bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microstructural Characterization and Corrosion-Resistance Behavior of Dual-Phase Steels Compared to Conventional Rebar
Authors: Abdo Hany S. , Seikh Asiful H. , Mandal Biplab Baran , Mohammed Jabair A. , Ragab Sameh A. , Abdo Mohamed S.
Published: November 2020

Dual-phase (DP) steels consist of a ferritic matrix dispersed with some percentage of martensite, which gives the material a good combination of strength and ductility, along with the capacity to absorb energy and enhanced corrosion protection properties. The purpose of this work was to study the microstructural and corrosion behavior (mainly pitting and galvanic corrosion) of DP steel compared with that of conventional rebar. To obtain DP steel, low-carbon steels were heat-treated at 950 °C for 1 h and then intercritically annealed at 771 °C for 75 min, followed by quenching in ice-brine water. The corrosion rates of DP steel and standard rebar were then measured in different pore solutions. Macro- and microhardness tests were performed for both steels. It was found that DP steels exhibited a superior corrosion resistance and strength compared to standard rebar. The reported results show that DP steels are a good candidate for concrete reinforcement, especially in aggressive and corrosive environments.
Practice Must Be Backed up by Theory! A Special Issue on Plant Community Ecology
Authors: Bacaro Giovanni , Maccherini Simona , Marignani Michela
Published: November 2020

Plant communities form the structural and functional basis for nearly all terrestrial ecosystems [...]
Transporting Biodiversity Using Transmission Power Lines as Stepping-Stones?
Authors: Ferrer Miguel , De Lucas Manuela , Hinojosa Elena , Morandini Virginia
Published: November 2020

The most common ecological response to climate change is the shifts in species distribution ranges. Nevertheless, landscape fragmentation compromises the ability of limited dispersal species to move following these climate changes. Building connected environments that enable species to track climate changes is an ultimate goal for biodiversity conservation. Here, we conducted an experiment to determine if electric power transmission lines could be transformed in a continental network of biodiversity reserves for small animals. We analysed if the management of the habitat located inside the base of the transmission electric towers (providing refuge and planting seedlings of native shrub) allowed to increase local richness of target species (i.e., small mammals and some invertebrates’ groups). Our results confirmed that by modifying the base of the electric transmission towers we were able to increase density and diversity of several species of invertebrates and small mammals as well as number of birds and bird species, increasing local biodiversity. We suggest that modifying the base of the electric towers would potentially facilitate the connection of fragmented populations. This idea would be easily applicable in any transmission line network anywhere around the world, making it possible for the first time to build up continental scale networks of connectivity.
The Role of Hybridisation in the Making of the Species-Rich Arctic-Alpine Genus Saxifraga (Saxifragaceae)
Authors: Ebersbach Jana , Tkach Natalia , Röser Martin , Favre Adrien
Published: November 2020

Evolutionary processes fuelling rapid species diversification are not yet fully understood, although their major contribution to overall patterns of plant biodiversity is well established. Hybridisation is among the least understood of these processes, despite its multifaceted role in speciation processes being widely accepted. Species of the large arctic-alpine genus Saxifraga are notorious for their ability to hybridise; however, the overall role of hybridisation and polyploidisation for the diversification of this genus remains unknown. Here, we provide a comprehensive genus-wide review of hybridisation accounts and ploidy levels. We find that the sections of Saxifraga vary greatly in their propensity to hybridise. The majority of natural hybridisation accounts are from recent localised events (n = 71). Hybridisation hotspots were located in the Pyrenees and the European Alps, thus contrasting with the overall distribution of species richness in the genus. Hybrids or hybrid populations are often short-lived in Saxifraga due to a multitude of reproductive barriers, most commonly low F1 hybrid fertility. However, these barriers are not always fully effective, allowing for backcrossing and the formation of hybrid swarms. In addition, we find that the incidence of polyploidy varies widely across different sections of Saxifraga, with species-rich sections Porphyrion and Saxifraga showing divergent polyploidy proportions. Overall, we show that hybridisation and polyploidisation played differential roles in the diversification of this large genus. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of species are yet to be scrutinised, particularly among the Asian Saxifraga species, illustrating the need for systematic further study to fully unravel the role of hybridisation during the evolution of Saxifraga.
On the Stark Broadening of Be II Spectral Lines
Authors: Dimitrijević Milan S. , Christova Magdalena , Sahal-Bréchot Sylvie
Published: November 2020

Calculated Stark broadening parameters of singly ionized beryllium spectral lines have been reported. Three spectral series have been studied within semiclassical perturbation theory. The plasma conditions cover temperatures from 2500 to 50,000 K and perturber densities 1011 cm−3 and 1013 cm−3. The influence of the temperature and the role of the perturbers (electrons, protons and He+ ions) on the Stark width and shift have been discussed. Results could be useful for plasma diagnostics in astrophysics, laboratory, and industrial plasmas.
CYP26A1 Is a Novel Biomarker for Betel Quid-Related Oral and Pharyngeal Cancers
Authors: Chen Ping-Ho , Chung Chia-Min , Wang Yen-Yun , Huang Hurng-Wern , Huang Bin , Lee Ka-Wo , Yuan Shyng-Shiou , Wu Che-Wei , Lin Lee-Shuan , Chan Leong-Perng
Published: November 2020

Betel quid (BQ) has been classified as a Group I human carcinogen in light of evidence demonstrating an association with an elevated risk of oral and pharyngeal cancers. To date, the incidence rate of oral and pharynx cancers among Taiwanese men ranks the highest worldwide. However, no study has yet confirmed variants of CYP26A1 was associated with the risks of oral and pharyngeal cancers. A case-control study was conducted (n = 339). CYP26A1 polymorphism was performed using SNP assay. Real-time qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to determine the levels of CYP26A1 expression. The cancer cell model involved treatment with arecoline. Our findings showed that the downregulation of CYP26A1 mRNA and protein expression are more frequently observed in cancerous tissues than adjacent normal tissues in patients with oral and pharynx cancers (p < 0.01). We found that CYP26A1 was downregulated as the arecoline dose increased. We hypothesized that lower levels of CYP26A1 mRNA expression can be utilized a clinically biomarker causes oral and pharynx cancers. Arecoline appears to modulate CYP26A1 expression through specific pathways. Carriers of CYP26A1 SNP, rs2068888 (G/G)/rs4418728 (G/G) and who have lower levels of CYP26A1 expression are associated with an increased risk of oral and pharyngeal cancers.
Intracranial Translucency, Its Use as a Potential First Trimester Ultrasound Marker for Screening of Neural Tube Defects
Authors: Sepúlveda-González Gerardo , Arroyo-Lemarroy Tayde , Basurto David , Davila Ivan , Lizárraga-Cepeda Esteban , Guerra-de la Garza Evia Angel Regino , Alcázar-Juárez Andrea
Published: November 2020

The objective of the study was to describe a case-series of neural tube defects (NTD) with an abnormal intracranial translucency (IT) detected during the first-trimester ultrasound scan, performed on a low-risk obstetric population in Mexico. Certified Fetal Medicine specialists performed all US scans; the IT was assessed using the mid-sagittal view of the fetal head, which is already systematically used for nuchal translucency and nasal bone evaluation. During the study, we were able to find that eight fetuses had an absence of the intracranial translucency, out of which two were reassessed at 14 weeks′ gestation and IT was normal, six of them were later diagnosed to have an NTD that consisted in spina bifida aperta (n = 5) and encephalocele (n = 1). Conclusion: As previous studies have shown, IT evaluation during the first-trimester US routine scan may be a useful screening marker for early detection of NTDs.
Fully Automated Breast Density Segmentation and Classification Using Deep Learning
Authors: Saffari Nasibeh , Rashwan Hatem A. , Abdel-Nasser Mohamed , Kumar Singh Vivek , Arenas Meritxell , Mangina Eleni , Herrera Blas , Puig Domenec
Published: November 2020

Breast density estimation with visual evaluation is still challenging due to low contrast and significant fluctuations in the mammograms’ fatty tissue background. The primary key to breast density classification is to detect the dense tissues in the mammographic images correctly. Many methods have been proposed for breast density estimation; nevertheless, most of them are not fully automated. Besides, they have been badly affected by low signal-to-noise ratio and variability of density in appearance and texture. This study intends to develop a fully automated and digitalized breast tissue segmentation and classification using advanced deep learning techniques. The conditional Generative Adversarial Networks (cGAN) network is applied to segment the dense tissues in mammograms. To have a complete system for breast density classification, we propose a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to classify mammograms based on the standardization of Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). The classification network is fed by the segmented masks of dense tissues generated by the cGAN network. For screening mammography, 410 images of 115 patients from the INbreast dataset were used. The proposed framework can segment the dense regions with an accuracy, Dice coefficient, Jaccard index of 98%, 88%, and 78%, respectively. Furthermore, we obtained precision, sensitivity, and specificity of 97.85%, 97.85%, and 99.28%, respectively, for breast density classification. This study’s findings are promising and show that the proposed deep learning-based techniques can produce a clinically useful computer-aided tool for breast density analysis by digital mammography.
Radiological Markers of the Olfactory Cleft: Relations to Unilateral Orthonasal and Retronasal Olfactory Function
Authors: Liu David T. , Schwarz-Nemec Ursula , Renner Bertold , Mueller Christian A. , Besser Gerold
Published: November 2020

The opacification of the olfactory cleft (OC) has been associated with birhinal orthonasal olfaction in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The aim of this study was to determine the associations between monorhinal and birhinal orthonasal, and retronasal olfaction with radiological markers of the OC in a cohort of patients with CRS. Results were analyzed in a CRS-cohort including 13 patients with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) and 12 patients with non-eosinophilic CRS (non-eCRS). Monorhinal and birhinal orthonasal olfactory function, and OC-air volume were higher in non-eCRS compared CRSwNP. OC-opacification was also higher in CRSwNP compared to non-eCRS. In the entire CRS-cohort, those with higher OC-opacification showed significantly lower orthonasal and retronasal olfactory test results compared to those with lower OC-opacification across all three coronal planes. Similarly, higher unilateral OC-opacification was also associated with lower ipsilateral orthonasal olfactory function. Correlation analysis further revealed a positive correlation between monorhinal and birhinal orthonasal olfaction with ipsilateral and overall OC-air volume. Likewise, birhinal and monorhinal orthonasal, and retronasal olfactory test results correlated negatively with the overall and ipsilateral Lund-Mackay scores. Monorhinal and birhinal orthonasal, and retronasal olfactory function were lower in CRS patients with higher ipsilateral and overall OC-opacification compared to those with lower OC-opacification.
Subthreshold Characteristics of AlGaN/GaN MIS-FinFETs with Controlling Threshold Voltages
Authors: Dai Quan , Lee Jung-Hee
Published: November 2020

AlGaN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistors with fin structures (AlGaN/GaN MIS-FinFETs) were fabricated and characterized by changing fin width and using different dielectric layers. The FinFET with 20 nm-thick SiO2 dielectric layer exhibits a very small subthreshold swing (SS) of 56 mV/decade. However, the threshold voltage of the device is too low to ensure low off-state leakage current (at the gate voltage of 0 V), even though the fin width of the device is reduced to 30 nm, which would not meet the requirement for low standby power consumption. On the other hand, the FinFET with a 10 nm-thick Al2O3 dielectric layer and a much wider fin width of 100 nm shows normally-off operation with a threshold voltage of 0.8 V, SS of 63 mV/dec, and very low off-state current of 1 nA/mm. When the fin width is reduced to 40 nm, the threshold voltage of the FinFET is increased to 2.3 V and the SS is decreased to 52 mV/decade. These excellent switching performances convince us that the FinFETs might be promising either for low voltage logic or for efficient power switching applications. The observed SS values, which are smaller than the theoretical Boltzmann limit (60 mV/decade), can be explained by the concept of the voltage-dependent effective channel width.
A Simulation Tool for Evaluating Video Streaming Architectures in Vehicular Network Scenarios
Authors: Garrido Abenza Pedro Pablo , P. Malumbres Manuel , Piñol Pablo , López Granado Otoniel
Published: November 2020

An integrated simulation tool called Video Delivery Simulation Framework over Vehicular Networks (VDSF-VN) is presented. This framework is intended to allow users to conduct experiments related to video transmission in vehicular networks by means of simulation. Research on this topic requires the use of many independent tools, such as traffic and network simulators, intermediate frameworks, video encoders and decoders, converters, platform-dependent scripting languages, data visualisation packages and spreadsheets, and some other tasks are performed manually. The lack of tools necessary to carry out all these tasks in an integrated and efficient way formed the motivation for the development of the VDSF-VN framework. It is managed via two user-friendly applications, GatcomSUMO and GatcomVideo, which allow all the necessary tasks to be accomplished. The first is primarily used to build the network scenario and set up the traffic flows, whereas the second involves the delivery process of the whole video, encoding/decoding video, running simulations, and processing all the experimental results to automatically provide the requested figures, tables and reports. This multiplatform framework is intended to fill the existing gap in this field, and has been successfully used in several experimental tests of vehicular networks.
Environmental and Political Determinants of Food Choices: A Preliminary Study in a Croatian Sample
Authors: Matek Sarić Marijana , Jakšić Krešimir , Čulin Jelena , Guiné Raquel P. F.
Published: November 2020

Production, processing, transporting, selling, and consumption of food are highly resource intensive. Therefore, if they are not well managed the consequences for the environment are far-reaching. This study aimed at investigating behaviors and attitudes of the Croatian population concerning the influence of environmental and political determinants of food choices, and the socio-demographic factors associated with pro-environmental behavior. Data analysis involved a non-probabilistic sample of 1534 adult participants from Croatia who responded to a validated questionnaire from November 2017 to March 2018. To test differences between sociodemographic groups, Welch’s t-test (two groups) and ANOVA (multiple groups) were used. The relationship between age and motivators of food choices was analyzed with Pearson’s r correlation coefficient. Participants reported a neutral rate of agreement with the items, with the exception of items related to food waste and food origin, for which they expressed a moderate amount of agreement. Socio-demographic factors that influence environmentally or politically concerned food choices in our study were age (older participants, p < 0.001), gender (women in comparison to men, p < 0.05), education level (higher education in comparison to elementary/high school, p < 0.05), marital status (married/cohabiting in comparison to unmarried, p < 0.05), responsibility for food supply (those who are responsible for food supply in comparison to those who are not responsible for food supply, p < 0.05), eating practices (participants with specific eating practices in comparison to participants without specific eating practices, p < 0.05), and smoking (those who have never smoked score and those who used to smoke in comparison to active smokers, p < 0.05). The results show that there are no statistically significant differences in environmental and political determinants of food choices based on the place of residence and employment status. The findings indicate that environmental and political determinants do not play a significant role in the food choices among the Croatian population.
Urban Tree Species Identification and Carbon Stock Mapping for Urban Green Planning and Management
Authors: Choudhury Md Abdul Mueed , Marcheggiani Ernesto , Despini Francesca , Costanzini Sofia , Rossi Paolo , Galli Andrea , Teggi Sergio
Published: November 2020

Recently, the severe intensification of atmospheric carbon has highlighted the importance of urban tree contributions in atmospheric carbon mitigations in city areas considering sustainable urban green planning and management systems. Explicit and timely information on urban trees and their roles in the atmospheric Carbon Stock (CS) are essential for policymakers to take immediate actions to ameliorate the effects of deforestation and their worsening outcomes. In this study, a detailed methodology for urban tree CS calibration and mapping was developed for the small urban area of Sassuolo in Italy. For dominant tree species classification, a remote sensing approach was applied, utilizing a high-resolution WV3 image. Five dominant species were identified and classified by applying the Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) approach with an overall accuracy of 78%. The CS calibration was done by utilizing an allometric model based on the field data of tree dendrometry—i.e., Height (H) and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH). For geometric measurements, a terrestrial photogrammetric approach known as Structure-from-Motion (SfM) was utilized. Out of 22 randomly selected sample plots of 100 square meters (10 m × 10 m) each, seven plots were utilized to validate the results of the CS calibration and mapping. In this study, CS mapping was done in an efficient and convenient way, highlighting higher CS and lower CS zones while recognizing the dominant tree species contributions. This study will help city planners initiate CS mapping and predict the possible CS for larger urban regions to ensure a sustainable urban green management system.
Deciphering S-RNase Allele Patterns in Cultivated and Wild Accessions of Italian Pear Germplasm
Authors: Bennici Stefania , Di Guardo Mario , Distefano Gaetano , Las Casas Giuseppina , Ferlito Filippo , De Franceschi Paolo , Dondini Luca , Gentile Alessandra , La Malfa Stefano
Published: November 2020

The genus Pyrus is characterized by an S-RNase-based gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) system, a mechanism that promotes outbreeding and prevents self-fertilization. While the S-genotype of the most widely known pear cultivars was already described, little is known on the S-allele variability within local accessions. The study was conducted on 86 accessions encompassing most of the local Sicilian varieties selected for their traits of agronomic interest and complemented with some accessions of related wild species (P. pyrifolia Nakai, P. amygdaliformis Vill.) and some national and international cultivars used as references. The employment of consensus and specific primers enabled the detection of 24 S-alleles combined in 48 S-genotypes. Results shed light on the distribution of the S-alleles among accessions, with wild species and international cultivars characterized by a high diversity and local accessions showing a more heterogeneous distribution of the S-alleles, likely reflecting a more complex history of hybridization. The S-allele distribution was largely in agreement with the genetic structure of the studied collection. In particular, the “wild” genetic background was often characterized by the same S-alleles detected in P. pyrifolia and P. amygdaliformis. The analysis of the S-allele distribution provided novel insight into the contribution of the wild and international cultivars to the genetic background of the local Sicilian or national accessions. Furthermore, these results provide information that can be readily employed by breeders for the set-up of novel mating schemes.
Analysis of Mechanical Behavior through Digital Image Correlation and Reliability of Pinus halepensis Mill.
Authors: Villarino Alberto , López-Rebollo Jorge , Antón Natividad
Published: November 2020

The mechanical behavior of test pieces extracted from two specimens of Pinus halepensis Mill., from the same geographical area and close to each other, was examined in this study. Using a methodology based on Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and implemented during compression strength testing, the modulus of elasticity in compression parallel to the grain (MOEc) was obtained. In addition, the value of compressive strength (MORc) was obtained for this type of wood. The research was complemented with a reliability study, determined using the Weibull modulus, from the MORc values. A microstructural and behavioral study of the most representative pieces after failure was also conducted to correlate breakage with the behavior of the pieces during the tests monitored by DIC, to link both studies. DIC was shown to be an ideal and low-cost technique for the determination of the studied properties, and obtained average values of MOEc of 50.72 MPa and MORc of 9693 MPa. These values represent fundamental data for design and calculations of wooden structures. A reliability value of between 11 and 12 was obtained using the Weibull modulus for this type of wood.
Use of Almond Skins to Improve Nutritional and Functional Properties of Biscuits: An Example of Upcycling
Authors: Pasqualone Antonella , Laddomada Barbara , Boukid Fatma , Angelis Davide De , Summo Carmine
Published: November 2020

Upcycling food industry by-products has become a topic of interest within the framework of the circular economy, to minimize environmental impact and the waste of resources. This research aimed at verifying the effectiveness of using almond skins, a by-product of the confectionery industry, in the preparation of functional biscuits with improved nutritional properties. Almond skins were added at 10 g/100 g (AS10) and 20 g/100 g (AS20) to a wheat flour basis. The protein content was not influenced, whereas lipids and dietary fiber significantly increased (p < 0.05), the latter meeting the requirements for applying “source of fiber” and “high in fiber” claims to AS10 and AS20 biscuits, respectively. The addition of almond skins altered biscuit color, lowering L* and b* and increasing a*, but improved friability. The biscuits showed sensory differences in color, odor and textural descriptors. The total sum of single phenolic compounds, determined by HPLC, was higher (p < 0.05) in AS10 (97.84 µg/g) and AS20 (132.18 µg/g) than in control (73.97 µg/g). The antioxidant activity showed the same trend as the phenolic. The p-hydroxy benzoic and protocatechuic acids showed the largest increase. The suggested strategy is a practical example of upcycling when preparing a health-oriented food product.
Heavy Metals Contamination in Shellfish: Benefit-Risk Evaluation in Central Italy
Authors: Barchiesi Francesca , Branciari Raffaella , Latini Mario , Roila Rossana , Lediani Giuseppe , Filippini Giovanni , Scortichini Giampiero , Piersanti Arianna , Rocchegiani Elena , Ranucci David
Published: November 2020

Seafood is a source of nutrients in human diet but also of environmental contaminants and its consumption could pose a risk to consumers’ health. A survey regarding the exposure to cadmium, lead and mercury through the consumption of bivalve mollusks, gastropods and sea urchins collected on Italian coasts was carried out among central Italian population over a period of three years. A limited number of samples exceeds the threshold set by legislation (6 samples) and the average level of contamination was low in all the species considered. The contribution Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) was higher for cadmium (9.17%) than lead (1.44%) and mercury (0.20%). The benefit-risk evaluation suggests that the bivalve mollusks and sea urchins consumption (Benefit Risk Quotient < 1) could be increased without health detrimental effects.
Picturing Forgotten Filipinx: Family Photographs and Resisting U.S. Colonial Amnesias
Authors: Cadiz Stevie , Trinidad Alma M. Ouanesisouk
Published: November 2020

U.S. imperialism in the Philippines has led to the multiple generations of diasporic conditions of colonial amnesia and systematic forgetting of history. Its impact on the Filipinx community has left unrecorded memories and voices of immigrants silenced, and considered lost to history. This study examines the relationship between U.S. colonialism and imperialism in the Philippines and the experiences of Filipinx immigration to the U.S. through a critical Indigenous feminist lens of visual imagery and storytelling. Given that many of the experiences within the Filipinx diaspora in relation to the American Empire have been systematically forgotten and erased, this study utilizes family photographs in framing the challenges and reinscribes harmful hegemonic U.S. colonial and imperial narratives. With a combination of semi-structured interviews and photo analysis as a form of visual storytelling, the family photographs within the Filipinx diaspora may reframe, challenge, and resist hegemonic U.S. colonial and imperial narratives by holding memories of migration, loss, family belonging, and community across spatial and generational boundaries that attempt to erase by the U.S. nation-state. Results shed light on resistance and survivance through bayanihan (community care) spirit.
Fucosidosis—Clinical Manifestation, Long-Term Outcomes, and Genetic Profile—Review and Case Series
Authors: Stepien Karolina M. , Ciara Elżbieta , Jezela-Stanek Aleksandra
Published: November 2020

Fucosidosis is a neurodegenerative disorder which progresses inexorably. Clinical features include coarse facial features, growth retardation, recurrent upper respiratory infections, dysostosis multiplex, and angiokeratoma corporis diffusum. Fucosidosis is caused by mutations in the FUCA1 gene resulting in α-L-fucosidase deficiency. Only 36 pathogenic variants in the FUCA1 gene are related to fucosidosis. Most of them are missense/nonsense substitutions; six missense and 11 nonsense mutations. Among deletions there were eight small and five gross changes. So far, only three splice site variants have been described—one small deletion, one complete deletion and one stop-loss mutation. The disease has a significant clinical variability, the cause of which is not well understood. The genotype–phenotype correlation has not been well defined. This review describes the genetic profile and clinical manifestations of fucosidosis in pediatric and adult cases.
Network Protein Interaction in Parkinson’s Disease and Periodontitis Interplay: A Preliminary Bioinformatic Analysis
Authors: Botelho João , Mascarenhas Paulo , Mendes José João , Machado Vanessa
Published: November 2020

Recent studies supported a clinical association between Parkinson’s disease (PD) and periodontitis. Hence, investigating possible interactions between proteins associated to these two conditions is of interest. In this study, we conducted a protein–protein network interaction analysis with recognized genes encoding proteins with variants strongly associated with PD and periodontitis. Genes of interest were collected via the Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) database. Then, we conducted a protein interaction analysis, using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database, with a highest confidence cutoff of 0.9 and sensitivity analysis with confidence cutoff of 0.7. Our protein network casts a comprehensive analysis of potential protein–protein interactions between PD and periodontitis. This analysis may underpin valuable information for new candidate molecular mechanisms between PD and periodontitis and may serve new potential targets for research purposes. These results should be carefully interpreted, giving the limitations of this approach.
Adherence to Beers Criteria in Geriatrics: A Retrospective Study in a Saudi Teaching Hospital
Authors: Alshehri Samah , Alshibani Mohannad , Magboul Ghaydaa , Albandar Albandari , Nasser Roaa , Yaqoub Roaya M. , Alzuhayri Jumana , Aljabri Ahmed
Published: November 2020

Background: The aging process makes geriatric populations more prone to various chronic diseases. Such diseases require older patients to be on more medications than any other age group and make them more susceptible to adverse drug events related to potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). Aim: To identify the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications among older people and explore the most commonly prescribed PIMs in hospitalized patients. Design and Setting: A retrospective study conducted in a large tertiary hospital among patients hospitalized in a 4 year period from January 2015 to December 2018. Methods: The 2019 Beers Criteria were used to assess PIMs in all inpatient prescribed medications focusing on the first class (i.e., drug/drug class to be avoided in older adults). Results: The mean age was 75.17 ± 7.66 years. A total of 684 (80.6%) patients were prescribed at least one medication listed in the first-class category of the 2019 Beers Criteria. Top five drugs were proton pump inhibitors (40.3%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (10.2%), metoclopramide (9.3%), benzodiazepines (8.4%), and insulin (5.4%). Conclusions: The prevalence of PIMs is high among older patients admitted to the hospital. More efforts are needed to investigate the potential reasons and develop action plans to improve concordance to Beers Criteria among healthcare providers.
The Causes of Insulin Resistance in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Is There a Place for Quaternary Prevention?
Authors: Wolosowicz Marta , Lukaszuk Bartlomiej , Chabowski Adrian
Published: November 2020

Diabetes mellitus was the first non-communicable disease that was recognized by the United Nations as a 21st-century pandemic problem. Recent scientific reports suggest that people with type 1 diabetes mellitus also develop insulin resistance, which is generally considered to be a distinctive feature of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The causes of insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes mellitus were explored, but there was a lack of publications that connected the risk factors of insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes mellitus with the proposition of repair mechanisms that are offered by quaternary prevention. Toward this end, the present review is an attempt to combine the previous reports on the causes of insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes mellitus and a brief review of quaternary prevention. The destructive effect of insulin resistance on many physiological processes that predisposes the individual to chronic diabetes complications creates an urgent need to introduce effective therapeutic methods for preventing the development and progression of this pathology.
Experiencing Nature to Satisfy Basic Psychological Needs in Parenting: A Quasi-Experiment in Family Shelters
Authors: Peters Elise , Maas Jolanda , Hovinga Dieuwke , Van den Bogerd Nicole , Schuengel Carlo
Published: November 2020

Finding fulfillment of basic psychological needs may be difficult for parents living in shelters after becoming homeless or after escaping violence. This study tested if experiencing nature was associated with the basic psychological needs of parents in shelters. Need satisfaction and need frustration were measured among parents in shelters (N = 160), with one measurement in the standard indoor context of the shelter and one measurement while experiencing nature. Experiencing nature was associated with enhanced need satisfaction (d = 0.28) and reduced need frustration (d = −0.24). The effect was especially pronounced for parents with young children. Our findings suggest that the physical environment matters for parents’ basic psychological need fulfillment as they interact with their children in the context of sheltering. This finding opens a potential avenue for supporting parental functioning and resilience in the face of risk if these effects were to be replicated across settings using controlled experimental designs. At the very least, the findings may be discussed with practitioners and parents in the context of making shelter life and work more conducive to mental health and family functioning.
Fiscal Decentralization and Local Environmental Pollution in China
Authors: Guo Shufen , Wen Ludi , Wu Yanrui , Yue Xiaohang , Fan Guilian
Published: November 2020

Fiscal decentralization is one of the tools for the central government to engage local governments in environment management. However, its effects are inconclusive. This paper aims to examine the impact of fiscal decentralization on environmental pollution and the role of government environmental preference in China’s provinces. The results show that fiscal revenue decentralization exacerbates local environmental pollution more seriously than expenditure decentralization. This negative environmental effect of fiscal decentralization could be moderated by government environmental preference. Based on our findings, it is recommended that China’s local governments should improve environmental preference so that fiscal decentralization can create a win–win situation for the economy and environment. Furthermore, the different effects of fiscal revenue and expenditure decentralization create a necessity for differentiated management of fiscal decentralization by the central and local governments.
Short-Term Core Strengthening Program Improves Functional Movement Score in Untrained College Students
Authors: Šćepanović Tijana , Protić-Gava Branka , Sporiš Goran , Rupčić Tomislav , Miljković Zvonko , Liapikos Konstantinos , Mačak Draženka , Madić Dejan M. , Trajković Nebojša
Published: November 2020

Functional movement is an important part of developing athletes’ but also untrained individuals’ performance. Its monitoring also proved useful in identifying functional limitations and asymmetries, and also in determining the intervention effects. The quasi-experimental pre-test post-test study investigated the effects of core stability training program on the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) score in untrained students after six weeks. The intervention (INT) and control (CG) groups included 73 and 65 male students, respectively. Functional movement patterns were evaluated using the FMS including seven components scores representing seven basic functional patterns. Both groups significantly improved almost all FMS components scores, but the INT increased the mean performance of the hurdle step (partial ŋ2 × 100 = 4%, p = 0.02), in-line lunge (partial ŋ2 × 100 = 3%, p = 0.05), rotatory stability (partial ŋ2 × 100 = 4%, p = 0.02) and total FMS (partial ŋ2 × 100 = 3%, p = 0.04) significantly more than the CG. This justifies that core strengthening can improve FMS in untrained individuals even with the short duration programs.
Proximity to Facilities and Its Association with the Health-Related Habits of Functionally Independent Older Adults
Authors: Machón Mónica , Vrotsou Kalliopi , Larrañaga Isabel , Vergara Itziar
Published: November 2020

The aim was to examine how proximity to facilities, as a component of community determinants, is associated with the health-related habits of functionally independent community-dwelling older adults. This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. Participants were >65 years old, living in 15 municipalities of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain). Proximity to park-green spaces, cultural-sport centers, market-food stores, retirement associations, religious centers, primary care centers and hospitals was explored. Sociodemographic variables and health-related habits (diet, physical activity and self-perceived social life) were collected. Logistic regression models were performed. The sample comprised of 634 individuals (55% women; mean age: 74.8, SD 6.7 years). Older age (odds ratio-OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.91–0.97) was associated with lower physical activity, while being male (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.08–2.68) and proximity to park-green spaces (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.03–2.61) were related to more physical activity. Individuals with good self-perceived health (OR: 3.50, 95% CI: 1.82–6.74) and religious centers within walking distance (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.40–5.04) had higher odds of a satisfactory social life. Encouraging the creation of park-green spaces and leisure centers near residential areas can assist in promoting physical activity and improving the social life of older adults.
Impact of Aquatic-Based Physical Exercise Programs on Risk Markers of Cardiometabolic Diseases in Older People: A Study Protocol for Randomized-Controlled Trials
Authors: Ferreira José Pedro , Teixeira Ana , Serrano João , Farinha Carlos , Santos Hélder , Silva Fernanda M. , Cascante-Rusenhack Márcio , Luís Paulo
Published: November 2020

Cardiometabolic diseases are one of the primary causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide and sedentary lifestyles are contributing factors to these pathologies. Physical exercise has been recognized as an important tool in the prevention and treatment of these diseases. However, there are still some doubts about the efficacy of certain type of physical exercise programs for older participants. The main goal of this study is to assess the impact of different aquatic-based physical exercise programs on risk markers of cardiometabolic diseases in older people. The study group will consist of non-institutionalized individuals, within the age group of 65 or older. The sample will be randomly divided into four groups, three experimental groups (EG) and one control group (CG). Participants from the EGs will be exposed to three physical aquatic-based exercise programs for a period of 28 weeks (continuous aerobic, interval aerobic and combined). The evaluated parameters include anthropometry, physical functions, mental health, cognitive function, carotid arteries intima-media thickness, heart rate variability and biochemical markers. The results will allow an interpretation of the impact of different aquatic-based physical exercise programs on cardiometabolic diseases markers and can also be used as a tool for professionals to prescribe adequate and more efficient physical exercise programs.
Clinical Characteristics in Early Childhood Associated with a Nevus-Prone Phenotype in Adults from Tropical Australia: Two Decades of Follow-Up of the Townsville Preschool Cohort Study
Authors: Barsoum Ramez , Harrison Simone L.
Published: November 2020

Having numerous melanocytic nevi increases melanoma risk. Few studies have enumerated nevi in children and re-examined them as adults. We aimed to determine if childhood nevus-counts predict nevus-prone adults, and further explore the relevance of host-factors and sun-exposure. Fifty-one Caucasian residents of Townsville (19.16° S, Queensland, Australia) had full-body nevus-counts aged 1–6 and 21–31 years-old. Sun-exposure was determined from questionnaires. Children in the upper-quartile of nevus-counts acquired nevi more rapidly than those in the bottom-quartile (13.3 versus 4.7 nevi/year; p < 0.0005). Children sunburnt before 7 years-old acquired more incident nevi by adulthood (238 versus 126, p = 0.003) particularly if sunburn was severe (321 versus 157.5, p = 0.003) or erythema occurred annually (380 versus 132, p = 0.008). Fair-skinned, freckled children with some nevi ≥ 3 mm, solar lentigines, or a family history of melanoma acquired more incident nevi than children without these attributes. Nevus-prone adults exhibit distinguishing features earlier in life (<7 years-old in Queensland) than has been shown previously. In addition to intervening with sun-protection counselling early enough to reduce risk, being able to reliably triage children into high- and low melanoma-risk groups may inform more efficacious and cost-effective targeted-screening in melanoma-prone populations. Further longitudinal research is needed to confirm that these attributes can reliably separate risk-groups.
Development and Validation of a Sexual-Outlook Questionnaire (SOQ) for Adult Populations in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Kim Sun Houng , Lee Hyang Yuol , Lee Seung Young , Lee Bum Suk
Published: November 2020

A Sexual Outlook Questionnaire (SOQ) that can apply to a wide range of Korean populations, including disabled people, was necessary for comprehensive research on improving clinical practice of sexual education and developing sex-related intervention programs. We developed the SOQ and tested its validity with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and multi-trait/-item matrix analyses. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s α coefficient for item total correlations. We studied a total of 334 married or previously married adults with no cognitive impairment in the community settings. The eleven survey items were included in the final SOQ. Three factors were found: The first, “personal benefit”, was devoted to the impact of one’s sexual life and included four questions about the health-promoting effects and their recognition of healthiness, youth, and vitality as benefits of their sexual life. The second, “relational value”, included four questions about sex as an expression of love and means of communication, and its effect on the improvement of their relationship with their spouse (partner). The third, “sexual endeavor”, included three questions about the handling of sex-related problems, consulting with an expert, and sexual education. The questionnaire can briefly measure the sexual outlook of any married or previously married adult, regardless of disability.
Projection of the Number of Elderly in Different Health States in Thailand in the Next Ten Years, 2020–2030
Authors: Tantirat Panupong , Suphanchaimat Repeepong , Rattanathumsakul Thanit , Noree Thinakorn
Published: November 2020

The objective of this study is to predict the volume of the elderly in different health status categories in Thailand in the next ten years (2020–2030). Multistate modelling was performed. We defined four states of elderly patients (aged ≥ 60 years) according to four different levels of Activities of Daily Living (ADL): social group; home group; bedridden group; and dead group. The volume of newcomers was projected by trend extrapolation methods with exponential growth. The transition probabilities from one state to another was obtained by literature review and model optimization. The mortality rate was obtained by literature review. Sensitivity analysis was conducted. By 2030, the number of social, home, and bedridden groups was 15,593,054, 321,511, and 152,749, respectively. The model prediction error was 1.75%. Sensitivity analysis with the change of transition probabilities by 20% caused the number of bedridden patients to vary from between 150,249 and 155,596. In conclusion, the number of bedridden elders will reach 153,000 in the next decade (3 times larger than the status quo). Policy makers may consider using this finding as an input for future resource planning and allocation. Further studies should be conducted to identify the parameters that better reflect the transition of people from one health state to another.
Continuous k Nearest Neighbor Queries over Large-Scale Spatial–Textual Data Streams
Authors: Yang Rong , Niu Baoning
Published: November 2020

Continuous k nearest neighbor queries over spatial–textual data streams (abbreviated as CkQST) are the core operations of numerous location-based publish/subscribe systems. Such a system is usually subscribed with millions of CkQST and evaluated simultaneously whenever new objects arrive and old objects expire. To efficiently evaluate CkQST, we extend a quadtree with an ordered, inverted index as the spatial–textual index for subscribed queries to match the incoming objects, and exploit it with three key techniques. (1) A memory-based cost model is proposed to find the optimal quadtree nodes covering the spatial search range of CkQST, which minimize the cost for searching and updating the index. (2) An adaptive block-based ordered, inverted index is proposed to organize the keywords of CkQST, which adaptively arranges queries in spatial nodes and allows the objects containing common keywords to be processed in a batch with a shared scan, and hence a significant performance gain. (3) A cost-based k-skyband technique is proposed to judiciously determine an optimal search range for CkQST according to the workload of objects, to reduce the re-evaluation cost due to the expiration of objects. The experiments on real-world and synthetic datasets demonstrate that our proposed techniques can efficiently evaluate CkQST.
Immune Response to Tick-Borne Hemoparasites: Host Adaptive Immune Response Mechanisms as Potential Targets for Therapies and Vaccines
Authors: Torina Alessandra , Blanda Valeria , Villari Sara , Piazza Antonio , La Russa Francesco , Grippi Francesca , La Manna Marco Pio , Di Liberto Diana , de la Fuente José , Sireci Guido
Published: November 2020

Tick-transmitted pathogens cause infectious diseases in both humans and animals. Different types of adaptive immune mechanisms could be induced in hosts by these microorganisms, triggered either directly by pathogen antigens or indirectly through soluble factors, such as cytokines and/or chemokines, secreted by host cells as response. Adaptive immunity effectors, such as antibody secretion and cytotoxic and/or T helper cell responses, are mainly involved in the late and long-lasting protective immune response. Proteins and/or epitopes derived from pathogens and tick vectors have been isolated and characterized for the immune response induced in different hosts. This review was focused on the interactions between tick-borne pathogenic hemoparasites and different host effector mechanisms of T- and/or B cell-mediated adaptive immunity, describing the efforts to define immunodominant proteins or epitopes for vaccine development and/or immunotherapeutic purposes. A better understanding of these mechanisms of host immunity could lead to the assessment of possible new immunotherapies for these pathogens as well as to the prediction of possible new candidate vaccine antigens.