bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the ESD Reconstruction Methodology Based on Current Probe Measurements and Frequency Response Compensation for Different ESD Generators and Severity Test Levels
Authors: Papastamatis Panagiotis K. , Paliatsos Evangelos A. , Gonos Ioannis F. , Stathopulos Ioannis A.
Published: March 2021

System-level electrostatic discharge testing according to IEC 61000-4-2 has been the main standardized electrostatic discharge immunity testing procedure for the last few decades. The correlation between a failed test result and the injected electrostatic discharge current waveform characteristics, as well as the reduced reproducibility of the standard methodology, have always concerned product manufacturers and test engineers. In an effort to accurately reconstruct the electrostatic discharge current during immunity testing, researchers are focusing more and more on the usability of current probes in capturing the injected current in “real time”. In this article, the results of a proposed methodology, based on current probe measurements and a frequency response compensation method, published in recent bibliography, for different test levels and electrostatic discharge generators are presented, aiming to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the method, investigate its universal applicability, and introduce points of future work toward the current reconstruction during system-level electrostatic discharge testing effort.
Computer Vision Meets Educational Robotics
Authors: Sophokleous Aphrodite , Christodoulou Panayiotis , Doitsidis Lefteris , Chatzichristofis Savvas A.
Published: March 2021

Educational robotics has gained a lot of attention in the past few years in K-12 education. Prior studies have shown enough shreds of evidence and highlight the benefits of educational robotics as being effective in providing impactful learning experiences. At the same time, today, the scientific subject of computer vision seems to dominate the field of robotics, leading to new and innovative ideas, solutions, and products. Several articles from the recent literature demonstrate how computer vision has also improved the general educational process. However, still, the number of articles that connect computer vision with educational robotics remains limited. This article aims to present a systematic mapping review, with three research questions, investigating the current status of educational robotics, focusing on the synergies and interdependencies with the field of computer vision. The systematic review outlines the research questions, presents the literature synthesis, and discusses findings across themes. More precisely, this study attempts to answer key questions related to the role, effectiveness and applicability of computer vision in educational robotics. After a detailed analysis, this paper focuses on a set of key articles. It analyzes the research methodology, the effectiveness and applicability of computer vision, the robot platform used, the related cost, the education level, and the educational area explored. Finally, the results observed are referred to as educational process benefits. The reviewed articles suggest that computer vision contributes to educational robotics learning outcomes enhancing the learning procedure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic approach that revises the educational robotics domain by considering computer vision as a key element.
Study of 5G-NR-MIMO Links in the Presence of an Interferer
Authors: Elgam Avner , Balal Yael , Pinhasi Yosef
Published: March 2021

Many communication systems are based on the Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) scheme, and Orthogonal Space–time Block Transmit diversity Coding (OSTBC), combined with Maximal Ratio Receive Combining (MRRC), to create an optimal diversity system. A system with optimal diversity fixes and optimizes the channel’s effects under multi-path and Rayleigh fading with maximum energy efficiency; however, the challenge does not end with dealing with the channel destruction of the multi-path impacts. Susceptibility to interference is a significant vulnerability in future wireless mobile networks. The 5th Generation New Radio (5G-NR) technologies bring hundreds of small cells and pieces of User Equipment (UE) per indoor or outdoor local area scenario under a specific Long Term Evolution (LTE)-based station (e-NodeB), or under 5G-NR base-station (g-NodeB). It is necessary to study issues that deal with many interference signals, and smart jammers from advanced communication equipment cause deterioration in the links between the UE, the small cells, and the NodeB. In this paper, we study and present the significant impact and performances of 2×2 Alamouti Phase-Shift Keying (PSK) modulation techniques in the presence of an interferer and a smart jammer. The destructive effects affecting the MIMO array and the advanced diversity technique without closed-loop MIMO are analyzed. The performance is evaluated in terms of Bit Error Rate (BER) vs. Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR). In addition, we proved the impairment of the orthogonal spectrum assumption mathematically.
Wideband Reconfigurable Integrated Low-Pass Filter for 5G Compatible Software Defined Radio Solutions
Authors: Kiela Karolis , Jurgo Marijan , Macaitis Vytautas , Navickas Romualdas
Published: March 2021

This article presents a wideband reconfigurable integrated low-pass filter (LPF) for 5G NR compatible software-defined radio (SDR) solutions. The filter uses Active-RC topology to achieve high linearity performance. Its bandwidth can be tuned from 2.5 MHz to 200 MHz, which corresponds to a tuning ratio of 92.8. The order of the filter can be changed between the 2nd, 4th, or 6th order; it has built-in process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) compensation with a tuning range of ±42%; and power management features for optimization of the filter performance across its entire range of bandwidth tuning. Across its entire order, bandwidth, and power configuration range, the filter achieves in-band input-referred third-order intercept point (IIP3) between 32.7 dBm and 45.8 dBm, spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) between 63.6 dB and 79.5 dB, 1 dB compression point (P1dB) between 9.9 dBm and 14.1 dBm, total harmonic distortion (THD) between −85.6 dB and −64.5 dB, noise figure (NF) between 25.9 dB and 31.8 dB and power dissipation between 1.19 mW and 73.4 mW. The LPF was designed and verified using 65 nm CMOS process; it occupies a 0.429 mm2 area of silicon and uses a 1.2 V supply.
Dissolution of Ag Nanoparticles in Agricultural Soils and Effects on Soil Exoenzyme Activities
Authors: Cruz Nuno C. , Farto Márcia , Mourinha Clarisse , Tavares Daniela , Duarte Armando C. , Trindade Tito , Pereira Eduarda , Römkens Paul F. A. M. , Alvarenga Paula , Rodrigues Sónia M.
Published: March 2021

To assess environmental risks related to the mobility and toxicity of AgNPs, the chemical availability of AgNPs and polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated AgNPs (PVP-AgNPs) in three agricultural soils was quantified in a pot experiment. Porewater collection and soil extractions with 0.01 M CaCl2, 0.4 M Glycine (pH 1.5) and 0.05 M NH4-EDTA were performed. The effect on soil exoenzyme activities was also assessed. Porewater concentration was low (<0.4% and <0.04% of dosed Ag, for AgNPs and PVP-AgNPs, respectively) and only detected in acidic soils (pH 4.4 and 4.9). The PVP-coating reduced the downward mobility of AgNPs in soil and possibly also their dissolution rate (and subsequent release of dissolved Ag+ ions into porewater). The effect of variation in organic matter on soil enzymatic activity was larger than that of AgNPs, as no significant additional inhibitory effect from Ag could be observed. Only at low pH and in the presence of complexing ligands that form very stable Ag complexes (0.4 M Glycine extraction at pH 1.5) up to 58% of the Ag added to soil was released (independently of PVP coating). An extraction with glycine is proposed as a useful indicator of potentially available Ag in soils.
Molecular Research on Stress Responses in Quercus spp.: From Classical Biochemistry to Systems Biology through Omics Analysis
Authors: Escandón Mónica , Castillejo María Ángeles , Jorrín-Novo Jesús V. , Rey María-Dolores
Published: March 2021

The genus Quercus (oak), family Fagaceae, comprises around 500 species, being one of the most important and dominant woody angiosperms in the Northern Hemisphere. Nowadays, it is threatened by environmental cues, which are either of biotic or abiotic origin. This causes tree decline, dieback, and deforestation, which can worsen in a climate change scenario. In the 21st century, biotechnology should take a pivotal role in facing this problem and proposing sustainable management and conservation strategies for forests. As a non-domesticated, long-lived species, the only plausible approach for tree breeding is exploiting the natural diversity present in this species and the selection of elite, more resilient genotypes, based on molecular markers. In this direction, it is important to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the tolerance or resistance to stresses, and the identification of genes, gene products, and metabolites related to this phenotype. This research is being performed by using classical biochemistry or the most recent omics (genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) approaches, which should be integrated with other physiological and morphological techniques in the Systems Biology direction. This review is focused on the current state-of-the-art of such approaches for describing and integrating the latest knowledge on biotic and abiotic stress responses in Quercus spp., with special reference to Quercus ilex, the system on which the authors have been working for the last 15 years. While biotic stress factors mainly include fungi and insects such as Phytophthora cinnamomi, Cerambyx welensii, and Operophtera brumata, abiotic stress factors include salinity, drought, waterlogging, soil pollutants, cold, heat, carbon dioxide, ozone, and ultraviolet radiation. The review is structured following the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology and the omic cascade, from DNA (genomics, epigenomics, and DNA-based markers) to metabolites (metabolomics), through mRNA (transcriptomics) and proteins (proteomics). An integrated view of the different approaches, challenges, and future directions is critically discussed.
Salt Replacement Changed the Bacterial Community Composition and Physicochemical Characteristics of Sodium-Reduced Fermented Sausages during Fermentation and Ripening
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhang Yifan , Zhou Xing , Wang Shibo , Li Pinglan
Published: March 2021

The impact on fermented sausages with 25% replacement of the sodium chloride content by 14% potassium chloride, 10% calcium ascorbate and 1% calcium glutamate during fermentation and ripening was evaluated based on the bacterial community composition and physicochemical and sensory characteristic analysis. Our results showed that the use of salt replacement varied the composition of the bacterial community and reduced the diversity of that in sodium-reduced fermented sausages. Moreover, the decrease in pH and the moisture content of fermented sausages with salt replacement accelerated the drying and ripening processes. The texture profile and color analysis did not reveal marked differences between normal fermented sausages and sodium-reduced products with salt replacement; however, salt replacement reduced resilience and lightness of fermented sausages. In addition, as shown in the principal component analysis, the comprehensive parameters of the fermented sausages with salt replacement were similar to those of normal salt products. These results indicate that the complex blends of salt replacement have great potential to be used to produce sodium-reduced fermented sausages.
Consumer Attitudes toward Vertically Farmed Produce in Russia: A Study Using Ordered Logit and Co-Occurrence Network Analysis
Authors: Yano Yuki , Nakamura Tetsuya , Ishitsuka Satoshi , Maruyama Atsushi
Published: March 2021

Vertical indoor farming under artificial lighting has gained attention as a novel means of food production. However, consumer acceptance of vegetable crops grown under artificial conditions is not well understood. Our nationwide online survey of 289 Russians gathered attitudes and opinions toward vertically farmed vegetables. Employing an ordered logit model and a two-mode co-occurrence network analysis, we show how respondents’ attitudes relate to their key demographic characteristics and opinions about the vegetables. Results indicate that respondents’ attitudes are heterogeneous and related to their region of residence, income level, and opinions regarding nutrients, safety, and taste. Respondents in the Central and Volga districts exhibited less favorable attitudes. Less favorably inclined respondents viewed the produce as unnatural, less nutritious, bad-tasting, and even dangerous, presumably because of misconceptions or lack of knowledge. On the other hand, respondents with monthly income above RUB 60,001 (1018 USD, 867 EURO) had relatively positive attitudes toward such vegetables. Respondents having positive attitudes saw the vegetables as safe, tasty, and of good quality. We discuss the political and commercial implications of these findings.
Innovative Ultrasound-Assisted Approaches towards Reduction of Heavy Metals and Iodine in Macroalgal Biomass
Authors: Noriega-Fernández Estefanía , Sone Izumi , Astráin-Redín Leire , Prabhu Leena , Sivertsvik Morten , Álvarez Ignacio , Cebrián Guillermo
Published: March 2021

The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of ultrasound (US), alone or in combination with mild heating and/or EDTA towards reduction of As, Cd, I, and Hg content of Laminaria hyperborea. Concentrations of As, Cd, I, and Hg of 56.29, 0.596, 7340, and <0.01 mg kg−1 of dry weight, respectively, were found in L. hyperborea blades. Treatment with US at 50 °C increased approx. 2-fold the amount of As released, although did not affect significantly the content of Cd or I, as compared to control (no US) samples. Reducing the temperature to 8 °C significantly decreased the effect of US, but heating at 80 °C did not cause a significant effect as compared to treatments at 50 °C. On the other hand, treatment with 0.1 N EDTA at 50 °C enhanced the percentage of Cd released by approximately 7-fold, regardless of sonication. In the present work, the combination of US and EDTA at 50 °C for 5 min led to a significant reduction of the As (32%), Cd (52%) and I (31%) content in L. hyperborea, thus improving the product’s safety for consumers.
Control Measures of Pathogenic Microorganisms and Shelf-Life Extension of Fresh-Cut Vegetables
Authors: Lee Jeong Yeon , Yang So Young , Yoon Ki Sun
Published: March 2021

We investigated the combined effect of using slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW), ultrasounds (US), and ultraviolet-C light-emitting diodes (UV-C LED; 275 nm) for decreasing pathogenic Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (SEA) in fresh-cut vegetables, including carrots, celery, paprika, and cabbage. Survival of pathogenic E. coli and SEA and quality properties of fresh-cut vegetables at 5 and 15 °C for 7 days were also investigated. When combined treatment (SAEW + US + UV-C LED) was applied to fresh-cut vegetables for 3 min, its microbial reduction effect was significantly higher (0.97~2.17 log CFU/g) than a single treatment (p < 0.05). Overall, the reduction effect was more significant for SEA than for pathogenic E. coli. At 5 °C, SAEW + US and SAEW + US + UV-C LED treatments reduced populations of pathogenic E. coli and SEA in all vegetables. At 15 °C, SAEW + US + UV-C LED treatment inhibited the growth of both pathogens in carrot and celery and extended the shelf life of fresh-cut vegetables by preventing color changes in all vegetables. Although the effects of treatments varied depending on the characteristics of the vegetables and pathogens, UV-C LED can be suggested as a new hurdle technology in fresh-cut vegetable industry.
Nutritional and Bioactive Components of Pomegranate Waste Used in Food and Cosmetic Applications: A Review
Authors: Ko Katharine , Dadmohammadi Younas , Abbaspourrad Alireza
Published: March 2021

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a fruit that is rich in bioactive compounds that has a biowaste (rind and seed) with the potential to be converted into value-added products in a wide variety of applications. Recent studies have demonstrated the potent antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of using pomegranate rind and seed as natural food additives, thus making researchers incorporate them into bioplastics and edible coatings for food packaging. Additionally, these components have shown great plasticizing effects on packaging materials while extending the shelf life of food through active packaging. Even within skin health applications, pomegranate seed oil and its bioactive compounds have been particularly effective in combating UV-induced stresses on animal skin and in-vitro models, where cells and microorganisms are separated from the whole organism. They have also aided in healing wounds and have shown major anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-bacterial properties. This review highlights all of the relevant and recent food and skin health applications found in the value-added conversion of pomegranate biowaste. The lack of research in particular areas and future outlook are also discussed.
Urban Food Systems: A Bibliometric Review from 1991 to 2020
Authors: Zhong Qiumeng , Wang Lan , Cui Shenghui
Published: March 2021

The increase of urbanization is affecting the urban food system (UFS) in many areas, primarily production, processing, and consumption. The upgrading of the urban food consumption structure not only puts forward higher food production requirements, but also poses a challenge to resource consumption and technological innovation. Considerable case or review studies have been conducted on UFS, but there is no bibliometric review attempting to provide an objective and comprehensive analysis of the existing articles. In this study, we selected 5360 research publications from the core Web of Science collection from 1991 to 2020, analyzing contributions of countries, institutions, and journals. In addition, based on keyword co-occurrence and clustering analyses, we evaluated the research hotspots of UFS. The results show that global research interest in UFS has increased significantly during these three decades. The USA, China, and the UK are the countries with the highest output and closest collaborations. UFS research involves multiple subject categories, with environmental disciplines becoming mainstream. Food security, food consumption, and food waste are the three main research areas. We suggest that food sustainability and resilience, food innovation, and comparative studies between cities should be given more attention in the future.
Cellulose-Based Hydrogels for Wastewater Treatment: A Concise Review
Authors: Akter Maimuna , Bhattacharjee Maitry , Dhar Avik Kumar , Rahman Fahim Bin Abdur , Haque Siddika , Rashid Taslim Ur , Kabir S M Fijul
Published: March 2021

Finding affordable and environment-friendly options to decontaminate wastewater generated with heavy metals and dyes to prevent the depletion of accessible freshwater resources is one of the indispensable challenges of the 21st century. Adsorption is yet to be the most effective and low-cost wastewater treatment method used for the removal of pollutants from wastewater, while naturally derived adsorbent materials have garnered tremendous attention. One promising example of such adsorbents is hydrogels (HGs), which constitute a three-dimensional polymeric network of hydrophilic groups that is highly capable of adsorbing a large quantity of metal ions and dyes from wastewater. Although HGs can also be prepared from synthetic polymers, natural polymers have improved environmental benignity. Recently, cellulose-based hydrogels (CBHs) have been extensively studied owing to their high abundance, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and excellent adsorption capacity. This review emphasizes different CBH adsorbents in the context of dyes and heavy metals removal from wastewater following diverse synthesis techniques and adsorption mechanisms. This study also summarizes various process parameters necessary to optimize adsorption capacity followed by future research directions.
Comparing Transcriptome Profiles of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Cells Exposed to Cadmium Selenide/Zinc Sulfide and Indium Phosphide/Zinc Sulfide
Authors: Horstmann Cullen , Kim Kyoungtae
Published: March 2021

The primary focus of our research was to obtain global gene expression data in baker’s yeast exposed to sub-lethal doses of quantum dots (QDs), such as green-emitting CdSe/ZnS and InP/ZnS, to reveal novel insights on their unique mechanisms of toxicity. Despite their promising applications, their toxicity and long-lasting effects on the environment are not well understood. To assess toxicity, we conducted cell viability assays, ROS detection assays, and assessed their effects on the trafficking of Vps10-GFP toward the trans-Golgi network with confocal microscopy. Most notably, we used RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to obtain gene expression profiles and gene identities of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in QD-treated yeast. We found CdSe/ZnS QDs significantly altered genes implicated in carboxylic acid, amino acid, nitrogen compounds, protein metabolic processes, transmembrane transport, cellular homeostasis, cell wall organization, translation, and ribosomal biogenesis. Additionally, we found InP/ZnS QDs to alter genes associated with oxidation-reduction, transmembrane transport, metal ion homeostasis, cellular component organization, translation, and protein and nitrogen compound metabolic processes. Interestingly, we observed an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CdSe/ZnS-treated cells and a decrease in ROS levels in InP/ZnS-treated cells. Nevertheless, we concluded that both QDs modestly contributed cytotoxic effects on the budding yeast.
In Vitro Plant Regeneration in Conifers: The Role of WOX and KNOX Gene Families
Authors: Bueno Natalia , Cuesta Candela , Centeno María Luz , Ordás Ricardo J. , Alvarez José M.
Published: March 2021

Conifers are a group of woody plants with an enormous economic and ecological importance. Breeding programs are necessary to select superior varieties for planting, but they have many limitations due to the biological characteristics of conifers. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) and de novo organogenesis (DNO) from in vitro cultured tissues are two ways of plant mass propagation that help to overcome this problem. Although both processes are difficult to achieve in conifers, they offer advantages like a great efficiency, the possibilities to cryopreserve the embryogenic lines, and the ability of multiplying adult trees (the main bottleneck in conifer cloning) through DNO. Moreover, SE and DNO represent appropriate experimental systems to study the molecular bases of developmental processes in conifers such as embryogenesis and shoot apical meristem (SAM) establishment. Some of the key genes regulating these processes belong to the WOX and KNOX homeobox gene families, whose function has been widely described in Arabidopsis thaliana. The sequences and roles of these genes in conifers are similar to those found in angiosperms, but some particularities exist, like the presence of WOXX, a gene that putatively participates in the establishment of SAM in somatic embryos and plantlets of Pinus pinaster.
Destruction, Reconstruction and Resistance: The Skin and the Protean Body in Pedro Almodóvar’s Body Horror The Skin I Live In
Authors: Mondal Subarna
Published: March 2021

The instinct to tame and preserve and the longing for eternal beauty makes skin a crucial element in the genre of the Body Horror. By applying a gendered reading to the art of destruction and reconstruction of an ephemeral body, this paper explores the significant role of skin that clothes a protean body in Almodóvar’s unconventional Body Horror, “The Skin I Live In” (2011). Helpless vulnerable female bodies stretched on beds and close shots of naked perfect skin of those bodies are a frequent feature in Almodóvar films. Skin stained and blotched in “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!” (1989), nurtured and replenished in “Talk to Her” (2002), patched up and stitched in “The Skin I Live In”, becomes a key ingredient in Almodóvar’s films that celebrate the fluidity of human anatomy and sexuality. The article situates “The Skin I Live In” in the filmic continuum of Body Horrors that focus primarily on skin, beginning with Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” (1960), and touching on films like Jonathan Demme’s “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991) and Tom Tykwer’s “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer” (2006) and attempts to understand how the exploited bodies that have been culturally and socially subjugated have shaped the course of the history of Body Horrors in cinema. In “The Skin I Live In” the destruction of Vicente’s body and its recreation into Vera follow a mad scientist’s urge to dominate an unattainable body, but this ghastly assault on the body has the onscreen appearance of a routine surgical operation by an expert cosmetologist in a well-lit, sanitized mise-en-scène, suggesting that the uncanny does not need a dungeon to lurk in. The exploited body on the other hand may be seen not as a passive victim, but as a site of alterity and rebellion. Anatomically a complete opposite of Frankenstein’s Creature, Vicente/Vera’s body, perfect, beautiful but beset with a problematized identity, is etched with the history of conversion, suppression, and the eternal quest for an ephemeral object. Yet it also acts as an active site of resistance.
On-Site Raman Spectroscopic Study of Beads from the Necropolis of Vohemar, Northern Madagascar (>13th C.)
Authors: Colomban Philippe , Simsek Franci Gulsu , Koleini Farahnaz
Published: March 2021

In the late 19th century, ancient tombs were discovered near the village of Vohemar at the northeastern point of Madagascar, and subsequent excavations during the French period (1896–1945) revealed the presence of a major necropolis active from ~13th to 18th centuries. Some artefacts (Chinese ceramic shards and glass trade beads) recovered from these excavations was sent to France and now in part belong to the collection of the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle, Nimes. Carnelian and glass trade beads were analyzed with a mobile Raman spectrometer, which identified different materials (soda-lime glass, quartz/moganite, carnelian/citrine, chalcedony) and coloring agents (Naples yellow, cassiterite, amber chromophore, transition metal ions, etc.). The results are compared with those obtained on beads excavated at different sites of Southern Africa and at Mayotte Island, and it appears that (most of) the beads come from southern Asia and Europe. The results confirmed the role that northern Madagascar played within the maritime networks of the Western Indian Ocean during the 15th–16th century.
Effects of Municipal Solid Waste Compost Supplemented with Inorganic Nitrogen on Physicochemical Soil Characteristics, Plant Growth, Nitrate Content, and Antioxidant Activity in Spinach
Authors: Machado Rui , Alves-Pereira Isabel , Robalo Miguel , Ferreira Rui
Published: March 2021

In this study, we evaluated the effects of municipal solid waste compost supplemented with inorganic N on the physicochemical properties of soil, plant growth, nitrate concentration, and antioxidant activity in spinach. Experiments were carried out in neutral and acidic soils that were low in organic matter. A fertilized soil was used as a control, while four compost treatments—two compost rates of 35 and 70 t ha−1, supplemented or not with inorganic N (92 kg N ha−1 as Ca (NO3)2)—were applied by fertigation. The addition of compost increased the soil organic matter content and pH in both soils. The compost supplementation with N greatly increased the shoot dry weight and spinach fresh yield by nearly 109%. With the highest compost rate and 43% N applied, the yield increased in both soils, similar to results obtained in fertilized soil (3.8 kg m−2). The combined application of compost and N could replace inorganic P and K fertilization to a significant extent. The compost application at both rates and in both soils considerably decreased shoot Mn concentrations.
Enhancing Ecosystem Services to Minimize Impact of Climate Variability in a Dry Tropical Forest with Vertisols
Authors: Guerreiro Maria Simas , Maia de Andrade Eunice , Palácio Helba Araújo de Queiroz , Brasil José Bandeira , Ribeiro Filho Jacques Carvalho Ribeiro
Published: March 2021

Increased droughts and variable rainfall patterns may alter the capacity to provide ecosystem services, such as biomass production and clean water provision. The impact of these factors in a semi-arid region, especially on a dry tropical forest with Vertisols and under different land uses such as regenerated vegetation and thinned vegetation, is still unclear. This study analyzes hydrologic processes under precipitation pulses and intra-seasonal droughts, and suggests management practices for ecosystem services improvement. A local 43-year dataset showed a varying climate with a decrease in number of small events, and an increase in the number of dry days and in event rainfall intensity, in two catchments with different land use patterns and with Vertisols, a major soil order in semi-arid tropics. The onset of runoff depends on the expansive characteristics of the soil rather than land use, as dry spells promote micro-cracks that delay the runoff process. Forest thinning enhances groundcover development and is a better management practice for biomass production. This management practice shows a lower water yield when compared to a regenerated forest, supporting the decision of investing in forest regeneration in order to attend to an increasing water storage demand.
A Dynamic Bayesian Model for Identifying High-Mortality Risk in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Momeni-Boroujeni Amir , Mendoza Rachelle , Stopard Isaac J. , Lambert Ben , Zuretti Alejandro
Published: March 2021

As Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalization rates remain high, there is an urgent need to identify prognostic factors to improve patient outcomes. Existing prognostic models mostly consider the impact of biomarkers at presentation on the risk of a single patient outcome at a single follow up time. We collected data for 553 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-positive COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital whose eventual outcomes were known. The data collected for the patients included demographics, comorbidities and laboratory values taken at admission and throughout the course of hospitalization. We trained multivariate Markov prognostic models to identify high-risk patients at admission along with a dynamic measure of risk incorporating time-dependent changes in patients’ laboratory values. From the set of factors available upon admission, the Markov model determined that age >80 years, history of coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increased mortality risk. The lab values upon admission most associated with mortality included neutrophil percentage, red blood cells (RBC), red cell distribution width (RDW), protein levels, platelets count, albumin levels and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Incorporating dynamic changes in lab values throughout hospitalization lead to dramatic gains in the predictive accuracy of the model and indicated a catalogue of variables for determining high-risk patients including eosinophil percentage, white blood cells (WBC), platelets, pCO2, RDW, large unstained cells (LUC) count, alkaline phosphatase and albumin. Our prognostic model highlights the nuance of determining risk for COVID-19 patients and indicates that, rather than a single variable, a range of factors (at different points in hospitalization) are needed for effective risk stratification.
Empathy and Self-Efficacy in Elderly Nursing Practice among Korean Nurses
Authors: Kim Seyoon , Roh Hyun Jin , Sok Sohyune
Published: March 2021

The Korean government is activating an integrated nurse care service, in which all inpatient care services are provided by a proper nursing team without a caregiver or a guardian staying at the hospital. This study was to examine the influence of empathy and self-efficacy on the elderly nursing practice of nurses at integrated nurse care service wards in South Korea. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. Participants included 238 nurses who were working at integrated nurse care service wards in hospitals in Seoul, South Korea. Measures were a general characteristics form, the Empathy Construct Rating Scale, the Korean Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Korean Elderly Nursing Practice Scale. Data were collected from February to May 2017. The findings show a slightly higher level of empathy; an almost intermediate level of self-efficacy; and a high level of elderly nursing practice in Korean nurses at integrated nurse care service wards. The only factor found to impact significantly on elderly nursing practice was empathy. The findings suggest that nurses need to enhance empathy toward the elderly to improve elderly nursing practice. It is necessary to provide strategies or interventions in the nursing management for improvement of the empathy of nurses at integrated nurse care service wards in South Korea.
Effects of a Home Literacy Environment Program on Psychlinguistic Variables in Children from 6 to 8 Years of Age
Authors: Romero-González Marta , Lavigne-Cerván Rocío , Sánchez-Muñoz de León Marta , Gamboa-Ternero Sara , Juárez-Ruiz de Mier Rocío , Romero-Pérez Juan Francisco
Published: March 2021

(1) Background: the objective of this study was to improve certain psycholinguistic and cognitive skills that are fundamental to the development of the reading process, such as phonological awareness, reading decoding, vocabulary and oral narrative comprehension, through the introduction of an Home Literacy Environment Active (HLE(A)) program that involved 54 participants enrolled in the first and second grades of elementary school (from 6 to 8 years old) in the city of Malaga area. (2) Methods: The central task of the intervention program was for the child to read aloud to an adult in the family for between 10 and 15 min, four days per week. In addition, the school students were evaluated on four occasions, at the beginning and end of each academic year, using the Batería de Evaluación de los Procesos Lectores Revisada, Test para la Detección de la Dislexia en niños and Escala Weschsler de Inteligencia instruments. (3) Results: the results demonstrated the efficacy of the HLE(A) program in the improvement of psycholinguistic and cognitive variables measured and, consequently, to an improvement in reading learning and cognitive development. Ultimately, the scientific literature on the subject and the data from the study led us to suggest that it would not only be beneficial for HLE(A) programs to be instituted in early childhood education stage (up to 6 years of age), but that they should be continued after age 6, in elementary education.
Health-Related Quality of Life and Psychological Features in Post-Stroke Patients with Chronic Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Neuro-Rehabilitation Context of Care
Authors: Gandolfi Marialuisa , Donisi Valeria , Battista Simone , Picelli Alessandro , Valè Nicola , Del Piccolo Lidia , Smania Nicola
Published: March 2021

This study aims at exploring disability, health-related quality of life (HrQoL), psychological distress, and psychological features in post-stroke patients with chronic pain. An observational cross-sectional study involving 50 post-stroke patients (25 with chronic pain and 25 without pain) was conducted. The primary outcome was the self-reported level of disability and HrQoL which were both assessed through the Stroke Impact Scale 3.0. Both psychological distress and specific psychological features (i.e., self-efficacy, coping strategies, psychological flexibility, perceived social support) were examined. Post-stroke patients with chronic pain reported statistically significant higher levels of disability and worse HrQoL, higher psychological distress and inflexibility, as well as a lower level of self-efficacy and problem-oriented coping strategies than patients without pain (p < 0.001). Finally, correlation analysis in the group of stroke survivors with pain showed that higher levels of disability were significantly related to higher psychological distress. This study confirms the negative influence of chronic pain on disability and HrQoL in post-stroke patients and presents preliminary insights on the association between chronic pain, disability, HrQoL, psychosocial distress, and the patient’s approach in dealing with personal difficulties and emotions. These findings carry further implications for multidisciplinary management of post-stroke patients with chronic pain.
Sources of Health Anxiety for Hospital Staff Working during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Shayganfard Mehran , Mahdavi Fateme , Haghighi Mohammad , Sadeghi-Bahmani Dena , Brand Serge
Published: March 2021

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the likelihood that hospital staff will report symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress has increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative influences of circumstantial, demographic, and trait–state anxiety variables on health anxiety in this group. Methods: A total of 168 hospital staff members (mean age: 28.91 years; 56.5% females) participated in the study. They completed a series of questionnaires covering sociodemographic characteristics, health anxiety, state–trait anxiety, and job-related information. Participants also reported whether they had close acquaintances (friends, family members) infected with COVID-19. Results: Higher health anxiety was related to both trait and state anxiety. Working on the frontline, being in contact with close acquaintances infected with COVID-19, and higher state and trait anxiety predicted higher health anxiety. Gender, age, and educational background were not predictors. Conclusions: In a sample of hospital staff, subjective feelings of anxiety about one own’s health were related to personality traits, individual experiences of having close acquaintances infected with COVID-19, and working on the frontline.
Incidence of Pregnancy-Associated Cancer in Two Canadian Provinces: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Metcalfe Amy , Cairncross Zoe F. , Friedenreich Christine M. , Ray Joel G. , Nelson Gregg , Fell Deshayne B. , Lisonkova Sarka , Bhatti Parveen , McMorris Carly , Sikdar Khokan C. , Shack Lorraine
Published: March 2021

Pregnancy-associated cancer—that is diagnosed in pregnancy or within 365 days after delivery—is increasingly common as cancer therapy evolves and survivorship increases. This study assessed the incidence and temporal trends of pregnancy-associated cancer in Alberta and Ontario—together accounting for 50% of Canada’s entire population. Linked data from the two provincial cancer registries and health administrative data were used to ascertain new diagnoses of cancer, livebirths, stillbirths and induced abortions among women aged 18–50 years, from 2003 to 2015. The annual crude incidence rate (IR) was calculated as the number of women with a pregnancy-associated cancer per 100,000 deliveries. A nonparametric test for trend assessed for any temporal trends. In Alberta, the crude IR of pregnancy-associated cancer was 156.2 per 100,000 deliveries (95% CI 145.8–166.7), and in Ontario, the IR was 149.4 per 100,000 deliveries (95% CI 143.3–155.4). While no statistically significant temporal trend in the IR of pregnancy-associated cancer was seen in Alberta, there was a rise in Ontario (p = 0.01). Pregnancy-associated cancer is common enough to warrant more detailed research on maternal, pregnancy and child outcomes, especially as cancer therapies continue to evolve.
Dental Workload Reduction during First SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Lockdown in Germany: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Wolf Thomas , Deschner James , Schrader Harald , Bührens Peter , Kaps-Richter Gudrun , Cagetti Maria , Campus Guglielmo
Published: March 2021

An observational cross-sectional survey was planned to analyze the weekly workload reduction of German dentists during lockdown due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were predominantly members of the Free Association of German Dentists and filled in an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was sent to a total of 9416 dentists, with a response rate of 27.98% (n = 2635). Respondents were divided into seven macro areas by gross domestic product. Nearly two-thirds of dentists (65.16%) reported a reduction in their practice workload of more than 50% compared to the pre-pandemic period with statistically significant differences between German macro areas (p < 0.01). Weekly workload was reduced during the lockdown in 93.00% of study participants, while 55.33% dental care centers with multiple employed dentists under the direction of a non-dentist general manager had only a 40% reduction in weekly workload compared to a solo practice or a practice of a dentist with an employed dentist (30.24% and 28.39%, respectively). Dentists in Germany drastically reduced their practice activity during the first wave of the COVID-19 lockdown, both in rural and urban areas. Short, medium, and long-term effects of the pandemic on dental practices, dental staff as well as patient care need to be further investigated.
Special Issue: Preterm Birth: Research, Intervention and Developmental Outcomes
Authors: Guarini Annalisa , Pereira Miguel Pérez , van Baar Anneloes , Sansavini Alessandra
Published: March 2021

As indicated by the World Health Organization, preterm birth is a relevant public health issue, being one of the leading causes of death in children under five years of age [...]
Theory of Mind in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Possible Endophenotypic Factor?
Authors: Ortega-Díaz Esther , García-Campos Jonatan , Moya-Martínez Alejandro , Ramírez-Cremades Clara , Rico-Gomis José M. , Cuesta-Moreno Carlos , Palazón-Bru Antonio , Estan-Cerezo Gabriel , Piqueras José A. , Rodríguez-Marín Jesús
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine whether theory of mind (ToM) is an endophenotypic marker of borderline personality disorder (BPD), thus constituting an etiopathogenic factor of the disease. This would suggest familial vulnerability to BPD. This was a case-control study involving 146 individuals with 57 BPD patients, 32 first-degree relatives, and 57 controls (median age of BPD and control = 33.4 years; relatives = 52.9 years; BPD females and controls = 91.2%; female relatives = 62.5%). All the participants completed the Spanish version of the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition test to evaluate the ToM subclassification: interpretation of emotions, thoughts and intentions. BPD patients and their healthy first-degree relatives exhibited significant deficits in the correct interpretation of emotions and intentions compared to healthy controls. Both patients with BPD and their healthy first-degree relatives exhibited significant deficits in ToM, which suggests that it may be an etiopathogenic factor of BPD, and ToM (interpretation of emotions, thoughts and intentions) is a possible endophenotypic marker of BPD, suggesting a genetic predisposition to the disorder. Therefore, ToM could be considered as an indicator for the early detection of the disorder of and intervention for BPD.
Racial Disparities in Post-Acute Home Health Care Referral and Utilization among Older Adults with Diabetes
Authors: Smith Jamie M. , Jarrín Olga F. , Lin Haiqun , Tsui Jennifer , Dharamdasani Tina , Thomas-Hawkins Charlotte
Published: March 2021

Racial and ethnic disparities exist in diabetes prevalence, health services utilization, and outcomes including disabling and life-threatening complications among patients with diabetes. Home health care may especially benefit older adults with diabetes through individualized education, advocacy, care coordination, and psychosocial support for patients and their caregivers. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between race/ethnicity and hospital discharge to home health care and subsequent utilization of home health care among a cohort of adults (age 50 and older) who experienced a diabetes-related hospitalization. The study was limited to patients who were continuously enrolled in Medicare for at least 12 months and in the United States. The cohort (n = 786,758) was followed for 14 days after their diabetes-related index hospitalization, using linked Medicare administrative, claims, and assessment data (2014–2016). Multivariate logistic regression models included patient demographics, comorbidities, hospital length of stay, geographic region, neighborhood deprivation, and rural/urban setting. In fully adjusted models, hospital discharge to home health care was significantly less likely among Hispanic (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.8–0.8) and American Indian (OR 0.8, CI 0.8–0.8) patients compared to White patients. Among those discharged to home health care, all non-white racial/ethnic minority patients were less likely to receive services within 14-days. Future efforts to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in post-acute care outcomes among patients with a diabetes-related hospitalization should include policies and practice guidelines that address structural racism and systemic barriers to accessing home health care services.
The Removal of Meat Exudate and Escherichia coli from Stainless Steel and Titanium Surfaces with Irregular and Regular Linear Topographies
Authors: Evans Adele , Slate Anthony J. , Akhidime I. Devine , Verran Joanna , Kelly Peter J. , Whitehead Kathryn A.
Published: March 2021

Bacterial retention and organic fouling on meat preparation surfaces can be influenced by several factors. Surfaces with linear topographies and defined chemistries were used to determine how the orientation of the surface features affected cleaning efficacy. Fine polished (irregular linear) stainless steel (FPSS), titanium coated fine polished (irregular linear) stainless steel (TiFP), and topographically regular, linear titanium coated surfaces (RG) were fouled with Escherichia coli mixed with a meat exudate (which was utilised as a conditioning film). Surfaces were cleaned along or perpendicular to the linear features for one, five, or ten wipes. The bacteria were most easily removed from the titanium coated and regular featured surfaces. The direction of cleaning (along or perpendicular to the surface features) did not influence the amount of bacteria retained, but meat extract was more easily removed from the surfaces when cleaned in the direction along the linear surface features. Following ten cleans, there was no significant difference in the amount of cells or meat exudate retained on the surfaces cleaned in either direction. This study demonstrated that for the E. coli cells, the TiFP and RG surfaces were easiest to clean. However, the direction of the clean was important for the removal of the meat exudate from the surfaces.