bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mo Contact via High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering on Polyimide Substrate
Authors: Chen Yung-Lin , Lin Yi-Cheng , Wu Wan-Yu
Published: January 2022

It has always been a huge challenge to prepare the Mo back contact of inorganic compound thin film solar cells (e.g., CIGS, CZTS, Sb2Se3) with good conductivity and adhesion at the same time. High-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) has been proposed as one solution to improve the properties of the thin film. In this study, the HiPIMS technology replaced the traditional DC power sputtering technology to deposit Mo back contact on polyimide (PI) substrates by adjusting the experimental parameters of HiPIMS, including working pressure and pulse DC bias. When the Mo back contact is prepared under a working pressure of 5 mTorr and bias voltage of −20 V, the conductivity of the Mo back contact is 9.9 × 10−6 Ω·cm, the residual stress of 720 MPa, and the film still has good adhesion. Under the minimum radius of curvature of 10 mm, the resistivity change rate of Mo back contact does not increase by more than 15% regardless of the 1680 h or 1500 bending cycle tests, and the Mo film still has good adhesion in appearance. Experimental results show that, compared with traditional DC sputtering, HiPIMS coating technology has better conductivity and adhesion at the same time, and is especially suitable for PI substrates.
Cellulose Nanomaterials as a Future, Sustainable and Renewable Material
Authors: Phuong Hoang Thi , Thoa Nguyen Kim , Tuyet Phung Thi Anh , Van Quyen Nguyen , Hai Yen Dao
Published: January 2022

Cellulose nanomaterials (CNs) are renewable, bio-derived materials that can address not only technological challenges but also social impacts. This ability results from their unique properties, for example, high mechanical strength, high degree of crystallinity, biodegradable, tunable shape, size, and functional surface chemistry. This minireview provides chemical and physical features of cellulose nanomaterials and recent developments as an adsorbent and an antimicrobial material generated from bio-renewable sources.
Study on the Formation of Reactive Material Shaped Charge Jet by Trans-Scale Discretization Method
Authors: Lu Guancheng , Ge Chao , Liu Zhenyang , Tang Le , Wang Haifu
Published: January 2022

The formation process of reactive materials shaped charge is investigated by X-ray photographs and numerical simulation. In order to study the formation process, a trans-scale discretization method is proposed. A two-dimensional finite element model of shaped charge and reactive material liner is established and the jet formation process, granule size difference induced particle dispersion and granule distribution induced jet particle distribution are analyzed based on Autodyn-2D platform and Euler solver. The result shows that, under shock loading of shaped charge, the Al particle content decreases from the end to the tip of the jet, and increases as the particle size decreases. Besides, the quantity of Al particles at the bottom part of the liner has more prominent influence on the jet head density than that in the other parts, and the Al particle content in the high-speed section of jet shows inversely proportional relationship to the ratio of the particle quantity in the top area to that in the bottom area of liner.
Treatment of Older Adult Patients with Glioblastoma: Moving towards the Inclusion of a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment for Guiding Management
Authors: Chahal Manik , Thiessen Brian , Mariano Caroline
Published: January 2022

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults, and over half of patients with newly diagnosed GBM are over the age of 65. Management of glioblastoma in older patients includes maximal safe resection followed by either radiation, chemotherapy, or combined modality treatment. Despite recent advances in the treatment of older patients with GBM, survival is still only approximately 9 months compared to approximately 15 months for the general adult population, suggesting that further research is required to optimize management in the older population. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) has been shown to have a prognostic and predictive role in the management of older patients with other cancers, and domains of the CGA have demonstrated an association with outcomes in GBM in retrospective studies. Furthermore, the CGA and other geriatric assessment tools are now starting to be prospectively investigated in older GBM populations. This review aims to outline current treatment strategies for older patients with GBM, explore the rationale for inclusion of geriatric assessment in GBM management, and highlight recent data investigating its implementation into practice.
IMSI—Guidelines for Sperm Quality Assessment
Authors: Lukaszuk Krzysztof , Jakiel Grzegorz , Wocławek Potocka Izabela , Kiewisz Jolanta , Olszewska Jolanta , Sieg Wlodzimierz , Podolak Amira , Pastuszek Ewa , Wdowiak Artur
Published: January 2022

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a widely used and accepted treatment of choice for oocyte fertilization. However, the quality of sperm selection depends on the accurate visualization of the morphology, which can be achieved with a high image resolution. We aim to correct the conviction, shown in a myriad of publications, that an ultra-high magnification in the range of 6000×–10,000× can be achieved with an optical microscope. The goal of observing sperm under the microscope is not to simply get a larger image, but rather to obtain more detail—therefore, we indicate that the optical system’s resolution is what should be primarily considered. We provide specific microscope system setup recommendations sufficient for most clinical cases that are based on our experience showing that the optical resolution of 0.5 μm allows appropriate visualization of sperm defects. Last but not least, we suggest that mixed research results regarding the clinical value of IMSI, comparing to ICSI, can stem from a lack of standardization of microscopy techniques used for both ICSI and IMSI.
Evaluation of Predictors of Biochemical Recurrence in Prostate Cancer Patients, as Detected by 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT
Authors: Christensen Mads T. , Jochumsen Mads R. , Klingenberg Søren , Sørensen Karina D. , Borre Michael , Bouchelouche Kirsten
Published: January 2022

Objectives: To explore the existence of new predictors of the 68Ga-Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) PET/CT detection rate at biochemical recurrence (BCR) and to determine the detection rate of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT dependent of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Materials and methods: In total, 189 PCa patients scanned with 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for detection of BCR after curatively intended treatment with either radical prostatectomy (n = 153) or radiotherapy (n = 36) were included. Clinicopathological information at the time of diagnosis (PSA, clinical tumor-stage, International Society of Urological Pathology Grade Group and whether 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT was used for primary staging), treatment (RT/RP and histopathology of the prostatectomies), and pre-PET PSA were collected from medical records. Results: Of the 189 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT scans, 103 (54.5%) were positive for BCR of PCa. No significant coherency was observed between detection rate and any clinicopathological variables at diagnosis. Detection rates significantly increased with rising PSA: <0.5 ng/mL = 28%, 0.5 ≤ 1 ng/mL = 39%, 1 ≤ 2 ng/mL = 64%, 2 ≤ 5 ng/mL = 87.5% and ≥5 ng/mL = 97%. Conclusions: The detection rate of PCa recurrence was strongly dependent of pre-PET PSA levels. None of the additional clinical variables acquired during primary staging, prostatectomy pathology reports, nor primary staging imaging modality affected the detection rate.
Analysis Comparison for Rapid Identification of Pathogenic Virus from Infected Tissue Samples
Authors: Hosokawa-Muto Junji , Sassa-O’Brien Yukiko , Fujinami Yoshihito , Nakahara Hiroaki
Published: January 2022

When examining infectious samples, rapid identification of the pathogenic agent is required for diagnosis and treatment or for investigating the cause of death. In our previous study, we applied exhaustive amplification using non-specific primers (the rapid determination system of viral genome sequences, the RDV method) to identify the causative virus via swab samples from a cat with a suspected viral infection. The purpose of the current study is to investigate suitable methods for the rapid identification of causative pathogens from infected tissue samples. First, the influenza virus was inoculated into mice to prepare infected tissue samples. RNA extracted from the mouse lung homogenates was transcribed into cDNA and then analyzed using the RDV method and next-generation sequencing, using MiSeq and MinION sequencers. The RDV method was unable to detect the influenza virus in the infected tissue samples. However, influenza virus reads were detected using next-generation sequencing. Comparing MiSeq and MinION, the time required for library and sequence preparation was shorter for MinION sequencing than for MiSeq sequencing. We conclude that when a causative virus needs to be rapidly identified from an infectious sample, MinION sequencing is currently the method of choice.
Significant Stenosis of the Brachiocephalic Trunk and Moderate Stenosis of the Left Circumflex Artery in Computed Tomography Angiography Images
Authors: Gać Paweł , Poręba Rafał
Published: January 2022

Atherosclerosis, as a civilization disease, is a serious epidemiological problem. Significant carotid disease and significant coronary artery disease result in acute consequences, such as ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction, which are the major causes of cardiovascular mortality. Typically, atherosclerosis of the aortic arch branches involves the bulbs of the common carotid arteries and the proximal segments of the internal carotid arteries, and can be effectively assessed by ultrasonography. Computed tomography angiography enables the identification of patients with less typical clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis, e.g., brachiocephalic trunk stenosis with symptoms of the steal syndrome and moderate stenosis in the coronary arteries. We present examples of computed tomography angiography images of this type of changes.
An Entropy-Based Approach for Nonparametrically Testing Simple Probability Distribution Hypotheses
Authors: Mittelhammer Ron , Judge George , Henry Miguel
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we introduce a flexible and widely applicable nonparametric entropy-based testing procedure that can be used to assess the validity of simple hypotheses about a specific parametric population distribution. The testing methodology relies on the characteristic function of the population probability distribution being tested and is attractive in that, regardless of the null hypothesis being tested, it provides a unified framework for conducting such tests. The testing procedure is also computationally tractable and relatively straightforward to implement. In contrast to some alternative test statistics, the proposed entropy test is free from user-specified kernel and bandwidth choices, idiosyncratic and complex regularity conditions, and/or choices of evaluation grids. Several simulation exercises were performed to document the empirical performance of our proposed test, including a regression example that is illustrative of how, in some contexts, the approach can be applied to composite hypothesis-testing situations via data transformations. Overall, the testing procedure exhibits notable promise, exhibiting appreciable increasing power as sample size increases for a number of alternative distributions when contrasted with hypothesized null distributions. Possible general extensions of the approach to composite hypothesis-testing contexts, and directions for future work are also discussed.
Prevention Village Fund Fraud in Indonesia: Moral Sensitivity as a Moderating Variable
Authors: Wahyudi Sugeng , Achmad Tarmizi , Pamungkas Imang Dapit
Published: January 2022

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the internal control system, appropriate compensation, and the competency of the village apparatus regarding the prevention of village fund fraud with moral sensitivity as a moderating variable. This research is a quantitative method using hypothesis–inference to answer exploratory, descriptive, explanatory, and predictive analysis questions. Primary data are mainly used in this study. Data were collected using a survey method in a questionnaire with questions given to respondents to collect information. The sample of this research is the village office in 16 (sixteen) districts in Sumowono, Semarang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia, with 289 participants. Data analysis was carried out using Warp-PLS 7.0 application software. The results showed that the village apparatus’s internal control system, appropriate compensation, and competency prevented village fund fraud. Furthermore, the novelty of this research is to add a moderating variable, moral sensitivity, which can strengthen the relationship between the internal control system, appropriate compensation, and competency of the village apparatus regarding the prevention of village fund fraud.
An N/M-Ratio All-Digital Clock Generator with a Pseudo-NMOS Comparator-Based Programmable Divider
Authors: Kim Jongsun
Published: January 2022

A multiplying delay-locked loop (MDLL)-based all-digital clock generator with a programmable N/M-ratio frequency multiplication capability for digital SoC is presented. The proposed digital MDLL provides programmable N/M-ratio frequency multiplication using a new high-speed Pseudo-NMOS comparator-based programmable divider with small area and low power consumption. The proposed MDLL clock generator can also provide a de-skew function by eliminating the phase offset problem caused by the propagation delay of the front divider in conventional N/M MDLL architectures. Fabricated in a 0.13-µm 1.2-V CMOS process, the proposed digital MDLL clock generates fully de-skewed output clock frequencies from 0.3 to 1.137 GHz with programmable N/M ratios of N = 1~32 and M = 1~16. It achieves a measured effective peak-to-peak jitter of 12 ps at 1.0 GHz when N/M = 8/1. It occupies an active area of only 0.034 mm2 and consumes a power of 10.3 mW at 1.0 GHz.
Driving Speed Estimation and Trapped Drivers’ Detection inside Tunnels Using Distributed MIMO Bluetooth Devices
Authors: Kontogiannis Sotirios , Kastellos Anestis , Kokkonis George , Gkamas Theodosios , Pikridas Christos
Published: January 2022

Accidents in highway tunnels involving trucks carrying flammable cargoes can be dangerous, needing immediate confrontation to detect and safely evacuate the trapped people to lead them to the safety exits. Unfortunately, existing sensing technologies fail to detect and track trapped persons or moving vehicles inside tunnels in such an environment. This paper presents a distributed Bluetooth system architecture that uses detection equipment following a MIMO approach. The proposed equipment uses two long-range Bluetooth and one BLE transponder to locate vehicles and trapped people in motorway tunnels. Moreover, the detector’s parts and distributed architecture are analytically described, along with interfacing with the authors’ resources management system implementation. Furthermore, the authors also propose a speed detection process, based on classifier training, using RSSI input and speed calculations from the tunnel inductive loops as output, instead of the Friis equation with Kalman filtering steps. The proposed detector was experimentally placed at the Votonosi tunnel of the EGNATIA motorway in Greece, and its detection functionality was validated. Finally, the detector classification process accuracy is evaluated using feedback from the existing tunnel inductive loop detectors. According to the evaluation process, classifiers based on decision trees or random forests achieve the highest accuracy.
Global Optimization in Robust Fractional Control of Uncertain Fractional Order Systems: A Thermal Application Using the STM32 Microcontroller
Authors: Rhouma Aymen , Hafsi Sami , Bouani Faouzi
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we suggest an improvement to our previously undertaken approach. Briefly, this approach consisted of applying the robust fractional predictive control (RFPC) for a class of constrained fractional systems implementing the min–max optimization technique. The RFPC controller requires resolution of a non-convex min–max optimization problem. The resolution of this problem, however, can only conduce to local solutions. The reason is simple: the objective function to be optimized is non-convex due to the presence of uncertainties. In the present work, we propose a global optimization-based RFPC controller for an uncertain fractional order system. A determinist global optimization method, namely, generalized geometric programming (GGP), is proposed to solve this problem for the uncertain fractional order system. The GGP method consists of converting a non-convex problem into a convex one via the application of variable changes. The technique of the convexification of this method is applied in line with the objective function to be optimized. Consequently, we obtained a new convex criterion and a convex problem. From an experimental point of view, we applied the proposed RFPC to a real thermal system using an STM32 microcontroller in order to control our thermal system.
Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of Cell Cycle Genes in Birch
Authors: Li Yijie , Chen Song , Liu Yuhang , Huang Haijiao
Published: January 2022

Research Highlights: This study identified the cell cycle genes in birch that likely play important roles during the plant’s growth and development. This analysis provides a basis for understanding the regulatory mechanism of various cell cycles in Betula pendula Roth. Background and Objectives: The cell cycle factors not only influence cell cycles progression together, but also regulate accretion, division, and differentiation of cells, and then regulate growth and development of the plant. In this study, we identified the putative cell cycle genes in the B. pendula genome, based on the annotated cell cycle genes in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. It can be used as a basis for further functional research. Materials and Methods: RNA-seq technology was used to determine the transcription abundance of all cell cycle genes in xylem, roots, leaves, and floral tissues. Results: We identified 59 cell cycle gene models in the genome of B. pendula, with 17 highly expression genes among them. These genes were BpCDKA.1, BpCDKB1.1, BpCDKB2.1, BpCKS1.2, BpCYCB1.1, BpCYCB1.2, BpCYCB2.1, BpCYCD3.1, BpCYCD3.5, BpDEL1, BpDpa2, BpE2Fa, BpE2Fb, BpKRP1, BpKRP2, BpRb1, and BpWEE1. Conclusions: By combining phylogenetic analysis and tissue-specific expression data, we identified 17 core cell cycle genes in the Betulapendula genome.
Improvement of Texture, Nutritional Qualities, and Consumers’ Perceptions of Sorghum-Based Sourdough Bread Made with Pediococcus pentosaceus and Weissella confusa Strains
Authors: Olojede Ayoyinka O. , Sanni Abiodun I. , Banwo Kolawole , Michael Towobola
Published: January 2022

Enriched gluten-free products are in high demand owing to increasing celiac disease worldwide. Sourdough fermentation can improve the quality of gluten-free cereals, rendering the resulting product beneficial as a functional food. This study produced sorghum bread (SB) using sourdough technology and evaluated the texture, nutrition profile, bioactive components, and sensory attributes of the product. The base formula was composed of sorghum flour and corn starch. Sourdough made with Pediococcus pentosaceus LD7 (PL7), P. pentosaceus SA8 (PS8), or Weissella confusa SD8 (WS8) was added at a 20% substitution level for bread production, while bread without sourdough addition was used as the control sample. The texture profiles of the SB were significantly (p ˂ 0.05) softer than that of the control. The sourdough breads possessed higher crude protein, ash, and dietary fibre contents than the control bread. Tannin and total phenol contents were significantly (p ˂ 0.05) higher in the sourdough breads compared to the control sample. The specific volume of the sample made with PS8 sourdough was the highest at 2.50 cm3/g compared to the other samples (2.17–2.46 cm3/g). The sourdough samples had higher scores for taste, texture, aroma, and overall acceptability than the control, with PL7 SB exhibiting the best overall acceptability (6.56). This study established promising use of sourdough with starters as an ingredient for baked products with improved technological and nutritional attributes as well as consumer acceptability.
Metabolomics-Driven Elucidation of Interactions between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus panis from Chinese Baijiu Fermentation Microbiome
Authors: Liu Yanfeng , Wan Bing , Yang Fan , Zhang Xiaolong , Li Jianghua , Du Guocheng , Wang Li , Chen Jian
Published: January 2022

Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus panis are ethanol and lactic acid producers in Maotai-flavor Baijiu fermentation. Understanding their interaction is important to regulate the microbiome composition during fermentation and biosynthesis of ethanol and lactic acid. This study is the first to analyze the interaction between S. cerevisiae and L. panis at different growth phases during co-cultivation. Results showed that the different growth phases of S. cerevisiae modulated L. panis growth. Metabolomics analysis showed that amino acids and nucleoside secreted by S. cerevisiae promote L. panis growth, while ethanol inhibited L. panis growth. Furthermore, S. cerevisiae modulated L. panis cell growth under varying sugar concentrations. Simulated solid-state fermentation demonstrated that regulating the sugar concentration or the ratio of S. cerevisiae to L. panis could inhibit L. panis cell growth and reduce lactic acid accumulation. This study provided an understanding on Maotai-flavor Baijiu microbiome, which might be useful for metabolite regulation.
Environmental Regulation, Technological Innovation and Development of Marine Fisheries—Evidence from Ten Coastal Regions in China
Authors: Li Yutong , Kong Jiaojiao , Ji Jianyue
Published: January 2022

This study aims to examine the relationship between environmental regulation, technological innovation and the development of China’s marine fisheries. We make a theoretical overview of the relationship between environmental regulation, technological innovation and the development of marine fisheries. Using data from 10 coastal regions of China, we calculate the comprehensive development level of China’s marine fisheries in each region from 2009 to 2018 through the entropy method. Then, we use a double logit model to analyze the effects of environmental regulation and technological innovation on the development level of China’s marine fisheries, and further test the mediating effect of technological innovation. The results show that environmental regulations have a “U-shaped” effect on the development of China’s marine fisheries. Moreover, technological innovation is crucial in promoting the development of China’s marine fisheries. Further, we identify the mediating role of technological innovation, that is, environmental regulation affects the development of China’s marine fisheries by influencing technological innovation. These findings offer theoretical support for the development of China’s marine fisheries.
Promoting Sustainable Lifestyle Habits: “Real Food” and Social Media in Spain
Authors: Segovia-Villarreal María , Rosa-Díaz Isabel María
Published: January 2022

Obesity and state of being overweight are beginning to be treated as global epidemics. In this context, health professionals are increasingly acting as expert opinion leaders that use social media to connect with the public, in order to promote healthy lifestyles and provide specific recommendations for different product categories, including fresh, processed, and ultra-processed meat products. This study investigates how exposure to content created by health professionals, and posted on social media, influences consumers’ attitudes. For this purpose, the collaboration of one relevant nutritionist influencer in Spain has been obtained. The online survey created has provided 4.584 responses, received from followers (from May to June 2019). After applying a partial least squares path modeling approach, the results suggest that trust in the content shared, the perceived credibility of the professional sharing the information and the informative value, determine the strength with which consumers acquire more knowledge about endorsed products, develop a favorable predisposition towards them, prefer them over their options, and modify their behaviour by purchasing them, instead of their usual foods. The link is stronger, in the case of trust and influencer’s credibility, than for informative value. However, the latter has an indirect effect on the attitude phases through the former.
What Is Safe and How Much Does It Matter? Food Vendors’ and Consumers’ Views on Food Safety in Urban Nigeria
Authors: Nordhagen Stella , Lee James , Onuigbo-Chatta Nwando , Okoruwa Augustine , Monterrosa Eva , Lambertini Elisabetta , Pelto Gretel H.
Published: January 2022

This study examines the food safety beliefs of vendors and consumers in a mid-sized Nigerian city using data from in-depth interviews and cognitive mapping techniques drawn from ethnography. We examine vendors’ and consumers’ perspectives on which foods are safe, which are not, and why; the place of foodborne illness among other health concerns and motivators of food choice; and how salient food safety is as a concern for vendors. The main perceived causes of unsafe food were found to be chemicals and insects; while bacterial illnesses were widely mentioned as a cause of gastrointestinal symptoms, these were not necessarily linked to food in consumers’ minds. Respondents agreed strongly that certain foods (e.g., cowpea, beef, green leafy vegetables, and local rice) were less safe than others. The importance of food safety as a choice motivator among consumers varies depending on framing: when asked directly, it was prominent and closely related to visible cleanliness, but concerns about food safety competed in consumers’ minds against other salient motivators of food and vendor choice, such as price. Most vendors did not see food safety, cleanliness, or hygiene as a key trait of a successful vendor, and just over half of vendors had any concern about the safety of their food. In conclusion, we note the implications for intervention designs, particularly the need to build upon consumers’ and vendors’ current beliefs and practices related to food safety in order to make foodborne disease prevention a more salient concern in food choice.
Detector Characterization and Mitigation of Noise in Ground-Based Gravitational-Wave Interferometers
Authors: Davis Derek , Walker Marissa
Published: January 2022

Since the early stages of operation of ground-based gravitational-wave interferometers, careful monitoring of these detectors has been an important component of their successful operation and observations. Characterization of gravitational-wave detectors blends computational and instrumental methods of investigating the detector performance. These efforts focus both on identifying ways to improve detector sensitivity for future observations and understand the non-idealized features in data that has already been recorded. Alongside a focus on the detectors themselves, detector characterization includes careful studies of how astrophysical analyses are affected by different data quality issues. This article presents an overview of the multifaceted aspects of the characterization of interferometric gravitational-wave detectors, including investigations of instrumental performance, characterization of interferometer data quality, and the identification and mitigation of data quality issues that impact analysis of gravitational-wave events. Looking forward, we discuss efforts to adapt current detector characterization methods to meet the changing needs of gravitational-wave astronomy.
Artificial Intelligence Advances in the World of Cardiovascular Imaging
Authors: Patel Bhakti , Makaryus Amgad N.
Published: January 2022

The tremendous advances in digital information and communication technology have entered everything from our daily lives to the most intricate aspects of medical and surgical care. These advances are seen in electronic and mobile health and allow many new applications to further improve and make the diagnoses of patient diseases and conditions more precise. In the area of digital radiology with respect to diagnostics, the use of advanced imaging tools and techniques is now at the center of evaluation and treatment. Digital acquisition and analysis are central to diagnostic capabilities, especially in the field of cardiovascular imaging. Furthermore, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) into the world of digital cardiovascular imaging greatly broadens the capabilities of the field both with respect to advancement as well as with respect to complete and accurate diagnosis of cardiovascular conditions. The application of AI in recognition, diagnostics, protocol automation, and quality control for the analysis of cardiovascular imaging modalities such as echocardiography, nuclear cardiac imaging, cardiovascular computed tomography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, and other imaging, is a major advance that is improving rapidly and continuously. We document the innovations in the field of cardiovascular imaging that have been brought about by the acceptance and implementation of AI in relation to healthcare professionals and patients in the cardiovascular field.
Super-Spreaders or Victims of Circumstance? Childhood in Canadian Media Reporting of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Critical Content Analysis
Authors: Ciotti Sarah , Moore Shannon A. , Connolly Maureen , Newmeyer Trent
Published: January 2022

This qualitative research study, a critical content analysis, explores Canadian media reporting of childhood in Canada during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Popular media plays an important role in representing and perpetuating the dominant social discourse in highly literate societies. In Canadian media, the effects of the pandemic on children and adolescents’ health and wellbeing are overshadowed by discussions of the potential risk they pose to adults. The results of this empirical research highlight how young people in Canada have been uniquely impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Two dominant narratives emerged from the data: children were presented “as a risk” to vulnerable persons and older adults and “at risk” of adverse health outcomes from contracting COVID-19 and from pandemic lockdown restrictions. This reflects how childhood was constructed in Canadian society during the pandemic, particularly how children’s experiences are described in relation to adults. Throughout the pandemic, media reports emphasized the role of young people’s compliance with public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save the lives of older persons.
Occurrence of Grapevine Leafroll-Associated Virus-3 (GLRaV-3), Complete Nucleotide Sequence and Cultivar Susceptibility to a GLRaV-3 Isolate from Shaanxi Province of China
Authors: Hao Xinyi , Jiao Bolei , Wang Yunlei , Shang Boxing , Xu Yan
Published: January 2022

Grapevine (Vitis spp.) is globally one of the most economically important fruit crops. China is the largest grapevine-growing country of the world and Shaanxi province is one of the major grapevine-growing provinces in the country. A survey of GLRaV-3 found it widespread, with 57–100% infection frequencies, in both wine and table grapevine cultivars of three grapevine-growing regions of Shaanxi province. The virus infection frequencies varied with cultivars and regions. In order to obtain the full genomic length of a new GLRaV-3 isolate, GLRaV-3-Sau (accession number MK988555), was sequenced. This isolate has a genome of 18026 nucleotides, and 14 open reading frames (ORFs). The full-genome of the isolate GLRaV-3-Sau shared 85.88% nucleotide identity to GLRaV-3-LN, another isolate found in China. Coat protein (CP) genes of GLRaV-3 isolates were identical (99%) to the Vitis vinifera isolate (accession number HQ185608.1) from the USA. Immunohistochemistry for virus localization found that distribution patterns were similar in red-berried cultivar ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ and white-berried cultivar ‘Chardonnay’, and GLRaV-3 is restricted in phloem tissue of vascular bundles. Virus transmission by micrografting found virus transmission efficiency was higher in ‘Chardonnay’ and ‘Thompson Seedless’ than in ‘Hunan-1’, indicating that ‘Hunan-1’ was less sensitive to GLRaV-3. As far as we know, these are the most comprehensive comparisons on the genome and CP genes of GLRaV-3 worldwide and the first to have found that the grapevine ‘Hunan-1’ is less susceptible to GLRaV-3.
Mitigation of Salinity Stress Effects on Broad Bean Productivity Using Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles Application
Authors: Nasrallah Amira K. , Kheder Ahmed A. , Kord Maimona A. , Fouad Ahmed S. , El-Mogy Mohamed M. , Atia Mohamed A. M.
Published: January 2022

Water salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses, and the use of saline water for the agricultural sector will incur greater demand in the coming decades. Recently, nanoparticles (NPs) have been used for developing numerous plant fertilizers as a smart and powerful form of material with dual action that can alleviate the adverse effects of salinity and provide the plant with more efficient nutrient forms. This study evaluated the influence of calcium phosphate NPs (CaP-NPs) as a soil fertilizer application on the production and bioactive compounds of broad bean plants under salinity stress. Results showed that salinity had deleterious effects on plant yield with 55.9% reduction compared to control. On the other hand, CaP-NPs dramatically improved plant yield by 30% compared to conventional fertilizer under salinity stress. This improvement could be attributed to significantly higher enhancement in total soluble sugars, antioxidant enzymes, proline content, and total phenolics recorded use of nano-fertilizer compared to conventional use under salt stress. Additionally, nano-fertilizer reflected better mitigatory effects on plant growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, and oxidative stress indicators (MDA and H2O2). Therefore, our results support the replacement of traditional fertilizers comprising Ca2+ or P with CaP-nano-fertilizers for higher plant productivity and sustainability under salt stress.
In Vitro Antitumor Activity of Endophytic and Rhizosphere Gram-Positive Bacteria from Ibervillea sonorae (S. Watson) Greene against L5178Y-R Lymphoma Cells
Authors: Romero-Arguelles Ricardo , Romo-Sáenz César Iván , Morán-Santibáñez Karla , Tamez-Guerra Patricia , Quintanilla-Licea Ramiro , Orozco-Flores Alonso Alberto , Ramírez-Villalobos Jesica María , Tamez-Guerra Reyes , Rodríguez-Padilla Cristina , Gomez-Flores Ricardo
Published: January 2022

Plant-associated microorganisms represent a potential source of new antitumor compounds. The aim of the present study was to isolate endophytic and rhizosphere Gram-positive bacteria from Ibervillea sonorae and produce extracts with antitumor activity. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts were obtained from 28 d bacterial fermentation, after which murine L5178Y-R lymphoma cells growth inhibition was evaluated at concentrations ranging from 15.62 µg/mL to 500 µg/mL by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide reduction colorimetric assay. IC50 and the selectivity index (SI) were calculated and compared with healthy control human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Identification of the isolated strains was performed using the 16S ribosomal gene and by MALDI-TOF MS mass spectrometry. The endophytic and rhizosphere bacterial extracts from strains ISE-B22, ISE-B26, ISE-B27, ISS-A01, ISS-A06, and ISS-A16 showed significant (p < 0.05) L5178Y-R cell growth inhibition, compared with an untreated control. The rhizosphere Micromonospora echinospora isolate ISS-A16 showed the highest (90.48%) percentage of lymphoma cells growth inhibition and SI (19.1) for PBMC, whereas the Bacillus subtilis ISE-B26 isolate caused significant (p < 0.01) growth inhibition (84.32%) and a SI of 5.2. Taken together, results of the present study evidenced antitumor effects by I. sonorae endophytic and rhizosphere bacteria culture extracts. Further research will involve the elucidation of the compounds that exert the antitumor activity and their evaluation in pre-clinical studies.
Cranio-Mandibular Disorders after Whiplash Injury: A Mono-Institutional Clinical Study on 31 Patients
Authors: Corsalini Massimo , Capodiferro Saverio , dell’Olio Fabio , Albanese Giovanni , Quaranta Nicola , Solarino Biagio , Catapano Santo , Di Venere Daniela
Published: January 2022

Background: Whiplash is a consequence of traumatic injuries, mostly related to road accidents, with variable clinical manifestations, also known as Whiplash Associated Disorders, such as neck, head and temporo-cranio-mandibular pain. Methods: The current study aims to evaluate the onset and evolution of temporomandibular joint pain in people with whiplash in a study group treated with the use of Zimmer Collars (adjustable rigid cervical collars for neck immobilization), as compared to a control group. This prospective study included 31 patients followed by the Dental Prosthesis Department of the University of Bari “Aldo Moro”: 20 patients with whiplash (age range: 20–39 years) treated with Zimmer collars and 11 patients with whiplash (age range: 20–33 years) who were not. Immediately after the whiplash occurred, a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to describe the intensity of pain and to complete the chart of the European Academy of Craniomandibular Disorders. Five out of twenty patients, already treated with a Zimmer collar, wore an occlusal splint as well because of persistent pain reported at the 28-day and 60-day follow-up and were supported by pharmacological therapy with analgesics (paracetamol) and muscle relaxants (thiocolchicoside). Results: During the last follow-up (at six months), three out of five patients displayed a residual VAS score of 3, 4, and 5, respectively, while the remaining two displayed a VAS of 0. In the control group, four out of eleven patients needed to wear an occlusal splint but without muscle relaxants and analgesics pharmacological therapy; these four corresponded to the patients showing a residual painful symptomatology, with VAS reaching value of 2, and also were the oldest patients of the group. Data regarding VAS values and Zimmer collar use, both at the first visit and six months later, were statistically analyzed. Conclusion: Our prospective study highlights how whiplash-associated acute disorders are often self-limiting over a period of few months, thus reducing the possibility of symptom chronicity; the latter seems to be strictly related to lesion severity, pre-existence of a craniomandibular dysfunction and patient age, but appears to be independent from Zimmer collar use, as statistically confirmed.
Exposure Assessment to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in Occupational Military Scenarios: A Review
Authors: Gallucci Silvia , Fiocchi Serena , Bonato Marta , Chiaramello Emma , Tognola Gabriella , Parazzini Marta
Published: January 2022

(1) Background: Radiofrequency radiations are used in most devices in current use and, consequently, the assessment of the human exposure to the radiofrequency radiations has become an issue of strong interest. Even if in the military field there is wide use of radiofrequency devices, a clear picture on the exposure assessment to the electromagnetic field of the human beings in the military scenario is still missing. (2) Methods: a review of the scientific literature regarding the assessment of the exposure of the military personnel to the RF specific to the military environment, was performed. (3) Results: the review has been performed grouping the scientific literature by the typology of military devices to which the military personnel can be exposed to. The military devices have been classified in four main classes, according to their intended use: communication devices, localization/surveillance devices, jammers and EM directed-energy weapons. (4) Discussion and Conclusions: The review showed that in the exposure conditions here evaluated, there were only occasional situations of overexposure, whereas in the majority of the conditions the exposure was below the worker exposure limits. Nevertheless, the limited number of studies and the lack of exposure assessment studies for some devices prevent us to draw definitive conclusions and encourage further studies on military exposure assessment.
Flourishing in the Workplace: A One-Year Prospective Study on the Effects of Perceived Organizational Support and Psychological Capital
Authors: Ho Henry C. Y. , Chan Ying Chuen
Published: January 2022

People working in urban areas often experience various work-related stressors, such as long working hours, high work pressure, and work-life interference, which can lead to severe mental and physical consequences. Identification of the protective factors that enable employees to flourish and thrive is especially important. The present study aims to identify the organizational and personal resources that contribute to employee flourishing. Adopting the conservation of resources theory and organizational support theory, it was hypothesized that perceived organizational support (POS) would promote employee flourishing through increasing psychological capital (PsyCap). A prospective study was conducted on a sample of 400 working adults from the social and personal services industry in Hong Kong. Data were collected at baseline, three months, and one year. Both Diener’s composite model of flourishing and Seligman’s PERMA model of flourishing were tested. Structural equation modeling showed that PsyCap at three months significantly mediated the effects of POS at baseline on flourishing and all dimensions of PERMA (positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishments) at one year. Findings suggest that PsyCap underlies the process through which POS influences flourishing, whereby the promotion of positive psychological resources in a nurturing and supportive organization contributes to psychosocial functioning in the long run.
Evaluating the Clinical Reasoning of Student Health Professionals in Placement and Simulation Settings: A Systematic Review
Authors: Brentnall Jennie , Thackray Debbie , Judd Belinda
Published: January 2022

(1) Background: Clinical reasoning is essential to the effective practice of autonomous health professionals and is, therefore, an essential capability to develop as students. This review aimed to systematically identify the tools available to health professional educators to evaluate students’ attainment of clinical reasoning capabilities in clinical placement and simulation settings. (2) Methods: A systemic review of seven databases was undertaken. Peer-reviewed, English-language publications reporting studies that developed or tested relevant tools were included. Searches included multiple terms related to clinical reasoning and health disciplines. Data regarding each tool’s conceptual basis and evaluated constructs were systematically extracted and analysed. (3) Results: Most of the 61 included papers evaluated students in medical and nursing disciplines, and over half reported on the Script Concordance Test or Lasater Clinical Judgement Rubric. A number of conceptual frameworks were referenced, though many papers did not reference any framework. (4) Conclusions: Overall, key outcomes highlighted an emphasis on diagnostic reasoning, as opposed to management reasoning. Tools were predominantly aligned with individual health disciplines and with limited cross-referencing within the field. Future research into clinical reasoning evaluation tools should build on and refer to existing approaches and consider contributions across professional disciplinary divides.
Does the Prevalence of Obesity Affect the Demand for Soft Drinks? Evidence from Cross-Country Panel Data
Authors: Ferretti Fabrizio , Mariani Michele , Sarti Elena
Published: January 2022

The impact of soft drinks on obesity has been widely investigated during the last decades. Conversely, the role of obesity as a factor influencing the demand for soft drinks remains largely unexplored. However, understanding potential changes in the demand for soft drinks, as a result of changes in the spread of obesity, may be useful to better design a comprehensive strategy to curb soft drink consumption. In this paper, we aim to answer the following research question: Does the prevalence of obesity affect the demand for soft drinks? For this purpose, we collected data in a sample of 97 countries worldwide for the period 2005–2019. To deal with problems of reverse causality, an instrumental variable approach and a two-stage least squares method were used to estimate the impact of the age-standardized obesity rate on the market demand for soft drinks. After controlling for several demographic and socio-economic confounding factors, we found that a one percent increase in the prevalence of obesity increases the consumption of soft drinks and carbonated soft drinks by about 2.37 and 1.11 L per person/year, respectively. Our findings corroborate the idea that the development of an obesogenic food environment is a self-sustaining process, in which obesity and unhealthy lifestyles reinforce each other, and further support the need for an integrated approach to curb soft drink consumption by combining sugar taxes with bans, regulations, and nutrition education programs.
Network Patterns of Zhongyuan Urban Agglomeration in China Based on Baidu Migration Data
Authors: Yang Zhenkai , Hua Yixin , Cao Yibing , Zhao Xinke , Chen Minjie
Published: January 2022

As a new product of the Internet and big data era, migration data are of great significance for the revealing of the complex dynamic network patterns of urban agglomerations and for studying the relations between cities by using the “space of flows” model. Based on Baidu migration data of one week in 2021, this paper constructs a 30 × 30 rational data matrix for cities in Zhongyuan Urban Agglomeration and depicts the network pattern from static and dynamic perspectives by using social network analysis and dynamic network visualization. The results show that the network of Zhongyuan Urban Agglomeration is characterized by a circular structure with Zhengzhou as the center, a city belt around Zhengzhou as the connection, subcentral cities as the support and peripheral cities as the extension. Zhengzhou is the core city of the entire network, related to which the central and backbone networks divided in this paper account for nearly 40% of the total migration. Shangqiu, Luoyang, Zhoukou and Handan also play an important role in the structure of the migration network as subcentral cities. For a single city, the migration scale generally peaks on weekends and reaches its minimum during Tuesday to Thursday. Regarding the relations between cities, the migration variation can be divided into four types: peaking on Monday, peaking on weekends, bimodal and stable, and there are obvious phenomena of weekly commuting. In general, the links between cities outside Henan Province and other cities in the urban agglomeration are relatively weak, and the constraints of administrative regionalization on intercity migration are presumed to still exist. According to the results, the location advantage for multi-layer development and construction of Zhongyuan Urban Agglomeration should be made use of. In addition, the status as the core city and the radiation range should be strengthened, and the connections between the peripheral cities and the other cities should be improved, so as to promote the integrated and efficient development of the whole urban agglomeration.