, implicatives.
impact of the socio-economic status on the German receptive noun and verb vocabulary in simultaneous bilingual children with Russian and Turkish as heritage languages
Authors: Osso Maria Antonietta
Published: January 2021

A growing body of evidence shows a positive relation between the language skills of a child and the socio-economic status (SES) of his/her parents. These studies have mainly been conducted in an American English monolingual context. The current paper addresses the question of whether SES has a comparable impact on the simultaneous bilingual language acquisition. In this study, noun and verb test scores of German simultaneous bilingual children with Turkish and Russian as heritage languages are related to the SES of their parents – to verify the existence and the nature of a common pattern. The results do not show common patterns across the two heritage language groups, suggesting the existence of other confounding factors.
Identifying early preschool bilinguals at risk of DLD: a composite profile of narrative and sentence repetition skills
Authors: Gagarina Natalia , Gey Stefanie , Sürmeli Natalie
Published: January 2021

For this study one hundred sixty-seven Russian-/Turkish-German preschool children were tested with a battery of language proficiency tests in both languages. On the basis of 1.5 SD below monolingual norm for L2 German and 1.25 SD below bilingual mean for either home language, 9 children at risk of developmental language disorders (DLD) (mean age of 4 years and 5 months) were identified and 16 age-matched TD children were selected out of the cohort. All these children were tested with the LITMUS-MAIN and –SR tests in German. The results across TD and at risk of DLD group were compared. TD clearly outperformed at risk of DLD in SR. In elicited narratives, macrostructure and microstructure were scrutinized across groups. Similar to the previous findings, our results show significant differences between at risk of DLD und TD in the microstructure, e.g. total number of word tokens and verb-based communication units and SR. For the macrostructure, TD outperformed at risk children only for story complexity. The study expands our knowledge on the cut-off criteria for the identification of bilinguals at risk of DLD, scrutinized very early narratives for bilinguals at risk of DLD features and questions the similarity of cognitive skills in TD and at risk of DLD children.
Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives (MAIN) adapted for use in Dutch
Authors: Blom Elma , Boerma Tessel , De Jong Jan
Published: January 2021

This contribution provides an overview of the current state of affairs with respect to the Dutch version of the Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives (MAIN). We describe properties of the Dutch MAIN, the creation of the Dutch MAIN, and the results of recent research with this new instrument to measure narrative competence.
Using MAIN in South Africa
Authors: Klop Daleen , Visser Monique
Published: January 2021

South Africa is a country marked by cultural and linguistic diversity with 11 official languages. The majority of school children do not receive their formal schooling in their home language. There is a need for language assessment tools in education and rehabilitation contexts to distinguish between children with language learning problems and/or SLI, and language delay as a result of limited exposure to the language of learning. The Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives (LITMUS-MAIN) provides clinicians and researchers with an appropriate and culturally relevant tool to assess bilingual children in both languages. So far MAIN has been widely used in Afrikaans- English bilingual children. However, translating and adapting MAIN to our other nine official languages to achieve functional and cultural equivalence is more challenging.
The adaptation of MAIN to Vietnamese
Authors: Trinh Tue , Pham Giang , Phạm Ben , Hoang Hien , Pham Linh
Published: January 2021

This paper describes the revision of the Vietnamese version of the Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives (LITMUS-MAIN). We first introduce the Vietnamese language and Vietnamese-speaking populations after which we describe the translation and adaptation process of the Vietnamese MAIN and present results from monolingual and bilingual children.
Impact of demographic characteristics of personnel on the quality of employee relationships: The case of Poland
Authors: Szostek Dawid
Published: January 2021

This research paper fills a significant gap in the literature in the field of the influence of demographic characteristics of employees on the quality of interpersonal relationships at work (QR). There are no comprehensive research results concerning this problem. The research objective is to describe how selected characteristics of employees (sex, age, education, type of job, and length of service) influence QR. This goal was achieved through the use of survey methods (online, direct and auditory) conducted in 2018 and 2019 on the sample of 1,336 active employees in Poland. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics application. The findings prove that the quality of interpersonal relationships at work is differentiated by sex (men tend to rate the quality of relationships higher as compared to women), age (respondents belonging to younger groups tend to rate the quality of relationships higher as compared to older respondents), education (respondents with higher education tend to rate the quality of relationships higher as compared to less educated respondents), and type of job (managers tend to rate the quality of relationships higher as compared to the blue-collar workers). It was not possible to determine explicit trends in assessing the quality of relationships depending on the term of work. According to obtained results, special attention should be paid to the following categories of staff: women, older, less educated and blue-collar employees.
Modified Zero Overloading Policy Impact to Pavement’s Service Life
Authors: Kinasih Reni Karno , Ratna Putri Mukhlisya Dewi , Nabila Nabila
Published: January 2021

Indonesia have not finished yet with the overloading truck problem which makes early failure in Indonesia pavements, mainly in national highways such as Pantura national highway. This is the first research which the aim is to compare the Cumulative Equivalent Single Axle Load (CESA) between 4 policy conditions; (1) zero overloading policy enforced; (2) modified 1 zero overloading policy enforced with 40% legal overloading tolerance for the nine-daily needs (rice, sugar, cooking oil, soy beans, salt, meat, chicken, eggs, onion), portland cement and fertilizer trucks; (3) modified 2 zero overloading policy enforced with 50% legal overloading tolerance for the same transporter as point (3); (4) no policy. This modification of the policy considered to avoid the price increment of those goods caused by the rising expedition cost. The Liddle’s formula used with k–factor = 1 for single axles, 0.086 and 0.031 for tandem and tridem axles. The finding of the study shows decreasing CESA between the alternatives compare to no policy applied. Application of policy 2 and 3 reduce the CESA number as much 44% and 34% respectively, there is 10% displaced cargo difference between policy 2 and 3 which must be loaded to other vehicles
Effective removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) by sodium alginate intercalated MgAl-layered double hydroxide: adsorption properties and mechanistic studies
Authors: Zhang Xue , Shan Ranran , Li Xuguang , Yan Liangguo , Ma Zhenmin , Jia Ruibao , Sun Shaohua
Published: January 2021

To improve the adsorption efficiency of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) for heavy metals, a novel sodium alginate (SA) intercalated MgAl-LDH (SA-LDH) was synthesized in this work. SA-LDH was characterized by XRD, FTIR, XPS and employed as adsorbent for Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II) elimination. Adsorbent dosage, initial pH and contact time, which are regarded as several key parameters, were optimized. The results showed that SA-LDH exhibited better adsorption performance compared with the pristine MgAl-LDH. The maximum adsorption capacities of SA-LDH for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) reached 0.945, 1.176 and 0.850 mmol/g, respectively. The possible mechanisms were analyzed by XPS, XRD and FTIR. The results showed that Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II) may be removed by SA-LDH via (i) bonding or complexation with Sur-OH or Sur-O- of SA-LDH, (ii) precipitation of metal hydroxides or carbonates, (iii) isomorphic substitution, and (iv) chelation with −COO− in the interlayers. This work provides an effective method for the development of LDH-based adsorbent and the treatment of wastewater containing heavy metals.
Optimization of Performance Variables of Exemestane Nanosuspension Using Box-Behnken Design to Improve Dissolution and Oral Bioavailability
Authors: Parmar Komal , Shah Jay
Published: January 2021

Aim:

Present investigation was aimed to fabricate nanocrystal of exemestane, an anticancer
drug with poor dissolution properties and oral bioavailability.

Methods:

Influence of various process parameters on the formulation of exemestane nanosuspension
using media milling technique were investigated in the trial batches. Box-Behnken design was
applied with independent variables identified in the preliminary studies, viz. X1-Milling time, X2-Amount
of stabilizer and X3-Amount of milling agent. In vitro dissolution and in vivo studies were
carried out. Solid state characterization (PXRD, SEM, and DSC) studies demonstrated physical
changes in drug due to nano-crystallization. Accelerated stability studies of optimized formulation
were carried out.

Results:

Individual process attributes exhibited a significant effect on the average particle size of
exemestane nanosuspension. Dissolution studies revealed enhancement in drug release rate as compared
to pure exemestane powder. The in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters of exemestane nanosuspension
showed significant improvement in Cmax and AUC0-t, about 283.85% and 271.63%, respectively
suggesting amelioration in oral bioavailability by 2.7-fold as compared to pure exemestane.
Accelerated stability studies of the optimized formulation suggested stability of the nanocrystals
for at least a six-month period.

Conclusion:

Nanocrystals prepared by media milling technique were successful in improving the
poor dissolution properties and oral bioavailability of exemestane.
Differential Proteomic Identification and Bioinformatics Analysis of Femoral
Neck in Elderly Female Patients with Hyperuricaemia
Authors: He Yingyi , Zhang Guangming , Huang Yuyang , Li Qi , Luo Cheng
Published: January 2021

Background:

Serum uric acid (UA) is positively correlated with bone mineral density (BMD). However, the mechanism by which serum UA affects BMD remains unclear.

Objective:

The aim was carried out to search for the functional proteins related to serum UA and femoral neck BMD to better understand the pathophysiological mechanism of osteoporosis.

Materials and Methods:

In this study, patients in the UA group (hyperuricaemia combined with femoral neck fracture) and the control group (normal uricaemia combined with femoral neck fracture) were selected according to the inclusion criteria. Total protein was extracted from the femoral neck of each patient. Fluorescence differential gel electrophoresis was used to separate the total proteins, and the differentially expressed protein spots were detected by image analysis. After enzyme digestion, peptide mass fingerprinting and database searches were performed to identify the differentially expressed proteins. DAVID software and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) data were used for enrichment analysis of the screened differential proteins.

Results:

After mass spectrometry and database searching, 66 differentially expressed protein spots were identified between the UA group and the control group. Most differentially expressed proteins functioned in cytoskeleton formation, energy metabolism, or signal transduction. They were mainly involved in 50 biological processes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signalling and fatty acid metabolism. PPARγ and PLIN1 were subject to Western blotting analysis detection; results were consistent with the Label-Free result.

Conclusion:

Based on an analysis of the biological information, these proteins may be associated with the incidence and progression of the femoral neck bone tissues of hyperuricaemia patients.
Cationicity and Hydrophobicity Enhance the Cytotoxic Potency of Phoratoxin C Anticancer Peptide Analogues against Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Ng Chu Xin , Le Cheng Foh , Lee Sau Har
Published: January 2021

Background:

Anticancer Peptides (ACPs) have received increasing attention as a
promising class of novel anticancer agents owing to their potent and rapid cytotoxic properties. In
this study, we aim to investigate the effects of cationicity and hydrophobicity in modulating the cytotoxicity
of PtxC, a class of ACP from the leafy mistletoe Phoradendron tomentosum against the
MDA-MB-231 and Vero cells.

Method:

We designed a series of four PtxC analogues (PA1 – PA4) by residual substitutions with
specific amino acids to introduce the specific charge and hydrophobicity alterations to the analogues.
The cytotoxicity strength of the PtxC analogues on MDA-MB-231 and Vero cells was tested
using MTT assay 24 hours post-treatment.

Results:

PA1, PA2, and PA4 displayed marked increases in cytotoxicity against both MDA-MB-
231 and Vero cells and can be ranked in the order of PA2 > PA4 > PA1 > PtxC > PA3. Sequence-
activity relationship analyses of the designed analogues showed that an increase in the level
of cationicity and hydrophobicity correlated well with the enhanced cytotoxic activity of PtxC
analogues. This was observed with PA1 (netC +8) and PA2 (netC +10) in comparison to PtxC
(netC +7). A similar finding was observed for PA4 (GRAVY +0.070) in contrast to PtxC (GRAVY
-0.339). Three-dimensional modelling predicted a double α-helix structure in PtxC class of ACP.
The larger first helix in PA2 and PA4 was suggested to be responsible for the enhanced cytotoxicity
observed.

Conclusion:

The critical role of cationicity and hydrophobicity in enhancing cytotoxicity of PtxC
class of ACPs was clearly demonstrated in our study. The current findings could be extrapolated to
benefit peptide design strategy in other classes of ACPs toward the discovery of highly potent
ACPs against cancer cells as potential novel therapeutic agents.
Identification, Interaction and Detection of Microplastics on Fish Scales
(Lutjanus gibbus)
Authors: Murugan Preethika , Jeevanandham Gayathri , Sundramoorthy Ashok K.
Published: January 2021

Background:

Microplastics are found to be one of the major emerging contaminants in the environment.
Various environmental occurrences cause the macro plastics to degrade slowly into microplastics. Microplastics present in
the water bodies may enter into the fish’s body through ingestion of food and also get adsorbed onto the surface of their
gills or skin.

Objective:

Microplastics of polyethylene were chosen to investigate their sorption capacity on fish
scales. The dispersion of polyethylene microplastics was studied by using a Total Dissolved Solids
meter. Using this dispersion, the sorption effect was studied, and it revealed that the microplastics
had the sorption ability on the fish scales.

Method:

Polyethylene microplastics were chosen to investigate its sorption capacity on fish scales of Lutjanus gibbus.
The sorption effect of microplastics on fish scales were performed by using polyethylene microplastics obtained by bath
sonication and the concentration was studied using Total dissolved solids meter. Using polyethylene microplastics
dispersion, the sorption effect was carried out on the scales of Lutjanus gibbus for ten days at 8 oC. Sorption of
microplastics on fish scales were characterized by FE-SEM, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy.

Results:

Polymer sorption was confirmed by using optical microscopy and FE-SEM. FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy
confirmed the existence of polyethylene microplastics on the fish scale. Moreover, polyethylene microplastics sorption
studies were also studied in different pH, various concentrations of NaCl and at different time intervals.

Conclusions:

We have synthesized microplastics from the bulk polyethylene by NaCl solution. This study confirmed the
successful sorption of polyethylene microplastics on the fish scale. Our study revealed that marine water may be a suitable
medium to facilitate the polymer sorption on aquatic animals/organisms.
Anlotinib Overcomes Multiple Drug Resistant Colorectal Cancer Cells via Inactivating PI3K/AKT Pathway
Authors: Lan Weilan , Zhao Jinyan , Chen Wujin , Shang Haixia , Peng Jun , Lin Jiumao
Published: January 2021

Background:

Anlotinib is a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has been reported to have activity
against colorectal cancer. However, the mechanisms of how anlotinib mediates drug-resistance of colorectal
cancer have not been fully described. Particularly the potential mechanisms regarding the inhibition of proliferation
and induction of apoptosis remain unknown.

Objective:

In this study, we intended to study the effect and related-mechanism of the proliferation, migration, invasion and induced
apoptosis of anlotinib overcoming multidrug resistant colorectal cancer cells through in vitro experiments.

Methods:

Cell viability was determined by MTT assays and the resistant index was calculated. Colony formation
and PI/RNase Staining were used for testing the proliferation of resistant cells. DAPI staining and Annexin
V-FITC/PI staining were used to detect cell apoptosis. Migration and invasion were examined by transwell. Protein
expression and activation of PI3K/AKT pathway were detected by western blot. LY294002 was used to verify
whether anlotinib overcomes the drug-resistance of CRC cells by inactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Results:

The results showed that the HCT-8/5-FU cells were resistant to multiple chemotherapy drugs (5-FU,
ADM and DDP). Anlotinib significantly inhibited cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion and induced
cell apoptosis. Moreover, anlotinib down-regulated the expression of survivin, cyclin D1, CDK4, caspase-3,
Bcl-2, MMP-2, MMP-9, vimentin and N-cadherin, but up-regulated cleaved-caspase-3, Bax and E-cadherin and
blocked the activity of the PI3K/AKT in HCT-8/5-FU cells. We found anlotinib and LY294002 overcame the
drug resistance of HCT-8/5-FU cells by reducing the expression of PI3K/p-AKT.

Conclusions:

Anlotinib inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion and induced apoptosis of HCT-8/5-FU cells, and the mechanisms
may be that anlotinib conquered multidrug resistance of colorectal cancer cells via inactivating of PI3K/AKT pathway.
The Relevance of Supplemental Vitamin D in Malignancies
Authors: Nica-Badea Delia , Udristioiu Aurelian
Published: January 2021

Background:

Vitamin D has a widely acknowledged role in regulating the metabolism of calcium
and phosphate, both essential to bone remodeling. However, numerous studies in recent decades have emphasized
the association between low sun exposure and vitamin D deficiency, and an increased risk of extra-skeletal
disorders such as cancer.

Objective:

This mini-review of literature aims to present an objective overview of several recent studies and meta-
analyses evaluating the role of vitamin D in cancer prevention, its potential to improve cancer treatment outcomes,
as well as the negative effects of vitamin D deficiencies.

Methods:

The antitumor effects of calcitriol and analogs in the treatment of cancer, either as single agent or in
combination with other anticancer agents, are based on several mechanisms: inhibition of cancer cell proliferation
and invasiveness, induction of differentiation and apoptosis, and promotion of angiogenesis, all recorded in
numerous preclinical studies of various cancer types.

Results:

The importance of VDR polymorphisms for individual malignancies remains a topic of debate. Contradictory
effects have been recorded in recent studies, the results of which include positive associations of VDR
when cumulated with other risk factors, both an increase and a decrease in cancer risks, as well as no correlation
between VDR polymorphisms and individual malignancies.

Conclusion:

The scientific evidence reviewed in this paper suggests that health care providers and individuals
should consider increasing concentrations of 25 (OH) D through sensitive sun exposure and / or by supplementing
with vitamin D to reduce cancer risk and, in combination with standard care, to treat cancer.
Mitophagy in Carcinogenesis and Tumour Progression- A New Paradigm with Emerging Importance
Authors: Ray Suman K. , Mukherjee Sukhes
Published: January 2021

The term Mitophagy has been newly concerned in reforming the metabolic landscape inside cancerous
cells in addition to the interface between malignant cells as well as other major constituents of tumour microenvironment.
Several profoundly interrelated systems, comprising mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy,
function in mammalian cells as vital mitochondrial regulator processes, and their consequence in neoplastic development
has recently been illuminated clinically. In specific instances of cancer cells, mitochondrial-protected
metabolic paths are revamped to meet expanded bioenergetics along with biosynthetic necessities of malignant
cells, in addition to deal with oxidative stress. It is an exhausting task to foresee the role that mitophagy
has on malignant growth cells since it relies upon various elements like cancer variability, malignant growth
phase, genetic background and harmony between cell demand and accessibility. As per condition, mitophagy
may have a double role as cancer suppressor for example Atg5 (autophagy related 5) or Atg7 (autophagy related
7) or execute promoter like function for instance FUNDC1 (FUN14 domain-containing protein 1), BNIP3
(BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19-kDa-interacting protein 3), PINK1 (PTEN-instigated kinase 1) etc. Tumour suppressive
function of Parkin (E3 ubiquitin ligase) is likewise distinguished in mammary gland carcinoma where obstruction
of mitophagy impacts tumour progression. In pancreatic cancer cells and hepatocellular carcinoma hypermethylation
of the BNIP3, promoter occurs that prevent HIF-1 (Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1) binding besides
ensuing initiation of mitophagy. Since the dual role of mitophagy has in malignant growth relying upon
various circumstances and cell varieties, a range of studies have been performed on mitophagy and its role in
cancer progression and development is opening up a new paradigm with immense clinical importance.
Community-Based Physical Activity Interventions for Individuals with Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Scoping Review Protocol
Authors: Quilico Enrico , Swaine Bonnie , Alarie Christophe , Colantonio Angela
Published: January 2021

Background

Long-term physical, cognitive, and psychosocial problems resulting from moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) can prevent individuals from returning to preinjury lifestyles because of significant challenges with employment, leisure, and relationships. While physical activity (PA) is proposed as a cost-effective method to alleviate problems after moderate to severe TBI, there is no review to date that synthesizes the evidence for PA in the community-based context. Further, although sex- and gender-based considerations in research are considered requisite to good science, there is no review on PA and TBI that has included this explicit focus.

Objective

The purpose of this review is to map and synthesize the current evidence identified through a systematic search of community-based PA interventions for individuals of all ages with moderate to severe TBI and provide an overview of that evidence by asking the following research questions: (1) what are the characteristics of community-based PA programs for individuals with moderate to severe TBI, (2) what are the reported health-related outcomes and measurement tools used to evaluate them, and (3) what considerations have been given to sex and/or gender?

Methods

Searches will be conducted of six academic databases for peer-reviewed articles. Two reviewers will independently screen the articles for inclusion and extract data for the analysis. The extracted data will be coded according to the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template checklist and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist to provide sufficient detail for replication.

Results

The abstract screening was completed by two reviewers and the extracted data were analyzed. A qualitative synthesis and description of community-based PA interventions for individuals with moderate to severe TBI will be provided.

Conclusions

This scoping review will generate new knowledge from published and publicly available literature. Dissemination of the results will include activities related to knowledge transfer for community-based PA after moderate to severe TBI for future research and practice. Evidence-based recommendations, future directions, potential limitations, use of online/digital components, and the possible need for a systematic review will be discussed as well.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/24689
Implementation of Online Hospitals and Factors Influencing the Adoption of Mobile Medical Services in China: Cross-Sectional Survey Study
Authors: Wang Huanlin , Liang LanYu , Du ChunLin , Wu YongKang
Published: January 2021

Background

Online hospitals are part of an innovative model that allows China to explore telemedicine services based on national conditions with large populations, uneven distribution of medical resources, and lack of quality medical resources, especially among residents needing to be protected from COVID-19 infection.

Objective

In this study, we built a hypothesis model based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) in order to analyze the factors that may influence patients’ willingness to use mobile medical services. This research was designed to assist in the development of mobile medical services. Residents who do not live in urban areas and cannot access medical assistance would greatly benefit from this research, as they could immediately go to the online hospital when needed.

Methods

A cross-sectional study based at the West China Hospital, Sichuan University, was conducted in July 2020. A total of 407 respondents, 18 to 59 years old, in Western China were recruited by convenience sampling. We also conducted an empirical test for the hypothesis model and applied structural equation modeling to estimate the significance of path coefficients so that we could better understand the influencing factors.

Results

Out of 407 respondents, 95 (23.3%) were aware of online hospitals, while 312 (76.7%) indicated that they have never heard of online hospitals before. Gender (P=.048) and education level (P=.04) affected people’s willingness to use online hospitals, and both of these factors promoted the use of online hospitals (odds ratio [OR] 2.844, 95% CI 1.010-8.003, and OR 2.187, 95% CI 1.031-4.636, respectively). According to structural equation modeling, the results of the path coefficient analysis indicated that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions have positive effects on patients’ willingness to use online hospitals.

Conclusions

The goal of our research was to determine the factors that influence patients’ awareness and willingness to use online hospitals. Currently, the public’s awareness and usage of online hospitals is low. In fact, effort expectancy was the most important factor that influenced the use of online hospitals; being female and having a high education also played positive roles toward the use of mobile medical services.
Effects of Website Interactivity on Skin Cancer–Related Intentions and User Experience: Factorial Randomized Experiment (Preprint)
Authors: Niu Zhaomeng , Willoughby Jessica Fitts , Coups Elliot J , Stapleton Jerod L
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Digital media technologies provide users with the ability to interact with content and to receive information based on their preferences and engagement.

OBJECTIVE

We used skin cancer and sun protection as a health topic to explore how modality interactivity, interface tools that afford users greater activity, resulting in greater depth and breadth of mentally representing and experiencing mediated content, and message interactivity, the extent to which the system allows users to exchange messages back and forth on health websites, influenced users’ attitudes, knowledge, behavioral intentions, and experience.

METHODS

We employed a 2×2 (modality interactivity: high vs low; message interactivity: high vs low) between-subject online experiment for which 4 websites were created. Participants (n=293) were recruited using Amazon Mechanical Turk and randomly assigned into to 1 of 4 conditions. After browsing the website, participants completed an online survey regarding their experience and cognitive perceptions. General linear models and path analysis were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Both modality interactivity (P=.001) and message interactivity (P<.001) had an impact on intention to use sun protection. Attitudes toward health websites and perceived knowledge mediated the effects of modality interactivity and message interactivity on sun protection use intention, individually. Participants in the high modality interactivity and high message interactivity condition felt more satisfied (P=.02). Participants in the low message interactivity condition had more interest in the experience with health websites than participants in the high message interactivity condition (P=.044).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggested that modality interactivity influenced intention to use sun protection directly as well as via attitudes toward the websites. Message interactivity impacted intention to use sunscreen directly and also through perceived knowledge. Implications for designing health websites and health intervention content are discussed.
Step and Distance Measurement From a Low-Cost Consumer-Based Hip and Wrist Activity Monitor: Protocol for a Validity and Reliability Assessment (Preprint)
Authors: Carlin Thomas , Vuillerme Nicolas
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Self-tracking via wearable and mobile technologies is becoming an essential part of personal health management. At this point, however, little information is available to substantiate the validity and reliability of low-cost consumer-based hip and wrist activity monitors, with regard more specifically to the measurements of step counts and distance traveled while walking.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study is to assess the validity and reliability of step and distance measurement from a low-cost consumer-based hip and wrist activity monitor specific in various walking conditions that are commonly encountered in daily life. Specifically, this study is designed to evaluate whether and to what extent validity and reliability could depend on the sensor placement on the human body and the walking task being performed.

METHODS

Thirty healthy participants will be instructed to wear four PBN 2433 (Nakosite) activity monitors simultaneously, with one placed on each hip and each wrist. Participants will attend two experimental sessions separated by 1 week. During each experimental session, two separate studies will be performed. In study 1, participants will be instructed to complete a 2-minute walk test along a 30-meter indoor corridor under 3 walking speeds: very slow, slow, and usual speed. In study 2, participants will be required to complete the following 3 conditions performed at usual walking speed: walking on flat ground, upstairs, and downstairs. Activity monitor measured step count and distance values will be computed along with the actual step count (determined from video recordings) and distance (measured using a measuring tape) to determine validity and reliability for each activity monitor placement and each walking condition.

RESULTS

Participant recruitment and data collection began in January 2020. As of June 2020, we enrolled 8 participants. Dissemination of study results in peer-reviewed journals is expected in spring 2021.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that examines the validity and reliability of step and distance measurement during walking using the PBN 2433 (Nakosite) activity monitor. Results of this study will provide beneficial information on the effects of activity monitor placement, walking speed, and walking tasks on the validity and reliability of step and distance measurement. We believe such information is of utmost importance to general consumers, clinicians, and researchers.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/21262
Mitigasi Rantai Pasok Rumput Laut dengan Pendekatan House of Risk dan Fuzzy AHP di Kabupaten Maluku Tenggara
Authors: Teniwut Wellem Anselmus , Betaubun Kamilius Deleles , Marimin Marimin , Djatna Taufik
Published: January 2021

Seaweed is among fishery commodities with great potential economy prospect. Southeast Maluku District is one of the main producers in Eastern region of Indonesia. Despite the high production since 2012, the number of farmers and the product has declined due to inadequate supply chain coordination and information dissemination among members. Therefore, this study aimed to mitigate the assymetric information in the region using the house of risk (HOR) to identify the risks to be addressed, and also provide response on the source of supply chain risk. Furthermore, Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with fuzzy approach was used to determine the major factor, and then choose the best alternative to mitigate asymmetric information in the supply chain. Results showed there were five factors that contributed 70% risks. The results also indicated that dependence on local distributor was a factor that had to be prioritized and addressed. In addition, to mitigate the operational risks, findings showed it is necessary to establish seaweed farmers forum, which is the best approach based on the cost and effectiveness. This study also stated that local ,government of Southeast Maluku District was the main actor that helps to overcome the risks and asymmetric information problem. Therefore, the best alternative was to form an information center for seaweed cultivation, which will provide the knowledge of prices and potential buyer outside the region.
Pengaruh Bubur Pisang Isomaltosa-oligosakarida dan Fibercreme terhadap Kadar Glukosa dan Lipida Darah serta Profil Digesta Tikus Diabetes
Authors: Marsono Yustinus , Triwitono Priyanto , Arianti Elisabeth Desy , Gunawan Hendrik , Indrawanto Rochmad
Published: January 2021

Dietary fiber and resistant starch are known to be beneficial in lowering both glucose and lipid concentration in human. Fibercreme, a fiber rich product has been developed. It is a commercial non-dairy creamer that uses various oligosaccharides such as Isomaltose-oligosaccharides (IMO) or inulin as fiber source to replace the glucose component of conventional creamer. In this study, IMO and fibercreme were used to replace sucrose of the banana porridge. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine porridge effects on glucose, triglyceride, serum cholesterol and digesta profile in diabetic STZ-NA induced rats. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups and fed four different diets including the standard (KS and KN), banana porridge with sweetener IMO (BP+IMO), fibercreme (BP+FC) and (BP + Sukrosa). In these diets, porridge subtituted 30% energy of the standard diet, and the intervention was conducted for 28 days. It was found that banana-IMO porridge showed the lowest decrease in serum glucose level with 56.09%, followed by banana-fibercreme (47.61%) and bananasucrose (36.61%). Furthermore, similar trend was found in their cholesterol-lowering effects with 36.82%, 25.68% and 7.86% respectively. However, triglyceride level effects were highest in banana-IMO porridge (9.06%), followed by banana-sucrose (6.47%) and banana-fibercreme (3.72%). In addition, sucrose replacement with IMO increases weight and water content, as well as decrease caecal digesta pH. However, fibercreme increases only water content and does not decrease caecal digesta pH.
Consumer Preference Analysis between Local and Imported Rice Consumption in Adamawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Hamid Hamid , Gabul Gabul , Gabdo Gabdo
Published: January 2021

The study was conducted in Adamawa state Nigeria. The objective was to analyze consumers’ preference between local and imported rice in the area. A sample of 128 House Holds Heads (HHHS), were drawn using multi-stages, purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Primary data was generated using structured questionnaire administered to 128 HHHs. However, only 120 were retrieved and subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics includes frequency count, percentages and means while chi – square analysis was used to test the hypothesis of the study which was stated in a null form, that local rice is better than the imported rice based on certain attributes such as price, swelling capacity, taste, cleanliness, cooking duration, color, odor, grain shape and in the preparation of different recipe. The results revealed that, majority (66.66%), of the consumers prefer local rice based on it lower price and taste respectively while majority (83.34%), (75, 00%) and (66.66%) agreed that imported rice is better in terms of cleanliness, pleasant odor and grain shape. Similarly, rice consumers concur (50%) and (50%) on the cooking duration attributes of both local and imported rice respectively in the area. The study therefore, concluded that, imported rice is better than the local rice based on the percentages and chi – square result which rejected, the null hypothesis, and accepted the alternate ( 2cal is greater than 2tab at probability level ( alpha) p= (0.05 ) and (r -1)(c -1) degree of freedom. It is recommended that local rice should be improved in respect to it cleanliness, odor and grain shape which are the attributes by which foreign rice is considered better from this study for it to be competitive at national and international market scenes. This could be achieved through improvement in research and adoption of improved production and processing technologies
Introducing Volume 10 of the
Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research
Authors: Dormer Laura
Published: January 2021

I am very pleased to welcome readers to the tenth volume of the
Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research
(JCER). As in previous years, it is great to start off this issue with a look back on some of our article highlights from 2020, alongside some of this month’s key content.
Microbiota intestinal: aliada fundamental del organismo humano. Gut microbiota: our fundamental allied
Authors: Garza-Velasco Raúl , Garza-Manero Sylvia Patricia , Perea-Mejía Luis Manuel
Published: January 2021

Resumen

La microbiota intestinal desempeña relevantes funciones mediante las cuales contribuye directa o indirectamente a la estabilidad del organismo humano; actualmente su papel es incuestionable en la modulación del sistema inmune, la regulación del sistema nervioso, la síntesis de vitaminas, la defensa del intestino y el movimiento peristáltico.

Las nuevas herramientas de la biología molecular han sido determinantes para la revelación de los sorprendentes hallazgos publicados en los últimos lustros, los cuales han dado origen a términos y frases tales como “psicobióticos”, “un órgano adicional del humano”, “el segundo cerebro” y “el eje microbiota-intestino-cerebro”.

Por otra parte, el desequilibrio de la microbiota intestinal se traduce en la generación o agravamiento de diversas enfermedades crónicas, entre las que destacan la obesidad, diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad inflamatoria del intestino, síndrome metabólico, depresión, ansiedad.

De aquí que la comunidad científica se encuentre trabajando intensamente en el conocimiento de su composición y en el impacto de la proporción o ausencia de las principales especies en el funcionamiento global de la microbiota intestinal y, consecuentemente, del organismo humano.

La presente revisión contribuye a la actualización del tema “Microbiota Habitual” que se imparte en las carreras de Química Farmacéutico Biólogo, Química de Alimentos y carreras afines.

Abstract

The gut microbiota plays relevant functions in the human organism, contributing directly or indirectly to its homeostasis. To name a few, it participates in the immune and the nervous system modulation, the vitamins synthesis, the gut defence and the peristaltic movement.

Novel molecular biology techniques have been determinant to reveal amazing findings in recent years, and now the authors use terms and phrases such as “psychobiotics”, “an additional human tissue”, “the second brain”, and “the microbiota-gut-brain axis”, when referring to the gut microbiota functions.

In contrast, misregulation of gut microbiota is involved in the pathogenicity of chronical diseases, such as obesity, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, gut inflammatory disease, depression and anxiety, among others. Therefore, it is important to investigate the gut microbiota composition and the individual contribution of each specie to the gut microbiota function, and subsequently, to the human organism physiology.

This review article summarizes recent contributions in the field, suitable when teaching the theme of “Habitual Microbiota” in the Biological Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Food Chemistry, and related bachelor degrees.
WACANA ROMANTISME DALAM SEJARAH SASTRA INDONESIA PERIODE KOLONIAL BELANDA (1900-1942)
Authors: Susanto Dwi , Wati Rianna
Published: January 2021

Sejarah sastra Indonesia didominasi oleh wacana estetik romantik atau materialisme. Hal ini memengaruhi cara pandang terhadap kesastaraan Indonesia. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk melihat pembentukan dan persebaran wacana estetika romantik dalam sejarah sastra Indonesia. Teori yang digunakan adalah wacana dan kuasa dari Foucault. Objek kajian yang digunakan adalah wacana dan kuasa dalam sejarah sastra Indonesia, terutama wacana estetika romantisme. Hasil yang diperoleh adalah bahwa wacana estetika romantisme dan sejarah sastra Indonesia dibentuk dan digunakan oleh kuasa kolonialisme Belanda. Hal ini ditujukan untuk membentuk masyarakat terjajah sesuai citra dirinya. Sebagai akibatnya, wacana estetika yang lain disingkirkan dan dianggap bukan sebagai kesastaraan sehingga tidak masuk dalam sejarah sastra. Hal ini berlanjut hingga pada masa sesudahnya dan Orde Baru yang menggunakan cara dan strategi yang serupa dengan periode kolonial.