bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Two Homozygous Variants in MYBPC3 and SMYD1 Genes Associated with Severe Infantile Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Szulik Marta W. , Reyes-Múgica Miguel , Marker Daniel F. , Gomez Ana M. , Zinn Matthew D. , Walsh Leslie K. , Ochoa Juan Pablo , Franklin Sarah , Ghaloul-Gonzalez Lina
Published: March 2023

Mutations in cardiac genes are one of the primary causes of infantile cardiomyopathy. In this study, we report the genetic findings of two siblings carrying variations in the MYBPC3 and SMYD1 genes. The first patient is a female proband exhibiting hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and biventricular heart failure carrying a truncating homozygous MYBPC3 variant c.1224-52G>A (IVS13-52G>A) and a novel homozygous variant (c.302A>G; p.Asn101Ser) in the SMYD1 gene. The second patient, the proband’s sibling, is a male infant diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and carries the same homozygous MYBPC3 variant. While this specific MYBPC3 variant (c.1224-52G>A, IVS13-52G>A) has been previously reported to be associated with adult-onset hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, this is the first report linking it to infantile cardiomyopathy. In addition, this work describes, for the first time, a novel SMYD1 variant (c.302A>G; p.Asn101Ser) that has never been reported. We performed a histopathological evaluation of tissues collected from both probands and show that these variants lead to myofibrillar disarray, reduced and irregular mitochondrial cristae and cardiac fibrosis. Together, these results provide critical insight into the molecular functionality of these genes in human cardiac physiology.
Scoping Review of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Farrukh Affifa , Mayberry John Francis
Published: March 2023

Acupuncture and moxibustion are complementary therapies used by a significant number of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. There is limited research evidence of their effectiveness in the management of ulcerative colitis and, albeit less limited, in the case of Crohn’s disease. However, due to a lack of knowledge, their use as additional supportive therapy by gastroenterologists and specialist nurses is uncommon. Current evidence would indicate that they have a place as additional supportive treatments for patients with inflammatory bowel disease and their efficacy should be assessed through appropriately powered trials. In days of shared care and responsibilities between patients and clinicians, there is a need to share such information with patients so that they can make informed decisions.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing among Saudi Primary School Children: Incidence and Risk Factors
Authors: Alwadei Saleh H. , Alsaeed Suliman , Masoud Ahmed Ibrahim , Alwadei Farhan , Gufran Khalid , Alwadei Abdurahman
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to identify the incidence and risk factors of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) using an Arabic version of the pediatric sleep questionnaire (PSQ). A total of 2000 PSQs were circulated to children aged 6–12 years who were randomly selected from 20 schools in Al-Kharj city, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaires were filled out by the parents of participating children. The participants were further divided into two groups (younger group: 6–9 years and older group: 10–12 years). Out of 2000 questionnaires, 1866 were completed and analyzed (93.3% response rate), of which 44.2% were from the younger group and 55.8% were from the older group. Among all the participants, a total of 1027 participants were female (55%) and 839 were male (45%) with a mean age of 9.67 ± 1.78 years. It showed that 13% of children were suffering from a high risk of SDB. Chi-square test and logistic regression analyses within this study cohort showed a significant association between SDB symptoms (habitual snoring; witnessed apnea; mouth breathing; being overweight; and bedwetting) and risk of developing SDB. In conclusion: habitual snoring; witnessed apnea; mouth breathing; being overweight; and bedwetting strongly contribute the to development of SDB.
Socioeconomic Status and Quality of Life: An Assessment of the Mediating Effect of Social Capital
Authors: Nutakor Jonathan Aseye , Zhou Lulin , Larnyo Ebenezer , Addai-Danso Stephen , Tripura Debashree
Published: March 2023

Socioeconomic status has been found to be a significant predictor of quality of life, with individuals of higher socioeconomic status reporting better quality of life. However, social capital may play a mediating role in this relationship. This study highlights the need for further research on the role of social capital in the relationship between socioeconomic status and quality of life, and the potential implications for policies aimed at reducing health and social inequalities. The study used a cross-sectional design with 1792 adults 18 and older from Wave 2 of the Study of Global AGEing and Adult Health. We employed a mediation analysis to investigate the relationship between socioeconomic status, social capital, and quality of life. The results showed that socioeconomic status was a strong predictor of social capital and quality of life. In addition to this, there was a positive correlation between social capital and quality of life. We found social capital to be a significant mechanism by which adults’ socioeconomic status influences their quality of life. It is crucial to invest in social infrastructure, encourage social cohesiveness, and decrease social inequities due to the significance of social capital in the connection between socioeconomic status and quality of life. To improve quality of life, policymakers and practitioners might concentrate on creating and fostering social networks and connections in communities, encouraging social capital among people, and ensuring fair access to resources and opportunities.
Key Factors for Enhancing Home Care Workers’ Intention to Stay by Multiple-Criteria Decision Analysis
Authors: Hsu Wei , Shih Fang-Ping
Published: March 2023

The ageing population is increasing rapidly in Taiwan, where the ageing rate exceeds even that of Japan, the United States and France. The increase in the disabled population and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in an increase in the demand for long-term professional care, and the shortage of home care workers is one of the most important issues in the development of such care. This study explores the key factors that promote the retention of home care workers through multiple-criteria decision making (MCDM) to help managers of long-term care institutions retain home care talent. A hybrid model of multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) combining Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and the analytic network process (ANP) was employed for relative analysis. Through literature discussion and interviews with experts, all factors that promote the retention and desire of home care workers were collected, and a hierarchical MCDM structure was constructed. Then, the hybrid MCDM model of DEMATEL and the ANP was used to analyze the questionnaire data of seven experts to evaluate the factor weights. According to the study results, the key direct factors are improving job satisfaction, supervisor leadership ability and respect, while salary and benefits are the indirect factor. This study uses the MCDA research method and establishes a framework by analyzing the facets and criteria of different factors to promote the retention of home care workers. The results will enable institutions to formulate relevant approaches to the key factors that promote the retention of domestic service personnel and to strengthen the intention of Taiwan’s home care workers to stay in the long-term care industry.
Exploration of Sex and Age-Based Associations in Clinical Characteristics, Predictors of Severity, and Duration of Stay among COVID-19 Patients at the University Hospital of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Assiri Rasha Assad , Bepari Asmatanzeem , Patel Waseemoddin , Hussain Syed Arif , Niazi Shaik Kalimulla , Alshangiti Asma , Alshangiti Safia Ali , Cordero Mary Anne Wong , Sheereen Shazima
Published: March 2023

COVID-19 infection has a spectrum of variable clinical severity between populations because of their characteristic demographic features, co-morbidities, and immune system reactions. This pandemic tested the healthcare system’s preparedness, which depends on predictors of severity and factors related to the duration of hospital stays. Therefore, we carried out a single-center, retrospective cohort study in a tertiary academic hospital to investigate these clinical features and predictors of severe disease and study the different factors that affect hospital stay. We utilized medical records from March 2020 to July 2021, which included 443 confirmed (positive RT-PCR) cases. The data were explained using descriptive statistics and analyzed via multivariate models. Among the patients, 65.4% were female and 34.5% were male, with a mean age of 45.7 years (SD ± 17.2). We presented seven age groups with ranges of 10 years and noticed that patients aged 30–39 years old comprised 23.02% of the records, while patients aged 70 and above comprised 10%. Nearly 47% were diagnosed as having mild, 25% as moderate, 18% as asymptomatic, and 11% as having a severe case of COVID-19 disease. Diabetes was the most common co-morbidity factor in 27.6% of patients, followed by hypertension (26.4%). Our population’s predictors of severity included pneumonia, identified on a chest X-ray, and co-morbid conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, ICU stay, and mechanical ventilation. The median length of hospital stay was six days. It was significantly longer in patients with a severe disease and who were administered systemic intravenous steroids. An empirical assessment of various clinical parameters could assist in effectively measuring the disease progression and follow-up with patients.
Nursing Profession Self-Efficacy Scale—Version 2: A Stepwise Validation with Three Cross-Sectional Data Collections
Authors: Magon Arianna , Conte Gianluca , Dellafiore Federica , Arrigoni Cristina , Baroni Irene , Brera Alice Silvia , Avenido Jennifer , De Maria Maddalena , Stievano Alessandro , Villa Giulia , Caruso Rosario
Published: March 2023

Background: The nursing professional self-efficacy scale (NPSES) is one of the most used self-reporting tools for assessing nursing self-efficacy. Its psychometric structure was described differently in several national contexts. This study aimed to develop and validate version 2 of the NPSES (NPSES2), which is a brief version of the original scale selecting items that contribute to stably detecting attributes of care delivery and professionalism as descriptors of salient aspects of the nursing profession. Methods: Three different and subsequent cross-sectional data collections were employed to reduce the number of items to generate the NPSES2 and validate its new emerging dimensionality. The first (June 2019–January 2020) involved 550 nurses and was used to reduce the number of the original scale items by using a Mokken scale analysis (MSA) to ensure the selection of items consistently with the invariant item ordering properties. The subsequent data collection was performed to conduct an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) involving 309 nurses (September 2020–January 2021), and the last data collection (n = 249) was performed to cross-validate with a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the most plausible dimensionality derived from the EFA (June 2021–February 2022). Results: The MSA led to the removal of twelve items and retention of seven items (Hs = 0.407, standard error = 0.023), which showed adequate reliability (rho reliability = 0.817). The EFA showed a two-factor solution as the most plausible structure (factors loading ranged from 0.673 to 0.903; explained variance = 38.2%), which was cross-validated by the CFA that showed adequate fit indices: χ2 (13, N = 249) = 44.521, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.946; TLI = 0.912; RMSEA = 0.069 (90% CI = 0.048–0.084); SRMR = 0.041. The factors were labeled as care delivery (four items) and professionalism (three items). Conclusions: NPSES2 is recommended to allow researchers and educators to assess nursing self-efficacy and inform interventions and policies.
Romani Girls Matter: Developing a Participatory Action Research Protocol for Reproductive Justice
Authors: Soto-Ponce Belen , Garcia-Ramirez Manuel , Jiménez Lucía
Published: March 2023

Despite the last few decades’ advances towards social and gender justice, reproductive decisions are still a source of oppression for many European Romani women and girls. This protocol aims to propose a model to empower Romani women and girls’ reproductive decisions, inspired by Reproductive Justice—the recognition of women and girls’ ability to make safe and free decisions about their bodies and reproduction. Through Participatory Action Research, 15–20 Romani girls and their families, two Romani platforms, and key agents from a rural and an urban context in Spain will participate. They will (1) contextualize Romani women and girls’ inequities, (2) build partnerships, (3) implement Photovoice and advocate for their gender rights, and (4) assess the initiative’s related changes, using self-evaluation techniques. Qualitative and quantitative indicators will be collected to assess impacts among participants, while tailoring and assuring the quality of the actions. Expected outcomes include the creation and consolidation of new social networks, and the promotion of Romani women and girls’ leadership. For this, Romani organizations must be transformed into empowering settings for their communities, spaces where Romani women and girls assume responsibility of the initiatives, being these tailored to their real needs and interests, and guaranteeing transformative social changes.
Worldwide Prevalence of Alcohol Use in Non-Fatally Injured Motor Vehicle Drivers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kassym Laura , Kussainova Assiya , Semenova Yuliya , Kussainov Almas , Marapov Damir , Zhanaspayev Marat , Urazalina Zhanar , Akhmetova Almira , Tokanov Madi , Smail Yerbol , Bjørklund Geir
Published: March 2023

Drunk driving is an important risk factor significantly contributing to traffic accidents and their associated lethality. This meta-analysis of observational studies aims to provide the estimates of drunk driving prevalence in non-lethally injured motor vehicle drivers in relation to the world region, blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and quality of the primary study. A systematic search for observational studies that examined the prevalence of drunk driving in injured drivers was performed, and 17 studies comprising 232,198 drivers were included in the pooled analysis. The pooled prevalence of drunk driving in injured drivers was found to be 16.6% (95% CI: 12.8–20.3%; I2 = 99.87%, p < 0.001). In addition, the prevalence of alcohol use ranged from 5.5% (95% CI: 0.8–10.1%) in the Middle East, North Africa, and Greater Arabia region to 30.6% (95% CI: 24.6–36.5%) in the Asia region. As for the subgroups with different thresholds of BAC, the maximum value of 34.4% (95% CI: 28.5–40.3%) was found for a dose of 0.3 g/L. The prevalence of alcohol use reported by high-quality studies was 15.7% (95% CI: 11.1–20.3%), compared to 17.7% (95% CI: 11.3–24.2%) reported by studies of moderate quality. These findings could inform law enforcement efforts to promote road safety.
Prevalence of Obstructed Defecation among Patients Who Underwent Hemorrhoidectomy and Correlation between Preoperative Constipation Score and Postoperative Patients’ Satisfaction: A Prospective Study in Two Centers
Authors: Abd El Maksoud Walid M. , Abbas Khaled S. , Bawahab Mohammed A. , Rayzah Fares , Alkorbi Sultan M. , Alfaifi Abdulelah G. , Alqahtani Abdulrahman N. , Alahmari Abdullah F. , Alotaibi Turki B.
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives: obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) is a common but underestimated condition that may affect the outcomes after hemorrhoidectomy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) among patients who underwent hemorrhoidectomy and to assess the correlation between preoperative constipation score and postoperative patients’ satisfaction. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included adult patients who underwent hemorrhoidectomy for 3rd and 4th-grade hemorrhoidal diseases. All participant patients underwent an assessment of functional OD severity by the Agachan–Wexner Constipation Scoring System. All patients were subjected to conventional hemorrhoidectomy. At 6 months postoperatively, patients were assessed again for their constipation score and postoperative patients’ satisfaction. Results: The study included 120 patients (62 males and 58 females) with a mean age of 38.7 ± 12.1 years. About one-quarter of patients (24.2%) had obstructed defecation (constipation score ≥12). ODS (constipation score ≥12) was found to be significantly more among older patients, female patients, especially those with multiple pregnancies and multiple labors, and those with perineal descent. The postoperative constipation score (5.6 ± 3.3 mean ± SD) showed significant improvement (p = 0.001) compared to (9.3 ± 3.9 mean ± SD) preoperatively. Postoperative patients’ satisfaction (mean 12.3 ± 3.0) at 6 months had a negative correlation with preoperative total constipation score (r = −0.035, p = 0.702). Conclusions: The prevalence of obstructed defecation among patients with hemorrhoids was higher than reported among the general population. High preoperative constipation scores had a negative correlation with postoperative patients’ satisfaction. Routine preoperative measurement of ODS can allow the detection of this particular group of patients who require a more physical and psychological evaluation, in addition to special preoperative counseling.
Rapid Review of “No Surprise” Medical Billing in the United States: Stakeholder Perceptions and Challenges
Authors: Lieneck Cristian , Gallegos Mario , Ebner Madison , Drake Hannah , Mole Emma , Lucio Kaitlin
Published: March 2023

Surprise medical bills received after care delivery in both emergency and non-emergency situations for out-of-network (OON) or other contractual health plan regulations adds additional stress upon the care guarantor, most often the patient. The passing and continued implementation of the federal No Surprises Act (NSA) and related state-level legislation continues to influence the processes of care delivery in the United States. This rapid review evaluated the literature specific to surprise medical billing in the United States since the passing of the No Surprise Act, guided by the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol. A total of 33 articles were reviewed by the research team and the results demonstrate industry stakeholder perceptions related to two primary industry themes (constructs) surrounding surprise billing: healthcare stakeholder perspectives and medical claim dispute (arbitration) processes. Further investigation identified sub-constructs for each: the practice of balance-billing patients for OON care and healthcare provider, and facility equitable reimbursement challenges (primary theme 1), and arbitration observations and challenges surrounding (a) the NSA medical dispute process, (b) state-level arbitration processes and perceptions, and (c) use of the Medicare fee schedule as a benchmark for arbitration decisions (primary theme 2). The results indicate the need for formative policy improvement initiatives to address the generation of surprise billing.
Patterns and Trends in Pharmacological Treatment for Outpatients with Postherpetic Neuralgia in Six Major Areas of China, 2015–2019
Authors: Han Gang , Han Yun , Yu Lingyan , Zhao Yuhua , Yu Zhenwei
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to assess the patterns and trends of pharmacological treatment for outpatients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in China in the period 2015–2019. Prescription data for outpatients with PHN were extracted from the database of the Hospital Prescription Analysis Program of China according to the inclusion criteria. The trends in yearly prescriptions and corresponding costs were analyzed and stratified by drug class and specific drugs. A total of 19,196 prescriptions from 49 hospitals in 6 major regions of China were included for analysis. The yearly prescriptions increased from 2534 in 2015 to 5676 in 2019 (p = 0.027), and the corresponding expenditures increased from CNY 898,618 in 2015 to CNY 2,466,238 in 2019 (p = 0.027). Gabapentin and pregabalin are the most commonly used drugs for PHN, and more than 30% of these two drugs were combined with mecobalamin. Opioids were the second most frequently prescribed drug class, and oxycodone accounted for the largest share of the cost. Topical drugs and TCAs are rarely used. The frequent use of pregabalin and gabapentin was in accordance with current guidelines; however, the use of oxycodone raised concerns about rationality and economic burden. The results of this study may benefit the allocation of medical resources and management for PHN in China and other countries.
The Intestinal and Skin Microbiome in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis and Their Influence on the Course of the Disease: A Literature Review
Authors: Mazur Małgorzata , Tomczak Hanna , Łodyga Martha , Plagens-Rotman Katarzyna , Merks Piotr , Czarnecka-Operacz Magdalena
Published: March 2023

Bacteria inhabiting the digestive tract are responsible for our health. The microbiome is essential for the development of the immune system and homeostasis of the body. Maintaining homeostasis is very important, but also extremely complicated. The gut microbiome is related to the skin microbiome. It can therefore be assumed that changes in the microbes inhabiting the skin are greatly influenced by the bacteria living in the intestines. Changes in the composition and function of microbes (dysbiosis in the skin and intestines) have recently been linked to changes in the immune response and the development of skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD). This review was compiled by collaborating Dermatologists specializing in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. A comprehensive review of the current literature was performed using PubMed and limited to relevant case reports and original papers on the skin microbiome in atopic dermatitis. The inclusion criterion was that the paper was published in a peer-reviewed journal in the last 10 years (2012–2022). No limitations on the language of the publication or the type of study were made. It has been shown that any rapid changes in the composition of the microflora may be associated with the appearance of clinical signs and symptoms of the disease. Various studies have proven that the microbiome of many systems (including the intestines) may have a significant impact on the development of the inflammatory process within the skin in the course of AD. It has been shown that an early interaction between the microbiome and immune system may result in a noticeable delay in the onset of atopic diseases. It seems to be of high importance for physicians to understand the role of the microbiome in AD, not only from the pathophysiological standpoint but also in terms of the complex treatment that is required. Perhaps young children diagnosed with AD present specific characteristics of the intestinal microflora. This might be related to the early introduction of antibiotics and dietary manipulations in breastfeeding mothers in the early childhood of AD patients. It is most likely related to the abuse of antibiotics from the first days of life.
Operations Research to Solve Kidney Allocation Problems: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sekercioglu Nigar , Fu Rui
Published: March 2023

Background: Operations research techniques enable health care administrators to optimize resource allocation and to find solutions to staff and patient scheduling problems. We aimed to conduct the first systematic review of the international literature on the use of operations research for allocating deceased-donor kidneys. Methods: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed databases from inception to February 2023. Two reviewers independently screened the title/abstract and subsequently the full text of potentially eligible articles and abstracted the data. Quality assessment of the final set of studies was conducted using Subben’s checklist. Results: Of the 302 citations identified, 5 studies were included. These studies covered three themes, including (1) provider-facing decision aids to determine the timing of transplant for single or multiple patients; (2) system-level planning on kidney allocation based on blood type matching rules; and (3) patient-facilitated wait times estimation using incomplete information. Markov models, sequential stochastic assignment models, and queuing models were amongst the most used techniques. Although we found all included studies to meet Subben’s criteria, we believe the checklist in its current form lacks items to assess the validity of model inferences. As such, we ended this review with a set of practical recommendations. Conclusions: Our review demonstrated the utility of operations research techniques in assisting the system, healthcare providers, and patients in the transplantation process. More research is needed to reach a consensus on a model that can be used to support the decision-making of different stakeholders for efficient kidney allocation, with the ultimate goal of reducing the gap between kidney supply and demand and enhancing the population’s well-being.
Prevalence of Use and Knowledge about Tobacco Products and Their Harmful Effects among University Students in Southern Croatia
Authors: Istenic Dora , Gavic Lidia , Tadin Antonija
Published: March 2023

Understanding students’ attitudes toward smoking and tobacco products is essential for effective smoking prevention interventions. This questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey aims to determine the prevalence of use and knowledge about cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and electronic cigarettes and their harmful effects among university students. The survey was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire among 1184 students. Questions were related to the respondents’ demographic characteristics, tobacco use patterns, and opinions about exposure to health warnings and tobacco product advertising messages. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and generalized linear regression analysis. The results showed that 30.2% of the students use tobacco products (74.5% smoked conventional cigarettes; 7.9% used electronic cigarettes; and 17.6% used heated tobacco products). The median (interquartile range) score of the students’ knowledge (maximum = 27) was 16 (12–22). The results showed that students from technical, social, humanities, natural, and biotechnology scientific programs had lower levels of knowledge about tobacco products and their harmful effects than biomedical students (p ≤ 0.001). In addition, past and current use of tobacco products was significantly associated with higher overall knowledge of tobacco products and their harmful effects (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.90, % confidence interval (CI) 1.09–3.31, p = 0.023; OR 1.41, CI 1.08–1.84, p = 0.011). The research findings confirm the lack of knowledge and misconceptions about the harmful effects associated with tobacco product use. They also emphasize the need for better prevention and awareness of the harmful effects of smoking on human health.
A Single-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial to Test the Efficacy of Nurse-Led Motivational Interviewing for Enhancing Self-Care in Adults with Heart Failure
Authors: Dellafiore Federica , Ghizzardi Greta , Vellone Ercole , Magon Arianna , Conte Gianluca , Baroni Irene , De Angeli Giada , Vangone Ida , Russo Sara , Stievano Alessandro , Arrigoni Cristina , Caruso Rosario
Published: March 2023

Background: The role of nurse-led motivational interviewing (MI) in improving self-care among patients with heart failure (HF) is promising, even if it still requires further empirical evidence to determine its efficacy. For this reason, this study tested its efficacy in enhancing self-care maintenance (primary endpoint), self-care management, and self-care confidence after three months from enrollment in adults with HF compared to usual care, and assessed changes in self-care over follow-up times (3, 6, 9, and 12 months). Methods: A single-center, randomized, controlled, parallel-group, superiority study with two experimental arms and a control group was performed. Allocation was in a 1:1:1 ratio between intervention groups and control. Results: MI was effective in improving self-care maintenance after three months when it was performed only for patients (arm 1) and for the patients–caregivers dyad (arm 2) (respectively, Cohen’s d = 0.92, p-value < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 0.68, p-value < 0.001). These effects were stable over the one-year follow-up. No effects were observed concerning self-care management, while MI moderately influenced self-care confidence. Conclusions: This study supported the adoption of nurse-led MI in the clinical management of adults with HF.
Effects of Physical Education Playfulness on Academic Grit and Attitude toward Physical Education in Middle School Students in The Republic of Korea
Authors: Gwon Heonsu , Shin Jongseob
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of playability in secondary physical education classes in Korea on academic grit and attitudes toward physical education. A total of 296 middle school students located in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, Korea were surveyed via simple random sampling. Data were analyzed via descriptive statistical analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and standard multiple regression analysis. Three primary results were obtained. First, playfulness was found to have a significant positive effect on academic grit. Specifically, mental spontaneity positively and significantly affected academic passion (β = 0.400), academic perseverance (β = 0.298), and consistency of academic interest (β = 0.297). Additionally, among the sub-variables of playfulness, humorous perspective was found to have a positive significant effect on maintaining consistency of academic interest (β = 0.255). The second primary finding was that playfulness had a significant positive effect on classroom attitudes to physical education. Specifically, physical animation and emotional fluidity were found to positively and significantly affect basic attitudes (β = 0.290 and 0.330, respectively) and social attitudes (β = 0.398 and 0.297, respectively). Third, academic grit was found to have a significant positive effect on PE classroom attitudes. Specifically, academic passion was found to have a positive and significant effect on basic attitudes (β = 0.427) and social attitude (β = 0.358). The results imply that attitude toward school life can be improved through physical activity in secondary physical education classes.
A Hydroalcoholic Gel-Based Disinfection System for Deteriogenic Fungi on the Contemporary Mixed Media Artwork Poesia by Alessandro Kokocinski
Authors: Ambroselli Francesca , Canini Fabiana , Lanteri Luca , Marconi Martina , Mazzuca Claudia , Pelosi Claudia , Vinciguerra Vittorio , Wicks Elizabeth , Zucconi Laura
Published: March 2023

The disinfection of deteriogenic microorganisms and the removal of induced chromatic alterations in artworks are still open challenges in the field of conservation. For this purpose, a new alcoholic hydrogel was tested to remove an extensive fungal attack from a multimaterial collage by the artist Alessandro Kokocinski and to mitigate chromatic changes caused by the contamination of its poster paper and plywood support layers. A Gellan gum-based hydrogel was used, which was modified by adding a high concentration of alcohol (66.7% ethanol), to give the system an effective disinfecting agent in addition to the detergent capacity of the gel for water-sensitive works of art. It was successfully tested on samples mimicking the complex stratigraphy of the artwork under study. To create replica mock-ups, the artwork materials and stratigraphy were investigated through diagnostic and laboratory techniques such as multispectral imaging, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and pyrolysis coupled with gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry. The treatment was shown to have a disinfecting effect on the test samples and did not alter their structure, allowing us to apply the method to the artwork. Here, the hydrogel successfully removed and inhibited fungal proliferation in addition to mitigating the color changes caused by fungi.
Molecular Characterization, Population Structure Analysis, and Association Mapping of Turkish Parsley Genotypes Using iPBS Markers
Authors: Coşkun Ömer Faruk
Published: March 2023

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum Mill.) is a vegetable that has many benefits for human health, and its cultivation is increasing. In order to carry out breeding studies in parsley, genotypes should be characterized in terms of some characteristics. In this study, some phytochemical properties of 18 different parsley genotypes were revealed, and their genetic diversity was determined with the iPBS (Inter Primary Binding Site) marker system. In the study, the polymorphism rate was 31.9%, the mean PIC (Polymorphic Information Content) was 0.17, and the similarity coefficients were between 0.87 and 0.99. The number of subpopulations was determined as two, and 10 markers were detected at expression levels of 19–33% related to phytochemical properties. The results of this study show that there is a phytochemical and genetic variation in parsley. Parsley genotypes with certain phytochemical properties and genetic structures can be used more effectively in breeding programs.
The Aroma Volatile in ‘Nanguo’ Pear: A Review
Authors: Zhang Zhuoran , Yin Zepeng
Published: March 2023

The aroma of fruit is an important indicator that reflects the quality of its flavor. The ‘Nanguo’ pear (Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim.) is a typical fruit in Liaoning Province, China, that has an attractive aroma during fruit ripening. Fruit volatile compounds are primarily composed of esters, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, lactones, terpenoids and apocarotenoids. The primary characteristic volatile compounds of the ‘Nanguo’ pear are esters. The contents of aldehydes decrease, and the contents of esters increase as the fruit ripens. The aroma changes from ‘green’ to ‘fruity.’ Thus, it has been a favorite of consumers in China and throughout the world for its attractive aroma. This review systematically summarizes advances in the research methods, components, types and biosynthetic pathways of volatile compounds, and the factors that affect the aroma volatiles in the ‘Nanguo’ pear, particularly the regulation by hormones that has been studied in recent years and delineates the research problems and prospects. The aim is to provide critical information for further research on the qualities of fruit flavor and provide a more scientific basis to improve the quality of fruit flavor during the development and storage of the ‘Nanguo’ pear.
Measuring the Impact of Relative Deprivation on Tea Farmers’ Pesticide Application Behavior: The Case of Shaanxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang, and Anhui Province, China
Authors: Ding Xiuling , Lu Qian , Li Lipeng , Li Hua , Sarkar Apurbo
Published: March 2023

Reducing chemical interaction within core farming tactics has gained much attention worldwide due to ever-increasing water, soil, and air pollution trends caused by various agricultural activities. Since, in the developing countries, tea is primarily produced conventionally, clarifying the impact of relative deprivation on the pesticide application rate of tea farmers is conducive to promoting the reduction of pesticides and the green development of the tea industry. Thus, based on extensive literature reviews, the study constructs a theoretical framework of relative deprivation and pesticide application rate by tea farmers. Moreover, the moderating effect of external intervention and behavioral factors has also been assessed. A data set of 786 tea farmers’ responses from Shaanxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces has been utilized to test, outline and validate the proposed framework. We utilized the Ordered Probit model to measure the psychological fluctuation of tea farmers. The results are as follows. (i) The more substantial their perception of relative deprivation, the more tea farmers tend to increase the application rate. (ii) In external interventions, the degree of government regulation can not only directly promote the reduction of pesticide application but also play a negative regulatory role between the relative deprivation and the amount of pesticide applied by tea farmers. Although the degree of community control can directly promote the reduction of pesticide application by tea farmers, its regulating effect is insignificant. (iii) Regarding behavioral ability, the management scale can directly promote the reduction of pesticide application by tea farmers, but its regulating impact is not significant. Thus, government should highlight the importance of organic and environmentally friendly tea cultivation and encourage tea farmers to reduce pesticide application. Along with the market regulation, point-of-sale testing and traceability of pesticide residues should continue to be consolidated, strengthened and improved.
Using the Age-Friendly Health Systems Framework to Track Wellness and Health Promotion Priorities of Older Adults in the Global Community
Authors: Tumosa Nina
Published: March 2023

The promotion of health and wellness interventions for older adults is important in controlling the onset and progression of disabilities as well as disease in these individuals [...]
Graph Neural Network for Traffic Forecasting: The Research Progress
Authors: Jiang Weiwei , Luo Jiayun , He Miao , Gu Weixi
Published: March 2023

Traffic forecasting has been regarded as the basis for many intelligent transportation system (ITS) applications, including but not limited to trip planning, road traffic control, and vehicle routing. Various forecasting methods have been proposed in the literature, including statistical models, shallow machine learning models, and deep learning models. Recently, graph neural networks (GNNs) have emerged as state-of-the-art traffic forecasting solutions because they are well suited for traffic systems with graph structures. This survey aims to introduce the research progress on graph neural networks for traffic forecasting and the research trends observed from the most recent studies. Furthermore, this survey summarizes the latest open-source datasets and code resources for sharing with the research community. Finally, research challenges and opportunities are proposed to inspire follow-up research.
Model and Data Integrated Transfer Learning for Unstructured Map Text Detection
Authors: Zhai Yanrui , Zhou Xiran , Li Honghao
Published: March 2023

The emergence of the third information wave makes extensive maps available to be generated by volunteered ways, never specially designed and generated by professional institutes alone. These large-scale images-based volunteered maps created by the public provide plentiful geographical information regarding a place while posing a challenge for recognizing the unstructured text in these maps for previous approaches to standard map text detection. Map text or map annotations denote the critical element of map content. To achieve the detection of unstructured map text, this paper proposed an integrated data-based and model-based transfer learning model, which mainly respectively included data augmentation techniques and adaptive fine-tuning, to reinforce the state-of-the-art CNNs by transferring the OCR knowledge for detecting the unstructured text units in volunteered maps. The experiment proved that our proposed framework can effectively reinforce the state-of-the-art CNN in detecting unstructured map text. We hope our research results can contribute to unstructured map text detection and recognition.
Estimating Daily NO2 Ground Level Concentrations Using Sentinel-5P and Ground Sensor Meteorological Measurements
Authors: Cedeno Jimenez Jesus Rodrigo , Pugliese Viloria Angelly de Jesus , Brovelli Maria Antonia
Published: March 2023

Environmental and health deterioration due to the increasing presence of air pollutants is a pressing topic for governments and organizations. Institutions such as the European Environment Agency have determined that more than 350,000 premature deaths can be attributed to atmospheric pollutants. The measurement of trace gas atmospheric concentrations is key for environmental agencies to fight against the decreased deterioration of air quality. NO2, which is one of the most harmful pollutants, has the potential to cause diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Unfortunately, not all countries have local atmospheric pollutant monitoring networks to perform ground measurements (especially Low- and Middle-Income Countries). Although some alternatives, such as satellite technologies, provide a good approximation for tropospheric NO2, these do not measure concentrations at the ground level. In this work, we aim to provide an alternative to ground sensor measurements. We used a combination of ground meteorological measurements with satellite Sentinel-5P observations to estimate ground NO2. For this task, we used state-of-the-art Machine Learning models, linear regression models, and feature selection algorithms. From the results obtained, we found that a Multi-layer Perceptron Regressor and Kriging in combination with a Random Forest feature selection algorithm achieved the lowest RMSE (2.89 µg/m3). This result, in comparison with the real data standard deviation and the models using only satellite data, represented an RMSE decrease of 55%. Future work will focus on replacing the use of meteorological ground sensors with only satellite-based data.
Method for Applying Crowdsourced Street-Level Imagery Data to Evaluate Street-Level Greenness
Authors: Zheng Xinrui , Amemiya Mamoru
Published: March 2023

Street greenness visibility (SGV) is associated with various health benefits and positively influences perceptions of landscape. Lowering the barriers to SGV assessments and measuring the values accurately is crucial for applying this critical landscape information. However, the verified available street view imagery (SVI) data for SGV assessments are limited to the traditional top-down data, which are generally used with download and usage restrictions. In this study, we explored volunteered street view imagery (VSVI) as a potential data source for SGV assessments. To improve the image quality of the crowdsourced dataset, which may affect the accuracy of the survey results, we developed an image filtering method with XGBoost using images from the Mapillary platform and conducted an accuracy evaluation by comparing the results with official data in Shinjuku, Japan. We found that the original VSVI is well suited for SGV assessments after data processing, and the filtered data have higher accuracy. The discussion on VSVI data applications can help expand useful data for urban audit surveys, and this full-free open data may promote the democratization of urban audit surveys using big data.
Analysis of the Spatial Distribution and Associated Factors of the Transmission Locations of COVID-19 in the First Four Waves in Hong Kong
Authors: Yang Daping , Shi Wenzhong , Yu Yue , Chen Liang , Chen Ruizhi
Published: March 2023

Understanding the space–time pattern of the transmission locations of COVID-19, as well as the relationship between the pattern, socioeconomic status, and environmental factors, is important for pandemic prevention. Most existing research mainly analyzes the locations resided in or visited by COVID-19 cases, while few studies have been undertaken on the space–time pattern of the locations at which the transmissions took place and its associated influencing factors. To fill this gap, this study focuses on the space–time distribution patterns of COVID-19 transmission locations and the association between such patterns and urban factors. With Hong Kong as the study area, transmission chains of the four waves of COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong during the time period of January 2020 to June 2021 were reconstructed from the collected case information, and then the locations of COVID-19 transmission were inferred from the transmission chains. Statistically significant clusters of COVID-19 transmission locations at the level of tertiary planning units (TPUs) were detected and compared among different waves of COVID-19 outbreak. The high-risk areas and the associated influencing factors of different waves were also investigated. The results indicate that COVID-19 transmission began with the Hong Kong Island, further moved northward towards the New Territories, and finally shifted to the south Hong Kong Island, and the transmission population shows a difference between residential locations and non-residential locations. The research results can provide health authorities and policy-makers with useful information for pandemic prevention, as well as serve as a guide to the public in the avoidance of activities and places with a high risk of contagion.
Fatty Acid 2-Hydroxylase and 2-Hydroxylated Sphingolipids: Metabolism and Function in Health and Diseases
Authors: Eckhardt Matthias
Published: March 2023

Sphingolipids containing acyl residues that are hydroxylated at C-2 are found in most, if not all, eukaryotes and certain bacteria. 2-hydroxylated sphingolipids are present in many organs and cell types, though they are especially abundant in myelin and skin. The enzyme fatty acid 2-hydroxylase (FA2H) is involved in the synthesis of many but not all 2-hydroxylated sphingolipids. Deficiency in FA2H causes a neurodegenerative disease known as hereditary spastic paraplegia 35 (HSP35/SPG35) or fatty acid hydroxylase-associated neurodegeneration (FAHN). FA2H likely also plays a role in other diseases. A low expression level of FA2H correlates with a poor prognosis in many cancers. This review presents an updated overview of the metabolism and function of 2-hydroxylated sphingolipids and the FA2H enzyme under physiological conditions and in diseases.
Vitiligo, from Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Advances: State of the Art
Authors: Diotallevi Federico , Gioacchini Helena , De Simoni Edoardo , Marani Andrea , Candelora Matteo , Paolinelli Matteo , Molinelli Elisa , Offidani Annamaria , Simonetti Oriana
Published: March 2023

Vitiligo is an acquired hypopigmentation of the skin due to a progressive selective loss of melanocytes; it has a prevalence of 1–2% and appears as rounded, well-demarcated white macules. The etiopathology of the disease has not been well defined, but multiple factors contribute to melanocyte loss: metabolic abnormalities, oxidative stress, inflammation, and autoimmunity. Therefore, a convergence theory was proposed that combines all existing theories into a comprehensive one in which several mechanisms contribute to the reduction of melanocyte viability. In addition, increasingly in-depth knowledge about the disease’s pathogenetic processes has enabled the development of increasingly targeted therapeutic strategies with high efficacy and fewer side effects. The aim of this paper is, by conducting a narrative review of the literature, to analyze the pathogenesis of vitiligo and the most recent treatments available for this condition.